Preliminary results from a Phase 1 clinical trial suggest that everolimus (RAD001), in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide), may have potential in the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. The findings were presented on June 4 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting.

Everolimus is marketed by Novartis under the brand name Afinitor for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer and under the name Zortress to prevent kidney transplant rejection.  Everolimus …

A recent study conducted in Scandinavia shows that the combination treatment of melphalan (Alkeran), prednisone and thalidomide (Thalomid), referred to as MPT, has significant anti-myeloma effects when compared to melphalan and prednisone treatment, referred to as MP, in elderly patients.  However, MPT treatment did not increase progression-free and overall survival or improve quality of life compared to MP treatment.

Studies examining the effect of adding thalidomide to MP treatment have previously been conducted in several European countries.  …