Drug Dictionary
Adcetris™
Class: Biological Therapy and Chemotherapy Generic Name: brentuximab vedotin Trade Name: Adcetris™ How is this drug used? Adcetris is used for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma that has progressed (worsened) after autologous stem cell transplant or has progressed after at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not candidates for a stem [...]
Afinitor®
Class: Biological therapy Generic Name: Everolimus (ever-OH-li-mus) Trade Name: Afinitor® How is this drug used? Afinitor is FDA-approved for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) among patients whose cancer has recurred or progressed following treatment with either Sutent® (sunitinib) or Nexavar® (sorafenib); for the treatment of a benign brain tumor—subependymal giant cell [...]
aldesleukin
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Aldesleukin (al-des-LOO-kin), Interleukin-2, recombinant human interleukin 2, IL-2 Trade Name: Proleukin® For which conditions is this drug approved? Aldesleukin is currently FDA approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for [...]
alemtuzumab
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Alemtuzumab (al-em-TOO-zoo-mab) Trade Name: Campath® For which conditions is this drug approved? Alemtuzumab is FDA approved for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has stopped responding to prior treatment with chemotherapy agents referred to as alkylating agents and has stopped responding to the chemotherapy agent Fludara® (fludarabine). [...]
alpha interferon
Class: Biologic response modifier Generic Name: Interferon alpha (in-ter-FEER-on), alpha interferon, IFN-alpha Trade Name: Intron® A (interferon alfa-2b), Roferon-A® (interferon alfa-2a) How is this drug used? Interferon alpha is FDA approved for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma, follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Condylomata Acuminata. It is important for patients to [...]
Avastin®
Class: Biologic Therapy Generic Name: Bevacizumab (be-vuh-SIZZ-eh-mab) Trade Name: Avastin® For which conditions is this drug used? Avastin is used for the treatment of selected patients with metastatic colorectal cancer; advanced, nonsquamous, non-small cell lung cancer; metastatic kidney cancer; or glioblastoma. What is the mechanism of action? Avastin belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. It is not [...]
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, BCG Trade Name: TheraCys®, TICE® For which conditions is this drug approved? BCG is FDA approved for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than those for which the drug has [...]
BCG
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, BCG Trade Name: TheraCys®, TICE® For which conditions is this drug approved? BCG is FDA approved for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than those for which the drug has [...]
bevacizumab
Class: Biologic Therapy Generic Name: Bevacizumab (be-vuh-SIZZ-eh-mab) Trade Name: Avastin® For which conditions is this drug used? Avastin is used for the treatment of selected patients with metastatic colorectal cancer; advanced, nonsquamous, non-small cell lung cancer; metastatic kidney cancer; or glioblastoma. What is the mechanism of action? Avastin belongs to a class of drugs called [...]
Bexxar®
Class: Biologic agent Generic Name: Tositumomab and Iodine 131 (I131) tositumomab (toe-si-TOO-moe-mab) Trade Name: Bexxar® How is this drug used? Tositumomab and I131 is FDA approved for the treatment of patients with CD20 positive, follicular, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, with and without transformation, whose disease is refractory to rituximab and has relapsed following chemotherapy. It is important [...]
Bosulif®
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Bosutinib Trade Name: Bosulif® How is this drug used? Bosulif is used for the treatment ofPhiladelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in adults with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy. What is the mechanism of action? Bosulif is a kinase inhibitor. It limits cancer growth by interfering with certain [...]
Bosutinib
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Bosutinib Trade Name: Bosulif® How is this drug used? Bosulif is used for the treatment ofPhiladelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in adults with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy. What is the mechanism of action? Bosulif is a kinase inhibitor. It limits cancer growth by interfering with certain [...]
Campath®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Alemtuzumab (al-em-TOO-zoo-mab) Trade Name: Campath® For which conditions is this drug approved? Alemtuzumab is FDA approved for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has stopped responding to prior treatment with chemotherapy agents referred to as alkylating agents and has stopped responding to the chemotherapy agent Fludara® (fludarabine). [...]
Carfilzomib
Class: Biological therapy Generic Name: Carfilzomib Trade Name: Kyprolis™ How is this drug used? Kyprolis is used to treat multiple myeloma that is worsening and that has previously been treated with Velcade® (bortezomib) and an immunomodulatory drug such as thalidomide or lenalidomide. What is the mechanism of action? Kyprolis is a type of targeted drug [...]
cetuximab
Class: Biologic Therapy Generic Name: Cetuximab Trade Name: Erbitux™ For which conditions is this drug approved? Cetuximab is FDA approved for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. The FDA indication specifies that cetuximab is to be used in combination with irinotecan for the treatment of EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer in patients who are refractory to [...]
darbepoetin alfa
Class: Colony stimulating factor, biologic response modifier Generic Name: Darbepoetin Alfa (dar-be-POE-e-tin AL-fe) Trade Name: Aranesp® For which conditions is this drug approved? Aranesp® is FDA-approved for the treatment of anemia (low levels of red blood cells) caused by chemotherapy in patients with non-myeloid cancers. FDA-approval means that Aranesp® has been evaluated in several clinical [...]
