Study Reports 57.8% Overall Response Rate, 32.6% Complete Remission Rate and Median Overall Survival of 25 Months
Study Further Validates Therapeutic Potential of Antibody Dependent Cellular Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC)

BOUDRY, Switzerland | June 16, 2011 | Celgene International Sàrl (NASDAQ: CELG) announced that clinical data from a Phase I/II study evaluating the combination of REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) plus rituximab (R2) in relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), conducted by investigators at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, were presented at the 11th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma in Lugano, Switzerland.

Patients with MCL who had received one to four prior therapies received REVLIMID daily on days one to 21 of each 28-day cycle, and rituximab weekly for four doses during cycle one. The maximum tolerated dose in the phase I portion was 20 mg of REVLIMID daily, and 375 mg/m2 of rituximab in accordance with the study schedule.

Forty-six patients were enrolled in the Phase II portion of the study. The overall response rate was 57% with a complete response rate of 33% and a median duration of response of 18.9 (range 17-NR) months. After a median follow-up of 23.1 months, the median progression free survival and median overall survival were 13 months (95% CI 8.3-20.8) and 25.1 months (95% CI 19.8-NR), respectively. The combination regimen induced complete responses in two patients with bulky MCL and induced responses in patients who were refractory to or who did not tolerate prior treatment with bortezomib. The investigators have hypothesized that REVLIMID may enhance the effects of rituximab on ADCC (antibody-dependent cellular mediated cytotoxicity), or the ability of the body to direct immune defense cells to attack lymphoma cells.

The combination REVLIMID plus rituximab was well tolerated. Primary grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia (17%), lymphopenia (7.2%), and thrombocytopenia (4.5%).

These data are from investigational studies. REVLIMID does not have marketing approval for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma.

About REVLIMID®

REVLIMID® is an IMiDs® compound. REVLIMID and other IMiDs continue to be evaluated in over 100 clinical trials. The IMiDs pipeline is covered by a comprehensive intellectual property estate of issued and pending patent applications in the US, EU and other regions, including composition-of-matter and use patents.

REVLIMID is approved in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy in nearly 70 countries, encompassing Europe, the Americas, the Middle-East and Asia, and in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of patients whose disease has progressed after one therapy in Australia and New Zealand.

REVLIMID is also approved in the United States, Canada and several Latin American countries, as well as Malaysia and Israel, for transfusion-dependent anaemia due to low- or intermediate-1-risk MDS associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities. Marketing Authorization Applications are currently being evaluated in a number of other countries.

Important Safety Information

REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) in combination with dexamethasone is indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) patients who have received at least one prior therapy.

REVLIMID is indicated for patients with transfusion-dependent anaemia due to Low- or Intermediate-1–risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: FETAL RISK, HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY, and DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Do not use REVLIMID during pregnancy. Lenalidomide, a thalidomide analogue, caused limb abnormalities in a developmental monkey study. Thalidomide is a known human teratogen that causes severe life-threatening human birth defects. If lenalidomide is used during pregnancy, it may cause birth defects or death to a developing baby. In women of childbearing potential, obtain 2 negative pregnancy tests before starting REVLIMID treatment. Women of childbearing potential must use 2 forms of contraception or continuously abstain from heterosexual sex during and for 4 weeks after REVLIMID treatment. To avoid fetal exposure to lenalidomide, REVLIMID is only available under a restricted distribution program called “RevAssist®.”

Information about the RevAssist program is available at www.REVLIMID.com or by calling the manufacturer’s toll-free number 1-888-423-5436.

HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY (NEUTROPENIA AND THROMBOCYTOPENIA)

REVLIMID can cause significant neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Eighty percent of patients with del 5q MDS had to have a dose delay/reduction during the major study. Thirty-four percent of patients had to have a second dose delay/reduction. Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity was seen in 80% of patients enrolled in the study. Patients on therapy for del 5q MDS should have their complete blood counts monitored weekly for the first 8 weeks of therapy and at least monthly thereafter. Patients may require dose interruption and/or reduction. Patients may require use of blood product support and/or growth factors. (see DOSAGE and ADMINISTRATION)

