Matching articles for "cyclophosphamide"
Lifileucel (Amtagvi): A Cellular Therapy for Melanoma (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • April 29, 2024; (Issue 1701)
Lifileucel (Amtagvi – Iovance), a tumor-derived
autologous T-cell immunotherapy, has received
accelerated approval from the FDA for one-time
treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic
melanoma...
Lifileucel (Amtagvi – Iovance), a tumor-derived
autologous T-cell immunotherapy, has received
accelerated approval from the FDA for one-time
treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic
melanoma previously treated with a programmed
death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor, and if BRAF V600
mutation-positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without
a mitogen-activated kinase (MEK) inhibitor. It is the
first cellular therapy to be approved for use in solid
tumors. Accelerated approval of lifileucel was based
on objective response rates.
Glofitamab (Columvi) for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 7, 2023; (Issue 1682)
Glofitamab-gxbm (Columvi – Genentech), a bispecific
CD20-directed CD3 T-cell engager, has received
accelerated approval from the FDA for IV treatment of
relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell...
Glofitamab-gxbm (Columvi – Genentech), a bispecific
CD20-directed CD3 T-cell engager, has received
accelerated approval from the FDA for IV treatment of
relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
(DLBCL), not otherwise specified, or large B-cell
lymphoma (LBCL) arising from follicular lymphoma
after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy. Accelerated
approval was based on response rates and durability
of response. Glofitamab is the second T-cell-engaging
bispecific antibody to be approved in the US
for treatment of DLBCL; epcoritamab-bysp (Epkinly),
which is given subcutaneously, was approved earlier.
Unlike epcoritamab, glofitamab is not approved for
treatment of high-grade B-cell lymphoma.
In Brief: Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus) for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 12, 2023; (Issue 1678)
Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus – Kite) has
been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults
with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It was previously
approved...
Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus – Kite) has
been approved by the FDA for treatment of adults
with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It was previously
approved for treatment of relapsed or refractory
mantle cell lymphoma. Tecartus is an individualized
cellular product prepared from the patients own
T cells, which are genetically modified to express
chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) and then infused
back into the patient. The CAR T-cell immunotherapy
tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah) was approved in 2017 for
treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor
ALL in patients ≤25 years old.
Epcoritamab (Epkinly) for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 12, 2023; (Issue 1678)
Epcoritamab-bysp (Epkinly – Genmab), a bispecific
CD20-directed CD3 T-cell engager, has received
accelerated approval from the FDA for subcutaneous
treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large
B-cell...
Epcoritamab-bysp (Epkinly – Genmab), a bispecific
CD20-directed CD3 T-cell engager, has received
accelerated approval from the FDA for subcutaneous
treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large
B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified,
including DLBCL arising from indolent lymphoma,
and high-grade B-cell lymphoma after ≥2 lines
of systemic therapy. Epcoritamab is the second
T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody to become
available in the US for treatment of non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma; mosunetuzumab-axgb (Lunsumio) was
recently approved for relapsed or refractory follicular
lymphoma, a common subtype of non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma.
Polatuzumab vedotin (Polivy) for Lymphoma (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 29, 2023; (Issue 1677)
Polatuzumab vedotin-piiq (Polivy – Genentech), a
CD79b-directed antibody and microtubule inhibitor
conjugate, has been approved by the FDA for use
in combination with rituximab,...
Polatuzumab vedotin-piiq (Polivy – Genentech), a
CD79b-directed antibody and microtubule inhibitor
conjugate, has been approved by the FDA for use
in combination with rituximab, cyclophosphamide,
doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHP) for first-line
treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
(DLBCL), not otherwise specified (NOS), or high-grade
B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) in adults who have
an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score ≥2. The
drug was previously approved for use in combination
with bendamustine and rituximab for treatment of
patients with relapsed or refactory DLBCL, NOS, who
received at least 2 prior therapies.
