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New Drug May Treat a Previously Untreatable Cancer

By Henry J. Fishman, M.D.
ConsumerAffairs.com

July 3, 2006

Dr. Henry Fishman • New This Week • Previous Topics • About Henry Fishman • Radio Features

A new drug called Revlamid may treat myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, which wipes out the bone marrow. About 50,000 Americans suffer from this problem, which is nearly always fatal.

MDS destroys bone marrow, so its victims can't make enough blood cells. They need transfusions to stay alive. Until recently, there's been no other treatment available.

But according to some new studies, the new drug may not only treat the symptoms of MDS but may either cure it or put it into remission.

Doctors tested the drug on 115 people, suffering from the most common genetic type of MDS. Six months later, two-thirds no longer needed transfusions and a year alter, three-fourths of this group still didn't.

More astonishing was that the common genetic abnormality that causes the problem diminished or disappeared in more than half of those treated -- they went into remission or were cured.

About a third of the patients did have temporary drops in their blood counts.

More research is needed but it looks like a new treatment for a previously untreatable cancer.

For more information about MDS, see www.mds-foundation.org/

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