Analysis of:
Platelet Treatment Wins FDA Panel's Support (online.wsj.com)
FDA panel recommned approval of Amgen's Nplate for patients with refractory/recurrent chronic ITP who have failed other therapies like steroids, immunoglobulins, Rituximab and spleenectomy. The safety/efficacy profile was favorable for this relatively narrow indication, although long term safet issues...
Analysis of:
FDA Panel Backs Anemia Drugs For Cancer Patients, but With Limits (online.wsj.com)
An FDA panel recommended NOT to use ESA's for treatment of chemotherapy induced anemia in Breast cancer patients and head and neck acncer patients, a significant number of cancer patients. It also voted overwhelmingly to limit ESA's for non-curable cancer patients in the setting of palliative care....
Analysis of:
Thai Ministry to Recommend Ignoring Patents on Cancer Drugs (online.wsj.com)
Manufacturers include Roche Holding AG and Novartis AG of Switzerland and Sanofi-Aventis. Generic versions of the antineoplastic agents will be made available and the patents obviously ignored.
Analysis of:
The High Cost of a Cancer Drug (www.nytimes.com)
FDA's approval of Genentech's Avastin is backed both by efficacy data and aggressive political activism. Extension of PFS by almost 6 months and shrinking large tumors, thus improving quality of life, are tangible and real beneficial effects. Avastin was already being prescribed off-label. The approval...
Analysis of:
FDA Adds More Black-Box Warnings To Anemia Drugs From Amgen, J&J (online.wsj.com)
The FDA is now warning of increased death & tumor growth in breast and cervical cancer patients.
Analysis of:
The High Cost of a Cancer Drug (www.nytimes.com)
This editorial is questioning the use of this expensive agent in patients with metastatic breast cancer when it only increases time to progression 5.5 months.
Analysis of:
Teva Announces Approval Of Generic Camptosar(R) (www.pipelinereview.com)
Pfizer's Irinotecan ( CPT-11) is mostly used in colorectal cancer with some limited use in sarcomas, glioblastoma multiforme, and other solid tumors. Teva's generic compound is expected to be cheaper, and with current economic situation, may be mandated by third party payers to cut costs, and this will...
Analysis of:
Antisoma starts phase I clinical trial of AS1409 in renal cancer and melanoma (www.pipelinereview.com)
Antisoma's AS 1409 has just entered a clinical phase I trial for patients with advanced melanoma and renal cancer. While efficacy results are years ago, this "immunotherapy" will be competing with many approved targeted agents in renal cancer ( Sutent, Nexavar, Torisel) and with many other immunotherapeutic...
Analysis of:
Two Tests Added to Recommended List to Prevent or Detect Colorectal Cancer (www.nytimes.com)
Virtual Colonoscopy and stool analysis for DNA alterations for colon cancer, are being recommended for screening.
Analysis of:
Acute Pulmonary Embolism (content.nejm.org)
With recent developments in preparation of unfractionated heparins (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/health/06heparin.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin) not only are the LMWH varieties more effective as well as cheaper when all of the co factors are included, they...