NEWS & COMMENTS

PROHOST    FILTER

    THALOMID

     Celgene’s Thalomid has received accelerated approval of sNDA by the FDA for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The drug, which is marketed for leprosy, is used off-label anyway for multiple myeloma and other solid tumors resistant to conventional treatments. The approval legitimizes its use as an extra added option for the treatment of the life-threatening blood cancer.

No trials have demonstrated clinical benefit from Thalomid, such as increased survival. The drug increased side effects over dexamethasone, the standard of therapy for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma - a life-threatening blood disease. The Thalomid accelerated approval was granted based on response rate. Yet, the price is a long list of added side effects.  

READ MORE: Thalomid(R) sNDA Granted FDA Approval For Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

AVASTIN

     Talking about drugs that could treat more than one disease, Avastin, developed by Genentech, Tarceva, developed by the same and by Osi (OSIP), Rituxan, developed also by Genentech and Biogen Idec (BIIB) are  typical examples. These days, Genentech is hoping to present sufficient proof that Avastin, which is approved for the treatment of colorectal cancer, is good for breast cancer. Of course, the filing is for combination treatment with chemotherapy and as first treatment option in patients with local recurrences or distal metastasis.   

The filing is based on relatively large trials, over 700 untreated patients with local recurrences and distal cancer spread. The patients were given combination therapy with Avastin and paclitaxel vs paclitaxel alone. The results were very promising as the Avastin arm  demonstrated over 50% fewer deaths and stablization of their cancers.   

THE UPCOMING STRESS

    We expect what usually happens during the seasons of quarterly financial results to occur during the upcoming ASCO meeting. During several past ASCO meetings, firms presenting excellent, good, bad or offending data have all have been treated as failures. All the stocks of cancer companies are slashed, and we anticipate the same to happen this year. We will be the happiest on earth if our prediction proves to be wrong. We will call it a miracle, or a transformation. So while waiting for the miracle to happen, we will be very cautious against considering that good news is, indeed, seen as good news. It is not.

Not in the stock market anyway.

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