The FDA recently approved axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta – Kite), a CD19-directed genetically modified cellular product, for treatment of large B-cell lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line treatment. It was previously approved for treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy and for treatment of relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after ≥2 lines of systemic therapy. Yescarta is an individualized cellular product prepared from the patient's own T cells,...

The FDA has approved lisocabtagene maraleucel (Breyanzi – BMS) for treatment of adults with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, or follicular lymphoma grade 3B who have disease refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy, relapsed within 12 months of or after first-line chemoimmunotherapy, are not eligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation due to comorbidities or age, or have relapsed or refractory disease after ≥2 lines of...

Insulin detemir (Levemir - Novo Nordisk) is the second long-acting basal insulin analog to be marketed in the US for treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Detemir differs from human insulin by the elimination of the amino acid threonine in position B30 and the addition of a 14-carbon fatty acid chain at position B29. Insulin glargine (Lantus), the first long-acting insulin analog, has been available since 2001 and is usually given once daily.1 NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting basal insulin given twice daily. Basal insulins are usually combined with prandial doses of a rapid-acting...

The FDA has licensed 4 new monovalent vaccines for prevention of respiratory illness caused by a new influenza A H1N1 virus that appears to be derived from a swine strain. The 5th vaccine should be licensed soon. All of these vaccines are expected to become available in October. An intranasal formulation is expected in the first week of October.

The FDA has approved ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Carvykti – Janssen), a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed genetically-modified cellular product, for treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in adults who received ≥4 prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Carvykti is an individualized cellular product prepared from the patient's own T cells, which are genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) and then infused back into the patient. Idecabtagene...

Every pharmaceutical drug is a dose-dependent poison. This article describes the clinical presentation and treatment of some dangerous overdoses commonly reported in adults.

Echinacea, a plant also called purple coneflower, is widely used as a dietary supplement for prevention and treatment of colds.

Alefacept (a le' fa sept; Amevive - Biogen) has been approved by the FDA for parenteral treatment of adults with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Levodopa combined with carbidopa (Sinemet, and others) is the most widely used treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease, but after 2 to 5 years most patients develop troublesome complications (Treatment Guidelines from The Medical Letter 2004; 2:41). The newest treatment for Parkinson's disease patients with end-of-dose "wearing-off" is Stalevo (Novartis), a combination of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor entacapone (Comtan) with 3 different doses of levodopa/carbidopa. The rationale for Stalevo is that it permits some patients to take only one pill rather than...

Vyalev (Abbvie), a solution for continuous subcutaneous infusion containing the prodrugs foscarbidopa and foslevodopa, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Vyalev is the first subcutaneously administered product to become available in the US for treatment of PD symptoms. Duopa, a carbidopa/levodopa enteral suspension infused via a nasojejunal tube or percutaneous gastrostomy, was approved in for the same indication 2015.