The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recently released an updated version of its guidelines for the diag­nosis and treat­ment of multiple myeloma.

The most notable change to the guidelines is the addi­tion of Kyprolis (carfilz­omib), in com­bi­na­tion with Revlimid (lena­lido­mide) and dexa­metha­sone (Decadron), as an alter­na­tive treat­ment option for newly diagnosed myeloma patients eligible for a stem cell trans­plant.

The guidelines also now list Pomalyst (poma­lido­mide), in com­bi­na­tion with dexa­meth­a­sone, as a preferred salvage treat­ment for myeloma.

NCCN guidelines are followed closely by physicians and by many U.S. health …

The results of a recent French Phase 2 study investigating two Pomalyst (poma­lido­mide) dosing schedules have been published.

The response, survival, and safety data from the study are in line with the results of other Pomalyst trials that have been made public over the past year or two.

In particular, the trial results indicate that the combination of Pomalyst plus low-dose dexamethasone is effective in multiple myeloma patients who have re­lapsed from, or are resistant to treatment with, Revlimid and Velcade.

Based on the data from this study and as …

Now that Pomalyst has been approved in the United States as a treatment for multiple myeloma, the drug is available for physicians in the U.S. to prescribe for their patients.

The broad availability of Pomalyst, however, raises the important question: For what types of myeloma patients are physicians likely to prescribe Pomalyst?

Early this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pomalyst (pomalidomide) for the treatment of certain multiple myeloma patients.  These patients must have received at least two prior therapies, including Revlimid (lenalidomide) and Velcade (bortezomib), …

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pomalyst (pomalidomide) for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received at least two prior therapies (see related Beacon news).

In this article, The Beacon addresses important questions multiple myeloma patients have been asking about the FDA decision.  The article is organized similarly to one the Beacon published about Kyprolis (carfilzomib) after it was approved by the FDA last summer.

What exactly did the FDA …

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved pomalidomide, which will be marketed under the brand name Pomalyst, for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.

Specifically, Pomalyst has been approved for use in patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies including Rev­limid (lenalido­mide) and Velcade (bortezomib) and have demon­strat­ed disease progression on or within 60 days of completion of the last therapy.

Celgene (NASDAQ:CELG), the company that will market Pomalyst, has told The Beacon that the drug will be …

The "what will the FDA decide about pomalidomide" waiting game is reaching its final hours, and the drama is peaking.

Celgene (CELG:NASDAQ), the company that has been developing poma­lido­mide, asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last April to approve the drug for the treatment of relapsed and refractory myeloma.

Based on the date the company filed its new drug application with the FDA, the regulator is required to make a decision on the application by this coming Sunday, February 10.

Financial analysts are expecting a positive decision by …

Celgene has proposed ‘Pomalyst’ as the trademarked brand name for pomalidomide.

The name was made public this morning in a press release by Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG), the company developing pomalidomide.  The press release contains information about the company's expected financial results for 2012 and forecasts for 2013 and later years.

In the press release, Celgene refers to pomalidomide primarily by its new proposed brand name, Pomalyst.  This is the first time the company has used the proposed brand name in a public document or presentation.

Pomalidomide belongs to the same …