Web Exclusives

Adding the investigational smoothened (SMO) receptor inhibitor glasdegib to low-dose cytarabine (Depo­Cyt) significantly increased overall survival (OS) compared with low-dose cytarabine monotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who were ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, according to a phase 2 study presented by Jorge E. Cortes, MD, Department of Leukemia, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, at the 2016 American Society of Hematology meeting. Read More ›

A new economic model suggests that overall survival and drug toxicity profiles are insufficient for assessing the value of a drug. According to a study that incorporated late adverse events in advanced Hodgkin lymphoma, a more comprehensive benefit-to-risk ratio of a drug requires an understanding of its long-term health implications, said Ohad Oren, MD, Pennsylvania Hospital, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, at the 2016 American Society of Hematology meeting. Read More ›

The FDA has granted accelerated approval of rucaparib (Rubraca), a poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer whose tumors have deleterious BRCA gene mutation and have been treated with ≥2 chemotherapies. The administration also approved a companion diagnostic to the drug, FoundationFocus CDxBRCA, which is the first next-generation sequencing diagnostic test. Read More ›

In April 2016, venetoclax (Venclexta; Janssen) became the first BCL-2 inhibitor to be approved by the FDA for relapsed, high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Read More ›

The FDA has granted approval to daratumumab (Darzalex) for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received ≥1 previous therapies, in combination with dexamethasone and either lenalidomide or bortezomib. Read More ›

Chicago, IL—The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation is a target for tyrosine kinase therapies in several cancers, including non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Since 2011, several ALK inhibitors have been approved, and more are in the pipeline, but many questions remain for managing patients with ALK-positive NSCLC.

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Chicago, IL—Maintaining a clean room compliant with US Pharmacopeial Convention Chapter 800 (USP 800) can come with a significant price tag, but noncompliance can drive up costs to oncology practices and institutions. However, certain measures can contribute to the successful construction, renovation, and maintenance of hazardous drug sterile compounding spaces in an oncology setting, according to Ryan A. Forrey, PharmD, MS, FASHP, Director of Pharmacy, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta, GA.

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Chicago, IL—A clear set of standard operating procedures is at the heart of US Pharmacopeial Convention Chapter 800 (USP 800) compliance, according to Carol Yarrington, PharmD, BCOP, Oncology and Infusion Pharmacy Coordinator and Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, St. Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, MI.

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On August 10, 2016, the FDA approved granisetron extended-release (Sustol; Heron Therapeutics) injection, the first extended-release 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, in combination with other antiemetic drugs in adults. Read More ›

On April 25, 2016, the FDA approved cabozantinib (Cabometyx; Exelixis) for the treatment of patients with advanced renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) who had received anti-angiogenic therapy.  Read More ›