title: Pomalidomide therapy for multiple myeloma and myelofibrosis: an update.
abstract: Thalidomide possesses potent anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiangiogenic properties. Thalidomide combined with corticosteroids is therapeutically active in multiple myeloma and myelofibrosis (MF). Lenalidomide and pomalidomide are second-generation immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) that were created by chemical modification of thalidomide with the intent to reduce toxicity and enhance therapeutic activity. Both drugs have also been shown to be active in the treatment of myeloma and MF. Thalidomide is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for use in acute erythema nodosum leprosum and, in combination with dexamethasone, in newly diagnosed myeloma. Lenalidomide is approved for use in low/intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes associated with transfusion-dependent anemia and a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality and, in combination with dexamethasone, in relapsed myeloma. Pomalidomide is currently not FDA-approved. Herein, we summarize what is currently known about the biologic and therapeutic effects of pomalidomide.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. lacy.martha@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Martha Q
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Lacy
authors.forename: Ayalew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tefferi
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069286:Bortezomib; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D011719:Pyrazines; D013792:Thalidomide; D000069286:Bortezomib; C467566:pomalidomide; D000077269:Lenalidomide