Pomalidomide: the new immunomodulatory agent for the treatment of multiple myeloma

In this report, we provide a comprehensive review on the preclinical and clinical investigations conducted in development of the next-generation immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) pomalidomide for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). We consulted PubMed, MEDLINE, ASH, ASCO annual symposium abstracts and http://clinicaltrials.gov/ for the purpose of this literature review. Twenty-six preclinical and 11 clinical studies were examined. These studies delineate the mechanisms of action of pomalidomide and attest to the robust clinical activity in relapsed/refractory MM. MM is the second most common hematological malignancy in the US. Despite availability of several therapeutic agents, MM remains incurable. Thus, the development of new therapies remains a priority. Pomalidomide is the newest member of the IMiDs class of drugs, and in preclinical and clinical investigations, it has demonstrated an improved efficacy and toxicity profile in comparison to its sister compounds, lenalidomide and thalidomide. Importantly, recent clinical studies have demonstrated its activity in relapsed or refractory myeloma, particularly in lenalidomide and bortezomib-refractory patients. Thus, the addition of pomalidomide to the anti-myeloma armamentarium is widely anticipated to have a significant impact on the overall clinical outcome of advanced stage relapsed and refractory MM patients.