A new cancer drug has been approved

A new drug by Merck is going to be the first systemic therapy for a rare genetic disorder associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

The FDA has approved a new drug named Belzutifan. The drug was originally developed by Peloton Therapeutics for multiple indications. Belzutifan can be used for treating patients with certain forms of renal cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas and CNS hemangioblastoma. The drug is going to be the first systemic therapy for a rare genetic disorder that is associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

Belzutifan is a highly selective inhibitor of hypoxia-induced factor 2α (HIF-2α), which disrupts the transmission of hypoxic signals in malignant cells that block the transcription of several genes. The trade name for this drug will be Welireg.

Source: endpts