Idecabtagene Vicleucel (Abecma) for Multiple Myeloma (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 14, 2022; (Issue 1663)
The FDA has approved idecabtagene vicleucel
(Abecma – BMS), a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed genetically-modified cellular product, for
treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma...
The FDA has approved idecabtagene vicleucel
(Abecma – BMS), a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed genetically-modified cellular product, for
treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in
adults who received ≥4 prior lines of therapy, including
a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug,
and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Abecma is
an individualized cellular product prepared from the
patient’s own T cells, which are genetically modified
to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) and
then infused back into the patient. Ciltacabtagene
autoleucel (Carvykti), another CAR T-cell product, is
also available for the same indication.
A New Indication for Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Yescarta) (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 14, 2022; (Issue 1663)
The FDA recently approved axicabtagene ciloleucel
(Yescarta – Kite), a CD19-directed genetically
modified cellular product, for treatment of large B-cell
lymphoma that is refractory to first-line...
The FDA recently approved axicabtagene ciloleucel
(Yescarta – Kite), a CD19-directed genetically
modified cellular product, for treatment of large B-cell
lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy
or that relapses within 12 months
of first-line treatment. It was previously approved for
treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma
after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy and for treatment
of relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma
after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy. Yescarta is an
individualized cellular product prepared from the
patient's own T cells, which are genetically modified
to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) and then
infused back into the patient.
Belimumab (Benlysta) for Lupus Nephritis (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 23, 2021; (Issue 1634)
The B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS)-specific inhibitor
belimumab (Benlysta – GSK), which was approved
earlier for treatment of active, autoantibody-positive,
nonrenal, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),...
The B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS)-specific inhibitor
belimumab (Benlysta – GSK), which was approved
earlier for treatment of active, autoantibody-positive,
nonrenal, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), has
now been approved for use in addition to standard
therapy for treatment of active lupus nephritis in
adults. Belimumab is the first drug to be approved in
the US for treatment of both SLE and lupus nephritis.
Anifrolumab (Saphnelo) for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 20, 2021; (Issue 1633)
The FDA has approved anifrolumab-fnia (Saphnelo – AstraZeneca), a type I interferon receptor antagonist, for IV treatment of adults with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are receiving...
The FDA has approved anifrolumab-fnia (Saphnelo – AstraZeneca), a type I interferon receptor antagonist, for IV treatment of adults with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are receiving standard treatment. Anifrolumab has not been studied in patients with severe active lupus nephritis or severe active CNS lupus. It is the first type I interferon receptor antagonist to become available
in the US.
Voclosporin (Lupkynis) for Lupus Nephritis
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 23, 2021; (Issue 1631)
Voclosporin (Lupkynis – Aurinia), an oral calcineurin
inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for use
in combination with the antimetabolite immunosuppressant
mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept,...
Voclosporin (Lupkynis – Aurinia), an oral calcineurin
inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for use
in combination with the antimetabolite immunosuppressant
mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept, and
generics) and a corticosteroid for treatment of adults
with active lupus nephritis. It is the first calcineurin
inhibitor to be approved in the US for this indication.
Tacrolimus (Prograf, and others) and cyclosporine
(Neoral, and others), the other available systemic
calcineurin inhibitors, are approved for prophylaxis of
organ rejection in transplant patients.
IV Aprepitant (Cinvanti) for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 3, 2018; (Issue 1561)
The FDA has approved Cinvanti (Heron), an IV
emulsion formulation of the substance P/neurokinin-1
(NK1) receptor antagonist aprepitant, for prevention
of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea
and...
The FDA has approved Cinvanti (Heron), an IV
emulsion formulation of the substance P/neurokinin-1
(NK1) receptor antagonist aprepitant, for prevention
of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea
and vomiting (CINV) in adults. Aprepitant is also
available in oral capsule and suspension formulations
(Emend, and generics), and fosaprepitant, a prodrug of
aprepitant, is available in an IV formulation (Emend for
injection).
Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (Yescarta) for B-Cell Lymphoma (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 16, 2018; (Issue 1551)
The FDA has approved axicabtagene ciloleucel
(Yescarta – Kite) for treatment of adults with relapsed
or refractory CD19+ large B-cell lymphoma after ≥2
lines of systemic therapy. Yescarta is an...
The FDA has approved axicabtagene ciloleucel
(Yescarta – Kite) for treatment of adults with relapsed
or refractory CD19+ large B-cell lymphoma after ≥2
lines of systemic therapy. Yescarta is an individualized
cellular product prepared from the patient's own T cells,
which are genetically modified to express chimeric
antigen receptors (CAR) and then infused back into
the patient. It is the second CAR T-cell immunotherapy
to become available in the US. Tisagenlecleucel
(Kymriah), a CAR T-cell product previously approved
for treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in patients ≤25
years old, was recently also approved for relapsed or
refractory CD19+ large B-cell lymphoma after ≥2 lines
of systemic therapy.
Idelalisib (Zydelig) for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 11, 2015; (Issue 1468)
The FDA has approved idelalisib (Zydelig – Gilead),
an oral kinase inhibitor, for use in combination with
rituximab (Rituxan) for treatment of relapsed chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It is also...
The FDA has approved idelalisib (Zydelig – Gilead),
an oral kinase inhibitor, for use in combination with
rituximab (Rituxan) for treatment of relapsed chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It is also approved as
monotherapy for treatment of relapsed follicular
lymphoma and relapsed small lymphocytic lymphoma
(both are subtypes of indolent non-Hodgkins
lymphoma) in patients who have received at least two
prior systemic therapies.
Netupitant/Palonosetron (Akynzeo) for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • April 27, 2015; (Issue 1467)
The FDA has approved Akynzeo (Helsinn/Eisai), an oral
fixed-dose combination of the substance P/neurokinin
1 (NK1) receptor antagonist netupitant and the
serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist...
The FDA has approved Akynzeo (Helsinn/Eisai), an oral
fixed-dose combination of the substance P/neurokinin
1 (NK1) receptor antagonist netupitant and the
serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist palonosetron,
for prevention of acute and delayed nausea and
vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy
in adults. Akynzeo is the first product to combine
drugs from these two classes. Palonosetron (Aloxi)
is also available as a single agent for prevention of
chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea
and vomiting. Netupitant is the second substance
P/NK1 receptor antagonist to be approved in the US;
aprepitant (Emend) was the first.
Obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (online only)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 10, 2014; (Issue 1455)
Obinutuzumab (Gazyva – Genentech), a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal
antibody, has been approved by the FDA for use in
combination with chlorambucil (Leukeran) in patients
with previously untreated chronic...
Obinutuzumab (Gazyva – Genentech), a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal
antibody, has been approved by the FDA for use in
combination with chlorambucil (Leukeran) in patients
with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL). Two other anti-CD20 antibodies,
rituximab (Rituxan) and ofatumumab (Arzerra), were
previously approved for treatment of CLL.
Ibrutinib (Imbruvica) for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • April 14, 2014; (Issue 1440)
The FDA has approved ibrutinib (eye broo' ti nib;
Imbruvica – Janssen/Pharmacyclics), an oral kinase
inhibitor, for second-line treatment of chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It is the first kinase...
The FDA has approved ibrutinib (eye broo' ti nib;
Imbruvica – Janssen/Pharmacyclics), an oral kinase
inhibitor, for second-line treatment of chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It is the first kinase inhibitor
to be approved for CLL. Ibrutinib was approved earlier
for second-line treatment of mantle cell lymphoma, a
rare form of B-cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Ofatumumab (Arzerra) for CLL
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 28, 2010; (Issue 1341)
The FDA has approved ofatumumab (Arzerra – GlaxoSmithKline), a human anti-CD20 monoclonal
antibody, for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) refractory to fludarabine (Fludara, and...
