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FDA approves rituximab to treat children with rare vasculitis
The Food and Drug Administration approved rituximab (Rituxan) by injection to treat granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) in children 2 years of age and older in combination with glucocorticoid treatment, according to an FDA news release.
These rare forms of vasculitis damage small blood vessels through inflammation and can lead to serious organ failure, including lungs and kidneys.
The Genentech drug received priority review and an orphan drug designation based on the results of a pediatric clinical trial of 25 patients aged 6-17 years with active GPA or MPA who were treated with rituximab in an international multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled study. Patients in the trial were also given methylprednisolone prior to starting treatment.
The trial consisted of a 6-month remission induction phase where patients were treated only with rituximab and glucocorticoids. In addition, patients who had not achieved remission could receive additional treatment, including other therapies, at the discretion of the investigator, according to the FDA. By 6 months, 14 of the patients were in remission, and after 18 months, all 25 patients were in remission.
Rituximab contains a boxed warning regarding increased risks of fatal infusion reactions, potentially fatal severe skin and mouth reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation that may cause serious or lethal liver problems, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare, potentially lethal brain infection.
The trial was conducted and sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche, which owns Genentech.
The Food and Drug Administration approved rituximab (Rituxan) by injection to treat granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) in children 2 years of age and older in combination with glucocorticoid treatment, according to an FDA news release.
These rare forms of vasculitis damage small blood vessels through inflammation and can lead to serious organ failure, including lungs and kidneys.
The Genentech drug received priority review and an orphan drug designation based on the results of a pediatric clinical trial of 25 patients aged 6-17 years with active GPA or MPA who were treated with rituximab in an international multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled study. Patients in the trial were also given methylprednisolone prior to starting treatment.
The trial consisted of a 6-month remission induction phase where patients were treated only with rituximab and glucocorticoids. In addition, patients who had not achieved remission could receive additional treatment, including other therapies, at the discretion of the investigator, according to the FDA. By 6 months, 14 of the patients were in remission, and after 18 months, all 25 patients were in remission.
Rituximab contains a boxed warning regarding increased risks of fatal infusion reactions, potentially fatal severe skin and mouth reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation that may cause serious or lethal liver problems, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare, potentially lethal brain infection.
The trial was conducted and sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche, which owns Genentech.
The Food and Drug Administration approved rituximab (Rituxan) by injection to treat granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) in children 2 years of age and older in combination with glucocorticoid treatment, according to an FDA news release.
These rare forms of vasculitis damage small blood vessels through inflammation and can lead to serious organ failure, including lungs and kidneys.
The Genentech drug received priority review and an orphan drug designation based on the results of a pediatric clinical trial of 25 patients aged 6-17 years with active GPA or MPA who were treated with rituximab in an international multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled study. Patients in the trial were also given methylprednisolone prior to starting treatment.
The trial consisted of a 6-month remission induction phase where patients were treated only with rituximab and glucocorticoids. In addition, patients who had not achieved remission could receive additional treatment, including other therapies, at the discretion of the investigator, according to the FDA. By 6 months, 14 of the patients were in remission, and after 18 months, all 25 patients were in remission.
Rituximab contains a boxed warning regarding increased risks of fatal infusion reactions, potentially fatal severe skin and mouth reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation that may cause serious or lethal liver problems, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare, potentially lethal brain infection.
The trial was conducted and sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche, which owns Genentech.
FDA adds diabetic kidney disease, heart failure indications to canagliflozin
The Food and Drug Administration has approved canagliflozin (Invokana) for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease and for reduction of the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease, which makes it the first drug indicated for diabetic kidney disease treatment in 20 years.
FDA approval, which was announced in a press release by Janssen, the drug’s manufacturer, is based on results from the phase 3 CREDENCE trial. In that study patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic diabetic kidney disease received either 100 mg canagliflozin or placebo. Patients who received canagliflozin experienced a 30% reduction in the risk of the primary composite endpoint, which included end-stage kidney disease, doubling of serum creatinine, and renal or cardiovascular death. The risk of secondary outcomes were also reduced in patients receiving canagliflozin, including a 39% reduction in the risk of hospitalization for heart failure.
The most common adverse events associated with canagliflozin, according to the label, are female genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infection, and increased urination. Serious adverse events associated with canagliflozin include ketoacidosis, kidney problems, serious urinary tract infections, hypoglycemia, necrotizing fasciitis, serious allergic reaction, and bone fractures.