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM

REVLIMID has demonstrated a significantly increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with MM who were treated with REVLIMID and dexamethasone therapy. Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for the signs and symptoms of thromboembolism. Patients should be instructed to seek medical care if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or arm or leg swelling. It is not known whether prophylactic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy prescribed in conjunction with REVLIMID may lessen the potential for venous thromboembolic events. The decision to take prophylactic measures should be done carefully after an assessment of an individual patient’s underlying risk factors.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Pregnancy Category X:

* Lenalidomide is contraindicated in pregnant women and women capable of becoming pregnant. Females of childbearing potential may be treated with lenalidomide provided adequate precautions are taken to avoid pregnancy

Allergic Reactions:

* REVLIMID is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity (e.g., angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) to lenalidomide

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

Fetal Risk:

* REVLIMID is an analogue of thalidomide, a known human teratogen that causes life-threatening human birth defects. An embryofetal development study in non-human primates indicates that lenalidomide produced malformations in the offspring of female monkeys who received the drug during pregnancy, similar to birth defects observed in humans following exposure to thalidomide during pregnancy. If REVLIMID is used during pregnancy, it may cause birth defects or death to a developing baby
* Females of childbearing potential must be advised to avoid pregnancy while on REVLIMID. Two effective contraceptive methods should be used during therapy, during therapy interruptions, and for at least 4 weeks after completing therapy
* Male Patients: It is not known whether lenalidomide is present in the semen of patients receiving the drug. Therefore, males receiving REVLIMID must always use a latex condom during any sexual contact with females of childbearing potential, even if they have undergone a successful vasectomy

Reproductive Risk and Special Prescribing Requirements (RevAssist Program):

* Because of this potential toxicity and to avoid fetal exposure, REVLIMID is only available, in the United States, under a special restricted distribution program called “RevAssist.” Prescribers and pharmacists registered with the program can prescribe and dispense the product to patients who are registered and meet all the conditions of the RevAssist program

Haematologic Toxicity—Multiple Myeloma:

* REVLIMID can cause significant neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
* Patients taking REVLIMID for MM should have their complete blood counts monitored every 2 weeks for the first 12 weeks and then monthly thereafter
* In the pooled MM studies Grade 3 and 4 haematologic toxicities were more frequent in patients treated with the combination of REVLIMID and dexamethasone than in patients treated with dexamethasone alone
* Patients may require dose interruption and/or dose reduction

Deep Vein Thrombosis:

* Venous thromboembolic events (predominantly deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) have occurred in patients with MM treated with lenalidomide combination therapy and patients with MDS treated with lenalidomide monotherapy

Allergic Reactions:

* Angioedema and serious dermatologic reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have been reported. These events can be fatal. Patients with a prior history of Grade 4 rash associated with thalidomide treatment should not receive REVLIMID. REVLIMID interruption or discontinuation should be considered for Grade 2-3 skin rash. REVLIMID must be discontinued for angioedema, Grade 4 rash, exfoliative or bullous rash, or if SJS or TEN is suspected, and should not be resumed following discontinuation for these reactions

Tumour Lysis Syndrome:

* Fatal instances of tumour lysis syndrome have been reported during treatment with lenalidomide. The patients at risk of tumour lysis syndrome are those with high tumour burden prior to treatment. These patients should be monitored closely and appropriate precautions taken

Tumour Flare Reaction:

* Tumour flare reaction has occurred during investigational use of lenalidomide for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and lymphoma, and is characterized by tender lymph node swelling, low grade fever, pain and rash. Treatment of CLL or lymphoma with lenalidomide outside of a well-monitored clinical trial is discouraged

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

* Erythropoietic agents, or other agents, that may increase the risk of thrombosis, such as oestrogen containing therapies, should be used with caution in MM patients receiving lenalidomide with dexamethasone

USE IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS:

Nursing Mothers:

* It is not known whether REVLIMID is excreted in human milk
* Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother

Geriatric Use:

* Since elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection. Monitor renal function

Renal Impairment:

* Since REVLIMID is primarily excreted unchanged by the kidney, adjustments to the starting dose of REVLIMID are recommended to provide appropriate drug exposure in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (CLcr < 60 mL/min) and in patients on dialysis

