Drugs

FDA Lifts Hold on Curis Leukemia Study

FDA has lifted a partial clinical hold on Curis’ TakeAim Leukemia study that is intended to evaluate emavusertib in a monotherapy phase of the trial. The partial hold remains in place for the combination therapy phase (Phase 1b) and the expansion phase (Phase 2a) of the study until Phase 1a is complete and the agency approves proceeding to the next phases of the study, the company says.

“Before lifting the restriction on patient enrollment, the FDA reviewed additional data provided by the company related to the risk of rhabdomyolysis, a side effect also associated with statins, as well as with cancer medications such as Odomzo and Cotellic,” Curis says. “The FDA also reviewed the company's strategy for utilizing objective laboratory measurements, similar to those used with Odomzo and Cotellic, to identify rhabdomyolysis, as well as the company's strategy for managing rhabdomyolysis, if it is detected.”

Curis says the leukemia study is a Phase 1/2 open-label dose escalation, dose expansion clinical trial investigating emavusertib as a monotherapy and in combination with azacitidine or venetoclax in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia or high risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

Emavusertib is described as an IRAK4 kinase inhibitor. The company says IRAK4 plays an essential role in the toll-like receptor and interleukin-1 receptor signaling pathways, which are frequently dysregulated in patients with cancer.

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome