News

FDA approves venetoclax for CLL and SLL

  • FLASCO
  • May 16, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On May 15, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved venetoclax (VENCLEXTA, AbbVie Inc. and Genentech Inc.) for adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Approval was based on CLL14 (NCT02242942), a randomized (1:1), multicenter, open label, actively controlled trial of venetoclax in combination with obinutuzumab (VEN+G) versus obinutuzumab in…

FDA Approves ramucirumab for hepatocellular carcinoma

  • FLASCO
  • May 13, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On May 10, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved ramucirumab (CYRAMZA®, Eli Lilly and Company) as a single agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who have an alpha fetoprotein (AFP) of ≥ 400 ng/mL and have been previously treated with sorafenib. Approval was based on REACH 2 (NCT02435433), a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled,…

jansen

BALVERSA™ (erdafitinib) Receives U.S. FDA Approval for the Treatment of Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma with Certain FGFR Genetic Alterations

  • Katrina Williams
  • May 13, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

Apr 12, 2019 United States — BALVERSA is the first FGFR kinase inhibitor to receive U.S. FDA approval — Simultaneous approval of companion diagnostic intended to identify a subset of patients most likely to benefit from BALVERSA, offering a personalized treatment approach HORSHAM, Pa., April 12, 2019  — The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced…

The 2019 APAO Scholarship is now available for PA students!

  • Katrina Williams
  • May 10, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

Up to $2,500 will be awarded to a deserving PA student with a strong interest in pursuing a career in oncology Must be an AAPA member (or applicant) and enrolled in a ARC-PA-accredited program Minimum GPA is 3.0 (or PASS/FAIL equivalent) For a comprehensive list of eligibility criteria, please see visit the APAO website. Deadline: May…

Mayo Clinic St. Vincent Jacksonville Positions: Hematology or Oncology

  • Amanda Bridges
  • May 9, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

Mayo Clinic has positions for new graduates or junior faculty in hematology, oncology, or both for a community based practice at Mayo Clinic St. Vincent Jacksonville. You are encouraged to apply if interested in clinical practice and potential to do an area of research. Academic affiliation with a community twist. Please send CV to Dr….

FDA approves ado-trastuzumab emtansine for early breast cancer

  • FLASCO
  • May 6, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On May 3, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved ado-trastuzumab emtansine (KADCYLA®, Genentech, Inc.) for the adjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer (EBC) who have residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant taxane and trastuzumab-based treatment. Patients should be selected based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for ado-trastuzumab emtansine. FDA also approved both…

Merck is pleased to announce that KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, has been approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

  • FLASCO
  • May 3, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

Merck is pleased to announce that KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, has been approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PD-L1 diagnostic testing is not required prior to initiating treatment with KEYTRUDA in these patients FDA=Food and Drug Administration; PD-L1=programmed death ligand 1. Selected Safety Information…

Educational Opportunity in Oncofertility

  • Katrina Williams
  • May 3, 2019
  • e-Learning
  • No Comments

Enriching Communication Skills for Health Professionals in Oncofertility (ECHO) is a free web-based training program focusing on building communication skills. Training Topics include: Risk of infertility Fertility preservation Sexual functioning Body image Ethical, social, and cultural considerations Interested learners should submit their application on our website at: https://echo.rhoinstitute.org/2020-echo-application/.  Deadline to apply is November 22nd, 2019….

agios pharma

FDA approves ivosidenib as first-line treatment for AML with IDH1 mutation

  • FLASCO
  • May 3, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

On May 2, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved ivosidenib (TIBSOVO, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible IDH1 mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test, in patients who are at least 75 years old or who have comorbidities that preclude the use of intensive induction chemotherapy. Approval was…

KEYTRUDA(R) (pembrolizumab): Additional Indication

  • Katrina Williams
  • May 3, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

Merck is pleased to announce that KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, has been approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PD-L1 diagnostic testing is not required prior to initiating treatment with KEYTRUDA in these patients FDA=Food and Drug Administration; PD-L1=programmed death ligand 1. Selected Safety Information…

FDA approves pembrolizumab plus axitinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma

  • FLASCO
  • April 22, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On April 19, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®, Merck & Co. Inc.) plus axitinib for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Approval was based on KEYNOTE 426 (NCT02853331), a randomized, multicenter, open-label trial conducted in 861 patients who had not received systemic therapy for advanced RCC….