“The real battle to turn the tide on kidney disease is in early detection and slowing its progression so that patients stay healthier and fewer patients reach kidney failure,” LaVerne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund, said in the press release. “We are so grateful that advances in kidney disease research are producing treatment options that help to slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease and reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure.”
Find the full press release on the Janssen website.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved canagliflozin (Invokana) for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease and for reduction of the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease, which makes it the first drug indicated for diabetic kidney disease treatment in 20 years.
FDA approval, which was announced in a press release by Janssen, the drug’s manufacturer, is based on results from the phase 3 CREDENCE trial. In that study patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic diabetic kidney disease received either 100 mg canagliflozin or placebo. Patients who received canagliflozin experienced a 30% reduction in the risk of the primary composite endpoint, which included end-stage kidney disease, doubling of serum creatinine, and renal or cardiovascular death. The risk of secondary outcomes were also reduced in patients receiving canagliflozin, including a 39% reduction in the risk of hospitalization for heart failure.
The most common adverse events associated with canagliflozin, according to the label, are female genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infection, and increased urination. Serious adverse events associated with canagliflozin include ketoacidosis, kidney problems, serious urinary tract infections, hypoglycemia, necrotizing fasciitis, serious allergic reaction, and bone fractures.
“The real battle to turn the tide on kidney disease is in early detection and slowing its progression so that patients stay healthier and fewer patients reach kidney failure,” LaVerne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund, said in the press release. “We are so grateful that advances in kidney disease research are producing treatment options that help to slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease and reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure.”
Find the full press release on the Janssen website.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved canagliflozin (Invokana) for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease and for reduction of the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease, which makes it the first drug indicated for diabetic kidney disease treatment in 20 years.
FDA approval, which was announced in a press release by Janssen, the drug’s manufacturer, is based on results from the phase 3 CREDENCE trial. In that study patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic diabetic kidney disease received either 100 mg canagliflozin or placebo. Patients who received canagliflozin experienced a 30% reduction in the risk of the primary composite endpoint, which included end-stage kidney disease, doubling of serum creatinine, and renal or cardiovascular death. The risk of secondary outcomes were also reduced in patients receiving canagliflozin, including a 39% reduction in the risk of hospitalization for heart failure.
The most common adverse events associated with canagliflozin, according to the label, are female genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infection, and increased urination. Serious adverse events associated with canagliflozin include ketoacidosis, kidney problems, serious urinary tract infections, hypoglycemia, necrotizing fasciitis, serious allergic reaction, and bone fractures.
“The real battle to turn the tide on kidney disease is in early detection and slowing its progression so that patients stay healthier and fewer patients reach kidney failure,” LaVerne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund, said in the press release. “We are so grateful that advances in kidney disease research are producing treatment options that help to slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease and reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure.”
Find the full press release on the Janssen website.
FDA expands Dysport’s upper-limb spasticity indication to children
The Food and Drug Administration has expanded the indication of abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) for upper-limb spasticity to include patients aged 2 years and older, according to a release from Ipsen. This botulinum toxin product received approval for this indication in adults in 2015 and approval for lower-limb spasticity in patients aged 2 years and older in 2016. Notably, Orphan Drug Exclusivity prevents it from being indicated for patients with cerebral palsy because another botulinum toxin product, onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), already was approved for the indication in June 2019.
Spasticity affects the muscles and joints of extremities, especially in growing children, and is usually caused by nerve damage, such as head trauma or spinal cord injury. The degree of spasticity can vary from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms.
AbobotulinumtoxinA was evaluated for upper-limb spasticity in a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, low-dose controlled, multicenter study; the study enrolled 210 children aged 2-17 years with the condition and a Modified Ashworth Scale grade 2 or greater for elbow and wrist flexors. The children were randomized 1:1:1 to injections of either 8 units/kg, 16 units/kg, or 2 units/kg into the elbow flexors and wrist flexors. At 6 weeks, there were statistically significant improvements in Modified Ashworth Scale grade, the primary endpoint, with least-square mean changes from baseline of –2.0, –2.3, and –1.6, respectively.
