Trial Information

A Phase II Randomized Study of the Efficacy of Curcumin for Reducing Symptoms During Maintenance Therapy in Multiple Myeloma Patients

Curcumin is the active ingredient in the spice turmeric. It may interfere with the
production of cytokines (which cause inflammation), which may help reduce multiple symptoms.

A placebo is not a drug. It looks like the study drug but is not designed to treat any
disease or illness. It is designed to be compared with a study drug to learn if the study
drug has any real effect.

Study Groups:

If you agree to take part in this study, you will be randomly assigned (as in the flip of a
coin) to 1 of 2 groups. Group 1 will take curcumin. Group 2 will take a placebo. You will
have an equal chance of being assigned to each group. No matter which group you are in, you
will be given standard care by your treating doctor.

Neither you nor the study staff will know if you are receiving the study drug or the
placebo. However, if needed for your safety, the study staff will be able to find out what
you are receiving.

Study Drug Administration:

You will take curcumin/placebo 2 times every day about 12 hours apart. You will begin
taking curcumin/placebo when you begin maintenance therapy with lenalidomide.

You will be given a pamphlet with more information about how to take the curcumin/placebo.

You must bring the study capsules you have not yet taken to the clinic every study visit.

Every 4 weeks is called a study cycle.

Study Visits:

Before you begin treatment with lenalidomide and curcumin/placebo:

- You will be taught how to use the automated symptom assessment telephone program.

- You will complete 4 questionnaires about pain and other symptoms, and your quality of
life. In addition, some personal information (such as your name, address, race, and
smoking history) will be collected. Completing the questionnaires will take about 20
minutes.

- You will be asked about any drugs you may be taking.

- You will be asked how well you are able to perform the normal activities of daily
living (performance status).

Telephone System Calls for Symptom Monitoring:

A telephone system will call you once a week at a time convenient to you. Using the numeric
key pad on your telephone, you will rate your symptoms and how they interfere with your
daily activities. Each phone call will take about 5 minutes to complete. You will be given
a brochure explaining the steps to complete the symptom questionnaire and a telephone number
to call if you have questions or problems with the telephone system.

At the start of Cycle 4 and at the End of Study Visit:

-You will complete 3 questionnaires about your pain and other symptoms and your quality of
life. The questionnaires will take about 20 minutes to complete. If for some reason, you
are unable to complete the questionnaire through the automated symptom assessment telephone
program, you may be able to complete it with the research staff, either by phone or during a
routine clinic visit.

Research staff will talk to you during your regularly scheduled visits for each cycle of
treatment with lenalidomide. You will be asked about side effects you may be having and
drugs you are taking.

Length of Study:

You will take curcumin/placebo for 6 months. You will remain on the study for about 6-7
months (depending on how your clinic visits are scheduled). You will be taken off study if
you have intolerable side effects or the disease gets worse.

This is an investigational study. Curcumin is not FDA approved. At this time, curcumin is
only being used in research.

Up to 70 participants will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at MD Anderson.