Brand Name

Generic Name

Trial Name

Comments

Immunomodulatory Drugs (IMiDs)

Thalomid

Thalidomide

All three have multiple mechanisms of anti-tumor action including modification of the immune system and anti-angiogenesis.

Revlimid

Lenalidomide

Actimid

Pomalidomide

CC-4047

Corticosteroids

Decadron

Dexamethasone

Not sure why these drugs help, but "Everything works better with DEX."

Prednisone

Proteasome Inhibitors

Velcade

Bortezomib

PS-341

These prevent rapidly-growing cells from discharging waste.

Carfilzomib

PR-171

PR-957

Selective immunoproteasome inhibitor

Alkylating Agents

Alkeran

Melphalan

These drugs attach to the DNA of rapidly-dividing cells but can also affect some normal cells.

Cytoxan

Cyclophosphamide

Busulfex, Myleran

Busulfan

Attacks the DNA

BCNU

Carmustine

Intercalating Agents

Adriamycin, Rubex

Doxorubicin

Actually a type of antibiotic

Doxil

Pygelated doxorubicin

Liopsome-encapsulated form, less toxic to the heart.

Biaxin

Clarithromycin

Antibiotic. These attach to DNA also

Mitotic Inhibitor

Oncovin

Vincristine

Derived from Madagascar periwinkle

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors

Zolinza

Vorinostat

Activates genes which should control normal cell activity but are inhibited in myeloma

Monoclonal Antibodies

CNTO328

Targets IL6, a myeloma growth factor

BI-505

Targets the monoclonal plasma cells

Elotuzumab

Targets CS1

mTOR Inhibitor

Torisel

Temsirolimus

Inhibits mTOR, thereby blocking cell growth

Bone Treatments

Zometa

Zoledronic acid

Bisphosphonate

Aredia

Pamidronate disodium

Bisphosphonate

Prolia

Denosumab

Monoclonal antibody targeting RANKL

Asparagine Inhibitor

Oncaspar

Pegaspargase

Enzyme which destroys asparagine, needed by cancer cells