FDA approves Celgene drug for new cancer indication

SUMMIT, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Celgene Corp. for treating a type of cancer.

Celgene announced Thursday the approval of Revlimid (lenalidomide) for treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma, also known as MCL, whose disease has relapsed or progressed after two prior therapies that have included bortezomib.

"There remains a tremendous unmet need for patients with previously treated mantle-cell lymphoma," Hackensack, N.J., cancer specialist Andre Goy said in a statement on behalf of Celgene. "This approval of lenalidomide delivers a new option and the first oral therapy in this area of lymphoma."

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