Results of a multicenter, randomized, double-blind phase 2/3 study of lenalidomide in the treatment of pretreated relapsed or refractory metastatic malignant melanoma.
BACKGROUND
The results of an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled study assessing the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide treatment in patients with refractory stage IV metastatic malignant melanoma are reported.


METHODS
The study compared treatment with lenalidomide (25 mg/d on Days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle) to placebo in 306 patients with metastatic malignant melanoma. Treatment was continued until progression of disease or unacceptable toxicity.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between lenalidomide and placebo in overall survival (median 5.9 months vs 7.4 months, respectively; P = .32), time to progression (median 3.0 months vs 2.1 months; P = .19), or Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors tumor response (5.3% vs 5.8%; P = .82). None of the patients given placebo discontinued treatment because of treatment-related adverse events, compared with 4.6% of those treated with lenalidomide. Treatment-related myelosuppression was observed in 2.0% of patients treated with placebo and 7.3% of patients treated with lenalidomide.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that treatment with lenalidomide (25 mg/d) has a manageable safety profile in patients with previously treated metastatic malignant melanoma but no benefit in tumor response, time to progression, or overall survival in these patients. Future trials for treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma with lenalidomide should focus on its use in combination therapies.
Eisen
Tim
T
Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Trefzer
Uwe
U
Hamilton
Anne
A
Hersey
Peter
P
Millward
Michael
M
Knight
Robert D
RD
Jungnelius
Jarl U
JU
Glaspy
John
J
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013792:Thalidomide; D000077269:Lenalidomide