[Ruchi]

Questions related to Revlimid

by Ruchi on Fri Jul 06, 2012 11:12 am

My mother is in India and she was detected with Solitary non-secretary plasmacytoma last August after she had a fracture in her right shoulder. She was on thalidomide for 5 months and than had taken 8 cycles of Velcade IV. Currently she is on thalidomide, but her doctor is now planning to move her to Lenalidomide(i think in US it is sold as Revlimid). I came across the article at the below link related to the usage of Revlimid,
https://myelomabeacon.org/news/2012/06/21/safety-concerns-force-withdrawal-of-revlimid-lenalidomide-application-for-expanded-use-in-europe/
The above article did increase my concerns as to how safe it is to take this medication, if there are chances of secondary cancers. I know some other users have also posted topics related to this, but I just wanted to know if there were any further studies that has proved the safety of this drug. From my research it seems that if this Revlimid is taken in combination with other drugs, it might increase the chances of secondary cancers. Let me know if I am wrong here or if anybody has any experience with this drug.

Also does Revlimid cause Peripheral Neuropathy? What are the side effects of Revlimid?

My mother did not have any major side effects with Velcade, thalidomide, but since last couple of days she is complaining of tingling sensation in her palms and pain in her calf muscles. Is this related to PN?

[Beacon Staff]

Re: Questions related to Revlimid

by Beacon Staff on Fri Jul 06, 2012 12:06 pm

Hi Ruchi,

We're sorry to hear about your mother's struggle with myeloma.

The Beacon has published quite a few articles recently about Revlimid (lenalidomide) and its link to secondary cancers. All of those articles can be found here:
https://myelomabeacon.org/tag/secondary-cancer/

Specifically, here's an update from the FDA's safety review of Revlimid:
FDA Issues Extensive Update About Revlimid And Second Cancers
https://myelomabeacon.org/news/2012/05/07/fda-issues-extensive-update-about-revlimid-lenalidomide-and-second-cancers/

Here's an update from the European safety review of Revlimid:
European Regulators Conclude Revlimid Safety Review, Say Drug’s Benefit-Risk Balance Remains Positive
https://myelomabeacon.org/news/2011/09/23/european-regulators-conclude-revlimid-lenalidomide-safety-review-say-drugs-benefit-risk-balance-remains-positive/

The safety reviews generally show that Revlimid is most likely to increase the risk of second cancers when used as maintenance therapy, particularly in combination with or soon after melphalan therapy.

In case you haven't already seen these, there are a number of related forum postings in which patients and caregivers discuss the side effects of Revlimid. Please note that a small percentage of myeloma patients experience peripheral neuropathy during Revlimid treatment, but the rate is much lower with Revlimid therapy than with Velcade or thalidomide therapy:

Experience with Revlimid
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/experience-with-revlimid-t1014.html

Side effects of Revlimid
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/sideeffect-of-revlimid-t841.html

Side effects of Revlimid as Maintenance Drug
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/side-effects-of-revlimid-as-maintenance-drug-t172.html

Revlimid maintenance therapy, secondary cancers
https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/revlimid-maintenance-therapy-secondary-cancers-t1096.html

[Ruchi]

Re: Questions related to Revlimid

by Ruchi on Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:58 am

Thank you so much for your reply and updates regarding Revlimid

How effective is it to take maintenance drugs? I mean will taking this medications reduce or prolong chances of relapse? Currently, all reports of my mother are normal after treatment with Velcade,dex. Is it ok if she doesnt take any medications but keeps on doing regular blood tests and other recommended tests? Or is it essential to take Revlimid/thalidomide as maintenance therapy as that will reduce/prolong chances of relapse?