The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved several new cancer treatments, offering hope for patients with various malignancies. These approvals include a novel T-cell receptor (TCR) therapy for synovial sarcoma, a new immunotherapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and a subcutaneous formulation of atezolizumab.
Tecelra Approved for Synovial Sarcoma
Tecelra (afamitresgene autoleucel), a gene therapy, received accelerated approval for patients with inoperable or metastatic synovial sarcoma. This therapy is the first TCR therapy approved for a solid tumor. Tecelra involves genetically modifying a patient's own T cells to express a TCR that targets MAGE-A4, an antigen present on cancer cells. The Phase II SPEARHEAD-1 trial demonstrated an overall response rate of 43%, with 39% of responders still showing benefit at one year.
Lymphir Approved for Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Lymphir (denileukin diftitox), a recombinant protein, has been approved for relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lymphir targets the IL-2 receptor on malignant T cells and delivers a diphtheria toxin to induce cell death. A Phase III study showed an overall response rate of 36%, with approximately half of responders experiencing durable responses lasting at least six months.
Subcutaneous Atezolizumab Approved
The FDA also approved a subcutaneous injectable formulation of Tecentriq (atezolizumab), providing an alternative to intravenous (IV) infusions. This new formulation, administered via subcutaneous injection in the thigh, reduces treatment time to approximately seven minutes, compared to up to an hour for IV infusions. A study in lung cancer patients demonstrated similar overall response rates, overall survival, progression-free survival, and safety profiles between the injectable and IV formulations. Notably, about 70% of patients preferred the injectable version, citing increased comfort and reduced emotional distress.
