Drugs of today
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Obinutuzumab is a novel therapeutic anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with chlorambucil as first-line treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). It is distinguished from other anti-B-lymphocyte antigen CD20 (anti-CD20) therapeutic antibodies in current clinical use by its type II properties and glycoengineered Fc region. In vitro these unique properties translate into higher rates of antibody-dependent cytotoxicity and direct cell death compared to rituximab, and obinutuzumab demonstrates improved efficacy in human lymphoma xenograft models and whole blood lymphocyte depletion assays. ⋯ Toxicities of obinutuzumab are similar to those of other anti-CD20 antibodies, although infusion-related reactions and neutropenia appear to be more common. This trial establishes chemoimmunotherapy with obinutuzumab and chlorambucil as an attractive treatment option for CLL patients, particularly those with comorbid medical illnesses or advanced age. Obinutuzumab remains under study in combination with both chemotherapy and novel agents for CLL and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, where it is expected to find additional clinical applications.
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Macitentan is a novel, dual endothelin receptor antagonist recently approved for the treatment of WHO Group I pulmonary arterial hypertension. Its pharmacologic mechanism of action as well as the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and potential drug-drug interactions have been demonstrated in multiple phase I and II trials. ⋯ The most common adverse events were rarely clinically significant, nor did they result in a high rate of discontinuation. Of note, macitentan is contraindicated in pregnant women due to embryo-fetal toxicity.
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The causes of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), remain to be elucidated. However, characteristic inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa is caused by infiltration of T lymphocytes into the submucosal layer. Inhibiting this immune response is a promising therapeutic target. ⋯ Regulatory applications are under review in the U. S. and E. U. for its use in the treatment of patients with UC and CD, with decisions expected in mid-2014.
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Ibrutinib is a novel oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that irreversibly binds and inhibits tyrosine-protein kinase BTK (Bruton tyrosine kinase). BTK has been found to be important in the function of B-cell receptor signaling and therefore in the maintenance and expansion of various B-cell malignancies including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Targeting BTK with ibrutinib has been found to be an effective strategy in treating these malignancies. ⋯ S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for ibrutinib in November 2013 for patients with MCL who had received at least one prior therapy and in February 2014 for patients with CLL who had received at least one prior therapy. This review will discuss the preclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy to date of ibrutinib in the treatment of CLL and MCL.
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Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is an osteolytic, usually benign neoplasm characterized by infiltration with osteoclast-like giant cells, and the osteoclast differentiation factor receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) is heavily involved in its pathogenesis. Denosumab belongs to a new class of drugs that inhibit RANKL. ⋯ On the basis of this data, the FDA approved denosumab for the treatment of patients whose GCTB is unresectable, or when surgery is likely to result in severe morbidity. Ongoing questions remain, including the optimal scheduling, patient selection, use in the adjuvant setting and long-term toxicity concerns.