Elafibranor (Iqirvo – Ipsen), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist, has been granted accelerated approval by the FDA for treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in adults. It is indicated for use in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol, UDCA; Urso, and others) in patients with an inadequate response to UDCA alone and as monotherapy in those unable to tolerate UDCA.

Seladelpar (Livdelzi – Gilead), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-delta agonist, has received accelerated approval from the FDA for use in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol, UDCA; Urso Forte, and generics) for treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in adults who had an inadequate response to UDCA and as monotherapy in those unable to tolerate UDCA. Accelerated approval was based on a reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Seladelpar is the second PPAR agonist to be approved in the US for this indication; elafibranor (Iqirvo)...

The FDA has approved two new drugs for treatment of previously-treated unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer: fam-trastuzumab deruxtecannxki (Enhertu – Daiichi-Sankyo/AstraZeneca), an IV HER2-directed monoclonal antibody linked to the topoisomerase I inhibitor DXd, and tucatinib (Tukysa – Seagen), an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Sexual complaints related to desire, arousal, orgasm and painful intercourse are common in women. Since the last Medical Letter article on this subject, some new information has become available.

Most patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) present with the relapsing-remitting form of the disease. Pharmacologic treatment usually includes a disease-modifying drug, corticosteroids for acute exacerbations, and other drugs for managing symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and pain. Early use of disease-modifying therapy has improved clinical outcomes.

Acne is common among adolescents and adults. Guidelines for treatment of acne were last published by the American Academy of Dermatology in 2016.

View the Table: Some Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A variety of cancer chemotherapy drugs are used, mostly in combination, for treatment of locally advanced and metastatic esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancers. The mechanism of action, indications and adverse effects of some of these drugs are discussed in thei article.

Atopic dermatitis (AD; also known as eczema) is frequently associated with other atopic disorders such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergy. It commonly presents in infancy and early childhood and has a relapsing course, often improving by adolescence, but sometimes persisting into (or first appearing in) adulthood or even old age.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is prevalent in 0.5% of adults in the US; it is about 2.5 times more common in women than in men. Guidelines for treatment of RA from the American College of Rheumatology were recently updated. The goal of treatment is to minimize disease activity and prevent irreversible joint damage.