New Approval: Vorasidenib for IDH Mutant Gliomas
- Vorasidenib is a new FDA-approved drug that targets IDH mutations in gliomas.
- IDH mutations are common in low-grade, slow-growing gliomas, and this mutation plays a key role in tumor development.
- Vorasidenib is an IDH inhibitor. It works by blocking the mutated enzyme, slowing down tumor growth, and extending the time before disease progression.
- Dr. Alexandra Miller, Director of the Neuro-Oncology Division at NYU Langone Health, tells SurvivorNet that Vorasidenib is a “huge breakthrough for people with IDH mutant tumors.”
- This targeted therapy has fewer side effects than traditional treatments and offers patients a more tolerable and effective treatment option.
The Types of Glioma
Gliomas can be divided into two types: IDH wild-type and IDH mutant gliomas. IDH mutant gliomas carry a mutation in the gene that codes for the IDH (isocitrate dehydrogenase) enzyme. Normally, this enzyme helps create energy for glial cells, the cells from which these tumors originate. However, when the IDH gene is mutated, it disrupts the normal function of the enzyme and can lead to the development of cancerous cells, eventually forming a glioma.
Read MoreVorasidenib: A New Hope
Dr. Alexandra Miller, Director of the Neuro-Oncology Division at NYU Langone Health, tells SurvivorNet that Vorasidenib is a “huge breakthrough for people with IDH mutant tumors.”This drug was tested in a randomized clinical trial and showed impressive results. On average, it delayed the progression of IDH mutant gliomas by over 27 months, compared to just 11 months for patients who did not receive the drug. The trial results were so promising that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vorasidenib for use in grade 2 IDH mutant tumors.
Vorasidenib may also have long-lasting effects on patients. Researchers found that 87% of patients taking Vorasidenib did not need additional cancer treatment after two years, compared to only 27% of patients who did not take the drug.
What to Expect With Vorasidinib
Vorasidinib is an oral pill that is taken once daily.
Vorasidenib is what is known as an IDH inhibitor. The drug “is a type of precision medicine or targeted therapy that goes and affects just the tumor cells,” Dr. Miller explains. Therefore, this drug should not affect normal cells that are not expressing this mutation. This leads to fewer side effects for patients and makes the drug very tolerable.
Some common side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Diarrhea.
Some may develop elevated liver enzymes on labs, which could indicate liver damage. This will be monitored by your doctor with routine blood work.
IDH Mutant Gliomas: The Future
The development and success of Vorasidenib, now with FDA approval, offers hope for the future of targeted therapies for IDH mutant gliomas. Although it is not a cure, Vorasidenib significantly improves the quality of life for patients with this challenging disease.
Ongoing research continues to explore ways to target the IDH mutation further. In the meantime, patients with IDH mutant gliomas should talk to their doctors about whether Vorasidenib could be a beneficial part of their treatment plan.
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