The Journal of Clinical Oncology has reported that a combination regimen of Actimid (pomalidomide) and low-dose dexamethasone (Decadron) in a Phase 2 clinical trial was highly effective in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients.

Actimid belongs to a class of therapeutic agents called immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), which are molecular analogs of thalidomide (Thalomid). Thalidomide acts on myeloma tumors by inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels. In addition to this mechanism, IMiDs prevent the development of abnormal tissue masses called neoplasms and induce programmed cell death. …

A num­ber of new drugs are on the horizon for re­lapsed and re­frac­tory patients, as discussed by physicians at the 2009 Inter­na­tional Myeloma Workshop (IMW). The dis­cus­sion covered drugs in all stages of devel­op­ment, from those still undergoing initial lab testing to ones already in inter­na­tional clin­i­cal trials.

Overall re­spon­siveness to treat­ment has im­proved dramatically with the recent in­tro­duc­tion of more potent agents such as Revlimid (lena­lido­mide) and Velcade (bor­tez­o­mib). Doctors are now testing com­bi­na­tions of these two drugs with newer pharma­ceu­ticals. Of the two, Velcade has been …

A large-scale, retrospective study has confirmed an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with multiple myeloma or its precursor condition, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

DVT is a potentially lethal clot formation in the deep veins of the body. If a clot dislodges, it may travel to other areas and block blood flow to vital organs. Researchers estimate that approximately 70 percent of all critical blockages of lung blood vessels originate from DVT in the pelvis or lower extremities.

In this study, which involved over four million male veterans, multiple …

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic today reported positive results of a Phase 2 clinical trial combining Actimid (pomalidomide) with low-dose dexamethasone (pom-dex) in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients. The results were presented earlier today at the 50th annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

Actimid, also known as pomalidomide or CC-4047, is a molecular relative of the commonly used myeloma treatment thalidomide (Thalomid). Like thalidomide, Actimid is an immunomodulatory agent, meaning that it has the ability to alter or regulate the body's immune response. Both drugs …

Brand Name:
Generic Name:	pomalidomide
Code Name:	CC-4047, Actimid
Company:	Celgene
FDA Clinical Phase:	1/2

Description:

Pomalidomide (new articles, forum discussions) is an immunomodulatory agent (a drug that affects the immune system) that encourages a patient’s immune system to attack and destroy myeloma cells.