Anvisa approves oral medication to treat brain tumors

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) this week approved the registration of the drug Voranigo® (vorasidenib), an enzyme inhibitor, available in the form of daily tablets produced by the pharmaceutical company Servier and used in the treatment of brain cancer.

In a statement, the pharmaceutical company reported that the drug is indicated for patients aged 12 and over with specific types of diffuse gliomas called astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas, low grade (grade 2), with mutations in the IDH 1 or 2 enzyme, who have already undergone a surgical procedure and who do not have an indication for immediate radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

According to Servier, vorasidenib works by blocking the mutated IDH1 and IDH2 enzymes, which are responsible for producing substances that stimulate the growth of tumor cells.

In an interview with Agência Brasil, oncologist Fernando Maluf described the drug's approval as the biggest breakthrough in the field of gliomas in the last 20 years. "Gliomas are the most common brain tumors. Low-grade ones predominantly affect a very young population, which begins developing these tumors from childhood and adolescence through young adulthood."

"Low-grade tumors only have radiotherapy and chemotherapy as alternatives. This medication offers a very special alternative to avoid further surgery, radiotherapy, or more aggressive medications. It significantly reduces the risk of disease progression while maintaining good tolerability," the doctor added.