Lenalidomide may improve PFS in myeloma patients, but boosts risk of second cancers.

The Los Angeles Times (5/10, Maugh) "Booster Shots" blog reports, "Lenalidomide, sold under the tradename Revlimid, significantly improves progression-free survival [PFS] in patients with myeloma, according to three clinical trials published Wednesday." The "three trials were successful that the results were unblinded early and, in two of the three trials, patients receiving the placebo were switched to the active drug." However so, "researchers also found that the drug doubled the risk of a second, independent cancer occurring, and it is not yet clear whether the drug produces an increase in overall survival."

        MedPage Today (5/10, Smith) reports that "in an accompanying editorial," Ashraf Badros, MBChB, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, "said the findings – especially the second primary cancers -- raise questions about how appropriate progression-free survival is as an endpoint in maintenance trials." A few days ago, "the FDA said...it is adding a caution to the drug's label, warning of the risk of second primaries."

        HealthDay (5/10, Gordon) reports, "Another important factor is cost; this drug is estimated to cost about $163,381 a year to treat one patient, according to Badros' editorial." All of "the studies and the editorial are published in the May 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine."