Multiple Clinical Trials of VELCADE(R) (Bortezomib) for Injection Based Therapies Demonstrate High Complete Remission Rates in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multip...( CHICAGO May 31 /- Millennium Phar...),Health

CHICAGO, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, The Takeda Oncology Company, today announced the presentation of results from three clinical trials of VELCADE based therapies that showed consistently high complete remission(1) (CR) rates in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). CR is one of the best predictors of long-term survival. These three studies were selected for oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, May 30 - June 3, 2008. Highlights included:

-- VELCADE, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) demonstrated a

CR rate of 46 percent prior to transplant and 72 percent

post-transplant

-- VELCADE, DOXIL and dexamethasone (PAD or VcDD) prior to transplant

showed a CR rate of 21 percent which increased to 59 percent

post-transplant

-- VELCADE, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRD) showed a CR rate of 35

percent at maximum planned dose and a 100 percent overall response

rate.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991220/MLNMLOGO )

"The goal of first-line therapy is to rapidly achieve the deepest and most durable response possible," said Nancy Simonian, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Millennium. "VELCADE based combinations produce among the highest CR rates that are similar to those achieved by high dose therapy and transplantation. These very strong results underscore the critical role of VELCADE in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma."

Efficacy of Induction with CyBorD in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (Abstract #8517)

This study of CyBorD was designed to determine response in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The results showed the status of 28 evaluable patients, who received cyclophosphamide at 300 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15, 22, VELCADE at 1
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