The FDA has given the thumbs up to Seattle Genetics Inc. for a blood cancer medicine specifically for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This makes it the first approved drug for this type of cancer in more than 30 years. The name of the drug is Adcentris.
This drug has been approved for the treatment of two rare blood cancers; Hodgkin’s lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).
This is the first drug approved to treat ALCL and the first drug approved for Hodgkin’s lymphoma since 1977. It wasn’t due to be approved until August 30 however it received a priority review status, which means the FDA believed that the medicine is a potentially significant advance over current medications and therapies for these two diseases.
“We are focused on broadening out the use of Adcetris to bigger patient populations and bringing it to front line treatment,” the company’s Chief Executive Clay Siegall told Reuters.
While the price of this “miracle drug” has not be identified, Seattle Genetics hopes to start selling it sometime in August 2011. It is believed that this drug will not come cheap and speculation is that it will cost, per patient, approximately $100,000 to $150,000.
How Does It Work?
Adcentris, also known as Brentuximab Vedotin, is a cancer killing chemotherapy drug which targets tumor antibodies. Specifically, it targets an antigen in Hodgkin’s lymphoma, several other types of T-cell lymphoma and other hematologic malignancies.
Statistics
Approximately 9000 American’s are diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and another 3000 diagnosed with ALCL every year. It has been estimated by The National Cancer Institute that approximately 1300 people will die from Hodgkin’s in the United States of America this year.
This is the biggest advance in Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatments in decades, but at a potential price tag of $150,0o0 per patient, is it too high? Many believe so however if faced with one’s own mortality, no price is too high.
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