Top stories in hematology/oncology: Voxelotor increases hemoglobin levels; Pembrolizumab reduces mortality risk in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Among the top stories in hematology/oncology last week were a study that found voxelotor increased hemoglobin levels while reducing markers of hemolysis among patients with sickle cell disease and a study that determined patients with previously treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma demonstrated reduced risk for death and improved progression-free survival with the addition of pembrolizumab vs. placebo to best supportive care.

Other highlights were three FDA approvals. These included the approval of the biosimilar Kanjinti for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing breast cancer, the accelerated approval of a Polivy regimen for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and the approval of pembrolizumab as the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Voxelotor increases hemoglobin levels, reduces hemolysis markers in sickle cell disease

Voxelotor increased hemoglobin levels and reduced markers of hemolysis compared with placebo among patients with sickle cell disease, according to results of a randomized phase 3 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Read more.

Pembrolizumab for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma reduces mortality risk in 'technically ... negative study'

Patients with previously treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma demonstrated reduced risk for death and improved progression-free survival with the addition of pembrolizumab vs. placebo to best supportive care, according to findings from the randomized phase 3 KEYNOTE-240 study. Read more.

FDA approves Kanjinti, biosimilar to Herceptin

The FDA approved trastuzumab-anns for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing breast cancer, as well as metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Read more.

FDA approves Polivy regimen for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

The FDA granted accelerated approval to polatuzumab vedotin-piiq for use in combination with bendamustine plus a rituximab product for treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who received at least two prior therapies. Read more.

FDA approves Keytruda for first-line treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The FDA approved pembrolizumab for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or unresectable recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Read more.