Revlimid And Secondary Cancers: An Update

[Guest guest]

ASH: Secondary Cancers Cloud Myeloma Drug

http://bit.ly/eKnEiC

Some reasons to avoid rushing to judgement:

.. The risk (if attributable to Revlimid) might be specific to

myeloma

.. The risk might be specific to the prior treatments (after high

dose therapy and stem cell transplant -- known to increase the risk of

second cancers.)

.. The incidence may be higher because of longer survival in patients

who benefit from Revlimid . who were exposed to therapy that increases the

risk of secondary cancers - giving more time for secondary cancers to

emerge.

Might the risk/concerns apply to lymphoma/CLL?

Maybe, but I'm not aware of any data showing that use of Revlimid

(lenalidomide) increases the risk of secondary cancers in these indications

..

However, it's important to note that only a randomized trial can provide

reliable information about such risks.

If, for example, there are 5 secondary cancers in a single-arm

lenalidomide-based clinical trial, we would not know if lenalidomide had a

potential role in those adverse events.

If, as in the MM studies, there was a control group not exposed to

lenalidomide, and there was a difference in the incidence of second cancers,

then you a basis for saying the risk is higher for L .

However, again, the increase in incidence could be explained by the longer

survival - a consequence of success treatment with Revlimid . providing more

time for secondary issues to emerge or to be detected.

All the best,

~ Karl

Patients Against Lymphoma

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