FDA approvals in hematology and oncology, Part II: New oral formulations, RET and MET inhibitors, and CAR T-cell therapies

We continue our review of drugs recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the hematology/oncology space.

In part 1 of our review, David M. Mintzer, MD, of Pennsylvania Hospital, highlighted 11 therapies, including newly-approved treatments and new indications for older drugs. Part 1 was published Feb. 18 (https://bit.ly/38JR782).

Now, in part 2, Dr. Mintzer tells host David H. Henry, MD, about another 11 therapies recently approved by the FDA, including monoclonal antibodies, kinase inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, and more.

Margetuximab-cmkb (Margenza)

In Dec. 2020, margetuximab-cmkb was approved for use in combination with chemotherapy to treat adults with metastatic, HER2-positive breast cancer who had received at least two prior anti-HER2 regimens, including at least one for metastatic disease. https://bit.ly/38JAiKg

Tafasitamab-cxix (Monjuvi)

In July 2020, tafasitamab-cxix received accelerated approval for use in combination with lenalidomide to treat adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma, who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant. https://bit.ly/3vtiHQF

Lurbinectedin (Zepzelca)

In June 2020, lurbinectedin received accelerated approval to treat adults with metastatic small-cell lung cancer with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. https://bit.ly/30KcnpB

Belantamab mafodotin-blmf (Blenrep)

In Aug. 2020, belantamab mafodotin-blmf received accelerated approval to treat adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who had received at least four prior therapies, including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent. https://bit.ly/3lkPLWd

Umbralisib (Ukoniq)

In Feb. 2021, the FDA granted umbralisib accelerated approval to treat adults with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma who had received at least one prior anti-CD20-based regimen and adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who had received at least three prior lines of systemic therapy. https://bit.ly/3bQqtMM

Azacitidine tablets (Onureg)

In Sept. 2020, the FDA approved azacitidine tablets for continued treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia who had achieved a first complete remission or complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery after intensive induction chemotherapy and who are not able to complete intensive curative therapy. https://bit.ly/38KFT2Z

Decitabine and cedazuridine tablets (Inqovi)

In July 2020, the FDA approved an oral combination of decitabine and cedazuridine to treat adults with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). This includes previously treated and untreated, de novo and secondary MDS (including refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia), as well as intermediate-1, intermediate-2, and high-risk MDS. https://bit.ly/3lmqlI4

Tepotinib (Tepmetko)

In Feb. 2021, the FDA granted accelerated approval to tepotinib for adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring MET exon 14 skipping alterations. https://bit.ly/3lmqBXy

Pralsetinib (Gavreto)

In Sept. 2020, pralsetinib received accelerated approval to treat adults with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC. https://bit.ly/3vrS26I

In Dec. 2020, the FDA granted full approval to pralsetinib to treat adult and pediatric patients ages 12 and older with advanced or metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy or those with RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and are refractory to radioactive iodine. https://bit.ly/3eCVXrs

Brexucabtagene autoleucel (Tecartus)

In July 2020, the FDA granted accelerated approval to brexucabtagene autoleucel, a CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy, for the treatment of adults with relapsed or r