The FDA has approved ofatumumab (Arzerra – GlaxoSmithKline), a human anti-CD20 monoclonal
antibody, for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) refractory to fludarabine (Fludara, and others) and alemtuzumab (Campath). It is the second anti-CD20 antibody approved for treatment of CLL; rituximab (Rituxan), a chimeric murine/human antibody, was the first.
Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 1, 2009; (Issue 81)
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are now used early in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to prevent irreversible damage to joints and minimize toxicities associated with nonsteroidal...
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are now used early in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to prevent irreversible damage to joints and minimize toxicities associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids.
Correction: Bendamustine (Treanda) for CLL and NHL
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 1, 2008; (Issue 1300)
(Med Lett Drugs Ther 2008; 50:91) In the Clinical Studies section, the complete response rate with chlorambucil for CLL was 2% (not...
(Med Lett Drugs Ther 2008; 50:91) In the Clinical Studies section, the complete response rate with chlorambucil for CLL was 2% (not 24%).
Bendamustine (Treanda) for CLL and NHL
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 17, 2008; (Issue 1299)
Bendamustine HCl (Treanda - Cephalon), an unusual DNA-alkylating agent that has been used in Europe for many years to treat lymphoma, has now been approved by the FDA for treatment of chronic lymphocytic...
Bendamustine HCl (Treanda - Cephalon), an unusual DNA-alkylating agent that has been used in Europe for many years to treat lymphoma, has now been approved by the FDA for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
Drugs for Tobacco Dependence
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 1, 2008; (Issue 73)
Peptic ulcers caused by treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are mainly gastric ulcers. The greater the number of office visits and the longer the counseling time, the higher the smoking...
Peptic ulcers caused by treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are mainly gastric ulcers. The greater the number of office visits and the longer the counseling time, the higher the smoking cessation rates have been.
Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 1, 2005; (Issue 40)
To prevent irreversible damage to joints and minimize toxicities associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are now used...
To prevent irreversible damage to joints and minimize toxicities associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are now used early in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The DMARDs listed in the table on page 84 have no immediate analgesic effects, but can control symptoms and have been shown to delay and possibly stop progression of the disease. The NSAIDs listed in the table on page 88 have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, but may not affect the disease process. Oral corticosteroids can rapidly relieve joint symptoms and control systemic manifestations, but their chronic use is associated with many complications.
CYP3A and Drug Interactions
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 4, 2005; (Issue 1212)
Serious adverse interactions between drugs continue to be reported. Many of these are due to inhibition or induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, particularly CYP3A4. CYP3A is thought to be involved in the...
Serious adverse interactions between drugs continue to be reported. Many of these are due to inhibition or induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, particularly CYP3A4. CYP3A is thought to be involved in the metabolism of more than 50 percent of currently prescribed drugs.2 CYP3A4, which is more abundantly expressed than CYP3A5, accounts for most CYP3A activity in vivo.
Drugs for Breast Cancer
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • January 1, 2005; (Issue 29)
In addition to surgery and radiation therapy, a variety of drugs are used both singly and in combination to treat breast cancer. This article summarizes the principles of adjuvant therapy and treatment for...
In addition to surgery and radiation therapy, a variety of drugs are used both singly and in combination to treat breast cancer. This article summarizes the principles of adjuvant therapy and treatment for metastatic disease. A summary of individual drugs and their adverse effects begins on page 3.
Palonosetron (Aloxi) for Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Due to Cancer Chemotherapy
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 29, 2004; (Issue 1179)
Palonosetron (Aloxi - Helsinn Healthcare SA, Switzerland, distributed in the US by MGI Pharma) is the fourth serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist to become available in the US and the first to be approved by...