UnitedHealthcare policy that might affect your workflow or process within your practice/facility.

Effective June 1 or October 1, 2019, (based on your contract) UnitedHealthcare will no longer reimburse Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Consultation Codes 99241 to 99255 when billed by any health care professional or medical practice.    For detailed information about the updated policy, please review page 20 of the March 2019 edition of the UnitedHealthcare Network…

Announcing a New Genentech Therapy

  • Katrina Williams
  • April 17, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

Genentech is excited to share the news of a new FDA-approved therapy. Adjuvant Breast Cancer  HERCEPTIN HYLECTATM (trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk) is indicated for adjuvant treatment of adults with HER2-overexpressing node-positive or node-negative (ER/PR-negative or with one high-risk feature*) breast cancer: As part of a treatment regimen containing doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and either paclitaxel or docetaxel With docetaxel and…

Genomic Health Introduces New Diagnostic Test Oncotype AR-V7

  • Katrina Williams
  • April 17, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

The Oncotype DX AR-V7 Nucleus Detect® Assay is the first and only nuclear-localized AR-V7 liquid biopsy blood test that can help guide treatment decisions for patients diagnosed with mCRPC who have received and failed an AR-targeted therapy such as XTANDI® (enzalutamide), ZYTIGA® (abiraterone), or ERLEADA™ (apalutamide). The Oncotype DX AR-V7 Nucleus Detect test can help…

FDA expands pembrolizumab indication for first-line treatment of NSCLC (TPS ≥1%)

  • FLASCO
  • April 16, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

On April 11, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA, Merck Inc.) for the first-line treatment of patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation or metastatic NSCLC. Patients’ tumors must have no EGFR or ALKgenomic aberrations and express PD-L1 (Tumor Proportion Score [TPS] ≥1%)…

jansen

FDA grants accelerated approval to erdafitinib for metastatic urothelial carcinoma

  • FLASCO
  • April 15, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

On April 12, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to erdafitinib (BALVERSA™, Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies) for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, with susceptible FGFR3 or FGFR2 genetic alterations, that has progressed during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy, including within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients should be…

pfizer

FDA Expands Approved Use Of Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment To Include Male Patients

  • FLASCO
  • April 5, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today is extending the indication of Ibrance (palbociclib) capsules in combination with specific endocrine therapies for hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in male patients. “Today we are expanding the indication for Ibrance to include male patients based upon data…

Announcing a New First-Line Indication for a Genentech Therapy

Genentech is excited to share the news of a new FDA-approved indication. TECENTRIQ, in combination with carboplatin and etoposide, is indicated for the first-line (1L) treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Please see the attached TECENTRIQ 1L SCLC Day 1 Letter, as well as the TECENTRIQ full Prescribing Information, for…

FDA Approves Genentech’s Tecentriq in Combination with Chemotherapy for the Initial Treatment of People with Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

The FDA approved Tecentriq (atezolizumab), in combination with carboplatin and etoposide (chemotherapy), for the initial (first-line) treatment of adults with extensive-stage small lung cancer (ES-SCLC). It is the first new initial treatment option approved by the FDA for people with ES-SCLC in more than 20 years. The Genentech press release including Important Safety Information is…

Updated Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Colon and Rectal Cancer

National Comprehensive Cancer Network© (NCCN©) has updated the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Colon and Rectal Cancer to include BRAFTOVI® in combination with MEKTOVI® and cetuximab or panitumumab as a Category 2a treatment for patients with BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), after failure of one to two prior lines of therapy for metastatic disease….

