What Yervoy alternatives are available on the market?
Yervoy (ipilimumab) is an immunotherapy medication used to treat certain types of skin cancer. If you're looking for alternatives to Yervoy, there are several options available [1]. According to the FDA, Yervoy's approved indications are for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma, as well as for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma that has undergone surgical removal.
What biosimilars can be used as Yervoy alternatives?
Several biosimilars of Yervoy are currently in development, aiming to reduce treatment costs and increase accessibility [2]. Some of these biosimilars include:
* Imjudo (tremelimumab)
* Yervoy biosimilar by Janssen (under development)
How does Yervoy compare with Keytruda?
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is another immunotherapy medication used to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma. While both medications are approved for the treatment of melanoma, Yervoy and Keytruda work in different ways and are indicated for different patient populations [3]. Keytruda is generally used for patients with advanced melanoma or metastatic melanoma that has undergone prior immunotherapy, whereas Yervoy is primarily used for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
What side effects are patients asking about?
Yervoy and other immunotherapy medications can cause side effects, including liver damage [1]. According to clinical trials, patients treated with Yervoy may experience fatigue, diarrhea, rash, skin irritation, and joint pain, among others [4].
When does exclusivity expire for Yervoy?
Exclusivity for Yervoy expired in the United States in 2020, allowing other companies to develop and distribute biosimilars of the medication [5].
References:
[1] FDA approval of Yervoy (ipilimumab) for treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma
[2] DrugPatentWatch.com, Biosimilar pipeline for Yervoy (ipilimumab)
[3] NCCN Guidelines for Melanoma, Keytruda (pembrolizumab) vs. Yervoy (ipilimumab)
[4] Yervoy Clinical Trials.gov page, Common side effects reported in studies
[5] FDA, Exclusivity expiration list, Yervoy (ipilimumab)
Note: As of the current date, DrugPatentWatch.com lists a Janssen Yervoy biosimilar in early clinical trials, but no FDA-approved biosimilar is available yet.