Palonosetron (Aloxi - Helsinn Healthcare SA, Switzerland, distributed in the US by MGI Pharma) is the fourth serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist to become available in the US and the first to be approved by the FDA for prevention of both acute and delayed nausea and vomiting due to moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. It is also approved for prevention of acute nausea and vomiting due to highly emetogenic drugs such as cisplatin (Platinol, and others). Aprepitant (Emend), a substance P/neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, was approved last year for use with a 5-HT3 antagonist and dexamethasone to prevent both acute and delayed nausea and vomiting due to highly emetogenic drugs (Medical Letter 2003; 45:62).
Aprepitant (Emend) for Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Due to Cancer Chemotherapy
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 4, 2003; (Issue 1162)
Aprepitant (Emend - Merck), the first substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist to be approved by the FDA, is now available for oral use with corticosteroids and selective serotonin (5-HT3) receptor...
Aprepitant (Emend - Merck), the first substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist to be approved by the FDA, is now available for oral use with corticosteroids and selective serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by highly emetogenic anticancer drugs such as cisplatin.
Drug Interactions
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 8, 2003; (Issue 1158)
Changes caused by one drug in the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of another may lead to a pharmacokinetic adverse drug interaction (DN Juurlink et al, JAMA 2003; 289:1652). Additive drug...
Changes caused by one drug in the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of another may lead to a pharmacokinetic adverse drug interaction (DN Juurlink et al, JAMA 2003; 289:1652). Additive drug interactions, such as vasodilation caused by both sildenafil (Viagra) and nitrates, can also have adverse effects.
Drugs of Choice for Cancer
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 1, 2003; (Issue 7)
The tables in this article list drugs used for treatment of cancer in the USA and Canada and their major adverse effects. The choice of drugs in Table I is based on the opinions of Medical Letter consultants....
The tables in this article list drugs used for treatment of cancer in the USA and Canada and their major adverse effects. The choice of drugs in Table I is based on the opinions of Medical Letter consultants. Some drugs are listed for indications for which they have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. In some cases, such as elderly patients or those with many co-morbid illnesses, the regimen of choice might not be suitable. For many of the cancers listed, surgery and/or radiation therapy may be the treatment of choice or may also be part of the management. Anticancer drugs and their adverse effects are listed in Table II on page 46. A partial list of brand names appears on page 52.
Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • January 1, 2003; (Issue 5)
Many different drugs are now used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), listed in the table on page 26, have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, but may not affect...
Many different drugs are now used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), listed in the table on page 26, have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, but may not affect the disease process. Corticosteroids can provide rapid relief of joint symptoms and control of systemic manifestations, but chronic use is associated with many complications. The "disease-modifying" anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), listed on page 29, have no immediate analgesic effects, but can control symptoms and may delay progression of the disease (American College of Rheumatology Subcommittee on Rheumatoid Arthritis Guidelines, Arthritis Rheum 2002; 46:328). Interactions of anti-rheumatic drugs with other drugs are listed in The Medical Letter Handbook of Adverse Drug Interactions, 2003.
Drugs of Choice For Cancer Chemotherapy (combined issue 1087-1088)
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 18, 2000; (Issue 1087)
The tables in this article list drugs used for treatment of cancer in the USA and Canada. The choices of drugs in Table 1 is based on the opinions of Medical Letter consultants. Some drugs are listed for...
The tables in this article list drugs used for treatment of cancer in the USA and Canada. The choices of drugs in Table 1 is based on the opinions of Medical Letter consultants. Some drugs are listed for indications for which they have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. For many of the cancers listed, surgery and/or radiation therapy are also part of the management of the disease.
Drugs For Rheumatoid Arthritis
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 10, 2000; (Issue 1082)
Many different drugs are now used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, but may not affect the disease process. The...
Many different drugs are now used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, but may not affect the disease process. The "disease-modifying anti-rheumatic"drugs (DMARDs) have no immediate analgesic effects, but can control symptoms and may delay progression of the disease.
Epirubicin for Adjuvant Therapy in Node-Positive Breast Cancer
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 7, 2000; (Issue 1071)
Epirubicin, an analog of doxorubicin that has been available in Europe and Canada for 15 years, has now been approved by the FDA for adjuvant use after resection of the primary tumor in breast cancer patients...
