[Pomalidomide for multiple myeloma]

Rev Med Interne. 2015 Sep;36(9):613-8. doi: 10.1016/j.revmed.2015.04.007. Epub 2015 Aug 6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Once characterized by a very poor outcome, multiple myeloma (MM) now has a significantly prolonged survival, with major improvements allowed by the use of "novel agents": proteasome inhibitors (first-in-class bortezomib) and immunomodulatory compounds (IMiDs; first-in-class thalidomide and lenalidomide). However, the vast majority - if not all - of patients with MM ultimately end up being refractory to all existing drugs, including these efficient novel agents. There is a clear unmet medical need in this situation, which warrants the development of the next generation of proteasome inhibitors and IMiDs, as well as new drug classes. This review focuses on pomalidomide, the next generation IMiD, recently approved by the US FDA and the EMA for patients with relapsed or refractory MM who have received at least two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and bortezomib, and have demonstrated disease progression on their last therapy.

Keywords: IMiD; Immunomodulation; Multiple myeloma; Myélome multiple; Pomalidomide.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / methods
  • Humans
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / epidemiology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Thalidomide / chemistry
  • Thalidomide / pharmacokinetics
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Thalidomide
  • pomalidomide