The FDA has granted regular approval to the oral kinase inhibitor capmatinib (Tabrecta – Novartis) for treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults whose tumors have a mutation that leads to mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) exon 14 skipping. MET exon 14 skipping mutations occur in 3-4% of NSCLC cases. The drug received accelerated approval for the same indication in 2020 based on initial overall response rates and duration of response.

Recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2; Proleukin - Cetus), a lymphokine that stimulates growth of T lymphocytes, is available from the National Cancer Institute on an investigational basis for treatment of renal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Although recently released in many European countries, the drug has not been approved for marketing by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Strontium-89 chloride was recently approved for marketing by the US Food and Drug Administration. It is offered for relief of pain caused by metastatic bone lesions

Efbemalenograstim alfa-vuxw (Ryzneuta – Evive), a nonpegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) conjugated to an Fc fragment of human IgG2, has been approved by the FDA to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in adults with nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy that can cause clinically significant febrile neutropenia. It is the first nonpegylated, long-acting G-CSF to become available in the US. Two pegylated, long-acting G-CSFs, pegfilgrastim (Neulasta, and biosimilars) and eflapegrastim (Rolvedon), are...

Zenocutuzumab (Bizengri – Merus), a bispecific HER2- and HER3-directed antibody, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for treatment of advanced, unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or pancreatic adenocarcinoma harboring a neuregulin 1 (NRG1) gene fusion in adults who had disease progression on or after prior systemic therapy. It is the first drug to be approved in the US for treatment of NRG1-positive cancers. Accelerated approval of zenocutuzumab was based on the overall response rate and duration of response.

Three coordinated double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of one year of testosterone replacement therapy in improving sexual function, physical function, and vitality in a total of 790 men ≥65 years old with moderately low serum testosterone concentrations and symptoms suggesting hypoandrogenism. Sexual function improved modestly, and there appeared to be marginal benefits in some areas of physical function and vitality as well. The trials were not designed to evaluate the safety of testosterone replacement therapy.

New guidelines from The National Cholesterol Education Program recommend, as a therapeutic option, lowering treatment goals for LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) from <100 mg/dL to <70 mg/dL for patients at very high risk for coronary heart disease and from 130 mg/dL to <100 mg/dL for those at moderately high risk. A likely consequence of these recommendations is increased use of statins and use of higher doses with a concomitant increase in adverse effects.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide because cataract surgery is not available to most people in developing countries.

Gallium nitrate (Ganite - Fujisawa, USA), originally an anticancer drug, was recently marketed for treatment of cancer-associated hypercalcemia that has not responded to hydration. Other drugs used for treatment of hypercalcemia include furosemide (Lasix, and others), the bisphosphonate etidronate (Didronel IV), calcitonin (Calcimar), and plicamycin (Mithracin, formerly mithramycin) (RAB Schaiff et al, Clin Pharm, 8:108, 1989). Newer bisphosphonates are available in Europe.

Eflapegrastim-xnst ((Rolvedon) [Spectrum]; previously called Rolontis), a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) conjugated to an Fc fragment of human IgG4, has been approved by the FDA to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in adults with nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy that can cause clinically significant febrile neutropenia.