Thalidomide regulatory update
The U.K.'s NICE issued final guidance recommending the use of Celgene's thalidomide and Velcade bortezomib from Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ, New Brunswick, N.J.) for first-line multiple myeloma (MM), but said Velcade should only be used when patients are unable to receive the more cost-effective thalidomide. The guidance reiterates a final appraisal determination (FAD) issued in June, in which NICE said the 2 drugs had similar clinical effectiveness in patients for whom high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation is considered inappropriate, with both drugs recommended in combination with an alkylating agent and a corticosteroid (see BioCentury, June 20). The average cost of Velcade and thalidomide per treatment cycle is £3,000 ($4,886) and £2,100 ($3,420), respectively. ...