AbobotulinumtoxinA and all other botulinum toxin products carry a boxed warning, the most serious warning the FDA issues. This warning refers to risk of botulism-like symptoms caused by the botulinum toxin spreading away from the injection area; these symptoms can included sometimes life-threatening difficulty swallowing or breathing. AbobotulinumtoxinA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin or any of the components, those with presence of infection at proposed injection site(s), and those with known allergy to cow’s milk protein. It is also important to note that botulinum toxin preparations are not interchangeable; the potency units of one are not the same as those of another. Full prescribing information can be found on the Ipsen website.
The Food and Drug Administration has expanded the indication of abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) for upper-limb spasticity to include patients aged 2 years and older, according to a release from Ipsen. This botulinum toxin product received approval for this indication in adults in 2015 and approval for lower-limb spasticity in patients aged 2 years and older in 2016. Notably, Orphan Drug Exclusivity prevents it from being indicated for patients with cerebral palsy because another botulinum toxin product, onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), already was approved for the indication in June 2019.
Spasticity affects the muscles and joints of extremities, especially in growing children, and is usually caused by nerve damage, such as head trauma or spinal cord injury. The degree of spasticity can vary from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms.
AbobotulinumtoxinA was evaluated for upper-limb spasticity in a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, low-dose controlled, multicenter study; the study enrolled 210 children aged 2-17 years with the condition and a Modified Ashworth Scale grade 2 or greater for elbow and wrist flexors. The children were randomized 1:1:1 to injections of either 8 units/kg, 16 units/kg, or 2 units/kg into the elbow flexors and wrist flexors. At 6 weeks, there were statistically significant improvements in Modified Ashworth Scale grade, the primary endpoint, with least-square mean changes from baseline of –2.0, –2.3, and –1.6, respectively.
AbobotulinumtoxinA and all other botulinum toxin products carry a boxed warning, the most serious warning the FDA issues. This warning refers to risk of botulism-like symptoms caused by the botulinum toxin spreading away from the injection area; these symptoms can included sometimes life-threatening difficulty swallowing or breathing. AbobotulinumtoxinA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin or any of the components, those with presence of infection at proposed injection site(s), and those with known allergy to cow’s milk protein. It is also important to note that botulinum toxin preparations are not interchangeable; the potency units of one are not the same as those of another. Full prescribing information can be found on the Ipsen website.
The Food and Drug Administration has expanded the indication of abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) for upper-limb spasticity to include patients aged 2 years and older, according to a release from Ipsen. This botulinum toxin product received approval for this indication in adults in 2015 and approval for lower-limb spasticity in patients aged 2 years and older in 2016. Notably, Orphan Drug Exclusivity prevents it from being indicated for patients with cerebral palsy because another botulinum toxin product, onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), already was approved for the indication in June 2019.
Spasticity affects the muscles and joints of extremities, especially in growing children, and is usually caused by nerve damage, such as head trauma or spinal cord injury. The degree of spasticity can vary from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable muscle spasms.
AbobotulinumtoxinA was evaluated for upper-limb spasticity in a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, low-dose controlled, multicenter study; the study enrolled 210 children aged 2-17 years with the condition and a Modified Ashworth Scale grade 2 or greater for elbow and wrist flexors. The children were randomized 1:1:1 to injections of either 8 units/kg, 16 units/kg, or 2 units/kg into the elbow flexors and wrist flexors. At 6 weeks, there were statistically significant improvements in Modified Ashworth Scale grade, the primary endpoint, with least-square mean changes from baseline of –2.0, –2.3, and –1.6, respectively.
AbobotulinumtoxinA and all other botulinum toxin products carry a boxed warning, the most serious warning the FDA issues. This warning refers to risk of botulism-like symptoms caused by the botulinum toxin spreading away from the injection area; these symptoms can included sometimes life-threatening difficulty swallowing or breathing. AbobotulinumtoxinA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin or any of the components, those with presence of infection at proposed injection site(s), and those with known allergy to cow’s milk protein. It is also important to note that botulinum toxin preparations are not interchangeable; the potency units of one are not the same as those of another. Full prescribing information can be found on the Ipsen website.
Daratumumab approved in combo with VTd for transplant-eligible multiple myeloma
The Food and Drug Administration has approved daratumumab in combination with certain therapies for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
The approval specifies combination of this CD38-directed antibody with bortezomib (Velcade), thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTd), according to an announcement from Janssen.
The approval is based on results from the CASSIOPEIA study. The first part of the study randomized 1,085 patients (median age, 58 years) and showed that, compared with VTd alone, the daratumumab-VTd combination had significantly better postconsolidation stringent complete response (29% vs. 20%; odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-2.12; P = .001) and a 53% reduction in risk of disease progression or death (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.33-0.67; P = .0001).
