For Immediate Release
March 25, 2005

Roswell Park Offers Study to Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

BUFFALO, NY - Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) has initiated a study of a new drug treatment for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Asher Chanan-Khan, MD, Department of Medicine, RPCI, is the principal investigator of the study.

“All patients will eventually relapse after standard treatment and there are limited options for follow-up therapy,” noted Dr. Chanan-Khan. “We need to learn how to harness the immune system to help fight off disease.”

This non-randomized study is investigating whether a new drug called REVLIMID™ (lenalidomide, CC-5013) has any effect against this form of cancer. The study will begin with patients receiving stand-alone REVLIMID™ (lenalidomide, CC-5013) therapy. If the disease progresses Rituxan will be added to the treatment regimen. Early results with REVLIMID™ (lenalidomide, CC-5013) suggest it has anti-cancer effects against CLL. Rituxan is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of lymphoma. For information about joining this study, contact 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724).

Approximately 9,730 people will be diagnosed with CLL in 2005. CLL is a form of cancer that affects the white blood cells of the body. Treatment options for this disease are limited and usually only incorporates chemotherapy, but the disease typically recurs, claiming the lives of more than 4,600 patients each year. CLL remains incurable and therefore new therapies need to be developed to make progress in the management of this disease.

REVLIMID™ is a member of a new class of novel immunomodulatory drugs, or IMiDs® which may demonstrate, in clinical studies, anticancer response. Nearly 30 clinical trials are evaluating REVLIMID™ in the treatment of a broad range of conditions, including; multiple myeloma, the malignant blood cell disorders known as myelodysplastic syndromes as well as solid tumor cancers. REVLIMID™ is believed to affect multiple biological pathways within the cell, which ultimately may be responsible for the clinical response observed in multiple cancer studies.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation's first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. For more information, visit RPCI's website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724), or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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