Pomalyst Approved for Advanced Multiple MyelomaFRIDAY, Feb. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Pomalyst (pomalidomide) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat cases of multiple myeloma that have not responded to other therapies. Latest Cancer NewsThe disease, a form of blood cancer, affects some 21,700 Americans annually and nearly 10,700 die from it each year, the agency said Friday in a news release. Pomalyst is designed to spur the immune system to destroy and inhibit cancer cells, the FDA said. The drug's safety and effectiveness were evaluated in a clinical study of 221 people with advanced multiple myeloma. The drug's label will contain a boxed warning that it shouldn't be used by pregnant women since it can cause life-threatening birth defects and blood clots, the FDA said. More common side effects could include a drop in infection-fighting white blood cells, fatigue, weakness, other blood disorders, back pain and fever. The drug is marketed by Celgene, based in Summit, N.J. -- Scott Roberts
|
Get the latest health and medical information delivered direct to your inbox FREE!