The most frequent adverse reactions with 5% greater frequency in the daratumumab-VTd group were infusion reactions (including anaphylaxis), nausea, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, and bronchitis. Full prescribing information, including contraindications and warnings, can be found on the Janssen website.
Daratumumab was initially approved in 2015, and in June 2019, it received approval, in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, for treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved daratumumab in combination with certain therapies for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
The approval specifies combination of this CD38-directed antibody with bortezomib (Velcade), thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTd), according to an announcement from Janssen.
The approval is based on results from the CASSIOPEIA study. The first part of the study randomized 1,085 patients (median age, 58 years) and showed that, compared with VTd alone, the daratumumab-VTd combination had significantly better postconsolidation stringent complete response (29% vs. 20%; odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-2.12; P = .001) and a 53% reduction in risk of disease progression or death (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.33-0.67; P = .0001).
The most frequent adverse reactions with 5% greater frequency in the daratumumab-VTd group were infusion reactions (including anaphylaxis), nausea, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, and bronchitis. Full prescribing information, including contraindications and warnings, can be found on the Janssen website.
Daratumumab was initially approved in 2015, and in June 2019, it received approval, in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, for treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved daratumumab in combination with certain therapies for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
The approval specifies combination of this CD38-directed antibody with bortezomib (Velcade), thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTd), according to an announcement from Janssen.
The approval is based on results from the CASSIOPEIA study. The first part of the study randomized 1,085 patients (median age, 58 years) and showed that, compared with VTd alone, the daratumumab-VTd combination had significantly better postconsolidation stringent complete response (29% vs. 20%; odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-2.12; P = .001) and a 53% reduction in risk of disease progression or death (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.33-0.67; P = .0001).
The most frequent adverse reactions with 5% greater frequency in the daratumumab-VTd group were infusion reactions (including anaphylaxis), nausea, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, and bronchitis. Full prescribing information, including contraindications and warnings, can be found on the Janssen website.
Daratumumab was initially approved in 2015, and in June 2019, it received approval, in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, for treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant.
CDC awards $1.2 million to learn about people with sickle cell disease
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be awarding $1.2 million in funding to help states collect data on issues faced by people with sickle cell disease.
Currently, only Georgia and California work with the CDC on the Sickle Cell Data Collection program to gather population-based, comprehensive health information about people with sickle cell disease. The new funding will expand that base to nine states. The money will go toward a 1-year project that will build infrastructure for recipient sites to gather unique data and conduct in-depth analyses in people with sickle cell disease, the CDC noted.
The sites that were awarded funding are Duke University, Durham, N.C.; Georgia State University, Atlanta; the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center in Indianapolis; the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services; the Minnesota Department of Health; the Public Health Institute in Oakland, Calif.; the University of Alabama at Birmingham; the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis; and the Virginia Department of Health.
“Data is vital to informing new treatments and clinical care that will improve the lives of people affected by sickle cell disease. This new funding expands CDC’s partner network across the country which will accelerate efforts to ensure sickle cell patients live longer and healthier lives,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD.
Find the full press release on the CDC website.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be awarding $1.2 million in funding to help states collect data on issues faced by people with sickle cell disease.
Currently, only Georgia and California work with the CDC on the Sickle Cell Data Collection program to gather population-based, comprehensive health information about people with sickle cell disease. The new funding will expand that base to nine states. The money will go toward a 1-year project that will build infrastructure for recipient sites to gather unique data and conduct in-depth analyses in people with sickle cell disease, the CDC noted.
The sites that were awarded funding are Duke University, Durham, N.C.; Georgia State University, Atlanta; the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center in Indianapolis; the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services; the Minnesota Department of Health; the Public Health Institute in Oakland, Calif.; the University of Alabama at Birmingham; the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis; and the Virginia Department of Health.
“Data is vital to informing new treatments and clinical care that will improve the lives of people affected by sickle cell disease. This new funding expands CDC’s partner network across the country which will accelerate efforts to ensure sickle cell patients live longer and healthier lives,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD.
Find the full press release on the CDC website.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be awarding $1.2 million in funding to help states collect data on issues faced by people with sickle cell disease.
Currently, only Georgia and California work with the CDC on the Sickle Cell Data Collection program to gather population-based, comprehensive health information about people with sickle cell disease. The new funding will expand that base to nine states. The money will go toward a 1-year project that will build infrastructure for recipient sites to gather unique data and conduct in-depth analyses in people with sickle cell disease, the CDC noted.
