University Of Massachusetts Research On Myelodysplastic Syndrome Show Long Term Benefits For Non Deletion 5q Patients Treated With Revlimid(R)

Main Category: Blood / Hematology
Also Included In: Transplants / Organ Donations;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 12 Dec 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, in collaboration with their clinical partners at UMass Memorial Health Care, today announced final results from a breakthrough Phase II trial of Revlimid patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) without a deletion 5q abnormality. The findings presented show that nearly one-third of patients achieved blood transfusion independence and remained blood transfusion free for a median duration of 41 weeks.

"These remarkable data results demonstrate that Revlimid can reduce the need for blood transfusions in not only MDS patients with deletion 5q, but also those patients without the abnormal chromosome, deletion 5q," said Professor of Medicine Azra Raza, MD, director of the Medical School's Radhey Khanna MDS Center and author and lead investigator of the study. "These results in Revlimid treated patients provide long-term clinical benefits in a broad range of MDS patients."

MDS, a cancer in which the bone marrow fails to make enough functioning blood cells, affects 300,000 people worldwide, killing 60,000 to 70,000 a year. MDS patients suffer from anemia and fatigue and need whole-body blood transfusions as much as twice a month. Repeated transfusions can lead to a toxic buildup called "iron overload" that severely damages the heart, liver and pancreas, and patients eventually succumb to the disease.

The study evaluated response in 214 patients. In addition to significantly reducing transfusion requirements, Revlimid also induced a cytogenetic response in 19 percent of assessable patients. The study was sponsored by Celgene Corporation.

Revlimid is indicated for the treatment of patients with transfusion- dependent anemia due to Low- or Intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities. Revlimid is also used as treatment in combination with dexamethasone for multiple myeloma patients who have received at least one prior therapy.

About The University of Massachusetts Medical School

The University of Massachusetts Medical School, one of the fastest growing academic health centers in the country, has built a reputation as a world-class research institution, consistently producing noteworthy advances in clinical and basic research. The Medical School attracts more than $174 million in research funding annually, 80 percent of which comes from federal funding sources. For more information visit http://www.umassmed.edu.

About UMass Memorial Health Care

UMass Memorial Health Care is central Massachusetts' largest not-for-profit health care delivery system, covering the complete health care continuum with teaching hospitals, affiliated community hospitals, freestanding primary care practices, ambulatory outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, hospice programs, a rehabilitation group and mental health services. UMass Memorial is the clinical partner of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

University of Massachusetts Medical School
http://www.umassmed.edu

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