Dasatinib
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Dasatinib Trade Name: Sprycel® How is this drug used? Dasatinib is FDA approved for the treatment of adults with chronic, accelerated, or myeloid or lymphoid blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy including imatinib. Dasatinib is also approved for the treatment of adults with [...]
denileukin diftitox
Class: Biologic Therapy Generic Name: Denileukin diftitox (den-i-LOO-kin DIF-ti-tocks) Trade Name: Ontak® For which conditions is this drug approved? Denileukin diftitox is FDA approved for the treatment of a subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that recurs or persists following standard therapy. The cancer cells must express an abundance of receptors (proteins) for the immune stimulating [...]
Erbitux®
Class: Biologic Therapy Generic Name: Cetuximab Trade Name: Erbitux™ For which conditions is this drug approved? Cetuximab is FDA approved for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. The FDA indication specifies that cetuximab is to be used in combination with irinotecan for the treatment of EGFR-expressing, metastatic colorectal cancer in patients who are refractory to [...]
Ergamisol®
Class: Biologic agent Generic Name: Levamisole (le-VAM-i-sol) Trade Name: Ergamisol® How is this drug used? Levamisole is FDA approved for use in combination with the chemotherapy agent 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of Duke’s stage C colon cancer, following the surgical removal of the cancer. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the [...]
Erivedge™
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: vismodegib Trade Name: Erivedge™ How is this drug used? Erivedge is approved for the treatment of adults with basal cell carcinoma of the skin that has spread to other parts of the body or that has come back after surgery or cannot be treated with surgery or radiation. It is [...]
Erlotinib
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Erlotinib (er-LOH-te-nib) Trade Name: Tarceva™ For what conditions is this drug used? Erlotinib is FDA approved for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer in patients that have been treated with at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. It has also been approved, in combination with the chemotherapy agent Gemzar(R) [...]
Gardasil®
Class: Biologic agent Generic Name: Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Vaccine Recombinant Trade Name: Gardasil® How is this drug used? Gardasil® is FDA approved for the prevention of some diseases or pre-cursors to diseases caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, or 18. Gardasil is approved for females ages [...]
gefitinib
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Gefitinib (je-FI-ti-nib) Trade Name: Iressa® For which conditions is this drug approved? Gefitinib is FDA approved for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that has progressed or not responded following treatment with platinum and taxanes-based therapies. It is important for patients to remember that physicians [...]
gemtuzumab ozogamicin
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (jem-TOO-zoo-mab oh-zoe ga-MY-sin) Trade Name: Mylotarg® For which conditions is this drug approved? Gemtuzumab ozogamicin is FDA-approved for the treatment of patients who are 60 years or older, are not suitable candidates for chemotherapy, and have CD 33-positive acute myeloid leukemia in first relapse. It is important for [...]
Herceptin®
Class: Biologic agent Generic Name: Trastuzumab (trass-TOO-zoo-mab) Trade Name: Herceptin® How is this drug used? Herceptin is FDA approved for the treatment of the following cancers if they test positive for a protein known as HER2: breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes; node-negative breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-negative or has a [...]
Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent
Class: Biologic agent Generic Name: Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Vaccine Recombinant Trade Name: Gardasil® How is this drug used? Gardasil® is FDA approved for the prevention of some diseases or pre-cursors to diseases caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, or 18. Gardasil is approved for females ages [...]
ibritumomab tiuxetan
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Ibritumomab (i-bri-TOO-moe-mab), ibritumomab tiuxetan Trade Name: Zevalin™ How is this drug used? Ibritumomab is FDA approved for relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including patients who have already been treated with rituximab. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe [...]
IL-2
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Aldesleukin (al-des-LOO-kin), Interleukin-2, recombinant human interleukin 2, IL-2 Trade Name: Proleukin® For which conditions is this drug approved? Aldesleukin is currently FDA approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for [...]
IL-2
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Aldesleukin (al-des-LOO-kin), Interleukin-2, recombinant human interleukin 2, IL-2 Trade Name: Proleukin® For which conditions is this drug approved? Aldesleukin is currently FDA approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for [...]