The sites that were awarded funding are Duke University, Durham, N.C.; Georgia State University, Atlanta; the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center in Indianapolis; the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services; the Minnesota Department of Health; the Public Health Institute in Oakland, Calif.; the University of Alabama at Birmingham; the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis; and the Virginia Department of Health.
“Data is vital to informing new treatments and clinical care that will improve the lives of people affected by sickle cell disease. This new funding expands CDC’s partner network across the country which will accelerate efforts to ensure sickle cell patients live longer and healthier lives,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD.
Find the full press release on the CDC website.
FDA: Sandoz recalls ranitidine capsules with NDMA
, according to a news release from the agency.
The recall applies to 14 lots in which NDMA, a probable human carcinogen and nitrosamine impurity formed as a byproduct of several industrial and natural processes, has been detected at levels above those set by the FDA, according to a company announcement on Sept. 23 from Sandoz. According to the announcement, which also specifies the affected lots, the company has not received any reports of adverse events related to use of the products in the recall.
According to the FDA release, so far, only the specified lots of ranitidine are known to be contaminated, and patients can continue taking this stomach acid–reducing histamine2 blocker from lots that are not affected by the recall.
“When we identify lapses in the quality of drugs that pose potential risks for patients, the FDA makes all efforts to understand the issue and provide our best recommendation to the public as quickly and accurately as possible,” said acting FDA Commissioner Norman E. Sharpless, MD.
As part of this ongoing investigation, the FDA recently posted a testing protocol for detecting NDMA in ranitidine; the agency hopes regulators and industry will use this protocol to begin their own laboratory testing as well and send samples to the FDA for further testing.
More information about the recall, as well as instructions for patients and health care professionals, can be found in the full news release on the FDA website. The agency also encourages any adverse reactions be reported to its MedWatch program.
, according to a news release from the agency.
The recall applies to 14 lots in which NDMA, a probable human carcinogen and nitrosamine impurity formed as a byproduct of several industrial and natural processes, has been detected at levels above those set by the FDA, according to a company announcement on Sept. 23 from Sandoz. According to the announcement, which also specifies the affected lots, the company has not received any reports of adverse events related to use of the products in the recall.
According to the FDA release, so far, only the specified lots of ranitidine are known to be contaminated, and patients can continue taking this stomach acid–reducing histamine2 blocker from lots that are not affected by the recall.
“When we identify lapses in the quality of drugs that pose potential risks for patients, the FDA makes all efforts to understand the issue and provide our best recommendation to the public as quickly and accurately as possible,” said acting FDA Commissioner Norman E. Sharpless, MD.
As part of this ongoing investigation, the FDA recently posted a testing protocol for detecting NDMA in ranitidine; the agency hopes regulators and industry will use this protocol to begin their own laboratory testing as well and send samples to the FDA for further testing.
More information about the recall, as well as instructions for patients and health care professionals, can be found in the full news release on the FDA website. The agency also encourages any adverse reactions be reported to its MedWatch program.
, according to a news release from the agency.
The recall applies to 14 lots in which NDMA, a probable human carcinogen and nitrosamine impurity formed as a byproduct of several industrial and natural processes, has been detected at levels above those set by the FDA, according to a company announcement on Sept. 23 from Sandoz. According to the announcement, which also specifies the affected lots, the company has not received any reports of adverse events related to use of the products in the recall.
According to the FDA release, so far, only the specified lots of ranitidine are known to be contaminated, and patients can continue taking this stomach acid–reducing histamine2 blocker from lots that are not affected by the recall.
“When we identify lapses in the quality of drugs that pose potential risks for patients, the FDA makes all efforts to understand the issue and provide our best recommendation to the public as quickly and accurately as possible,” said acting FDA Commissioner Norman E. Sharpless, MD.
As part of this ongoing investigation, the FDA recently posted a testing protocol for detecting NDMA in ranitidine; the agency hopes regulators and industry will use this protocol to begin their own laboratory testing as well and send samples to the FDA for further testing.
More information about the recall, as well as instructions for patients and health care professionals, can be found in the full news release on the FDA website. The agency also encourages any adverse reactions be reported to its MedWatch program.
FDA approves first live vaccine for smallpox, monkeypox prevention
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Jynneos, a live, nonreplicating vaccine based on the vaccinia virus, for smallpox and monkeypox, becoming the first FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of monkeypox disease.