FDA approves Genentech’s atezolizumab for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer

  • FLASCO
  • March 19, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On March 18, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ, Genentech Inc.) in combination with carboplatin and etoposide, for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Approval was based on IMpower133 (NCT02763579), a randomized (1:1), multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 403 patients with ES-SCLC who received no…

pfizer

U.S. FDA Approves Pfizer’s Oncology Biosimilar Trazimera™ (Trastuzumab-QYYP), A Biosimilar To Herceptin®

  • FLASCO
  • March 12, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved TRAZIMERA™ (trastuzumab-qyyp), a biosimilar to Herceptin® (trastuzumab),1 for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) overexpressing breast cancer and HER2 overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.2 “This is an important milestone in the U.S. which both adds…

FDA approves Genentech’s atezolizumab for PD-L1 positive unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

  • FLASCO
  • March 11, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On March 8, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ®, Genentech Inc.) in combination with paclitaxel protein-bound for adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (PD-L1 stained tumor-infiltrating immune cells [IC] of any intensity covering ≥ 1% of the tumor area),…

BT5K 2019

BT5K 2019: Tampa Bay

  • Amanda Bridges
  • February 28, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

BT5K Tampa Bay is part of the American Brain Tumor Association’s (ABTA) Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K series. Currently, more than 700,000 people in the U.S. are living with a brain tumor diagnosis. Your support allows the ABTA to fund desperately needed brain tumor research, patient programs, and support services. Join with your local brain…

taiho oncology

LONSURF® (trifluridine and tipiracil) tablets, for a new FDA-approved indication

  • Katrina Williams
  • February 28, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

On February 23, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved LONSURF® (trifluridine and tipiracil) tablets for metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma previously treated  with at least two prior lines of chemotherapy that included a fluoropyrimidine, a platinum, either a taxane or irinotecan, and if appropriate, HER2/neu-targeted therapy. 1LONSURF is also indicated for…

FDA approves Genentech’s trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk injection

  • FLASCO
  • February 28, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On February 28, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved trastuzumab and hyaluronidase-oysk injection,for subcutaneous use (Herceptin Hylecta, Genentech Inc.). Herceptin Hylecta is a combination of trastuzumab, a HER2/neu receptor antagonist, and hyaluronidase, an endoglycosidase, for the treatment of HER2‑overexpressing breast cancer.  Approval was based on two randomized trials, HannaH (NCT00950300) and SafeHER (NCT01566721). In…

FDA approves Cablivi® (caplacizumab-yhdp), the first Nanobody®-based medicine, for adults with acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP)

  • Katrina Williams
  • February 26, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

– First medicine approved in the U.S. specifically for the treatment of aTTP, a rare blood-clotting disorder – Cablivi is the first U.S. approval for Sanofi’s new rare blood disorders franchise BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Feb. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cablivi® (caplacizumab-yhdp) in combination with plasma exchange and immunosuppression for the…

Florida Cancer Specialists Celebrates 35th Anniversary

  • Katrina Williams
  • February 26, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

Nation’s Largest Independent Hematology/Oncology Practice Reflects On More Than Three Decades of Advances in Cancer Care Fort Myers, FL – February 25, 2019. . . In February of 1984, Dr. William Harwin, Founder and President Emeritus of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), could only dream of what his fledgling community oncology/hematology practice might become…

taiho oncology

FDA approves Taiho Oncology’s Lonsurf for recurrent, metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma

  • FLASCO
  • February 26, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On February 22, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved trifluridine/ tipiracil tablets (LONSURF, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)—a fixed combination of trifluridine, a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor, and tipiracil, a thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor—for adult patients with metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma previously treated with at least two prior lines of chemotherapy that included a…

FDA approves Merck’s pembrolizumab for adjuvant treatment of melanoma

  • FLASCO
  • February 19, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On February 15, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA, Merck) for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph node(s) following complete resection.  Approval was based on EORTC1325/KEYNOTE‑054 (NCT02362594), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, trial in 1019 patients with completely resected, stage IIIA (>1 mm lymph node metastasis), IIIB or IIIC…

Guardant360 Policy

  • Amanda Bridges
  • February 1, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

The FLASCO Clinical Practice leadership approved and signed a letter of support written to FL Blue for the Guardant360 Liquid Biopsy test in 2018. The FLASCO office was recently notified and we are now sharing the victory with you, “Florida Blue has adopted a positive medical policy for the Guardant360 Liquid Biopsy test. A very…

The clonoSEQ® Assay is now FDA-cleared and covered by Medicare for detecting and monitoring MRD in bone marrow samples from patients with multiple myeloma or B-cell ALL.