Inlyta®
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: axitinib Trade Name: Inlyta® How is this drug used? Inlyta is FDA approved for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) after one prior drug treatment has not worked. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than those for which the [...]
Interleukin-2
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Aldesleukin (al-des-LOO-kin), Interleukin-2, recombinant human interleukin 2, IL-2 Trade Name: Proleukin® For which conditions is this drug approved? Aldesleukin is currently FDA approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for [...]
Iressa®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Gefitinib (je-FI-ti-nib) Trade Name: Iressa® For which conditions is this drug approved? Gefitinib is FDA approved for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that has progressed or not responded following treatment with platinum and taxanes-based therapies. It is important for patients to remember that physicians [...]
Jakafi®
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Ruxolitinib Trade Name: Jakafi® How is this drug used? Jakafi is used to treat intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (a disorder of the bone marrow). What is the mechanism of action? Jakafi inhibits two enzymes—JAK1 and JAK2—that contribute to myelofibrosis. How is Jakafi given (administered)? Jakafi is administered orally (by mouth) in [...]
Kyprolis™
Class: Biological therapy Generic Name: Carfilzomib Trade Name: Kyprolis™ How is this drug used? Kyprolis is used to treat multiple myeloma that is worsening and that has previously been treated with Velcade® (bortezomib) and an immunomodulatory drug such as thalidomide or lenalidomide. What is the mechanism of action? Kyprolis is a type of targeted drug [...]
Lapatinib
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Lapatinib (luh-PA-ti-nib) Trade Name: Tykerb® For what conditions is this drug used? Lapatinib is FDA approved for the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer that is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)- positive and has progressed following therapy with chemotherapy agents known as taxanes and anthracyclines and the [...]
lenalidomide
Class: Biologic Therapy Generic Name: Lenalidomide (len-a-LID-oh-mide) Trade Name: Revlimid® For which conditions is this drug approved? Lenalidomide is FDA approved for the treatment of low or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes in patients who are transfusion-dependent because of anemia associated with their disease and those who have a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality. Lenalidomide is also approved [...]
levamisole
Class: Biologic agent Generic Name: Levamisole (le-VAM-i-sol) Trade Name: Ergamisol® How is this drug used? Levamisole is FDA approved for use in combination with the chemotherapy agent 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of Duke’s stage C colon cancer, following the surgical removal of the cancer. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the [...]
Mylotarg®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (jem-TOO-zoo-mab oh-zoe ga-MY-sin) Trade Name: Mylotarg® For which conditions is this drug approved? Gemtuzumab ozogamicin is FDA-approved for the treatment of patients who are 60 years or older, are not suitable candidates for chemotherapy, and have CD 33-positive acute myeloid leukemia in first relapse. It is important for [...]
Nilotinib
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Nilotinib Trade Name: Tasigna® How is this drug used? Nilotinib is FDA approved for the treatment of newly diagnosed adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase, as well as for the treatment of chronic phase and accelerated phase Ph+ CML in adult patients resistant [...]
Ontak®
Class: Biologic Therapy Generic Name: Denileukin diftitox (den-i-LOO-kin DIF-ti-tocks) Trade Name: Ontak® For which conditions is this drug approved? Denileukin diftitox is FDA approved for the treatment of a subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that recurs or persists following standard therapy. The cancer cells must express an abundance of receptors (proteins) for the immune stimulating [...]
peg interferon
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Peginterferon (PEG-in- ter-FEAR-on) Trade Name: Pegasys® For which conditions is this drug approved? Peginterferon is FDA approved for the treatment of hepatitis C. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than those for which the drug has been approved [...]
Pegasys®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Peginterferon (PEG-in- ter-FEAR-on) Trade Name: Pegasys® For which conditions is this drug approved? Peginterferon is FDA approved for the treatment of hepatitis C. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than those for which the drug has been approved [...]
Perjeta™
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Pertuzumab Trade Name: Perjeta™ How is this drug used? Perjeta is used for the treatment of HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer. It is given in combination with Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and Taxotere® (docetaxel), and is intended for people who have not previously been treated with chemotherapy or HER2-targeted therapy for metastatic breast [...]
Pertuzumab
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Pertuzumab Trade Name: Perjeta™ How is this drug used? Perjeta is used for the treatment of HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer. It is given in combination with Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and Taxotere® (docetaxel), and is intended for people who have not previously been treated with chemotherapy or HER2-targeted therapy for metastatic breast [...]