FDA approval for Jynneos for smallpox is based on results from a clinical trial that compared Jynneos with ACAM2000, a previously FDA-approved smallpox vaccine, in about 400 healthy adults aged 18-42 years. Adults who received Jynneos had a noninferior immune response to those who received ACAM2000. In addition, safety was assessed in 7,800 people who received at least one vaccine dose, with the most commonly reported side effects including pain, redness, swelling, itching, firmness at the injection site, muscle pain, headache, and fatigue.
The effectiveness of Jynneos to prevent monkeypox – a disease similar to but somewhat milder than smallpox caused by the non–U.S.-native monkeypox virus – was inferred from antibody responses of participants in the smallpox clinical trial and from studies on nonhuman primates that showed protection from the monkeypox virus after being vaccinated with Jynneos.
“Routine [smallpox] vaccination of the American public was stopped in 1972 after the disease was eradicated in the U.S. and, as a result, a large proportion of the U.S., as well as the global population has no immunity,” said Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Although naturally occurring smallpox disease is no longer a global threat, the intentional release of this highly contagious virus could have a devastating effect.”
This vaccine is also part of the Strategic National Stockpile, the nation’s largest supply of potentially lifesaving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency, according to the announcement.
Find the full press release on the FDA website.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Jynneos, a live, nonreplicating vaccine based on the vaccinia virus, for smallpox and monkeypox, becoming the first FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of monkeypox disease.
FDA approval for Jynneos for smallpox is based on results from a clinical trial that compared Jynneos with ACAM2000, a previously FDA-approved smallpox vaccine, in about 400 healthy adults aged 18-42 years. Adults who received Jynneos had a noninferior immune response to those who received ACAM2000. In addition, safety was assessed in 7,800 people who received at least one vaccine dose, with the most commonly reported side effects including pain, redness, swelling, itching, firmness at the injection site, muscle pain, headache, and fatigue.
The effectiveness of Jynneos to prevent monkeypox – a disease similar to but somewhat milder than smallpox caused by the non–U.S.-native monkeypox virus – was inferred from antibody responses of participants in the smallpox clinical trial and from studies on nonhuman primates that showed protection from the monkeypox virus after being vaccinated with Jynneos.
“Routine [smallpox] vaccination of the American public was stopped in 1972 after the disease was eradicated in the U.S. and, as a result, a large proportion of the U.S., as well as the global population has no immunity,” said Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Although naturally occurring smallpox disease is no longer a global threat, the intentional release of this highly contagious virus could have a devastating effect.”
This vaccine is also part of the Strategic National Stockpile, the nation’s largest supply of potentially lifesaving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency, according to the announcement.
Find the full press release on the FDA website.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Jynneos, a live, nonreplicating vaccine based on the vaccinia virus, for smallpox and monkeypox, becoming the first FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of monkeypox disease.
FDA approval for Jynneos for smallpox is based on results from a clinical trial that compared Jynneos with ACAM2000, a previously FDA-approved smallpox vaccine, in about 400 healthy adults aged 18-42 years. Adults who received Jynneos had a noninferior immune response to those who received ACAM2000. In addition, safety was assessed in 7,800 people who received at least one vaccine dose, with the most commonly reported side effects including pain, redness, swelling, itching, firmness at the injection site, muscle pain, headache, and fatigue.
The effectiveness of Jynneos to prevent monkeypox – a disease similar to but somewhat milder than smallpox caused by the non–U.S.-native monkeypox virus – was inferred from antibody responses of participants in the smallpox clinical trial and from studies on nonhuman primates that showed protection from the monkeypox virus after being vaccinated with Jynneos.
“Routine [smallpox] vaccination of the American public was stopped in 1972 after the disease was eradicated in the U.S. and, as a result, a large proportion of the U.S., as well as the global population has no immunity,” said Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Although naturally occurring smallpox disease is no longer a global threat, the intentional release of this highly contagious virus could have a devastating effect.”
This vaccine is also part of the Strategic National Stockpile, the nation’s largest supply of potentially lifesaving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency, according to the announcement.
Find the full press release on the FDA website.
