Two Studies to Evaluate Thalomid-Xeloda Combination Therapy

Researchers have initiated two clinical studies to evaluate Thalomid® (thalidomide) in combination with Xeloda® (capecitabine) for treatment of colon cancer.

Xeloda is the first oral chemotherapy for treatment of colorectal cancer and is indicated as a first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. Thalomid, once known for causing severe birth defects, was resurrected as a treatment for multiple myeloma in 1998.

Celegene, makers of Thalomid and Roche, makers of Xeloda, will be evaluating the safety and efficacy of Xeloda therapy in combination with Thalomid in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and possibly other cancers as well.

"We are pleased that Roche is joining us in evaluating the potential of Thalomid in combination with Xeloda," said Dr. Jerome B. Zeldis, Chief Medical Officer at Celgene Corporation. "This is part of our overall strategy to evaluate Thalomid's potential as an important component of combination therapy."

Other sources: Celgene Corp.