FDA approves multiple myeloma drug

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Celgene for treating the cancer multiple myeloma, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Pomalyst (pomalidomide) for patients whose disease has progressed after treatment with other cancer drugs.

Multiple myeloma is a form of blood cancer that mostly affects older people and comes from plasma cells in the bone marrow. About 21,700 Americans are diagnosed with it, and 10,710 die every year from the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute.