title: The safety of pomalidomide for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pomalidomide, a derivative of thalidomide and member of the immunomodulatory drugs is licenced for use in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in Europe, USA, Canada and Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review details all published trials in which pomalidomide has been used in the treatment of myeloma including phase I, II and III studies via PubMed searches for randomised control trials, observational cohort, case reports, meta-analysis and reviews. In addition abstract searches from the 2015 IMW and ASH conferences have been included. Drug safety has been a main focus with additional detail outlining the current clinical experience and treatment efficacy. Drug related toxicities and management of such events are covered in detail.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pomalidomide is well tolerated and has been demonstrated to prolong progression free survival and overall survival in RRMM patients in comparison to other agents commonly used later in the disease. Treatment related toxicities are usually easily managed using treatment interruption, dose modification, prophylactic therapies and blood/platelet transfusions. There is scope for the drug to be used in combination with newer agents at disease presentation, relapse and as a long-term maintenance option. At present trials assessing its use in early disease and maintenance are lacking.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Molecular Pathology , The Institute of Cancer Research , London , UK.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: a Division of Molecular Pathology , The Institute of Cancer Research , London , UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pawlyn
authors.affiliation: b Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , AR , USA.
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: b Myeloma Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , AR , USA.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012449:Safety; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D013792:Thalidomide; C467566:pomalidomide
keywords: Multiple myeloma; immunomodulatory; imnovid; pomalidomide; relapse