First New Blood Cancer Drug in 29 Years Highlights Oncology News
The FDA approved ropeginterferon alfa-2b for essential thrombocythemia, the first new therapy for the condition since 1997. Other cancer news includes a survey showing many older men skip PSA screening, AI improving mammography detection, and a phase III win for ivonescimab in lung cancer.
The FDA granted approval to ropeginterferon alfa-2b for essential thrombocythemia, representing the first novel therapy for this blood disorder since anagrelide was cleared in 1997. In a separate phase III trial, etentamig achieved better response rates and progression-free survival than standard care for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
A national survey found that almost four in ten men aged 55 or older have never received a PSA test. AI showed promise in identifying breast cancers overlooked by mammography, and ivonescimab yielded superior overall survival compared with pembrolizumab in advanced lung cancer. Additionally, a urine test detected more than 90% of bladder cancers among roughly 1,000 patients.
The arrival of a first-in-class therapy for essential thrombocythemia could offer patients a long-awaited alternative to older treatments, potentially improving disease management and quality of life. Broader developments, such as AI-enhanced mammography and improved lung cancer therapies, may reshape early detection and survival outcomes. However, gaps in PSA screening among older men suggest that access and awareness remain significant hurdles, potentially delaying diagnoses for some populations.