FDA approves pembrolizumab/lenvatinib combo for advanced endometrial carcinoma
The Food and Drug Administration has granted accelerated approval to a pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus lenvatinib (Lenvima) combination for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is not microsatellite instability high or mismatch repair deficient, and who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy but are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
The approval was based on results of KEYNOTE-146, a single-arm, multicenter, open-label, multicohort trial with 108 patients with metastatic endometrial carcinoma; 94 of these were not microsatellite instability high or mismatch repair deficient. The objective response rate in those 94 patients was 38.3% (95% confidence interval, 29%-49%), with 10 complete responses and 26 partial responses. The median duration of response was not reached over the trial period, and 69% of those who responded had a response duration of at least 6 months.
The most common adverse events reported during the trial were fatigue, hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, decreased appetite, hypothyroidism, nausea, stomatitis, vomiting, decreased weight, abdominal pain, headache, constipation, urinary tract infection, dysphonia, hemorrhagic events, hypomagnesemia, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, dyspnea, cough, and rash.
The recommended dosage is lenvatinib 20 mg orally once daily with pembrolizumab 200 mg administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every 3 weeks, according to the FDA.
The Food and Drug Administration has granted accelerated approval to a pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus lenvatinib (Lenvima) combination for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is not microsatellite instability high or mismatch repair deficient, and who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy but are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
The approval was based on results of KEYNOTE-146, a single-arm, multicenter, open-label, multicohort trial with 108 patients with metastatic endometrial carcinoma; 94 of these were not microsatellite instability high or mismatch repair deficient. The objective response rate in those 94 patients was 38.3% (95% confidence interval, 29%-49%), with 10 complete responses and 26 partial responses. The median duration of response was not reached over the trial period, and 69% of those who responded had a response duration of at least 6 months.
The most common adverse events reported during the trial were fatigue, hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, decreased appetite, hypothyroidism, nausea, stomatitis, vomiting, decreased weight, abdominal pain, headache, constipation, urinary tract infection, dysphonia, hemorrhagic events, hypomagnesemia, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, dyspnea, cough, and rash.
The recommended dosage is lenvatinib 20 mg orally once daily with pembrolizumab 200 mg administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every 3 weeks, according to the FDA.
The Food and Drug Administration has granted accelerated approval to a pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus lenvatinib (Lenvima) combination for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is not microsatellite instability high or mismatch repair deficient, and who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy but are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
The approval was based on results of KEYNOTE-146, a single-arm, multicenter, open-label, multicohort trial with 108 patients with metastatic endometrial carcinoma; 94 of these were not microsatellite instability high or mismatch repair deficient. The objective response rate in those 94 patients was 38.3% (95% confidence interval, 29%-49%), with 10 complete responses and 26 partial responses. The median duration of response was not reached over the trial period, and 69% of those who responded had a response duration of at least 6 months.
The most common adverse events reported during the trial were fatigue, hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, decreased appetite, hypothyroidism, nausea, stomatitis, vomiting, decreased weight, abdominal pain, headache, constipation, urinary tract infection, dysphonia, hemorrhagic events, hypomagnesemia, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, dyspnea, cough, and rash.
The recommended dosage is lenvatinib 20 mg orally once daily with pembrolizumab 200 mg administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every 3 weeks, according to the FDA.
CDC activates Emergency Operations Center to investigate vaping-associated lung injury
This move allows the CDC “to provide increased operational support” to CDC staff to meet the evolving challenges of the outbreak of vaping-related injuries and deaths, says a statement from the CDC.
“CDC has made it a priority to find out what is causing this outbreak,” noted CDC Director Robert Redfield, MD, in the statement.
The agency “continues to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to collect information about recent e-cigarette product use, or vaping, among patients and to test the substances or chemicals within e-cigarette products used by case patients,” according to the statement.
The CDC provided email addresses and site addresses for gathering information and communicating about e-cigarettes.
Information about the collection of e-cigarettes for possible testing by FDA can be obtained through contacting FDAVapingSampleInquiries@fda.hhs.gov.
To communicate with CDC about this public health response, clinicians and health officials can contact LungDiseaseOutbreak@cdc.gov.
More information on the current outbreak related to e-cigarettes is available at https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html.
General information on electronic cigarette products, can be found at www.cdc.gov/e-cigarettes.
Individuals concerned about health risks of vaping should consider refraining from e-cigarette use while the cases of lung injury are being investigated, the CDC said.
This move allows the CDC “to provide increased operational support” to CDC staff to meet the evolving challenges of the outbreak of vaping-related injuries and deaths, says a statement from the CDC.
“CDC has made it a priority to find out what is causing this outbreak,” noted CDC Director Robert Redfield, MD, in the statement.
