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 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 Grants Accelerated Approval to Tucatinib with Trastuzumab for Colorectal Cancer

On January 19, 2023, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab for RAS wild-type HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy.

For more information read the FDA 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

FDA Approves a New Dosing Regimen for Asparaginase Erwinia Chrysanthemi

On November 18, 2022, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new Monday-Wednesday-Friday dosing regimen for asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn. Under the new regimen, patients should receive 25 mg/m2 intramuscularly on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and 50 mg/m2 intramuscularly on Friday afternoon. 

For more information, read the FDA announcement.

Posted 11/21/2022

FDA Approves Brentuximab Vedotin + Chemo for Pediatric Patients with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

On November 10, 2022, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved brentuximab vedotin in combination with doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, and cyclophosphamide for pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with previously untreated high risk classical Hodgkin lymphoma. This is the first pediatric approval for brentuximab vedotin.

For more information, read the FDA announcement.

Posted 11/15/2022

FDA Approves Tremelimumab with Durvalumab + Chemotherapy for Metastatic NSCLC

On November 10, 2022, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tremelimumab in combination with durvalumab and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor mutation or anaplastic lymphoma kinase genomic tumor aberrations.

For more information, read the FDA announcement.

Posted 11/15/2022