Celgene, GELA to conduct REVLIMID/rituximab combination study on newly diagnosed FL

Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) and Celgene International Sarl (Nasdaq: CELG) today announced a collaboration to conduct an international randomized study to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the REVLIMID (lenalidomide)/rituximab combination regimen (R²) in patients with newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma (FL).

The RELEVANCE Study (Rituximab and Lenalidomide vs. Any Chemotherapy) looks to advance the treatment of patients diagnosed with FL, a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). FL represents the second most common lymphoma, with approximately 25,000 new cases diagnosed per year in the US and Europe. The clinical benefits of REVLIMID, as a single agent and in combination with rituximab, continue to be reported in peer-reviewed publications and at major international medical meetings, including the 11^th Annual ICML (International Congress on Malignant Lymphoma).

"Studies have shown promising results for REVLIMID monotherapy as well as REVLIMID in combination with rituximab in patients across a variety of lymphoma subtypes," said Gilles Salles, Professor, Department of Haematology at the Hospices Civils de Lyon. In addition to being an immunomodulatory agent with direct and indirect cancer activity, REVLIMID may also enhance the activity of rituximab against cancer cells through ADCC (Antibody Dependant Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity). "Additionally, we are currently evaluating REVLIMID maintenance following R-CHOP in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the REMARC trial."

"We are very excited to continue our collaboration with the GELA, one of the premier lymphoma research groups in the world," said Jean Pierre Bizzari, M.D., Head of Global Clinical Oncology/Hematology for Celgene Corporation. "Looking ahead, this study has true potential to advance non-chemotherapy treatment options for an incurable subtype of lymphoma."