Announcing my newest blog!

I invite you to visit my new blog, Cancer Confidant, where I share more valuable information for people dealing with cancer on topics such as diet, exercise, fatigue, etc.  Go to cancerconfidant.org.  For personalized guidance, contact me at cancer.confidant@gmail.com.

Ibrutinib for Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Ibrutinib (Imbruvica) has been FDA approved for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma who have received at least one prior therapy.

New treatment for CLL

Gazyva (obinutuzumab) now approved for use in combination with chlorambucil for previously untreated CLL patients (chronic lymphocytic leukemia).

Perjeta approved for use before surgery

Perjeta approved by the FDA today for patients with locally advanced, HER2+, inflammatory or early-stage breast cancer who are at high risk for recurrence or metastases used in combination with Herceptin and other chemotherapy before surgery.  After surgery, patients should continue on Herceptin to complete one year of treatment.

New combo in met pancreatic cancer

Abraxane in combination with gemcitabine is now approved as first-line treatment in metastatic pancreatic cancer.

New Drug Approved for Lung Cancer

Gilotrif (afatinib) is now FDA approved for first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with specific EGFR mutations.

Two new drugs for advanced melanoma!

Tafinlar and Mekinist are now approved for advanced malignant melanoma.  Tafinlar is approved for patients with the BRAF V600E gene mutation.  Mekinist is approved for patients with either the BRAF V600E or V600K gene mutations. 

Xofigo for Prostate Cancer

Xofigo (Ra223 dichloride) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer involving the bones only. 

Stivarga approved for GIST

Stivarga (regorafenib) has been approved for the treatment of GIST (GI stromal tumors) in patients with unresectable disease who have failed other treatments. 

Kadcyla now approved for HER positive breast cancer

Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) has been approved for the treatment of HER 2 positive metastatic breast cancer in patients who have not responded to Herceptin (trastuzumab) with chemotherapy. 

Pomalidomide is new drug for Multiple Myeloma

Pomalyst (pomalidomide) has been approved for the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory Multiple Myeloma in patients who have received 2 prior therapies including Revlimid and Velcade and have had disease progression on or within 60 days of completion of their last therapy. 

Generic Doxil to relieve shortage

The FDA has now approved the generic form of Doxil which should help relieve shortages of the brand-name medication.

New indication for Gleevec

Gleevec (imatinib) is now approved for the treatment of pediatric Philadelphia chromosome positive ALL.

Pazopanib approved for soft tissue sarcoma

Votrient (pazopanib), an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma in patients who have received prior chemotherapy. 

Iclusig for CML/ALL

Iclusig (ponatinib) has now been FDA approved for the treatment of CML and certain types of ALL.