By
Paul Cranston and Tomi Shobande 
Every month, CREATION.co’s tracking updates bring you the latest insights from the conversation of healthcare professionals (HCPs) across the globe discussing product launches. Discover which new drug approvals HCPs are talking about, what they think about them, and which online sources they are using to inform their opinions and conversations in CREATION.co’s latest tracking update.
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Throughout March 2022 we tracked the global conversations of 2,225 HCPs who posted 3,212 English-language Twitter posts about the launches and approvals of new products.
In March, the list of approved chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies grew by 1 as Johnson & Johnson and Legend Biotech’s ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cits-cel) received approval for treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. HCPs shared in the excitement of the sustained clinical responses and long-lasting effect which would bring about hope for a future in patient lives.
Cilta-cel CAR T cell therapy was just approved by FDA for multiple myeloma. Deep, sustained clinical responses: durable effect. Great for patients! #mmsm @IMFmyeloma @theMMRF @myelomacrowd @SylvesterCancer @JanssenUS https://t.co/WQK2226xcd
— C. Ola Landgren, M.D. (@DrOlaLandgren) March 1, 2022
A needed dose of hope today in an FDA approval for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma https://t.co/WDAvZ32QuX via @AJMC_Journal. Special ❤️ @AmericanCancer researchers focusing on much needed CAR therapies for MM, including the amazing Dr. Jianhua Yu @cityofhope
— Susanna F. Greer, Ph.D. (@susannagreer) March 1, 2022
Another product to gain approval was Novartis’ Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan), which was the first targeted radiogland therapy approved by the FDA for the treatment of an advanced type of prostate cancer. There were generally positive reactions from HCPs stating it is a much needed option for patients even though it had a slightly odd name.
Great news finally!!! Today @FDAOncology approved Lutetium-177-PSMA-617 PLUVICTO for metastatic CRPC #ProstateCancer after prior ARAT/NHT and taxane. @OncLiveSOSS @urotoday @PCF_Science Weblink 👉 https://t.co/BeXRhWR4ZQ pic.twitter.com/PYwXkCVjvj
— Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO (@neerajaiims) March 23, 2022
Finally! FDA approves 177Lu-PSMA-617. Somewhat odd name (Pluvicto). Can't wait to see the prescribing information.
— Thomas Hope (@thomashopemd) March 23, 2022
HCPs also shared the news of the FDA’s approval of Vonjo (pacritinib) for the treatment of adults with a subtype of myelofibrosis. HCPs celebrated this approval, heralding it as an important step forward and voiced hope for more global approvals to follow.
Great news FDA approval of pacritinib or vonjo for treatment of MF patients with severe thrombocytopenia… important step forwards! hopefully more global approvals to follow! @MPNVoice @G_ICEMD @MPNSM Great to have positive information in troubled times!! Stay safe all
— Claire Harrison (@harrisoncn1) March 1, 2022
HCPs also commented on Bristol Myers Squibb’s product Opdivo (nivolumab), which was recently approved by the FDA for use with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in certain adult patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). HCPs spoke positively about this approval describing it as a major advance for patients with NSCLC.
A major advance for patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer with the FDA approval of neoadjuvant chemotherapy + nivolumab based on CheckMate-816. Thank you to all the clinical trial participants! https://t.co/Wxv2xWxSzb
— Mark Awad (@DrMarkAwad) March 5, 2022
Another nivolumab based treatment for BMS also received approval in March, with the FDA recommending Opdualag (relatlimab and nivolumab) for patients who are 12 years of age or older and who have unresectable or metastatic melanoma. HCPs again responded well to this approval, voicing their happiness for having another frontline treatment option for melanoma.
@HTawbi_MD @MDAndersonNews on the FDA Approval of Relatlimab/Nivolumab in Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma https://t.co/8OtkPjYIYe via @onclive
Wonderful news for our melanoma patients to have a new front line treatment option!— Dr. Jennifer McQuade (@mcquadeMDLAc) March 19, 2022
Finally, a talking point for HCPs at the end of the month was the FDA’s decision to approve a fourth COVID-19 shot for both Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines in those aged 50 and older. HCPs continued to be positive about the vaccines and encouraged the public to join them in getting a second booster jab.
Got my 4th shot of the #COVID19 vaccine after todays FDA approval
Getting vaccinated not only lowers my risk, but more importantly lowers my risk of unknowingly spreading the virus to those who might not fare well if they’re infected.
Honored to help keep those around me safer pic.twitter.com/LwQYSQ3scd
— LGBTQ Shrink (@DrRonHolt) March 29, 2022
The three most shared links from HCPs discussing product launches in February were:
- A Bristol Myers Squibb press release about the FDA approval of Opdivo with chemotherapy as treatment for NSCLC
- An OncLive article about the FDA approval of Pluvicto for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer
- An OncLive article about the FDA approval of Relatlimab plus Nivolumab for unresectable or metastatic melanoma
Each month, CREATION.co tracks the HCP conversation relating to new product launches.
You can keep up to date with this and a variety of other topics including virtual congress, healthcare changes since the pandemic, product development and therapy area specific insights within the Tracking section of CREATION Knowledge, or sign up to receive our monthly eJournal with all of our latest HCP insights.
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Methodology
- Using CREATION Pinpoint® the English-language Twitter conversations of HCPs globally discussing new pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals between 1 March and 31 March 2022 were analysed in order to discover which new product launches HCPs are discussing as well as #WhatHCPsThink.
- Mentions of drug approvals by the FDA, EMA, NICE, and CHMP were included in the data, as well as mentions of ‘drug approval’ by HCPs in their Twitter conversations.
- Between 1 March and 31 March 2022, there were 3,212 HCP mentions of new pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals from 2,225 unique HCP authors from around the world.
