Challenges and Opportunities to Updating Prescribing Information for Longstanding Oncology Drugs

Oncologist. 2020 Mar;25(3):e405-e411. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2019-0698. Epub 2019 Dec 8.

Abstract

A number of important drugs used to treat cancer-many of which serve as the backbone of modern chemotherapy regimens-have outdated prescribing information in their drug labeling. The Food and Drug Administration is undertaking a pilot project to develop a process and criteria for updating prescribing information for longstanding oncology drugs, based on the breadth of knowledge the cancer community has accumulated with the use of these drugs over time. This article highlights a number of considerations for labeling updates, including selecting priorities for updating; data sources and evidentiary criteria; as well as the risks, challenges, and opportunities for iterative review to ensure prescribing information for oncology drugs remains relevant to current clinical practice.

Keywords: Cancer; Drug approval; Drug legislation; Drug prescriptions; Pharmaceutical research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Drug Labeling
  • Drug Prescriptions
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations*
  • Pilot Projects
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations