MS anticancer drug Revlimid, RVD combined therapy benefits

BMS Pharmaceutical Korea announced on the 30th that Revlimid (Renalidomide) will be subject to benefits when administered in combination with Bortezomib/Dexamethasone, which is used to treat multiple myeloma patients, from the 1st of next month.

 

The law has proven its superior effectiveness and tolerance compared to current standard treatment through several clinical studies.

 

Random allocation, public labeling, and phase 3 clinical trials (SWOG0777) in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma confirmed significant progression-free survival and overall survival improvement compared to conventional RD (Revlimid+dexamethasone) therapy.

 

The median progression-free survival period of the RVD therapy group was 41.7 months, 12 months longer than the 29.7 months of the RD therapy group, and the overall OS median was also statistically significantly improved from 69 months of the RD therapy group.

 

The objective response rate was also significantly higher in the RVD therapy group (82.9%) than in the RD therapy group (72.5%), confirming its clinical usefulness.

 

Even in newly diagnosed patients with polymyeloma with transplantation, RVD therapy showed a higher response rate and deeper response with treatment progress than the current standard therapy VTD (Vortezomib+Thalidomide+Dexamethasone).

 

According to an integrated analysis of four phase 3 randomized control clinical trials, RVD studies (GEM2012, IFM2009) and VTD studies (GEM2005, IFM 2013-04), in comparison between GEM studies, RVD induction therapy confirmed a very good Partial Remission adverse response rate compared to VTD induction therapy.

 

The response rate of very good partial response (VGPR) abnormalities gradually increased, showing 54.5% after three-cycle induction therapy and 70.1% after six-cycle induction therapy, which was significantly higher than VTD therapy throughout the treatment.

 

The results of comparison between GEM studies also showed a higher response rate of VGPR abnormalities and a higher negative rate of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) after transplantation with higher RVD therapy.

 

As a result of the RVD study (GEM2012), the complete response at the end of induction therapy was similar to 34.8% in all patients (458 and 33.4%) and in the cytogenetic high-risk group (92), proving that it can be used regardless of whether it is a cytogenetic risk group.

 

RVD therapy is already the most recommended treatment abroad.

 

The U.S.

 

National Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines, released in 2022, recommends RVD therapy as "preferred regimen, category 1", the highest recommended level in both cases that can or cannot be transplanted when treating multiple myeloma.

 

ESMO guidelines also recommend it as the first choice of therapy (1st option) in all patients with multiple myeloma that can or cannot autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

 

In addition, Revlimid is subject to health insurance benefits when administered in combination with Rituximab in the treatment of previously treated follicular lymphoma (grade 1-3a).

 

Expectations have been high for the application of RVD therapy benefits in the medical field.

 

With the application of this benefits, RVD therapy is expected to become a standard treatment for primary treatment of multiple myeloma.

 

Kim Jin-young, CEO of BMS Pharmaceutical Korea, said, "We are glad that Revlimid's coverage of insurance benefits allows patients with multiple myeloma and follicular lymph nodes to enjoy advanced treatment benefits as soon as possible."