Current therapeutic uses of lenalidomide in multiple myeloma.

Abstract

Thalidomide has demonstrated a broad spectrum of pharmacological and immunological effects, with potential therapeutic applications that span a wide spectrum of diseases: cancer and related conditions; infectious diseases; autoimmune diseases; dermatological diseases; and other disorders such as sarcoidosis, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Immunomodulatory derivative lenalidomide has more potent antitumour and anti-inflammatory effects. The molecular mechanisms of antitumour activity of lenalidomide have been extensively studied in multiple myeloma (MM). It directly induces growth arrest and/or apoptosis of even drug-resistant MM cells; inhibits binding of MM cells to bone marrow extracellular matrix proteins and stromal cells; modulates cytokine secretion and inhibits angiogenesis in the bone marrow milieu; and augments host antitumour immunity. Importantly, lenalidomide induces significant clinical responses even in patients with relapsed/refractory MM. Therefore, lenalidomide represents a new class of antitumour agents that is useful in the treatment of MM. Lenalidomide has received fast track designation from the FDA for the treatment of MM and myelodysplastic syndromes.

• Authors: Teru Hideshima, Paul G Richardson, Kenneth C Anderson
• Journal: Expert opinion on investigational drugs (Expert Opin Investig Drugs) Vol. 15 Issue 2 Pg. 171-9 (Feb 2006) ISSN: 1744-7658 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 16433596 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Thalidomide
• Lenalidomide

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Lenalidomide
• Multiple Myeloma (drug therapy, immunology)
• Thalidomide (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)