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 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 Updates Capecitabine Indications and Dosing Regimens

On December 14, 2022, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated labeling for capecitabine under Project Renewal, an Oncology Center of Excellence initiative aimed at updating labeling information for older, commonly prescribed oncology drugs.

Capecitabine is now approved for the following new and revised indications:

• Adjuvant treatment of patients with Stage III colon cancer as a single agent or as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen
• Perioperative treatment of adults with locally advanced rectal cancer as a component of chemoradiotherapy
• Treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer as a single agent or as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen
• Treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer as a single agent if an anthracycline- or taxane-containing chemotherapy is not indicated
• Treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with docetaxel after disease progression on prior anthracycline-containing chemotherapy
• Treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic gastric, esophageal, or gastroesophageal junction cancer as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen
• Treatment of adults with HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have not received prior treatment for metastatic disease as a component of a combination regimen
• Adjuvant treatment of adults with pancreatic adenocarcinoma as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Additional labeling revisions include:

• The dosage regimen is revised and updated for several indications, including the option for a lower starting dose for patients with metastatic breast cancer
• Severe renal impairment is removed as a contraindication
• Information on risks from exposure to crushed tablets is added under warnings and precautions
• Additional information is provided on the use of capecitabine and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency
• Clinical pharmacology information is updated and revised
• The patient counseling information section and patient information document are updated and revised.

For more information, read the FDA announcement.

Posted 12/16/2022

FDA Grants Approval to Atezolizumab for Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma

On December 9, 2022, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved atezolizumab for adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma.

For more information read the FDA announcement.

Posted 12/12/2022