Is pomalidomide better than lenalidomide?

Both Pomalidomide and Lenalidomide are immunomodulatory drugs, derivatives of Thalidomide, which are widely used to treat multiple myeloma (MM) and other cancers. Both work similarly in treating multiple myeloma, but there are some significant differences, especially in terms of efficacy and side effects.

1. Comparison of efficacy

Pomalidomide is commonly used to treat patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have failed lenalidomide and proteasome inhibitors. Studies have shown that pomalidomide shows stronger efficacy in these refractory or relapsed patients and can significantly improve the treatment response rate and remission rate. Especially after combined with dexamethasone, pomalidomide shows a high complete response rate (CR) and partial response rate (PR). Therefore, pomalidomide is often considered a more effective option for patients who have developed resistance to other treatments.

2. Differences in side effects

Although the side effects of the two are relatively similar, and both may cause side effects such as bone marrow suppression, leukopenia, and anemia, pomalidomide may have more toxic manifestations than lenalidomide. For example, pomalidomide may cause serious neurological side effects, such as peripheral neuropathy. However, these side effects manifest differently in different patients, so treatment needs to be individualized based on the patient's specific situation.

3. Scope of indications

In addition to its use in the treatment of multiple myeloma, pomalidomide is also approved for the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, a feature that lenalidomide does not have. In addition, pomalidomide has better efficacy in patients whose disease has progressed despite other treatments.

Keyword tags: pomalidomide, lenalidomide, comparative efficacy, multiple myeloma, side effects

Reference materials:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomalidomide