FDA Approves Sylvant for Rare Castleman's Disease

FDA has approved siltuximab (Sylvant) to treat patients with multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), a rare disorder similar to lymphoma that causes abnormal overgrowth of immune cells and lymph nodes and related tissues.  People with MCD often have serious infections, fevers, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, and nerve damage that can cause weakness and numbness.  The disease can weaken the immune system, making it hard to fight infections.  Sylvant is an injection that works by blocking a protein that stimulates abnormal growth of immune cells. It is intended for patients with MCD who do not have HIV or human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8). Sylvant is marketed by Janssen Biotech Inc., and is the first FDA-approved drug to treat MCD.  

[1] FDA News Release, "FDA approves Sylvant for rare Castleman's disease," April 23, 2014.
[2] NIH, Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD), Multicentric Castleman's Disease.