Orlando, FL (December 11, 2006) -- Dr. Alan List, from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, presented the final results from a pivotal Phase II trial evaluating Revlimid in patients with an incurable blood cancer known as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) at this years American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting. This breakthrough data showed that in MDS patients with chromosome 5q deletion treatment with Revlimid can provide long-term durable results and help them to achieve blood transfusion independence and remain transfusion free.

"These landmark data demonstrate that Revlimid, in many cases, eliminates all signs of the cancers genetic cause, on partial deletion of chromosome 5, and as a consequence reduce or even eliminate the need for transfusions in many patients with MDS. After over two years of follow up, these responses have sustained," said List, Professor of Oncology and Medicine and Chief, Division of Hematology Malignancies at Moffitt, and lead investigator of the study. "It is very rewarding to see patients treated with Revlimid, living longer, living three or four years transfusion free and having a better quality of life overall."

MDS, a cancer in which the bone marrow fails to make enough functioning blood cells, affects 300,000 people worldwide killing 60,000 to 70,000 a year. MDS patients suffer from anemia and fatigue and need whole-body blood transfusions as much as twice a month. Repeated transfusions can lead to a toxic buildup called "iron overload" that severely damages the heart, liver and pancreas, and patients eventually succumb to the disease.

The data presented by List showed that two-thirds of patients who received Revlimid were completely freed from the need for blood transfusions. More significantly, in 44 percent of patients, there was no detectable trace of the cancer and after two years of follow-up the median duration has not yet been achieved.

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11-Dec-2006