FDA grants approval of Tecentriq for alveolar soft part sarcoma

On December 9, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tecentriq (atezolizumab), from Genentech, a USA-based subsidiary of Swiss pharma giant Roche (ROG: SIX), for adult and pediatric patients two years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS).

ASPS is a rare, insidious soft tissue sarcoma most common in younger people that is often advanced at diagnosis, can spread slowly but inexorably over decades, and often returns following surgery. For those diagnosed with advanced ASPS, only an estimated 20% will live five years. The company notes that Tecentriq is the first-ever therapy approved for this advanced rare cancer.

“This approval brings new hope for children, adults and their families affected by advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma, who historically have had very limited treatment options,” said Dr Levi Garraway, chief medical officer and head of global product development. “Developing new therapies in rare diseases is especially challenging, but we are committed to meeting such challenges, with the goal of helping as many people as possible,” he added.