Articles
On January 23, 2020, the FDA granted accelerated approval to tazemetostat (Tazverik; Epizyme), a methyltransferase inhibitor, for the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced epithelioid sarcoma in adults and pediatric patients aged ≥16 years who are not eligible for complete resection. Read More ›
Results from 3 clinical trials demonstrate the value of PARP inhibitors as first-line or maintenance therapies in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Read More ›
The Final Rule by the HSS means that manufacturers’ copay cards or coupons do not apply to a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum limits in certain situations, but further clarification is needed. Read More ›
CMS approves changes allowing limited utilization management in protected classes of drugs. However, other proposed changes that would have further eroded patient access were not implemented. Read More ›
A bipartisan bill designed to remove disparity in pricing between intravenously administered drugs and orally administered drugs for patients with cancer was passed in the House in March 2019 but awaits action in the Senate. Read More ›
There are important changes to beneficiaries’ Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage for 2020. These changes will affect many patients’ out-of-pocket spending for anticancer drugs, including poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. Read More ›
The American Cancer Society reports good news regarding the overall lower rate of cancer-related mortalities in the United States, but also points to some disturbing trends. Read More ›
The FDA approval of avapritinib marks the first time a drug has been approved specifically for patients with GIST harboring PDGFRA exon 18 mutations, which are involved in approximately 10% of GIST cases. Read More ›
The January issue of The Oncology Pharmacist (TOP) features the latest medical news, expert perspectives, clinical trial results, and drug updates, as well as key highlights from national and international meetings, including the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2019, the 2019 Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 2019 Hematologic Malignancies meeting. Read More ›
By Wayne Kuznar
Barcelona, Spain—Alterations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR2)2 gene have been identified as driver mutations in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Durable objective responses were observed in >33% of patients with locally advanced or metastatic CCA and FGFR2 rearrangements or fusions who received treatment with pemigatinib, a selective oral inhibitor of FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3. Data from the single-arm, open-label phase 2 clinical trial FIGHT-202, which was presented at the ESMO Congress 2019, revealed that investigational pemigatinib induced a response in 35.5% of the 107 patients with FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements (cohort A), with a median duration of response of 7.5 months. Read More ›