The Moffitt Cancer Center said findings from a clinical trial presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting evaluating REVLIMID (lenalidomide) as a monotherapy is both effective and well-tolerated in patients who have been previously treated for multiple myeloma with two or more therapies.

In the study, 26% of relapsed refractory multiple myeloma patients treated with REVLIMID as a single achieved an overall response, either complete or partial remission, and 66% of patients experienced stable disease. The median overall survival was 1.9 years with 41% of patients alive after three years. Prior to this innovative therapy the median overall survival was less than a year. Additionally, the duration of response was 13 months.

"REVLIMID is a novel, oral, targeted immune modulator cancer therapy with impressive clinical data in both newly diagnosed and previously treated multiple myeloma that shows REVLIMID can provide durable, long-lasting results for patients," said Dr. Mohamad Hussein, Head Multiple Myeloma Section, Moffitt Cancer Center. "This study demonstrates that REVLIMID is effective in treating patients in which other therapies have failed without complimentary steroids or chemotherapy that can potentially cause serious side effects helping patients to live longer with a better quality of life."

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of one of the immune cells that affects production of red cells, white cells and platelets. It is the second most prevalent and fastest growing of the blood cancers, affecting an estimated 750,000 people worldwide and 60,000 patients in the U.S.

REVLIMID is the newest of what are called immune modulators which have changed the outlook for patients with multiple myeloma and enable doctors to treat the previously incurable cancer as a chronic, manageable condition. It is an oral drug that can be taken at home and doesn't have some of the difficult side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy because it targets the cancer cells directly along with the factors that support their growth.

About Moffitt Cancer Center

Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center is the only Florida-based cancer center with the NCI designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center for its excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 15 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country's leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer and ear, nose and throat. Moffitt's sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.

Moffitt Cancer Center

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