14 March 2014 - NICE has issued new draft guidance on the use of lenalidomide (Revlimid, Celgene) for treating the blood cancer multiple myeloma after one prior treatment with bortezomib. With the current informationavailable, the committee's preliminary guidance (now being issued for consultation) does not recommend lenalidomide for this indication.

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that develops from cells in the bone marrow and there is currently no cure for the disease, only treatments to stop the progress of the condition and help relieve symptoms. Although the choice of treatment would differ for each individual, a thalidomide regimen would be considered suitable for most patients as a first line treatment. Bortezomib is also recommended by NICE as an option for people who are unable to take thalidomide. This appraisal considers the use of lenalidomide as an option for people whose disease has relapsed once after receiving one treatment with bortezomib, and are unable to receive thalidomide and for whom bone marrow transplantation is not appropriate.

Commenting on the draft guidance, Sir Andrew Dillon, NICE Chief Executive said: â€œIn the original guidance published in 2009, NICE recommended lenalidomide as treatment option for multiple myeloma in people who have received two or more prior therapies. This recommendation has not changed and patients at that stage in the treatment pathway will still be able to receive lenalidomide through the NHS.

For more details, go to: http://www.nice.org.uk/newsroom/pressreleases/NICEBetterInformationNeededOnMultipleMyelomaDrug.jsp