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Isatuximab Combination Therapy Achieves Superior MRD Negativity Rates in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma

  • The isatuximab-carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (Isa-KRd) combination significantly improved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rates compared to standard KRd therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.
  • In the phase 3 IsKia trial, Isa-KRd achieved 77% MRD negativity at 10-5 cutoff versus 67% with KRd alone, with even greater differences at the more stringent 10-6 cutoff (67% vs 48%).
  • High-risk multiple myeloma patients showed particularly strong responses, with the GMMG-CONCEPT trial demonstrating 67.7% MRD negativity in transplant-eligible patients and sustained negativity for at least one year in 62.6% of cases.
  • The treatment benefits were observed across all patient subgroups, including those with very high-risk cytogenetic features, while maintaining manageable safety profiles.
NCT04430894Active, Not RecruitingPhase 2
Massachusetts General Hospital
Posted 7/10/2020

Eptinezumab Demonstrates Sustained Long-Term Efficacy in Treatment-Resistant Migraine Patients Over 18 Months

  • The DELIVER trial extension study showed eptinezumab maintained significant migraine reduction benefits for up to 18 months in patients who had failed 2-4 prior preventive treatments.
  • Over 60% of patients achieved at least 50% reduction in monthly migraine days and more than 30% achieved at least 75% reduction by the end of the 18-month follow-up period.
  • Patients reduced acute migraine medication use by approximately 5 days per month, bringing usage below medication overuse thresholds and sustaining this improvement throughout treatment.
  • The study demonstrated excellent tolerability with a 90.4% completion rate and safety profile consistent with previous eptinezumab trials.

Novartis Cosentyx Fails to Meet Primary Endpoint in Phase III Giant Cell Arteritis Trial

  • Novartis announced that its Phase III GCAptAIN study of Cosentyx (secukinumab) failed to meet the primary endpoint of sustained remission at Week 52 in adults with newly diagnosed or relapsing giant cell arteritis.
  • The global trial evaluated Cosentyx in combination with a 26-week steroid taper compared to placebo plus a 52-week steroid taper across 27 countries.
  • While secondary outcomes showed numerically better results for cumulative steroid dose and steroid-related toxicity, these did not reach statistical significance.
  • The safety profile of Cosentyx in GCA patients remained consistent with its known profile across approved indications, supported by 10 years of real-world data.

USDA Approves First Therapeutic Treatment for Canine Parvovirus Using Monoclonal Antibody Technology

  • The USDA has granted conditional license for Elanco's Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody, marking the first approved therapeutic solution to treat canine parvovirus.
  • In efficacy studies, all 28 treated puppies survived with significantly faster recovery times for vomiting, inappetence, and lethargy compared to traditional supportive care.
  • The single intravenous dose treatment could reduce hospitalization costs and make parvovirus treatment more accessible to pet owners who previously couldn't afford intensive care.
  • This breakthrough represents the first monoclonal antibody treatment for Elanco and addresses a critical unmet need in veterinary medicine for a disease with over 90% fatality rate if untreated.

Almirall Launches First Dermatology Study to Assess Patient Wellbeing as Primary Endpoint in Psoriasis Treatment

  • Almirall has launched the POSITIVE study, the first dermatological research to assess patient wellbeing as a primary endpoint using the WHO-5 questionnaire in 780 adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
  • The 24-month real-world evidence study across nine European countries evaluates tildrakizumab treatment impact on overall wellbeing, family environment, and physician satisfaction.
  • Nearly 77% of psoriasis patients report the disease negatively affects their daily activities and wellbeing, with up to 25% experiencing depression, highlighting the need for holistic treatment approaches.
  • The study represents a paradigm shift from traditional disease burden assessment to positive treatment goals that promote good health and wellbeing in dermatology care.

Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Gains Regulatory Approvals in China and Europe for HER2-Positive Cancers

  • China's National Medical Products Administration approved trastuzumab deruxtecan for HER2-positive breast cancer patients who received prior anti-HER2 therapies, based on DESTINY-Breast03 trial showing 72% reduction in disease progression risk.
  • The European Commission approved trastuzumab deruxtecan as second-line treatment for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer, marking the first antibody-drug conjugate approved in Europe for this indication.
  • DESTINY-Breast03 demonstrated superior efficacy with median progression-free survival not reached for trastuzumab deruxtecan versus 6.8 months for trastuzumab emtansine.
  • The approvals expand treatment options for patients with HER2-positive cancers who face poor outcomes after initial therapy progression.

Polatuzumab Vedotin Shows Superior Efficacy in First-Line DLBCL Treatment and Confirms Long-Term Benefits in Relapsed Disease

  • The phase 3 POLARIX trial demonstrated that polatuzumab vedotin plus R-CHP (pola-R-CHP) significantly improved progression-free survival compared to standard R-CHOP in previously untreated DLBCL patients, reducing the risk of disease progression by 27%.
  • Long-term follow-up data from the GO29365 study confirmed durable disease control with polatuzumab vedotin plus bendamustine and rituximab in relapsed/refractory DLBCL, with 25% of patients achieving ongoing responses lasting over 2 years.
  • Both studies showed manageable safety profiles for polatuzumab vedotin combinations, with peripheral neuropathy rates comparable to standard regimens and no new safety signals identified with extended follow-up.

UK Approves First COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment as AstraZeneca Reports 77% Efficacy in Prevention Trial

  • The UK's MHRA approved Ronapreve, the first monoclonal antibody therapy specifically designed to treat and prevent COVID-19, developed by Regeneron and Roche.
  • The treatment combines two monoclonal antibodies administered by injection or infusion, working by binding to the virus and preventing respiratory system entry.
  • AstraZeneca simultaneously announced that its AZD7442 antibody combination reduced COVID-19 symptom risk by 77% in a trial of 5,172 participants, with over three-quarters having comorbidities affecting vaccine response.
  • Both treatments represent significant advances for vulnerable populations who may not respond adequately to COVID-19 vaccines alone.

FDA Approves Aduhelm: First Disease-Modifying Alzheimer's Treatment in Nearly Two Decades

  • The FDA granted accelerated approval to Biogen's aducanumab (Aduhelm) as the first disease-modifying Alzheimer's treatment in nearly two decades, despite divided expert opinions on its clinical efficacy.
  • Aduhelm, priced at $56,000 annually, works by reducing amyloid plaques in the brain and will require monthly intravenous infusions with comprehensive clinical and MRI monitoring for potential adverse effects.
  • As part of the accelerated approval, Biogen must conduct a Phase 4 confirmatory trial, while experts view this approval as a potential catalyst for developing more effective Alzheimer's treatments targeting multiple pathways.

Prestige Biopharma Partners with Teva Israel for Trastuzumab Biosimilar Commercialization

  • Prestige Biopharma has entered an exclusive commercialization agreement with Teva Israel for its trastuzumab biosimilar Tuznue (HD201) targeting HER2-positive breast cancer and gastric adenocarcinoma.
  • Phase 3 TROIKA trial data demonstrated equivalent efficacy to Herceptin with 46.6% complete response rate in the biosimilar arm versus 46.2% for the reference product.
  • The European Medicines Agency is currently reviewing the marketing authorization application for Tuznue based on positive clinical trial results.
  • This partnership expands Prestige's global commercialization strategy, following previous agreements with Pharmapark for Russia and Mundipharma for multiple European markets.
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