Hematology

The FDA granted fast track designation to the investigational CD20-directed monoclonal antibody ublituximab in combination with the PI3K-delta inhibitor umbralisib for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The FDA action was based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -9ER trial evaluating nivolumab in combination with cabozantinib compared with sunitinib among patients with previously untreated advanced RCC.

Venetoclax was granted accelerated approval in November 2018, as well as priority review, breakthrough designation, and orphan drug designation.

Top news of the week from Pharmacy Times.

A recent study found that where you live affects the risk of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and depression.

The FDA approved an expanded label for for pembrolizumab for adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 treated with enoxaparin were found to have lower rates of thrombosis, kidney injury, and mortality than patients treated with unfractionated heparin.

Copanlisib (Aliqopa) in combination with rituximab (Rituxan) prolonged progression-free survival in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who relapsed following 1 or more previous lines of rituximab-based therapy.

Pacritinib is a JAK2/FLT3 inhibitor for the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis and severe thrombocytopenia defined as platelet counts of less than 50,000 μL.

In the absence of a direct head-to-head clinical trial, study may help inform treatment selections for stem cell transplant-ineligible patients.

KG is a female patient aged 44 years who came to the pharmacy with a prescription that the pharmacist recognized is the treatment regimen for a new blood clot.

Following the release of a new report by the HHS acknowledging pharmacists as integral members of the hypertension care team, the NACDS released a statement on the importance of this report.

Institutions should consider optimal targets, testing volumes, and notification and reporting practices when making their choice.

The FDA has approved mepolizumab for the treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome.

September has been designated as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month for the continued fostering of education surrounding sickle cell disease management.

Researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently published a study on the use of the FDA-approved anticoagulant heparin in patients with COVID-19.

Azacitidine showed an overall survival benefit among patients with acute myeloid leukemia compared with a placebo.

Current advances in the analysis of the mutational status of different genes are providing investigators insights into new treatment pathways that can improve outcomes for patients.

A new medication for certain rare blood cancers has now become available through a limited distribution with AllianceRx Walgreens Prime.

Targeted combination therapy found to improve overall survival with rapid and durable treatment responses in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

CAR T-cell therapy involves collecting a patient’s blood, extracting the T cells within the blood, and returning the remaining blood back into the body, a process called leukapheresis.

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for the use of convalescent plasma in the treatment of COVID-19.

The FDA has approved an expansion of the prescribing information for carfilzomib to include its use with daratumumab and dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Belantamab mafodotin-blmf is the first anti-BCMA therapy approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who received at least 4 prior therapies.

As the most accessible member of the health care team, the pharmacist can provide patients with cancer with the information and support necessary to get through what might be the most challenging time of their lives.