Epirubicin, an analog of doxorubicin that has been available in Europe and Canada for 15 years, has now been approved by the FDA for adjuvant use after resection of the primary tumor in breast cancer patients with axillary node involvement.
Drug Interactions
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 2, 1999; (Issue 1056)
Reports of adverse interactions between drugs continue to accumulate. Recently, the FDA has expanded the recommendations on drug interactions found in the package inserts of new...
Reports of adverse interactions between drugs continue to accumulate. Recently, the FDA has expanded the recommendations on drug interactions found in the package inserts of new drugs.
Capecitabine and Trastuzumab for Metastatic Breast Cancer
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 6, 1998; (Issue 1039)
Trastuzumab (Herceptin - Genentech), a recombinant 'humanized' monoclonal antibody (rhuMAb) that binds to a protein encoded by the oncogene HER2, and capecitabine (ka pe site' a been; Xeloda - Roche), an oral...
Trastuzumab (Herceptin - Genentech), a recombinant 'humanized' monoclonal antibody (rhuMAb) that binds to a protein encoded by the oncogene HER2, and capecitabine (ka pe site' a been; Xeloda - Roche), an oral pro-drug for 5-fluorouracil, have been approved by the FDA for treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Recombinant Interleukin-11 for Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • July 31, 1998; (Issue 1032)
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved use of recombinant human interleukin 11 (rhIL-11; oprelvekin; Neumega - Genetics Institute) to increase platelet counts and decrease the need for...
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved use of recombinant human interleukin 11 (rhIL-11; oprelvekin; Neumega - Genetics Institute) to increase platelet counts and decrease the need for platelet transfusions in patients with severe thrombocytopenia caused by chemotherapy for nonmyeloid malignancies.
Rituximab for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 19, 1998; (Issue 1029)
Rituximab (Rituxan - IDEC Pharmaceutical/Genentech), a monoclonal antibody, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Most low-grade lymphomas are B-cell...
Rituximab (Rituxan - IDEC Pharmaceutical/Genentech), a monoclonal antibody, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of low-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Most low-grade lymphomas are B-cell lymphomas.
Drugs of Choice for Cancer Chemotherapy
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 14, 1997; (Issue 996)
The tables that follow list drugs used for treatment of cancer in the USA and Canada and their major adverse effects. The choice of drugs in Table I is based on the opinions of Medical Letter consultants....
The tables that follow list drugs used for treatment of cancer in the USA and Canada and their major adverse effects. The choice of drugs in Table I is based on the opinions of Medical Letter consultants. Some drugs are listed for indications for which they have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. For most of the cancers listed, surgery and/or radiation therapy are part of the management of the disease. Anticancer drugs and their adverse effects are listed in Table II.
Topotecan Hydrochloride for Metastatic Ovarian Cancer
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • October 25, 1996; (Issue 986)
Topotecan hydrochloride (Hycamtin - SmithKline Beecham) was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for parenteral use as a single agent in patients with metastatic ovarian cancer...
Topotecan hydrochloride (Hycamtin - SmithKline Beecham) was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for parenteral use as a single agent in patients with metastatic ovarian cancer refractory to other drugs. Initial treatment for metastatic ovarian cancer usually consists of cisplatin (Platinol) or carboplatin (Paraplatin) plus paclitaxel (Taxol) or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, and others).
Drugs for Vomiting Caused by Cancer Chemotherapy
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 24, 1993; (Issue 912)
Several currently available antiemetic drugs can prevent vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. Anticancer drugs that cause vomiting are listed in the table...
Several currently available antiemetic drugs can prevent vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. Anticancer drugs that cause vomiting are listed in the table below.
Paclitaxel (Taxol) for Ovarian Cancer
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 14, 1993; (Issue 896)
Paclitaxel (Taxol - Bristol-Myers Squibb) is now available in the USA for treatment of metastatic ovarian cancer refractory to other drugs. The new drug is a natural product extracted in small amounts from...
