Methotrexate Shortage

A shortage of methotrexate, one of the many systemic agents used to treat patients with cutaneous lymphoma, was recently announced and has been causing some concern. Because for now the shortage is affecting only the IV-administered methotrexate, but not the oral formulation prescribed for cutaneous lymphoma patients, and because effective, alternative therapies are available, the impact on patients with cutaneous lymphoma is believed to be low.

The Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation is investigating this matter further and will provide additional updates when more information is available.

For more information on drug shortages and to monitor news on the methotrexate shortage from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, visit the FDA's website here.

American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting

Representatives from the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation recently attended the ASH Annual Meeting held in San Diego, CA from December 8 – December 13.  In addition to learning more about the latest in clinical care, therapeutic options and research related to cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), Foundation leaders networked with many partners in our mission and celebrated the accomplishments of Dr. Salvia Jain, the recipient of the Foundation’s new Young Investigator Award.  Look for a full summary on the meeting to be published in our upcoming newsletter. 

Click here to visit our photo gallery where you can view photos from our Young Investigator Award reception.  

Availability of Bexarotene (Targretin®)

We have been made aware of Bexarotene (Targretin®) availability issues by Eisai, the drug’s manufacturer. Bexarotene (Targretin®) is available and can be sent overnight to a pharmacy or patient's home for next day delivery. It may be ordered by a pharmacist through these specialty distributors: McKesson Specialty: 877-901-2335 Cardinal Specialty: 866-677-4844 ASD: 800-746-6273

Mustargen® Shortage Update

Lundbeck, manufacturer of Mustargen®, the original brand of mechlorethamine, is currently working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to gain approval of the transfer of production of Mustargen® to a new manufacturing site after the company’s previous contractor discontinued commercial manufacturing of the product. Additional updates on Mustargen® will be provided as they become available.

Currently, compounding pharmacies in the U.S. are using generic mechlorethamine obtained from their wholesale suppliers to compound mechlorethamine ointment for topical use in CTCL.

Oxsoralen-Ultra (Methoxsalen Capsules, USP, 10mg) Now Available Again In U.S. On Limited Basis

You should now be able to get your prescriptions filled through your pharmacies. Please instruct the pharmacy to work with their wholesalers to arrange for shipment. If you have any questions about product availability, please contact Valeant’s Customer Care group at 1-800-556-1937. We are pleased that the company was able to work with the FDA to address this drug shortage in a timely manner. Many organizations were involved in advocating for the patients to get this product back on the market.

Revisions to Staging and Classification of Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome

The International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas (ISCL) and the cutaneous lymphoma task force of the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) recommends revisions to the Mycosis Fungoides Cooperative Group classification and staging system for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). These revisions are made to incorporate advances related to tumor cell biology and diagnostic techniques as it pertains to mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS) since the 1979 publication of the original guidelines, to clarify certain variables that currently impede effective interinstitution and interinvestigator communication and/or the development of standardized clinical trials in MF and SS, and to provide a platform for tracking other variables of potential prognostic significance. More information about these revisions can be found in a full article in Blood (PDF), a semimonthly publication of the American Society of Hematology.

Help Us Go Green

With your help, the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation can save thousands of dollars each year while also benefiting our environment through a reduction in paper usage.  How can you help?  Email us at info@clfoundation.org with the subject line "Go Green" and include your full name, address and phone number.  We'll then send your next edition of our printed newsletter, the Forum to your email's inbox instead of your mailbox.