Web Exclusives
On February 12, 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for daratumumab (Darzalex; Janssen), a CD38-directed antibody, to be given in a split-dosing regimen to patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Darzalex is the first and only CD38-directed antibody to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of patients with MM and is the first to be approved for the split-dosing regimen. This new regimen gives patients and healthcare providers the option to split the first dose of Darzalex over the course of 2 consecutive days, which has the benefit of shortening the duration of the first infusion. Read More ›
- FDA Approves First Therapy for the Treatment of Adult Patients with a Rare Blood Clotting Disorder
- FDA Issues Letter to Healthcare Providers Alerting Them to a Risk for Breast Implant Associated–Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma
- FDA Resumes Operations After Government Shutdown Ends
- FDA Approves New Drug Indication for Use in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- FDA Approves Pembrolizumab for Merkel-Cell Carcinoma
Now in its fourth week, the longest shutdown in the history of the federal government is having an impact on patient care, as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put drug reviews and approvals for new drugs and devices, as well as the issuance of new guidance documents, on indefinite hold. Read More ›
The FDA recently approved 2 new biosimilars for managing different conditions related to cancer—epoetin alfa-epbx (Retacrit) is the first biosimilar to epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) and pegfilgrastim-jmbd (Fulphila) is the first biosimilar to pegfilgrastim (Neulasta). Read More ›
Once-weekly carfilzomib (Kyprolis) therapy at a higher dose significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and reduced the risk of disease progression or death compared with twice-weekly carfilzomib in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The overall safety profile for both regimens in the randomized phase 3 ARROW clinical trial were similar, said co-lead investigator María-Victoria Mateos, MD, PhD, Director, Myeloma Unit, University Hospital Salamanca-IBSAL, Spain, at the 2018 European Hematology Association Congress. Read More ›
By Wayne Kuznar
The results of the phase 3 OPTIMISMM clinical trial showed a 39% risk reduction in disease progression or death with pomalidomide, bortezomib, and low-dose dexamethasone compared with bortezomib and low-dose dexamethasone alone. Read More ›
The drug affordability ratings in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Evidence Blocks are inconsistent with real-world total episode-of-care costs, according to Scott D. Ramsey, MD, PhD, Director, Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA. Read More ›
The investigational LOXO-292, a potent and highly selective RET kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated robust and durable antitumor activity against RET-activating fusions and mutations, and has shown promising efficacy in patients with solid tumors and RET mutations. Read More ›
The second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, bb2121, engineered to target B-cell maturation antigen, a protein on the surface of certain myeloma cells, displayed continuing efficacy and safety in an update of a phase 1 clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
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