  • Katrina Williams
  • January 22, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

View our Medicare coverage press release here. For more info about clonoSEQ, including test limitations, read the Technical Summary here. ABOUT ADAPTIVE BIOTECHNOLOGIES   As a pioneer and leader in the field of immunosequencing, Adaptive Biotechnologies combines next generation sequencing (NGS) and proprietary bioinformatics to profile T-cell and B-cell receptors to drive groundbreaking research in cancer and other…

FDA Approves Exelixis’ Cabozantinib for Advanced HCC

  • FLASCO
  • January 15, 2019
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

The FDA has approved cabozantinib (Cabometyx) as a treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who previously received sorafenib (Nexavar), according to the company developing the therapy, Exelixis. The approval was based on findings from the phase III CELESTIAL trial, in which overall survival (OS) was improved by 2.2 months with cabozantinib versus placebo. Median…

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Sprycel® (dasatinib) Tablets Now Approved in Combination with Chemotherapy in Certain Pediatric Patients with Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

  • Katrina Williams
  • January 11, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

Press Release See All Press Releases      Sign up for Email Alerts      Press Release RSS Sprycel is the first and only second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor for pediatric patients for the treatment of newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia in combination with chemotherapy Approval marks second pediatric leukemia indication for Sprycel 1 CATEGORY:  CORPORATE/FINANCIAL NEWSWEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2019 4:25 PM EST#FDA…

FDA-Approved Indication for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for the Treatment of Adult and Pediatric Patients With Recurrent Locally Advanced or Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC)

  • FLASCO
  • January 9, 2019
  • News
  • No Comments

Merck is pleased to announce that KEYTRUDA has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic MCC. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and…

NEW FDA approval- Stemline Therapeutics

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 28, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

Stemline Therapeutics recently announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ELZONRISTM (tagraxofusp-erzs; SL-401) for patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN): https://ir.stemline.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fda-approves-elzonristm-tagraxofusp-first-treatment-blastic Full prescribing information can be found here:http://elzonris.com/hcp/resources/ELZONRIS_US_Full_Prescribing_Information.pdf ELZONRISTM will not be available for shipment until late January.  We are currently in the process of finalizing a compliment of clinical and patient focused resources. …

astrazeneca

FDA approves olaparib for first-line maintenance of BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer

  • FLASCO
  • December 27, 2018
  • News
  • No Comments

On December 19, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved olaparib (LYNPARZA, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP) for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm or sBRCAm) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with gBRCAm advanced…

FDA approves longer-acting calaspargase pegol-mknl for ALL

  • FLASCO
  • December 27, 2018
  • News
  • No Comments

On December 20, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved calaspargase pegol-mknl (ASPARLAS™, Servier Pharmaceuticals LLC), an asparagine specific enzyme, as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in pediatric and young adult patients age 1 month to 21 years. This new product provides for a longer interval between doses compared to…

FDA approves tagraxofusp-erzs for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm

  • FLASCO
  • December 27, 2018
  • News
  • No Comments

On December 21, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved tagraxofusp-erzs(ELZONRIS™, Stemline Therapeutics), a CD123-directed cytotoxin, for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) in adults and in pediatric patients 2 years and older. Approval was based on a multicenter, multicohort, open-label, single-arm clinical trial (STML-401-0114; NCT 02113982) in patients with untreated or relapsed/refractory BPDCN. Patients…

alexion

FDA approves Alexion’s ravulizumab-cwvz for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

  • FLASCO
  • December 27, 2018
  • News
  • No Comments

On December 21, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved ravulizumab-cwvz (ULTOMIRIS, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for adult patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Approval was based on two open-label, randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority phase 3 studies: ALXN1210-PNH-301 (NCT02946463) and ALXN1210-PNH-302 (NCT03056040). Study 301 enrolled 246 patients with PNH who were complement inhibitor naïve and had active…

FDA approves pembrolizumab for Merkel cell carcinoma

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 20, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On December 19, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA, Merck & Co. Inc.) for adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Approval was based on Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network protocol 9 (CITN-09), also known as KEYNOTE-017 (NCT02267603), a multicenter, non-randomized, open-label trial…

astrazeneca

Reimbursement Update Permanent J code for Imfinzi

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 14, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

IMFINZI is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  The NEW Permanent J-Code is J91731 and goes into effect January 1, 2019.