Proleukin®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Aldesleukin (al-des-LOO-kin), Interleukin-2, recombinant human interleukin 2, IL-2 Trade Name: Proleukin® For which conditions is this drug approved? Aldesleukin is currently FDA approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for [...]
Provenge®
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Sipuleucel-T Trade Name: Provenge® How is this drug used? Provenge is used for the treatment of prostate cancer that has few or no symptoms, but has spread to other parts of the body and does not respond to hormone therapy (metastatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer). What is the mechanism of action? [...]
recombinant human interleukin 2
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Aldesleukin (al-des-LOO-kin), Interleukin-2, recombinant human interleukin 2, IL-2 Trade Name: Proleukin® For which conditions is this drug approved? Aldesleukin is currently FDA approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for [...]
Regorafenib
Class: Biological therapy Generic Name: Regorafenib Trade Name: Stivarga® How is this drug used? Stivarga is used to treat patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that has previously been treated with certain types of chemotherapy and other medications. What is the mechanism of action? Stivarga is a type of drug known as a multi-kinase inhibitor. It [...]
Remicade®
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Infliximab Trade Name: Remicade® How is this drug used? Remicade is used for selected patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, or plaque psoriasis. Remicade does not cure these conditions, but it can reduce symptoms. What is the mechanism of action? Remicade helps to control [...]
Revlimid®
Class: Biologic Therapy Generic Name: Lenalidomide (len-a-LID-oh-mide) Trade Name: Revlimid® For which conditions is this drug approved? Lenalidomide is FDA approved for the treatment of low or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes in patients who are transfusion-dependent because of anemia associated with their disease and those who have a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality. Lenalidomide is also approved [...]
Rituxan®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Rituximab (ri-TUCKS-I-mab) Trade Name: Rituxan® How is this drug used? Rituximab is FDA approved for the treatment of some types of CD20+, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than those for which the drug has [...]
rituximab
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Rituximab (ri-TUCKS-I-mab) Trade Name: Rituxan® How is this drug used? Rituximab is FDA approved for the treatment of some types of CD20+, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than those for which the drug has [...]
Roferon-A®
Class: Biologic response modifier Generic Name: Interferon alpha (in-ter-FEER-on), alpha interferon, IFN-alpha Trade Name: Intron® A (interferon alfa-2b), Roferon-A® (interferon alfa-2a) How is this drug used? Interferon alpha is FDA approved for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma, follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Condylomata Acuminata. It is important for patients to [...]
Ruxolitinib
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Ruxolitinib Trade Name: Jakafi® How is this drug used? Jakafi is used to treat intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (a disorder of the bone marrow). What is the mechanism of action? Jakafi inhibits two enzymes—JAK1 and JAK2—that contribute to myelofibrosis. How is Jakafi given (administered)? Jakafi is administered orally (by mouth) in [...]
Sprycel®
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Dasatinib Trade Name: Sprycel® How is this drug used? Sprycel is used for the treatment of adults with newly diagnosed, Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase, as well as adults with Ph+ CML who are resistant to or intolerant of prior therapy including Gleevec® (imatinib). Sprycel [...]
Stivarga®
Class: Biological therapy Generic Name: Regorafenib Trade Name: Stivarga® How is this drug used? Stivarga is used to treat patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that has previously been treated with certain types of chemotherapy and other medications. What is the mechanism of action? Stivarga is a type of drug known as a multi-kinase inhibitor. It [...]
Tarceva®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Erlotinib (er-LOH-te-nib) Trade Name: Tarceva® For what conditions is this drug used? Erlotinib is FDA approved for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer in patients that have been treated with at least one prior chemotherapy regimen; for maintenance treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell [...]
Tasigna®
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Nilotinib Trade Name: Tasigna® How is this drug used? Nilotinib is FDA approved for the treatment of newly diagnosed adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase, as well as for the treatment of chronic phase and accelerated phase Ph+ CML in adult patients resistant [...]
Temsirolimus
Class: Biologic Therapy Generic Name: Temsirolimus (tem-zi-ROLE-eh-mus) Trade Name: Torisel™ For which conditions is this drug approved? Temsirolimus is FDA approved for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than [...]
Thalidomide
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Thalidomide (the-LI-doe-mide) Trade Name: Thalomid® For which conditions is this drug approved? Thalidomide is FDA approved for the initial treatment of multiple myeloma, to be used in combination with dexamethasone. It is also approved for the treatment of skin nodules related to leprosy. It is important for patients to remember [...]
Thalomid®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Thalidomide (the-LI-doe-mide) Trade Name: Thalomid® For which conditions is this drug approved? Thalidomide is FDA approved for the initial treatment of multiple myeloma, to be used in combination with dexamethasone. It is also approved for the treatment of skin nodules related to leprosy. It is important for patients to remember [...]
