Lenalidomide (also known as CC-5013), an oral derivative of thalidomide, is an antineoplastic agent exhibiting antitumor activity through a variety of mechanisms, including immune system activation, angiogenesis inhibition and direct antineoplastic effects.
It has been extensively studied for the treatment of multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome as well as lymphoproliferative disorders including chronic lymphocyctic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
According to recent studies, Lenalidomide promotes and restores immunity system function in CLL patients by inducing an overexpression of costimulatory molecules in leukemic lymphocytes to restore the humoral immunity and immunogobulins production as well as improving the ability of T cells and leukemic cells to form synapses with T lymphocytes.
This medicine belong to a group of medicines which work by modulating some activities of the immune system.
