Revlimid (lenalidomide) affects the immune system. It promotes immune responses to help slow tumor growth. Revlimid is used to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer), either in combination with another medicine or after stem cell transplant.
Revlimid is also used to treat anemia (a lack of red blood cells) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome caused by an abnormal chromosome. This disorder is also called deletion 5q MDS, because part of chromosome 5 is missing. In people with this disorder, the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells.
Revlimid (also called lenalidomide) is an oral cancer drug that is used for the treatment of multiple myeloma. It is part of a class of drugs called Immunomodulatory drugs or IMiDs. IMiDs work against cancer cells partly by impacting the functioning of the immune system.
Revlimid is chemically related to Thalomid (thalidomide, Celgene), another IMiD, but has been found to be more potent in the laboratory and has different side effects. For example, significant sleepiness, constipation and painful nerve problems (neuropathy), common side effects of Thalomid, are seen much less frequently with Revlimid.
In addition to multiple myeloma, Revlimid is also used to treat other diseases (myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS, and mantle cell lymphoma).
Revlimid is also used to treat mantle cell lymphoma (a rare cancer of the lymph nodes), after other medications have been tried without success.
Revlimid should not be used for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) unless you are in a controlled medical study. Lenalidomide can increase the risk of death from serious heart problems in people with CLL.
This medicine is available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program called Revlimid REMS. Your doctor must be registered in the program in order to prescribe lenalidomide for you. You must be registered in the program and sign documents stating that you understand the dangers of this medication and that you agree to use birth control measures as required by the program.
Used
How is Revlimid used in multiple myeloma?
Revlimid is used throughout all stages of multiple myeloma.
The combination of Revlimid (lenalidomide, Celgene) and dexamethasone, also called Revlimid-dex, is approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. Revlimid-dex has been shown to be effective in both newly diagnosed myeloma and in disease that has relapsed or become refractory to current therapies.
Revlimid has also been shown to extend remission and survival time when used as maintenance therapy following high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.
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