Plegridy Pen and Toremifene Citrate

• Generic Name: peginterferon beta-1a
• Dosage Forms: subcutaneous injection
• Other Brand Names: Plegridy, Plegridy Pen, Plegridy Pen Starter Pack, Plegridy Starter Pack

Peginterferon beta-1a injection is used to treat the relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This medicine will not cure MS, but it may slow some of the disabling effects and decrease the number of relapses of the disease. Peginterferons are natural substances that are produced in the body to help fight infections. Peginterferon beta-1a is a synthetic (man-made) version of these substances.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

• Generic Name: toremifene
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Fareston

Palliative treatment of metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women with estrogen-receptor positive or estrogen-receptor unknown tumors (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use). Not recommended for treatment of estrogen-receptor negative breast tumors. Similar efficacy and toxicity as tamoxifen. Not known whether toremifene offers a therapeutic advantage over tamoxifen for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in eligible patients.

Under investigation for use as adjuvant therapy for early-stage breast cancer in node-positive postmenopausal women. Results from trials to date suggest similar efficacy and toxicity as tamoxifen.

Efficacy in treatment of advanced breast cancer in men not demonstrated.

Because of demonstrated cross-resistance with tamoxifen, usefulness of toremifene as second-line endocrine therapy for treatment of metastatic breast cancer refractory to tamoxifen appears to be limited.

Under investigation as a preventive agent for prostate cancer in men with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and no evidence of prostate cancer.