Lenalidomide: from relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma to upfront therapy. (October 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sandhu, Irwindeep; Belch, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Aging health. Volume 7:Number 5(2011)
• Page Start: 665
• Page End: 676
• Publication Date: 2011-10
• Subjects: immunomodulatory drug -- lenalidomide -- multiple myeloma; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97005
• DOI: 10.2217/ahe.11.61
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-509X

Abstract

Lenalidomide is a second-generation immunomodulatory drug with approved indications in the treatment of deletion 5q myelodysplastic syndrome and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. When used alone or in combination, most often with dexamethasone, it is a powerful agent against multiple myeloma that is much better tolerated than its derived molecule, thalidomide. In the upfront setting, lenalidomide demonstrates tumoricidal and immunomodulatory activity against treatment-naive myeloma cells with utility not only in the induction, consolidation and maintenance settings following autologous stem cell therapy in eligible patients, but also in first-line use for autologous stem cell therapy ineligible patients with unprecedented response rates, time to progression and overall survival.