Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Comment
  • Published:

FDA approvals in 2023: biomarker-positive subsets, equipoise and verification of benefit

In 2023, the US FDA approved several new cancer drugs and biologic agents, including seven small-molecule inhibitors, four bispecific T cell engagers, two anti-PD-1 antibodies and one cell therapy product. Regulatory focus areas included analyses of biomarker-positive subgroups that drive efficacy, equipoise in randomized controlled trials and a new authority to require confirmatory trials be underway before accelerated approval.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. FDA. Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) meeting. fda.gov, https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-calendar/april-28-2023-meeting-oncologic-drugs-advisory-committee-meeting-announcement-04282023 (28 April 2023).

  2. FDA. Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) meeting. fda.gov, https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-calendar/november-16-2023-meeting-oncologic-drugs-advisory-committee-meeting-announcement-11162023 (16 November 2023).

  3. FDA. Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) meeting. fda.gov, https://www.fda.gov/media/172696/download (5 October 2023).

  4. Amgen. Amgen provides regulatory update on status on Lumakras (sotorasib). Amgen, https://www.amgen.com/newsroom/press-releases/2023/12/amgen-provides-regulatory-update-on-status-of-lumakras-sotorasib (26 December 2023).

  5. FDA. Project Optimus. fda.gov, https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/oncology-center-excellence/project-optimus (accessed 30 January 2024).

  6. FDA. Project Pragmatica. fda.gov, https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/oncology-center-excellence/project-pragmatica (accessed 30 January 2024).

  7. Jungmeyer, E. Pragmatic approach to trial design born from Lung-MAP substudy. ilcn.org, https://www.ilcn.org/pragmatic-approach-to-trial-design-born-from-lung-map-substudy/ (21 March 2023).

  8. FDA. Project Equity. fda.gov, https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/oncology-center-excellence/project-equity (accessed 30 January 2024).

  9. FDA. Project Endpoint. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/oncology-center-excellence/project-endpoint#:~:Text=The%20Oncology%20Center%20of%20Excellence,uses%20for%20early%2C%20novel%20endpoints (accessed 30 January 2024).

  10. AACR. FDA-AACR-ASA Workshop: Overall Survival in Oncology Clinical Trials. aacr.org, https://www.aacr.org/professionals/policy-and-advocacy/regulatory-science-and-policy/events/fda-aacr-asa-workshop-overall-survival-in-oncology-clinical-trials/ (18 July 2023).

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank P. Kluetz and M. Theoret (both of the US FDA) for their assistance with writing this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kelly J. Norsworthy.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Supplementary information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Norsworthy, K.J., Lee-Alonzo, R.J. & Pazdur, R. FDA approvals in 2023: biomarker-positive subsets, equipoise and verification of benefit. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 21, 333–334 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-024-00871-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-024-00871-5

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing: Cancer

Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Cancer newsletter — what matters in cancer research, free to your inbox weekly.

Get what matters in cancer research, free to your inbox weekly. Sign up for Nature Briefing: Cancer