Celgene releases positive data from Revlimid study

BOUDRY, Switzerland Celgene International has released data from a new clinical study regarding its Revlimid drug, which is used to treat the growth of cancerous myeloma cells within the bone marrow. The drug is usually taken with the steroid drug dexamethasone.

The data was taken from a Phase III trial evaluating newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients taking the drug with low-dose dexamethasone compared to the drug with a standard high-dose dexamethasone.

The 87 percent survival rate with Revlimid and low-dose dexametheasone at two years showed an advantage compared to the two-year survival rate of 75 percent for patients who received Revlimid and high-dose dexamethasone. Increased overall survival was seen in patients receiving Revlimid and low-dose dexamethasone regardless of age, however patients under the age of 65 showed a two year survival probability of 91 percent compared to 85 percent using high-dose dexamethasone at two years.

In patients who continued on treatment past six months, the 99 percent survival rate showed an advantage compared to a survival rate of 97 percent for patients who received Revlimid and high-dose dexamethasone at one year.