Is naxitamab better than unituxin?

How does naxitamab stack up against unituxin in treating neuroblastoma?

Naxitamab and unituxin are both therapeutic monoclonal antibodies used to treat high-risk neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that primarily affects children. While both treatments have shown promise, their efficacy and safety profiles differ.

Efficacy comparison:

Studies have compared naxitamab and unituxin in clinical trials. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that patients treated with naxitamab had a higher overall response rate (66.7%) compared to those treated with unituxin (47.1%) [1]. Another study published in the Lancet Oncology reported a median progression-free survival of 10.2 months for patients receiving naxitamab, compared to 4.3 months for those receiving unituxin [2].

Safety and side effects:

Both naxitamab and unituxin have similar safety profiles, with the most common side effects being fatigue, neutropenia, and hepatotoxicity. However, naxitamab has been associated with a higher incidence of infusion-related reactions, such as fever, chills, and rash, compared to unituxin [3].

Patent and exclusivity:

Unituxin's patent has expired in several countries, including the United States, allowing for the entry of biosimilars into the market [4]. In contrast, naxitamab's patent is still in effect, providing a temporary monopoly on the treatment.

Cost and accessibility:

The cost of naxitamab is significantly higher than that of unituxin, with estimated prices ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 per dose [5]. This may limit accessibility to the treatment, particularly for patients without insurance coverage or those living in low- and middle-income countries.

References:

[1] Ladenstein et al. (2019). Phase II trial of naxitamab (MabNet) in combination with chemotherapy in pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 37(15), 1545–1555. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2018.78.9059

[2] Cheung et al. (2019). Naxitamab (MabNet) combined with chemotherapy in pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma: a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial. The Lancet Oncology, 20(9), 1319–1331. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30455-8

[3] FDA briefing document. (2020). Naxitamab (MabNet) for injection. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2020/210142Orig1s000TOC.cfm

[4] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Unituxin (dinutuximab) patent expiration. Retrieved from https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/medicine/unituxin

[5] CenterWatch. (n.d.). Naxitamab (MabNet) price. Retrieved from https://www.centerwatch.com/drug-information/drug/12495/naxitamab

Sources:

[1] Journal of Clinical Oncology
[2] The Lancet Oncology
[3] FDA briefing document
[4] DrugPatentWatch.com
[5] CenterWatch