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

Multiple Myeloma

* In the REVLIMID/dexamethasone treatment group, 269 patients (76%) underwent at least one dose interruption with or without a dose reduction of REVLIMID compared to 199 patients (57%) in the placebo/dexamethasone treatment group
* Of these patients who had one dose interruption with or without a dose reduction, 50% in the REVLIMID/dexamethasone treatment group underwent at least one additional dose interruption with or without a dose reduction compared to 21% in the placebo/dexamethasone treatment group
* Most adverse events and Grade 3/4 adverse events were more frequent in MM patients who received the combination of REVLIMID/dexamethasone compared to placebo/dexamethasone
* Adverse reactions reported in ≥15% of MM patients (REVLIMID/dexamethasone vs. dexamethasone/placebo): fatigue (44% vs. 42%), neutropenia (42% vs. 6%), constipation (41% vs. 21%), diarrhoea (39% vs. 27%), muscle cramp (33% vs. 21%), anaemia (31% vs. 24%), pyrexia (28% vs. 23%), peripheral enema (26% vs. 21%), nausea (26% vs. 21%), back pain (26% vs. 19%), upper respiratory tract infection (25% vs. 16%), dyspnoea (24% vs. 17%), dizziness (23% vs. 17%), thrombocytopenia (22% vs. 11%), rash (21% vs. 9%), tremor (21% vs. 7%), weight decreased (20% vs. 15%), nasopharyngitis (18% vs. 9%), blurred vision (17% vs. 11%), anorexia (16% vs. 10%), and dysgeusia (15% vs. 10%)

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

* Thrombocytopenia (61.5%; 91/148) and neutropenia (58.8%; 87/148) were the most frequently reported adverse events observed in the del 5q MDS population
* Other adverse events reported in ≥15% of del 5q MDS patients (REVLIMID): diarrhoea (49%), pruritus (42%), rash (36%), fatigue (31%), constipation (24%), nausea (24%), nasopharyngitis (23%), arthralgia (22%), pyrexia (21%), back pain (21%), peripheral oedema (20%), cough (20%), dizziness (20%), headache (20%), muscle cramp (18%), dyspnoea (17%), pharyngitis (16%), epistaxis (15%), asthenia (15%), upper respiratory tract infection (15%)

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:

* Treatment is continued or modified based upon clinical and laboratory findings. Dosing modifications are recommended to manage Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia or other Grade 3 or 4 toxicity judged to be related to REVLIMID
* For other Grade 3 or 4 toxicities judged to be related to REVLIMID, hold treatment and restart at next lower dose level when toxicity has resolved to ≤Grade 2

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and ADVERSE REACTIONS.

About Mantle-Cell Lymphoma

MCL is one of several subtypes of NHL and results from a malignant transformation of a B lymphocyte in the mantle zone – the outer edge of the lymph node follicles. The uncontrolled growth of the transformed lymphocytes, or lymphoma cells, cause tumors to form in the lymph nodes, which then become enlarged. Lymphoma cells can also spread to other tissues, such as the marrow, liver and gastrointestinal tract.

MCL is distinguished from other subtypes of B-cell lymphoma by abnormal expression of cyclin D1, a protein that stimulates cell growth. Approximately 85 percent of MCL cases are caused by genetic changes involving the cyclin D1 gene on chromosome 11 and chromosome 14.

About ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity)

ADCC is an immune defense mechanism that directs natural killer cells, T cells, macrophages and other immune cells to cause cancer cell death. Antibodies such as rituximab target receptors on lymphoma cells to induce ADCC. In addition to being an immunomodulatory agent with direct and indirect cancer activity, REVLIMID may also enhance the ADCC process against cancer cells.

About Celgene Risk-Management

Celgene continues to be a pioneer in creating environments in which patients who can benefit from our disease-altering therapies are able to do so, and do so safely. We are fully committed to drug lifecycle safety, from clinical development to post-marketing surveillance. As a result, patients worldwide continue to benefit from our risk-management programs such as, S.T.E.P.S. ®, RevAssist®, RevMate® and PRMP, which form the global foundation of our commitment to patient safety.

About Celgene International Sàrl

Celgene International Sàrl, located in Boudry, in the Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is a wholly owned subsidiary and international headquarters of Celgene Corporation. Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global pharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.celgene.com.

SOURCE: Celgene International Sàrl