Thalomid Approved For Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

Thalomid sNDA Granted FDA Approval For Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

SUMMIT, N.J., May 25, 2006 -- Celgene Corporation announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to its Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Thalomid (thalidomide) in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The effectiveness of Thalomid is based upon response rates. There are no controlled trials demonstrating a clinical benefit, such as an improvement in survival. Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer in the United States affecting approximately 50,000 people. About 14,600 new cases of multiple myeloma are diagnosed each year and about 12,000 Americans are expected to die of multiple myeloma in 2006.

Thalomid is available through a Thalomid Education and Prescribing Safety System, called S.T.E.P.S.(R). Through the use of our S.T.E.P.S. program, more than 130,000 U.S. patients have had safe access to Thalomid since its market introduction in July 1998. This FDA approval for the indication of Thalomid in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma allows physicians and their patients to be treated with another therapy option for this incurable blood cancer.

The safety profile for Thalomid in multiple myeloma has shown an increase in side effects with Thalomid and dexamethasone as compared to dexamethasone alone. The most common adverse events were constipation, sensory neuropathy, confusion, hypocalcemia, edema, dyspnea, thrombosis/embolism, and rash/desquamation, occurring in 20% of patients with a frequency less than or equal to 10% in patients treated with Thalomid/dexamethasone compared with dexamethasone alone.

Safety Notice

Thalomid (thalidomide) Capsules 50 mg, 100 mg, & 200 mg

WARNING: If thalidomide is taken during pregnancy, it can cause severe birth defects or death to an unborn baby. Thalidomide should never be used by women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant while taking the drug. Even a single dose, one capsule (50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg), taken by a pregnant woman can cause severe birth defects. Because thalidomide is present in the semen of male patients, males receiving thalidomide must always use a latex condom during sexual contact with women of childbearing potential even if he has undergone a successful vasectomy. Thalidomide can only be marketed under a special restricted distribution program. This program is called the "System for Thalidomide Education and Prescribing Safety (S.T.E.P.S.(R)). Under this program, only registered prescribers and pharmacists may dispense the drug. In addition, patients must be advised of, agree to and comply with the requirements of S.T.E.P.S.

The use of Thalomid (thalidomide) in multiple myeloma results in an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events, such as deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus. This risk increases significantly when thalidomide is used in combination with standard chemotherapeutic agents including dexamethasone. In one controlled trial, the rate of venous thromboembolic events was 22.5% in patients receiving thalidomide in combination with dexamethasone compared to 4.9% in patients receiving dexamethasone alone (p = 0.002). Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for the signs and symptoms of thromboembolism. Patients should be instructed to seek medical care if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or arm or leg swelling. Preliminary data suggests that patients who are appropriate candidates may benefit from concurrent prophylactic anticoagulation or aspirin treatment.

Thalidomide is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug and its components. It is not known whether Thalomid is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Thalidomide is known to cause nerve damage that may be permanent. Peripheral neuropathy is a common, potentially severe, side effect of treatment with thalidomide that may be irreversible. Decreased white blood cell counts, including neutropenia, have been reported in the clinical use of thalidomide. In placebo controlled clinical trials of HIV-seropositive patient populations, there have been reports of increased plasma HIV RNA levels associated with thalidomide therapy. The most frequently reported adverse events were constipation (55%), sensory neuropathy (54%), confusion (28%), hypocalcemia (72%), edema (57%), dyspnea (42%), thrombosis/embolism (23%), and rash/desquamation (30%) (occurring in >20% of patients and with a frequency >10% in patients treated with Thalomid/dexamethasone compared with dexamethasone alone). Patients should be advised about these associated adverse events and routinely monitored by a physician during treatment with thalidomide. Patients should be instructed to not extensively handle or open thalidomide capsules and to maintain storage of capsules in blister packs until ingestion.

About Thalomid

Thalomid (thalidomide), manufactured by Celgene Corporation, received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance on July 16, 1998 for the acute treatment of cutaneous manifestations of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) and as maintenance therapy for prevention and suppression of the cutaneous manifestations of ENL recurrence. Thalidomide is not indicated as monotherapy for ENL treatment in the presence of moderate to severe neuritis. Thalidomide is indicated for use as a treatment in combination with dexamethasone for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (also known as myeloma or plasma cell myeloma) is a cancer of the blood in which malignant plasma cells are overproduced in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are white blood cells that help produce antibodies called immunoglobulins that fight infection and disease. However, most patients with multiple myeloma have cells that produce a form of immunoglobulin called paraprotein (or M protein) that does not benefit the body. In addition, the malignant plasma cells replace normal plasma cells and other white blood cells important to the immune system. Multiple myeloma cells can also attach to other tissues of the body, such as bone, and produce tumors. The cause of the disease remains unknown.

Source: Celgene Corporation

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