Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions
FDA Approves First Treatment for Rare Skin Cancer
FDA news release; 2017 Mar 23
The FDA has granted accelerated approval to Bavencio (avelumab) for the treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
Indications: Bavencio is a programmed death ligand-1 blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic MCC.
Dosage and administration: Administer 10 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes every 2 weeks.
Efficacy and safety: Approval is based on data from a single-arm trial of 88 patients with metastatic MCC who received Bavencio. One-third experienced complete or partial shrinkage of their tumors. The response lasted for more than 6 months in 86% percent of responding patients, and more than a year in 45%.
Side effects/risks: The most common adverse reactions are fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, nausea, infusion-related reaction, rash, decreased appetite, and peripheral edema.
FDA approves first treatment for rare form of skin cancer. [news release]. Silver Spring, MD: FDA March 23, 2017. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm548278.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Accessed March 31, 2017.
Bavencio [package insert]. Rockland, MA: EMD Serono, Inc. 2017. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/761049s000lbl.pdf. Accessed March 31, 2017.