TheraCys®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, BCG Trade Name: TheraCys®, TICE® For which conditions is this drug approved? BCG is FDA approved for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than those for which the drug has [...]
TICE®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, BCG Trade Name: TheraCys®, TICE® For which conditions is this drug approved? BCG is FDA approved for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than those for which the drug has [...]
Torisel™
Class: Biologic Therapy Generic Name: Temsirolimus (tem-zi-ROLE-eh-mus) Trade Name: Torisel™ For which conditions is this drug approved? Temsirolimus is FDA approved for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer. It is important for patients to remember that physicians have the ability to prescribe medication for conditions other than [...]
tositumomab
Class: Biologic agent Generic Name: Tositumomab and Iodine 131 (I131) tositumomab (toe-si-TOO-moe-mab) Trade Name: Bexxar® How is this drug used? Tositumomab and I131 is FDA approved for the treatment of patients with CD20 positive, follicular, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, with and without transformation, whose disease is refractory to rituximab and has relapsed following chemotherapy. It is important [...]
tositumomab and Iodine 131
Class: Biologic agent Generic Name: Tositumomab and Iodine 131 (I131) tositumomab (toe-si-TOO-moe-mab) Trade Name: Bexxar® How is this drug used? Tositumomab and I131 is FDA approved for the treatment of patients with CD20 positive, follicular, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, with and without transformation, whose disease is refractory to rituximab and has relapsed following chemotherapy. It is important [...]
trastuzumab
Class: Biologic agent Generic Name: Trastuzumab (trass-TOO-zoo-mab) Trade Name: Herceptin® How is this drug used? Trastuzumab is FDA approved for the treatment of breast cancer that has spread to local lymph nodes or distant sites in the body and that expresses the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It is important for patients to [...]
Tykerb®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Lapatinib (luh-PA-ti-nib) Trade Name: Tykerb® For what conditions is this drug used? Lapatinib is FDA approved for the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer that is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)- positive and has progressed following therapy with chemotherapy agents known as taxanes and anthracyclines and the [...]
Vemurafenib
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: vemurafenib Trade Name: Zelboraf™ How is this drug used? Zelboraf is used for the treatment of melanoma that has metastasized or cannot surgically removed and that tests positive for a specific mutation (V600E) in the BRAF gene. What is the mechanism of action? Approximately half of all late-stage melanomas have [...]
Votrient®
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Pazopanib Trade Name: Votrient® How is this drug used? Votrient is used for the treatment of advanced renal cell (kidney) cancer and for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma in people who have received prior chemotherapy. What is the mechanism of action? Votrient may help slow or prevent the [...]
Xalkori™
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: crizotinib Trade Name: Xalkori™ How is this drug used? Xalkori is used for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer that tests positive for an abnormality in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. What is the mechanism of action? Between one percent and seven percent of [...]
Yervoy™
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: Ipilimumab Trade Name: Yervoy™ How is this drug used? Yervoy is used for the treatment of metastatic melanoma or melanoma that cannot be surgically removed. What is the mechanism of action? Yervoy targets a molecule known as CTLA4. CTLA4 is found on the surface of T cells and is thought [...]
Zaltrap®
Class: Biological therapy Generic Name: Ziv-aflibercept Trade Name: Zaltrap® How is this drug used? Zaltrap is used in combination with FOLFIRI chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer that is resistant to, or has worsened after, oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy. What is the mechanism of action? Zaltrap is a type of drug known as an angiogenesis [...]
Zelboraf™
Class: Biological Therapy Generic Name: vemurafenib Trade Name: Zelboraf™ How is this drug used? Zelboraf is used for the treatment of melanoma that has metastasized or cannot surgically removed and that tests positive for a specific mutation (V600E) in the BRAF gene. What is the mechanism of action? Approximately half of all late-stage melanomas have [...]
Zevalin®
Class: Biologic therapy Generic Name: Ibritumomab tiuxetan Trade Name: Zevalin® How is this drug used? Zevalin is FDA approved for patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade or follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), as well as for patients with previously untreated follicular NHL who have a partial or complete response to initial chemotherapy. Zevalin is given [...]
Ziv-aflibercept
Class: Biological therapy Generic Name: Ziv-aflibercept Trade Name: Zaltrap® How is this drug used? Zaltrap is used in combination with FOLFIRI chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer that is resistant to, or has worsened after, oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy. What is the mechanism of action? Zaltrap is a type of drug known as an angiogenesis [...]