Study shows 50% reduction of myeloma among patients

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A new three-drug combination may work as a front-line treatment for cancer of the plasma cells, according to an early-stage clinical study.



Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center combined Onyx Pharmaceuticals’ drug carfilzomib with Celgene’s Revlimid (lenalidomide) and a low dose of dexamethasone in patients with myeloma. All participants in the study showed a reduction of their disease of at least 50%. Results of the study were presented Tuesday at the American Society of Hematology’s annual meeting.



“The combination treatment appears to deliver everything we expected and more,” Comprehensive Cancer Center multiple myeloma program director Andrzej Jakubowiak said in a statement. “We have seen no neurotoxicity and fantastic efficacy, the best reported to date.”



According to news reports, Onyx plans to file for regulatory approval of carfilzomib in the middle of next year.