American Society of Hematology

On February 6, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration approved caplacizumab-yhdp (CABLIVI, Ablynx NV) for adult patients with acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP), in combination with plasma exchange and immunosuppressive therapy.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Truxima (rituximab-abbs, Celltrion Inc.) as the first biosimilar to Rituxan (rituximab, Genentech Inc.) for patients with CD20-positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) to be used as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy.

The Food and Drug Administration approved gilteritinib (XOSPATA, Astellas Pharma US Inc.) for treatment of adult patients who have relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a FLT3 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test.

The Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to larotrectinib (VITRAKVI, Loxo Oncology Inc. and Bayer) for adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors that have a neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion without a known acquired resistance mutation, that are either metastatic or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity, and who have no satisfactory alternative treatments or whose cancer has progressed following treatment.

ASH continues to increase its efforts to expand and enhance the Society’s reach. NIH funding, efforts to ensure patient access to drugs, and sickle cell disease were top priorities on ASH’s advocacy agenda in 2018.

ASH continues to invest in and explore the important actions needed to make a significant difference in sickle cell disease (SCD) access to care, research, and global issues. Learn about the major advocacy-related initiatives undertaken by ASH in 2018.

In 2018, ASH worked to ensure patient access to care through a number of methods including ensuring drug access, pain management-related issues, and the Affordable Care Act.

In 2018, ASH commented on numerous rules and regulations proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which impact physician payment. ASH is actively involved in various advisory committees and also continues to engage with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.