Novartis ribociclib only Category 1 preferred first-line treatment option for HR+/HER2- mBC in combination with an AI in updated NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

East Hanover, March 28, 2023 — Updates to the NCCN Guidelines® for breast cancer, released in January 2023, recommend ribociclib (Kisqali®) as the only Category 1 preferred CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) for first-line treatment of patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) when combined with an aromatase inhibitor (AI). This recommendation indicates high levels of clinical evidence and uniform consensus among NCCN on ribociclib (Kisqali) as an appropriate treatment.

NCCN Guidelines also continue to recommend ribociclib (Kisqali) plus fulvestrant as a Category 1 preferred regimen for first- and subsequent-line therapies* in HR+/HER2- mBC.

The latest NCCN Guidelines recommend ribociclib (Kisqali) for demonstrating significant overall survival (OS) benefit in combination with various endocrine therapies across three Phase III MONALEESA trials in HR+/HER2- mBC and uniquely in combination with an AI in the first-line setting in MONALEESA-2. These recent updates to the guidelines reinforce key distinctions among the CDK4/6i in mBC, driving the potential to enhance patient access to the latest evidence-based care and to improve outcomes.

In addition to consistently demonstrating statistically significant OS benefit, Kisqali preserved or improved patients’ quality of life in all three Phase III MONALEESA trials.

For more information read the Novartis announcement.

Posted 5/4/2023

FDA Approves Polatuzumab Vedotin-piiq for Previously Untreated Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

On April 19, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved polatuzumab vedotin-piiq with a rituximab product, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone for adult patients who have previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, or high-grade B-cell lymphoma and who have an International Prognostic Index score of 2 or greater.

For more information, read the FDA announcement and Genentech announcement

Posted 4/21/2023

FDA Approves Enfortumab Vedotin-ejfv + Pembrolizumab for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma

On April 3, U.S the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to enfortumab vedotin-ejfv with pembrolizumab for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.

For more information read the FDA announcement, the Merck announcement and the Seagen announcement. 

Posted 4/3/2023

FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Retifanlimab-dlwr for MCC

On March 22, 2023, the U.S Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to retifanlimab-dlwr for adult patients with metastatic or recurrent locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

For more information read the FDA announcement and the Incyte announcement. 

Posted 3/22/2023

FDA Approves Dabrafenib + trametinib for Pediatric Patients with LGG

On March 16, 2023, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved dabrafenib with trametinib for pediatric patients 1 year of age and older with low-grade glioma (LGG) with a BRAF V600E mutation who require systemic therapy.

For more information read the FDA announcement and the Novartis announcement.

Posted 3/20/2023

FDA Expands Early Breast Cancer Indication for Abemaciclib with Endocrine Therapy

On March 3, 2023, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an expanded indication for abemaciclib, in combination with endocrine therapy, for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at a high risk of recurrence. 

For more information read the FDA announcement and the Lilly Oncology announcement. 

Posted 3/6/2023

FDA Approves Pirtobrutinib for Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma

On January 27, 2023, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to pirtobrutinib for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma after at least two lines of systemic therapy, including a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

For more information, read the FDA announcement and the Lilly Oncology announcement.

Posted 3/3/2023

FDA Approves Pembrolizumab as Adjuvant Treatment for NSCLC

On January 26, 2023, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pembrolizumab for adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

For more information read the FDA announcement and the Merck announcement. 

Posted 1/27/2023

FDA Approves Zanubrutinib for CLL or SLL

On January 19, 2023, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved zanubrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

For more information, read the FDA announcement and the Beigene announcement. 

Posted 1/20/2023

FDA Approves FoundationOne®Liquid CDx as a Companion Diagnostic for Entrectinib

Foundation Medicine, Inc. announced that it received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of FoundationOne®Liquid CDx as a companion diagnostic to identify patients with ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer or patients with NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors, who do not have a tissue sample available and may be appropriate for treatment with entrectinib. 

For more information, read the Foundation Medicine announcement. 

Posted 1/5/2023