ASH 2018 News From Genentech

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 14, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

This year at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Genentech presented data for ten medicines in more than 70 abstracts, including 25 oral presentations [press release]. Highlighted data included new data from three Venclexta® (venetoclax) combination studies demonstrating deep responses in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, two of the most common types…

Entrinsic Health Solutions and Markey Cancer Center Launch Phase II Study for Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients with Quality of Life-Limiting Diarrhea

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 13, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

NORWOOD, Mass., Dec. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Entrinsic Health Solutions in partnership with the University of Kentucky (UK) Markey Cancer Center today announced initiation of active accrual and first consented patient in its Phase II study evaluating enterade® – a glucose-free, medical food – in neuroendocrine tumor and carcinoid syndrome patients. Findings from this study may show that enterade can…

Announcing a New First-Line Indication for a Genentech Therapy

  • FLASCO
  • December 12, 2018
  • News
  • No Comments

Click here to learn more.   TECENTRIQ PI Genentech isexcited to share the news of a new FDA-approved indication. TECENTRIQ®(atezolizumab), in combination with Avastin® (bevacizumab), paclitaxel, andcarboplatin, is now indicated for the first-line treatment of patientswith metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (nsqNSCLC) with no EGFRor ALK genomic tumor aberrations. Please see the attached TECENTRIQ 1L NSCLC…

Permanent J-codes for Genentech Hematology Products

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 10, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made a change to the RITUXAN® (rituximab) J-code and has assigned a permanent J-code for RITUXAN HYCELA® (rituximab/hyaluronidase human subcutaneous injection). Effective January 1, 2019 J-code J9312 will replace J9310 for RITUXAN and the billable units will change from 100 mg to 10 mg. Additionally, the…

C-code for ONPATTRO™ (patisiran) lipid complex injection

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 5, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

We are sending this communication on behalf of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to announce the assignment of a product‐specific temporary C-code for ONPATTRO™ (patisiran) lipid complex injection, for intravenous use. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2019 Alpha-Numeric HCPCS File, which included the designation of C9036, Injection, patisiran, 0.1 mg for ONPATTRO with the…

New indication for VENCLEXTA(R) (venetoclax tablets)

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 2, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On November 21, 2018, VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax tablets) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in combination with azacitidine, or decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine for the treatment of newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults who are age 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy….

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC Supports the 2018 FLASCO Fall Session in Orlando

  • Amanda Bridges
  • December 2, 2018
  • News
  • No Comments

Fort Myers, FL – November 29th, 2018… The Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) hosted the 2018 FLASCO Fall Session, November 8th-10th, in Orlando, Florida at the Orlando World Center Marriott with approximately 450 attendees. More than 30 Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) physicians and staff were in attendance, in addition to numerous FCS FLASCO Board Members and Liaisons….

FDA approves gilteritinib for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a FLT3 mutation

  • FLASCO
  • November 28, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On November 28, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved gilteritinib (XOSPATA, Astellas Pharma US Inc.) for treatment of adult patients who have relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a FLT3 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. The FDA also approved an expanded indication for a companion diagnostic, to include use with…

FDA approves first biosimilar for treatment of adult patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

  • FLASCO
  • November 28, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Truxima (rituximab-abbs) as the first biosimilar to Rituxan (rituximab) for the treatment of adult patients with CD20-positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) to be used as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy. Truxima is the first biosimiliar to be approved in the U.S. for the treatment of…

FDA approves Bayer’s larotrectinib for solid tumors with NTRK gene fusions

  • FLASCO
  • November 27, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On November 26, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to larotrectinib (VITRAKVI, Loxo Oncology Inc. and Bayer) for adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors that have a neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion without a known acquired resistance mutation, that are either metastatic or where surgical resection is likely to…

The antidiarrheal efficacy of a proprietary amino acid mixture in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients.

