Articles related to DEVICE/DRUG APPROVALS

The approval of the drug (Fotivda, Aveo Pharmaceuticals) was based on the results of the open-label, multi-center TIVO-3 trial, which looked at progression-free survival (PFS) as the main efficacy endpoint, assessed by a blinded independent radiology review committee. Secondary end points included overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR).

More good news for zanubrutinib, which received accelerated approval in November 2019 in the US for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in adult patients who have undergone at least one prior therapy. The supplemental new drug application (sNDA) was submitted by the drug’s manufacturer, BeiGene, based on data from the global phase III ASPEN trial.

This “Clinical Trials & Observations” report from Blood Advances (ASH)  explores the implications of the recently approved anemia treatment luspatercept, which can now be prescribed in the second-line setting after erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have failed or for patients who are not eligible because of high serum erythropoietin (sEPO) levels. A downloadable visual abstract helps paint the picture as well.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly putting a hold on everything, approvals of new drugs have not waned. In fact, despite their high price tags – median prices ranged from $766 million to $2.8 billion – new drugs continue to roll out in 2021. Here are five new drugs approved this year that you may find useful in your clinical practice of medicine.

Another win for Merck and Keytruda, as the FDA granted accelerated approval to pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) whose tumors express PD-L1 based on PFS. The FDA also approved a companion diagnostic, PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval – the first for mesothelioma in 16 years and the second FDA-approved systemic therapy for mesothelioma – was based on a randomized, open-label trial, of 605 patients. The endpoint was to determine if the nivolumab-ipilimumab combo improved overall survival compared to chemotherapy.