FDA Approves First Biosimilar for Cancer Treatment, Among Other New Immunotherapy Dosing and Indications

December 27, 2017 by Kathleen Wiley MSN, RN, AOCNS®

Cancer treatment options continue to multiply as 2017 concludes, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granting additional new drug approvals and broadening indications for others. Checkpoint inhibitors continue to explode on the scene with accelerated approvals for various indications. Treatment options for hematologic cancers are multiplying. Additionally, the first biosimilar for cancer treatment, bevacizumab-awwb, was approved as a biosimilar to bevacizumab.

Biosimilar

Breast Cancer

Genitourinary Cancers

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Gynecologic Cancers

Hematologic Malignancies

Some agents with highly optimistic outcomes are receiving fast-tracked FDA approval to increase access. Nurses must continue to report adverse events and side effects for on-label, FDA-approved agents available on the market. Clinicians are lacking more clinical trial data in these instances, and nurses are encouraged to inform the FDA of adverse events through the FDA MedWatch Reporting System (http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report).  


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