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 26, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

Clinical data for neuroendocrine tumor patients. Entrinsic recently presented data at ASCO’s Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium. Updated clinical results showed that 80% of NET patients reported reduction in diarrhea frequency using enterade. In addition,51% of patients reported more than 50% reduction in frequency. Diarrhea is the most common and debilitating symptom among NET cancer patients. Please…

FDA approves brentuximab vedotin for previously untreated sALCL and CD30-expressing PTCL

  • FLASCO
  • November 20, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On November 16, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved brentuximab vedotin (ADCETRIS, Seattle Genetics Inc.) in combination with chemotherapy for previously untreated systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) or other CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and PTCL not otherwise specified. This is the first FDA approval for previously untreated PTCL…

FDA approves emapalumab for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

  • FLASCO
  • November 20, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On November 20, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved emapalumab (GAMIFANT, Novimmune SA), a monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes interferon gamma, for adult and pediatric (newborn and older) patients with primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) with refractory, recurrent or progressive disease or intolerance with conventional HLH therapy. Approval was based on a multicenter, open-label,…

CAR T-CELL THERAPY: RECENT ADVANCES AND FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 18, 2018
  • e-Learning
  • No Comments

RECORDED WEBINAR Learn about the ways in which CAR T-cell therapy treats blood cancer, what CAR T therapy means for the future of cancer treatment, and the current patient access environment and other key considerations. PRESENTERS Frederick Locke, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center Krishna V. Komanduri, MD, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Brian Koffman, MD, CLL Society,…

FDA Approves Elotuzumab Plus Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

  • FLASCO
  • November 12, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On November 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved elotuzumab (Empliciti) injection for intravenous use in combination with pomalidomide (Pomalyst) and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies, including lenalidomide (Revlimid) and a proteasome inhibitor. In ELOQUENT-3, a randomized, open-label, phase II trial, elotuzumab…

FDA grants accelerated approval to pembrolizumab for hepatocellular carcinoma

  • FLASCO
  • November 12, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On November 9, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA, Merck & Co., Inc.) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. For additional information, please click here. Approval was based on KEYNOTE 224 (NCT02702414), a single-arm, multicenter trial enrolling 104 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma….

Merck is pleased to announce that KEYTRUDA in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel has been approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 9, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

KEYTRUDA is also indicated in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for the ·    First-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations KEYTRUDA is also indicated as a single agent for the ·    First-line treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression (TPS ≥50%) as…

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC Names Dr. Lucio Gordan as New Managing Partner and President

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 7, 2018
  • News
  • No Comments

Fort Myers, Florida – October 31, 2018… Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS) the largest physician-owned oncology/hematology practice in the country, today announced that Dr. Lucio Gordan has been named Managing Partner and President of FCS. Dr. Gordan, a hematologist/oncologist, replaces Dr. William Harwin, who notified the Board of Directors of his decision to step down this weekend. Dr….

astrazeneca

NCCN Guidelines Osimertinib (TAGRISSO) Upate

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 7, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

Osimertinib (TAGRISSO®) is now the only preferred first-line EGFR TKI in the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®). I am excited to share with you that first-line Osimertinib (TAGRISSO®) has been elevated to preferred status in the NCCN Guidelines®, for sensitizing EGFR mutation-positive metastatic NSCLC. Osimertinib’s (TAGRISSO®) preferred status among all Category 1 recommended EGFR…

Extraordinary Circumstances Extension / Exception (ECE) due to Hurricane Michael

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 7, 2018
  • News
  • No Comments

The purpose of this communication is to notify Post-Acute Care providers of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) intent to grant quality reporting data submission and validation exceptions to Medicare providers in several care settings adversely affected by the devastating impact of Hurricane Michael, including Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs), Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs),…

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves Empliciti® (elotuzumab) Plus Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone, a New Immunotherapy Combination for Certain Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

  • Amanda Bridges
  • November 7, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

In the ELOQUENT-3 trial, treatment with Empliciti plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone (EPd) doubled median progression-free survival and overall response rate versus pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) 1 Low discontinuation rates due to adverse reactions were observed with both EPd and Pd alone 1 Empliciti, when used in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, can be administered once monthly after first two cycles 1 TUESDAY,…

FDA approved Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv), a biosimilar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim).

