Two-Year Lenalidomide Maintenance Matches Indefinite Therapy in Standard-Risk Myeloma

This phase 3 trial provides the first prospective randomized evidence that fixed 2-year lenalidomide maintenance yields overall survival equivalent to indefinite therapy in transplant-deferred standard-risk newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

lenalidomideimmunomodulatory drugmaintenance therapymultiple myelomaproteasome inhibitorcarfilzomibbortezomibphase 3 trialtreatment durationENDURANCEECOG-ACRIN Oncology Pharmacy

Background Information

Two-year lenalidomide is as effective as indefinite therapy in multiple myeloma.

Determining the optimal duration of maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma could impact patient quality of life and resource allocation. Indefinite lenalidomide therapy did not extend overall survival compared to a fixed 2-year regimen, with similar outcomes after a 7-year median follow-up. This study suggests that extending lenalidomide beyond 2 years may not provide additional survival benefits in standard-risk patients, influencing treatment duration guidelines. Fixed 2-year lenalidomide maintenance is as effective as indefinite therapy in standard-risk multiple myeloma.

📊 Deep Analysis Available

Subscribers get the full breakdown: study design, outcomes, pharmacist implications, clinical pearls, GRADE evidence grade, and a downloadable PDF report.

Subscribe for Full Access →

Authors: Kumar S, Jacobus S, Cohen A, Weiss M, Callander N, Singh A, Parker T, Green M, Thertulien R, Parsons B, Kumar P, Kapoor P, Rosenberg A, Dib E, Almquist D, Zonder J, Faber E, Wei Z, Anderson K, Lonial S, Richardson P, Orlowski R, Wagner L, Rajkumar SV

Citation: Kumar S, Jacobus S, Cohen A, et al. Continuous or Fixed-Duration Maintenance Therapy in Multiple Myeloma. The New England journal of medicine. 2026;395(3):221-232. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2600157

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI · Free Full Text (PMC)

🎓

Reviewed by a licensed pharmacist

Every analysis is reviewed and approved by a licensed pharmacist before publication, ensuring clinical accuracy and relevance.

Accurate and up-to-date information is our highest priority.

If you spot an error, please suggest a correction. If there is a topic you want covered, tell us and we will look at it.

Suggest a correction Request a topic

🔒

Deep Analysis: Subscribers Only

Subscribers receive access to a complete clinical analysis, available online and as a downloadable PDF.

Executive Summary

Study Design

Patient Population

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile

Pharmacist Implications

Clinical Pearls

Limitations

Controversies & Evidence Gaps

Cost & Logistics

Want the full analysis?

Subscribe to PharmD Signal for unrestricted access to every deep analysis, plus PDF reports, GRADE evidence grades, and pharmacist implications for every article we publish.

Become a Subscriber →