Paclitaxel (Taxol - Bristol-Myers Squibb) is now available in the USA for treatment of metastatic ovarian cancer refractory to other drugs. The new drug is a natural product extracted in small amounts from the inner bark of the Western yew tree found mainly in the Pacific northwest (Taxus brevifolia). Efforts to synthesize the drug have been unsuccessful to date, but a semi-synthetic product (taxotere) prepared from the needles of European yews has shown some promise (R Pazdur et al, J Natl Cancer Inst, 89:1781, 1992), and a fungus (Taxomyces andreanae) growing on the Pacific yew was recently found to produce paclitaxel even after removal from the tree (A Stierle et al, Science, 260:214, April 9, 1993). In any case, supply of the drug is currently keeping up with demand.
Bone Marrow Transplants for Malignant Diseases
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 21, 1992; (Issue 877)
Intensive chemotherapy, with or without total body radiation, followed by bone marrow transplantation is now widely used in the treatment of malignant diseases. The drugs and radiation needed to try to...
Intensive chemotherapy, with or without total body radiation, followed by bone marrow transplantation is now widely used in the treatment of malignant diseases. The drugs and radiation needed to try to eradicate the malignancy unavoidably destroy the bone marrow; intravenous infusion of bone marrow cells restores the marrow by repopulating it. Diseases for which bone marrow transplantation has been used include the leukemias and lymphomas, breast cancer, neuroblastoma, ovarian cancer, germ cell tumors, melanoma, multiple myeloma, and malignant gliomas (NC Gorin, Am J Clin On-col, 14 suppl 1:S5, 1991; Medical Letter, 33:39, 1991; G Gahrton et al, N Engl J Med, 325:1267, 1991).
A Drug Prevention of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiac Toxicity
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 6, 1991; (Issue 852)
Recent studies have caused concern about cardiomyopathy associated with doxorubicin (Adriamycin, and others), daunorubicin (Cerubidine, and others), idarubicin (Idamycin), mitoxantrone (Novantrone), and...
Recent studies have caused concern about cardiomyopathy associated with doxorubicin (Adriamycin, and others), daunorubicin (Cerubidine, and others), idarubicin (Idamycin), mitoxantrone (Novantrone), and related anthracycline or anthraquinone anticancer drugs. Dexrazoxane (ADR-529, ICRF-187 - Adria), a piperazine derivative of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), is now under investigation for prevention of this drug-induced cardiomyopathy.
Altretamine For Ovarian Cancer
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 9, 1991; (Issue 850)
Altretamine (Hexalen - US Bioscience; Hexastat - Rh ne-Poulenc in Canada), formerly known only by its chemical name, hexamethylmelamine, was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a...
Altretamine (Hexalen - US Bioscience; Hexastat - Rh ne-Poulenc in Canada), formerly known only by its chemical name, hexamethylmelamine, was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a single agent for palliative oral treatment of persistent or recurrent ovarian cancer.
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factors
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 28, 1991; (Issue 847)
The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved the marketing of G-CSF (recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, generic name filgrastim, Neupogen - Amgen) and GM-CSF (recombinant human...
The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved the marketing of G-CSF (recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, generic name filgrastim, Neupogen - Amgen) and GM-CSF (recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, generic name sargramostim, Leukine - Immunex, Prokine - Hoechst-Roussel). G-CSF is approved for use after cancer chemotherapy in patients with non-myeloid malignancies to decrease the incidence of infection. GM-CSF is approved for acceleration of myeloid recovery after autologous bone marrow transplantation in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Ondansentron To Prevent Vomiting After Cancer Chemotherapy
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 28, 1991; (Issue 847)
Ondansetron (on dan' se tron; Zofran - Glaxo), a serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) antagonist, was recently marketed in the USA for intravenous use to prevent nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy. An...
