FDA panel recommends approval of new lymphoma drug

Update [Sept. 28]: The FDA approves pralatrexate. Read more...Last winter, we first reported on a promising new drug called pralatrexate for peripheral T-cell lymphoma, and today, a medical advisory panel that makes recommendations to the Food and Drug Administration backed the drug for approval in a 10-4 vote.

Although not always, the FDA typically follows the panel's advice.The drug, made by Allos Therapeutics, would be sold under the brand name Folotyn. The FDA is expected to make its decision by September 24.

Check out our lymphoma feature from the Spring 2009 issue, which includes more about pralatrexate. There's also a pretty cool illustration showing how the drug works.