Content about Chemotherapy

August 3, 2012

Take Care NP's discovery leads to life-saving treatment

TV news station CBS Philly reports how Walgreen's Take Care Clinic nurse practitioner Renee Corradetti noticed an abnormality in a patient's throat, which later led to a diagnosis of an aggressive form of throat cancer.

April 2, 2013

Patients undergoing chemotherapy can find relief with the Natural Dentist

The Natural Dentist has launched “Rinse for Relief,” an online resource for proper oral care aimed at cancer patients suffering from mouth sores and other oral ailments, the fourth most common side effect of chemotherapy treatments.

MADISON, N.J. — The Natural Dentist has launched “Rinse for Relief,” an online resource for proper oral care aimed at cancer patients suffering from mouth sores and other oral ailments, the fourth most common side effect of chemotherapy treatments. The initiative included the unveiling of RinseForRelief.com and a giveaway of one free sample of Healthy Gums Mouth Rinse, an all-natural product that works as an effective daily cleanser and helps prevent and reduce gum bleeding and inflammation.

March 28, 2013

Emily’s Law creates wave of change for regulation of technician certification

In February 2006, Christopher and Kelly Jerry endured every parent’s worst nightmare when, during what was supposed to be her last course of chemotherapy treatment at Cleveland’s Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, their 2-year-old daughter, Emily, unexpectedly died.

January 25, 2013

New indication approved for Genentech drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a cancer drug made by Roche unit Genentech, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a cancer drug made by Roche unit Genentech, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Avastin (bevacizumab) combined with fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan or fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin chemotherapy for treating colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, also known as metastatic colorectal cancer, or mCRC.

The drug is also approved for treating lung cancer, kidney cancer and brain cancer.

December 28, 2012

FDA approves NDA for Teva's topotecan injection

Teva Pharmaceuticals has received approval of their new drug application for topotecan hydrochloride injection, a treatment for small cell lung cancer, according to Food and Drug Administration records.

SILVER SPRINGS, Md. — Teva Pharmaceuticals has received approval of their new drug application for topotecan hydrochloride injection, a treatment for small cell lung cancer, according to Food and Drug Administration records.

December 10, 2012

FDA approves new indication for J&J prostate cancer drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a cancer drug made by Johnson & Johnson, the agency said Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a cancer drug made by Johnson & Johnson, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of Zytiga (abiraterone acetate), made by J&J subsidiary Janssen Biotech, for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, for use prior to receiving chemotherapy. The drug was already approved for castration-resistant prostate cancer in men who had already undergone chemotherapy treatment.

October 26, 2012

Chemotherapy drug shows "significant" improvement in melanoma patients in late-stage trial

A Swiss subsidiary of drug maker Celgene Corp. said its chemotherapy drug produced "significant" improvement in progression-free survival in patients with a deadly skin cancer that had spread elsewhere in the body.

BOUDRY, Switzerland — A Swiss subsidiary of drug maker Celgene Corp. said its chemotherapy drug produced "significant" improvement in progression-free survival in patients with a deadly skin cancer that had spread elsewhere in the body.

October 22, 2012

Avella named distribution source for oral-liquid breast cancer drug

A deal that would make a specialty pharmacy a distribution source for a new liquid chemotherapy drug may benefit breast cancer patients who have trouble swallowing pills.

PHOENIX — A deal that would make a specialty pharmacy a distribution source for an oral-liquid drug may benefit breast cancer patients who have trouble swallowing pills.

Avella Specialty Pharmacy announced Monday a deal with Dara BioSciences that would make a distribution source for Soltamox (tamoxifen citrate) oral solution in the United States. The drug is the only available oral liquid formulation of tamoxifen, previously available in pill form only.

September 28, 2012

OncoGenex starts phase-3 trial of lung cancer drug

Drug maker OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals has started its third late-stage clinical trial of a drug for treating a type of lung cancer.

BOTHELL, Wash. — Drug maker OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals has started its third late-stage clinical trial of a drug for treating a type of lung cancer.

OncoGenex announced Friday the initiation of the phase-3 "ENSPIRIT" trial of custirsen in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, also known as metastasis, and whose disease has progressed after initial treatment with chemotherapy has failed.

September 18, 2012

NewsBytes — Generics, 9/24/12

Generic drug makers Hospira, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have launched generic versions of a chemotherapy drug made by Sanofi, the three companies said last month. 

NEW YORK — Generic drug makers Hospira, Sagent Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have launched generic versions of a chemotherapy drug made by Sanofi, the three companies said last month. 

September 11, 2012

Sagent launches drug to prevent chemotherapy-induced vomiting

Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug used to treat complications related to chemotherapy, the drug maker said.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug used to treat complications related to chemotherapy, the drug maker said.

The Schaumburg, Ill.-based company announced the launch of ondansetron injection, used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and also to prevent nausea and vomiting that follows surgery.

Various versions of the drug had sales of $49 million during the 12-month period that ended in June, according to IMS Health.

August 30, 2012

FDA approves Teva biosimilar

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a biosimilar drug made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for a condition that results from certain chemotherapy treatments, the drug maker said Thursday.

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a biosimilar drug made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for a condition that results from certain chemotherapy treatments, the drug maker said Thursday.

August 15, 2012

Teva launches generic chemotherapy drug

A division of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic chemotherapy drug, the company said.

