Silas Inman

Articles by Silas Inman

CHMP Recommends Conditional Approval for Ixazomib Combo in Myeloma

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Based on findings from the phase III TOURMALINE-MM1 study, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended a conditional approval for ixazomib (Ninlaro) in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone as a treatment for patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least 1 prior therapy.

FDA Gives Niraparib Fast Track Designation for Ovarian Cancer

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Niraparib has been granted a fast track designation by the FDA as a treatment for women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, the company developing the PARP inhibitor, Tesaro, has announced.

Ofatumumab Combination Approved by FDA for Relapsed CLL

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The FDA has approved ofatumumab (Arzerra) in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide as a treatment for patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The approval was based on an improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in the phase III COMPLEMENT-2 study.

Brigatinib Submitted to FDA to Treat ALK-Positive NSCLC

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A new drug application (NDA) has been submitted for brigatinib (AP26113) as a potential treatment for patients with advanced ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following resistance or intolerance to crizotinib (Xalkori).

Pfizer to Acquire Medivation, Developer of Enzalutamide

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Pfizer has announced plans to acquire the biopharmaceutical company Medivation, which is the developer of the androgen receptor inhibitor enzalutamide (Xtandi). Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will pay $81.50 per share in cash for Medivation, totaling approximately $14 billion. Both companies agreed to the transaction, which is expected to complete later this year.

Pembrolizumab Approved by FDA for Recurrent HNSCC

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The FDA has approved the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab as a second-line therapy for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma for those who have progression on a platinum chemotherapy. 

FDA Lifts Halt on JCAR015 Trial in ALL

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The FDA has lifted a clinical hold placed on a phase II study exploring the CD19-targeted CAR-T cell therapy JCAR015 for adult patients with relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Novel FGFR Inhibitor Shows Promise in Cholangiocarcinoma

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Treatment with ARQ-087 demonstrated promising signs of clinical activity with a manageable safety profile for patients with FGFR2 fusion-positive advanced and/or metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, according to findings from an ongoing phase I/II study presented at the 2016 World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer.

Regorafenib (Stivarga) as a second-line therapy for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have progressed on sorafenib (Nexavar), showed an improved overall survival (OS) rate of 2.8 months over placebo. Findings from the phase III RESORCE study will be submitted to the FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for potential approval, according to a statement from the developer of regorafenib, Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

Utomilumab/Pembrolizumab Combo Shows Responses in Different Solid Tumors

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Adding utomilumab (PF-05082566), a 4-1BB agonist, to pembrolizumab (Keytruda), a PD-1 inhibitor, was shown to be a safe and effective combination therapy for patients with different types of advanced solid tumors, according to findings from a phase Ib study presented at the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting.

Studies Show Durable Activity of Pembrolizumab in Head and Neck Cancer

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Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), when studied in 2 clinical trials for the treatment of patients with pretreated recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), showed an objective response rate (ORR) of 18%, according to findings presented at the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting.

Nivolumab Monotherapy Shows Encouraging Efficacy in Glioblastoma Patients

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Patients with recurrent glioblastoma mutliforme reacted well to nivolumab (Opdivo) monotherapy, according to findings from the CheckMate-143 trial that were presented at the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting. The single agent showed a manageable safety profile and promising efficacy signs during the course of the study.

Lenvatinib/Everolimus Combo Approved for Advanced RCC

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The combination of lenvatinib (Lenvima) and everolimus (Afinitor) has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following prior antiangiogeneic therapy.