The Rx Recap: February 9-15

Welcome to this week’s roundup of the most insightful and impactful articles from the sister publications of Dermatology Times, all under One MJH Life Sciences. Our network brings together expert perspectives, clinical advancements, and industry updates to keep clinicians informed and ahead of the curve. From cutting-edge treatments to practice management strategies, here’s a look at the top stories shaping the field of medicine.

FDA approves tocilizumab-anoh as biosimilar for multiple diseases

Contemporary Pediatrics brought news of the recent FDA approval of tocilizumab-anoh (Avtozma; Celltrion) as a biosimilar to Actemra (tocilizumab; Genentech) for multiple indications in both intravenous and subcutaneous formulations. This marks Celltrion's seventh biosimilar to receive marketing authorization in the United States. The approval is supported by a comprehensive data package, including evidence from a phase 3 study that confirmed biosimilarity between tocilizumab-anoh and reference tocilizumab in patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis.

With the federal agency's decision, the biosimilar is now indicated for:

• Plyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in patients 2 years and older with active pJIA
• Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) in patients aged 2 years and older with sJIA
• COVID-19 in hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 who are receiving systemic corticosteroids and require supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• Giant cell arteritis in adult patients
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults with moderately to severely active RA who have had an inadequate response to one or more Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs

2024 FDA Approvals in Breast, Gynecologic, and Other Solid Tumors Represent Key Steps Forward

In a comprehensive article on 2024 FDA approvals, OncLive shared insights from experts in their fields on how this could affect treatment plans, upcoming research, and personalized care.

In June, selpercatinib was approved for adult and pediatric patients at least 2 years of age with advanced or metastatic RET fusion–positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine refractory, if radioactive iodine is appropriate. Lori Wirth, MD, a professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School, said, "This is a major landmark for patients with RET-driven cancers. The availability of selpercatinib for these patients can be life-changing; the efficacy rates with selpercatinib are very high, the durability of efficacy is long, and the safety profile is excellent. Selpercatinib is very well tolerated for most patients who need treatment, and the drug will be widely available.”

Panel Shares Top 7 Insights into Addressing PTSD

A panel of experts shared with Psychiatric Times their top 7 insights for addressing PTSD. These pearls included rejecting limited views of the disorder, recognizing the underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of PTSD, approaching it as a brain disease, and personalizing treatment. “I think it’s important for us to meet the patient where they’re at,” Michael Asbach, DMSc, PA-C, associate director of interventional psychiatry at DENT Neurologic Institute, said in terms of developing a treatment strategy. “Every patient’s going to be different in what they’re capable of achieving, especially early on in the process.”

Tales from the physician shortage: Florida town wants to make primary care physician a job offer they can't refuse

From Medical Economics, editors shared the story of Havana, Florida, a town offering perks to those interested in being the town’s new primary care physician. With their previous family physician retiring last December, roughly 1,700 residents are in need of a new doctor to fill the void.Havana’s “now hiring” post stated: “Town of Havana is seeking a primary care physician (family medicine or internal medicine) to provide medical care in our community. Havana’s current local physician is retiring and has 2,000 patients in practice. Candidates must be board certified or board eligible, and be able to obtain a Florida License. Town of Havana will provide a medical facility rent-free, along with X-Ray machine, Ultrasound machine, DEXA Scan, all of which are owned by the town. The physician will be responsible for all insurance, utilities, and maintenance of the building, and any other costs associated with running a practice.”

Adults With Depression Likely Develop Physical Conditions 30% Faster

Finally, the American Journal of Managed Care recently shared data linking depression in adults to a higher likelihood of developing physical conditions. After assessing 69 long-term physical conditions using self-reports, researchers found that those with depression developed new physical conditions at a 32% higher rate (rate ratio [RR], 1.32; 95% CI, 1.31-1.34) than those without depression. Among the most frequently developed conditions in those with depression vs those without were osteoarthritis, hypertension, and GERD.

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