IRVINE, Calif. — A division of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic chemotherapy drug, the company said.

Teva Health Systems announced the introduction of oxaliplatin injection in the 50-mg and 100-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Sanofi's Eloxatin, which had sales of $1.7 billion during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

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August 9, 2012

Hospira relaunches chemotherapy drug

Hospira has relaunched a generic chemotherapy drug for the U.S. market, the generic drug maker said Thursday.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Hospira has relaunched a generic chemotherapy drug for the U.S. market, the generic drug maker said Thursday.

The company, which specializes in generic injectables, announced the relaunch of oxaliplatin, a version of Sanofi's Eloxatin.

August 9, 2012

Sagent Pharmaceuticals launches oxaliplatin

Drug maker Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic chemotherapy drug, the company said Thursday.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Drug maker Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic chemotherapy drug, the company said Thursday.

Sagent announced the launch of oxaliplatin, a generic version of Sanofi's Eloxatin.

Various versions of the drug had sales of about $1.7 billion during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

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August 6, 2012

FDA approves Sanofi drug for colorectal cancer

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, the agency said Friday.

May 17, 2012

Sagent launches generic chemotherapy drug

Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic version of a chemotherapy drug, the company said Thursday.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic version of a chemotherapy drug, the company said Thursday.

Sagent announced the launch of irinotecan injection, a generic version of Pfizer's Camptosar, in latex-free, preservative-free, single-dose vials.

Various versions of the drug had sales of about $28 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

April 27, 2012

FDA approves GlaxoSmithKline's Votrient for soft tissue sarcomas

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by GlaxoSmithKline for certain cancer patients.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by GlaxoSmithKline for certain cancer patients.

April 3, 2012

Mylan launches generic version of Baxter's Mesnex

Mylan has released a generic version of a drug used to treat a complication of certain chemotherapy regimens, the drug maker said Tuesday.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has released a generic version of a drug used to treat a complication of certain chemotherapy regimens, the drug maker said Tuesday.

The company announced the launch of mesna injection in the 100-mg/mL and 1,000-mg/10-mL strengths. The drug is used to reduce the incidence of ifosfamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis, a possible complication of ifosfamide chemotherapy.

April 3, 2012

Psi Bands generates 'buzz' at Travel Goods Association trade event

Psi Bands, stylish drug-free wristbands for the relief of nausea, were voted the most buzz-worthy product of the year at the Travel Goods Association trade show held in Las Vegas, the company announced earlier this month. The "Buzz Award" is given once per year to the product that has created the most "buzz" at the Travel Goods Show's New Products Pavilion as voted on by retailers and members of the press.

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. — Psi Bands, stylish drug-free wristbands for the relief of nausea, were voted the most buzz-worthy product of the year at the Travel Goods Association trade show held in Las Vegas, the company announced earlier this month. The "Buzz Award" is given once per year to the product that has created the most "buzz" at the Travel Goods Show's New Products Pavilion as voted on by retailers and members of the press.

March 30, 2012

Genentech announces results of cancer drug trial

Breast cancer patients taking an experimental drug made by Roche subsidiary Genentech lived significantly longer than those taking another drug made by GlaxoSmithKline, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Breast cancer patients taking an experimental drug made by Roche subsidiary Genentech lived significantly longer than those taking another drug made by GlaxoSmithKline, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

March 23, 2012

Reports: Congressmen accuse companies of drug price gouging

Lawmakers are going after companies that they say have sought to take advantage of drug shortages by buying drugs in short supply and then reselling them at higher prices, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Lawmakers are going after companies that they say have sought to take advantage of drug shortages by buying drugs in short supply and then reselling them at higher prices, according to published reports.

March 21, 2012

FDA advisory committee votes in favor of GSK's Votrient

A Food and Drug Administration expert panel delivered a favorable vote on a cancer drug made by GlaxoSmithKline.

PHILADELPHIA — A Food and Drug Administration expert panel delivered a favorable vote on a cancer drug made by GlaxoSmithKline.

GSK announced that the FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 11-2 that clinical trial data indicated a favorable risk-benefit profile of the drug Votrient (pazopanib) in patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcoma who have received chemotherapy. The drug is already approved for treating the kidney cancer renal cell carcinoma.

March 16, 2012

Patients taking oral cancer drugs may risk drug interactions, study finds

Pills for treating cancer have created numerous alternatives to spending hours in a clinic or at home receiving chemotherapy infusions, but risks of drug interactions remain, according to a new survey by the research arm of pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions.

WASHINGTON — Pills for treating cancer have created numerous alternatives to spending hours in a clinic or at home receiving chemotherapy infusions, but risks of drug interactions remain, according to a new survey by the research arm of pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions.

March 7, 2012

FDA turns down Eisai drug application

The Food and Drug Administration has declined to approve a drug made by Eisai for leukemia in certain elderly patients, the drug maker said.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has declined to approve a drug made by Eisai for leukemia in certain elderly patients, the drug maker said.

Eisai said the FDA delivered it a complete response letter for the chemotherapy drug Dacogen (decitabine) in patients ages 65 years and older with acute myeloid leukemia who are not candidates for induction therapy. The FDA delivers a complete response letter when questions remain about an regulatory application that preclude approval, usually due to insufficient clinical trial data.