Ondansetron (on dan' se tron; Zofran - Glaxo), a serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) antagonist, was recently marketed in the USA for intravenous use to prevent nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy. An oral formulation is available in many other countries.
Autologous Bone marrow Transplantation For Advanced Breast Cancer
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 3, 1991; (Issue 843)
The prognosis in breast cancer is generally poor for women with unresectable, locally advanced disease (inflammatory cancer or more than 10 positive lymph nodes) and for those with metastases. Autologous bone...
The prognosis in breast cancer is generally poor for women with unresectable, locally advanced disease (inflammatory cancer or more than 10 positive lymph nodes) and for those with metastases. Autologous bone marrow transplantation - removing bone marrow from multiple sites under general anesthesia, giving high-dose chemotherapy with or without total body radiation, and reinfusing the bone marrow intravenously - is being tried in some of these patients.
Drugs That Cause Pulmonary Toxicity
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 21, 1990; (Issue 827)
Some commonly used systemic drugs that may cause pulmonary toxicity are listed in the table below. These adverse effects may sometimes be difficult to distinguish from the underlying disease (JAD Cooper, Jr...
Some commonly used systemic drugs that may cause pulmonary toxicity are listed in the table below. These adverse effects may sometimes be difficult to distinguish from the underlying disease (JAD Cooper, Jr et al, Am Rev Respir Dis, 133:321, 488, 1986). Pulmonary effects that are part of a generalized reaction or are indirect effects of drugs - on respiratory muscles, for example, or on the immune system - are not included here.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy of Early Breast Cancer
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 18, 1990; (Issue 818)
The most important prognostic variable in early breast cancer is axillary lymph node involvement. Based on past experience, after 10 years about 70% of node-negative patients will be alive and apparently free...
The most important prognostic variable in early breast cancer is axillary lymph node involvement. Based on past experience, after 10 years about 70% of node-negative patients will be alive and apparently free of disease; about 30% will have relapsed or died. Patients with positive nodes may have a 30% to 60% relapse rate, depending on the number of positive nodes and other prognostic factors, such as the presence of estrogen receptors (IC Henderson et al, in VT DeVita, Jr et al, eds, Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 3rd ed, Philadelphia:Lippincott, 1989, p 1197). Which of these patients should receive adjuvant treatment with cytotoxic drugs and/or endocrine therapy is controversial; a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Consensus Conference on this subject is scheduled for June.
Ifosfamide and Mesna
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 3, 1989; (Issue 804)
Ifosfamide (Ifex - Mead Johnson), a synthetic analog of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan; and others), has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for concurrent use with other drugs in third-line...
Ifosfamide (Ifex - Mead Johnson), a synthetic analog of cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan; and others), has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for concurrent use with other drugs in third-line chemotherapy of metastatic germ-cell testicular cancer. Given concomitantly, a synthetic sulfhydryl compound known as mesna (Mesnex - Asta) acts in the urine to detoxify metabolites of ifosfamide that cause hemorrhagic cystitis (H Burkert, Cancer Treat Rev, 10 suppl A:175, 1983). Ifosfamide and mesna are available together from Bristol-Myers Oncology Division.
Nabilone And Other Antiemetic For Cancer Patients
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • January 1, 1988; (Issue 756)
Nabilone (Cesamet - Lilly), a synthetic cannabinoid chemically related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in marijuana, was recently marketed in the USA for oral treatment of nausea and...
Nabilone (Cesamet - Lilly), a synthetic cannabinoid chemically related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in marijuana, was recently marketed in the USA for oral treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. Oral THC itself, known generically as dronabinol (Marinol), is also commercially available as an antiemetic for cancer patients (Medical Letter, 27:97, 1985). Other drugs used for this purpose include metoclopramide (Reglan - Medical Letter, 24:67, 1982), prochlorperazine (Compazine; and others), haloperidol (Haldol; and others), and corticosteroids. Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan; and others), are used to treat anticipatory nausea and vomiting that occurs before chemotherapy begins.