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Updated: May 22, 2026
10:44
Chemical Inactivation of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Cereblon by Pomalidomide-based Homo-PROTACs
Published on: May 15, 2019
Continuous lenalidomide treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Antonio Palumbo1, Roman Hajek, Michel Delforge
1Myeloma Unit, Division of Hematology, University of Turin, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, S. Giovanni Battista, Via Genova 3, 10126 Turin, Italy. appalumbo@yahoo.com
The New England Journal of Medicine
|May 11, 2012
Summary
Lenalidomide maintenance therapy (MPR-R) significantly improved progression-free survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients ineligible for transplantation. The greatest benefit was seen in patients aged 65-75.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Lenalidomide exhibits anti-myeloma activity.
- Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients ineligible for transplantation require effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of melphalan-prednisone-lenalidomide induction followed by lenalidomide maintenance (MPR-R) versus melphalan-prednisone-lenalidomide (MPR) or melphalan-prednisone (MP) alone in elderly NDMM patients.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, multicenter study enrolled patients aged 65+ with NDMM.
- Patients received MPR-R, MPR, or MP without maintenance.
- Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint.
Main Results:
- MPR-R significantly improved median PFS (31 months) compared to MPR (14 months) and MP (13 months).
- Response rates were higher with MPR-R (77%) and MPR (68%) versus MP (50%).
- The PFS benefit of MPR-R was most pronounced in patients aged 65-75 and was age-independent after induction.
Conclusions:
- MPR-R is a superior treatment regimen for transplant-ineligible NDMM patients, significantly prolonging PFS.
- The treatment demonstrated a favorable safety profile with manageable hematologic toxicities.
- Further research may explore optimizing lenalidomide maintenance strategies in specific patient subgroups.
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