The agency “continues to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to collect information about recent e-cigarette product use, or vaping, among patients and to test the substances or chemicals within e-cigarette products used by case patients,” according to the statement.
The CDC provided email addresses and site addresses for gathering information and communicating about e-cigarettes.
Information about the collection of e-cigarettes for possible testing by FDA can be obtained through contacting FDAVapingSampleInquiries@fda.hhs.gov.
To communicate with CDC about this public health response, clinicians and health officials can contact LungDiseaseOutbreak@cdc.gov.
More information on the current outbreak related to e-cigarettes is available at https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html.
General information on electronic cigarette products, can be found at www.cdc.gov/e-cigarettes.
Individuals concerned about health risks of vaping should consider refraining from e-cigarette use while the cases of lung injury are being investigated, the CDC said.
This move allows the CDC “to provide increased operational support” to CDC staff to meet the evolving challenges of the outbreak of vaping-related injuries and deaths, says a statement from the CDC.
“CDC has made it a priority to find out what is causing this outbreak,” noted CDC Director Robert Redfield, MD, in the statement.
The agency “continues to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to collect information about recent e-cigarette product use, or vaping, among patients and to test the substances or chemicals within e-cigarette products used by case patients,” according to the statement.
The CDC provided email addresses and site addresses for gathering information and communicating about e-cigarettes.
Information about the collection of e-cigarettes for possible testing by FDA can be obtained through contacting FDAVapingSampleInquiries@fda.hhs.gov.
To communicate with CDC about this public health response, clinicians and health officials can contact LungDiseaseOutbreak@cdc.gov.
More information on the current outbreak related to e-cigarettes is available at https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html.
General information on electronic cigarette products, can be found at www.cdc.gov/e-cigarettes.
Individuals concerned about health risks of vaping should consider refraining from e-cigarette use while the cases of lung injury are being investigated, the CDC said.
Dapagliflozin given Fast Track status for HF therapy
The decision is based on results from two phase 3 trials – DAPA-HF and DELIVER – that assessed dapagliflozin in patients with HFrEF and HFpEF, respectively.
Dapagliflozin, an oral, once-daily sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitor, was first approved as monotherapy and as part of combination therapy for the improvement of glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It was also granted Fast Track designation in August 2019 as a therapy for chronic renal disease, both to slow progression of renal failure and to prevent cardiovascular and renal death.
“Heart failure affects approximately 64 million people worldwide, and about half will die within 5 years of diagnosis,” Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of biopharmaceuticals research and development, said in the AstraZeneca press release. “This Fast Track designation for Farxiga brings us closer to fulfilling our ambition to help prevent, treat and cure heart failure, and we look forward to working with the FDA to explore Farxiga as a potential new treatment option for heart failure patients.”
The decision is based on results from two phase 3 trials – DAPA-HF and DELIVER – that assessed dapagliflozin in patients with HFrEF and HFpEF, respectively.
Dapagliflozin, an oral, once-daily sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitor, was first approved as monotherapy and as part of combination therapy for the improvement of glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It was also granted Fast Track designation in August 2019 as a therapy for chronic renal disease, both to slow progression of renal failure and to prevent cardiovascular and renal death.
“Heart failure affects approximately 64 million people worldwide, and about half will die within 5 years of diagnosis,” Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of biopharmaceuticals research and development, said in the AstraZeneca press release. “This Fast Track designation for Farxiga brings us closer to fulfilling our ambition to help prevent, treat and cure heart failure, and we look forward to working with the FDA to explore Farxiga as a potential new treatment option for heart failure patients.”
The decision is based on results from two phase 3 trials – DAPA-HF and DELIVER – that assessed dapagliflozin in patients with HFrEF and HFpEF, respectively.
Dapagliflozin, an oral, once-daily sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitor, was first approved as monotherapy and as part of combination therapy for the improvement of glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It was also granted Fast Track designation in August 2019 as a therapy for chronic renal disease, both to slow progression of renal failure and to prevent cardiovascular and renal death.
“Heart failure affects approximately 64 million people worldwide, and about half will die within 5 years of diagnosis,” Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of biopharmaceuticals research and development, said in the AstraZeneca press release. “This Fast Track designation for Farxiga brings us closer to fulfilling our ambition to help prevent, treat and cure heart failure, and we look forward to working with the FDA to explore Farxiga as a potential new treatment option for heart failure patients.”