A New Rx for Cancer of the Soft Tissues

Lartruvo (olaratumab) approved to treat soft tissue sarcoma

(RxWiki News) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lartruvo (olaratumab) to treat soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

Lartruvo works to help slow or stop tumor growth in the fat, tendons, muscles or other soft tissues, according to the FDA.

It has been granted accelerated approval and is to be given with doxorubicin to adults with cancer that has not been cured by radiation or surgery, as well as to those who have a type of cancer that can be treated with an anthracycline, a type of chemotherapy.

Dr. Richard Pazdur, director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a press release that “This is the first new therapy approved by the FDA for the initial treatment of soft tissue sarcoma since doxorubicin’s approval more than 40 years ago."

Dr. Pazdur said this approval offers patients a new option for treating STS.

Olaratumab was approved based on a clinical trial that involved 133 patients. This trial found that those who were given olaratumab with doxorubicin lived longer (measured in months), saw more tumor shrinkage and went longer until tumors resumed growth — compared to those who were given doxorubicin alone.

Common side effects include feeling very tired, nausea and a decrease in white blood cells.

This medication may be tied to serious risks like infusion-related reactions. These reactions include fever, chills, rash and low blood pressure. This medication also carries a risk of potentially harming a fetus if taken during pregnancy.

Eli Lilly and Company manufacturers olaratumab.