FDA approves aliqopa for follicular lymphoma

(HealthDay)—Aliqopa (copanlisib) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with relapsed follicular lymphoma who have received at least two prior treatments with certain other drugs.

Aliqopa is a kinase inhibitor, designed to block enzymes that spur cancer growth, the FDA explained Thursday in a news release.

The drug was given accelerated approval based on a 104-person clinical study, which found 59 percent of users had complete or partial response after an average of 12 months. As a condition of approval, the German drug maker Bayer Healthcare is required to conduct additional testing, which is ongoing, the agency said.

Potential side effects include hyperglycemia, diarrhea, loss of strength, hypertension, leukopenia, and neutropenia. More serious adverse reactions could include infections, non-infectious pneumonitis, and severe skin reactions. Pregnant and breastfeeding women shouldn't take Aliqopa, the FDA warned.