  • FLASCO
  • November 6, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

After previous US regulatory setbacks, Coherus Biosciences has gained FDA approval for its pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv). The biosimilar, referencing Neulasta, has been approved to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia. The company will provide more details on pricing and…

pfizer

FDA approves lorlatinib for second- or third-line treatment of ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC

  • FLASCO
  • November 5, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On November 2, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to lorlatinib (LORBRENA, Pfizer, Inc.) for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has progressed on crizotinib and at least one other ALK inhibitor for metastatic disease or whose disease has progressed on alectinib or ceritinib…

spectrum

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Approval of KHAPZORY™ (levoleucovorin) for injection

  • FLASCO
  • October 24, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in hematology and oncology, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved KHAPZORY (levoleucovorin) for injection, a folate analog for three indications: • Rescue after high-dose methotrexate therapy in patients with osteosarcoma. • Diminishing…

pfizer

FDA approves talazoparib for gBRCAm HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer

  • FLASCO
  • October 16, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On October 16, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved talazoparib (TALZENNA, Pfizer Inc.), a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, for patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm), HER2‑negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Patients must be selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for talazoparib. Approval was based on…

pfizer

U.S. FDA Approves VIZIMPRO® (dacomitinib) for the First-Line Treatment of Patients with EGFR-Mutated Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

  • Amanda Bridges
  • October 8, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved VIZIMPRO® [vih-ZIM-pro] (dacomitinib), a kinase inhibitor for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations as detected by an…

FDA approves new drug for treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis

  • FLASCO
  • October 8, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tegsedi (inotersen), an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that inhibits the production of the transthyretin (TTR) protein (amyloid), for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR) in adults. This is the second FDA approved drug for hATTR. Onpattro (patisiran), was the first treatment approved for this…

FDA approves emicizumab-kxwh for hemophilia A with or without factor VIII inhibitors

  • FLASCO
  • October 5, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On October 4, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved emicizumab-kxwh injection (HEMLIBRA, Genentech, Inc.) for prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adult and pediatric patients (ages newborn and older) with hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency) with or without factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors. Hemlibra was first approved in 2017 for…

FDA authorizes first next generation sequencing-based test to detect very low levels of remaining cancer cells in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or multiple myeloma

  • FLASCO
  • October 1, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration permitted marketing of ClonoSEQ assay, a next generation sequencing (NGS)-based test for minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or multiple myeloma. MRD is a measure of the amount of cancer cells remaining in a person’s bone marrow. “At the FDA, we’re continuing to maximize…

FDA APPROVES LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB-RWLC) AS FIRST AND ONLY TREATMENT FOR ADVANCED CUTANEOUS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

  • FLASCO
  • October 1, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

Libtayo is the third anti-PD-1 approved in the U.S. CSCC is the second most common skin cancer in the U.S. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc) for the treatment of patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) or locally advanced CSCC who are not candidates for…

FDA approves dacomitinib for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

  • Amanda Bridges
  • September 28, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

From the American Society of Clinical Oncology: In cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and as a service to our members, ASCO will periodically distribute information about newly approved therapies for cancer patients. This helps FDA inform oncologists and professionals in oncology-related fields about recent approvals in a timely manner. Included in the…

pharmacyclics

New FDA Approval for the Expanded Use of IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib)

  • Amanda Bridges
  • September 25, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

AbbVie Announces IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) Plus Rituximab Approval by U.S. FDA as First Chemotherapy-Free Combination Treatment in Adults with Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia, a Rare Type of Blood Cancer Milestone represents ninth FDA approval for IMBRUVICA in less than five years since its initial approval New approval of IMBRUVICA plus rituximab for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) is supported by recent…

FDA granted regular approval to duvelisib (COPIKTRA, Verastem, Inc.) for adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)

  • FLASCO
  • September 25, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

On Sept. 24, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration granted regular approval to duvelisib (COPIKTRA, Verastem, Inc.) for adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) after at least two prior therapies. In addition, duvelisib received accelerated approval for adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL)…

Verastem Oncology Receives FDA Approval of COPIKTRATM (duvelisib) capsules

  • Amanda Bridges
  • September 25, 2018
  • Drugs
  • No Comments

BOSTON, MA – September 24, 2018 – Verastem, Inc. (Nasdaq:VSTM) (Verastem Oncology or the Company), focused on developing and commercializing medicines to improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved COPIKTRA™, an oral inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and the first…

© 2021 FLASCO | Premium Website Design by The HDG