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Medications for Synovial Sarcoma

Other names: Malignant Synovioma; Synovial Cell Sarcoma

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 5, 2024.

Synovial sarcoma is a type of soft tissue sarcoma that occurs primarily in the soft tissue of the extremities, but can also occur in other areas of the body. It most commonly affects young adults.

Most cases of synovial sarcoma are associated with a gene mutation caused by chromosomal translocation t(X;18) (p11;q11) where parts of chromosome 18 and chromosome X switch places.

Synovial sarcoma usually presents as a painless swelling or mass in soft tissues around large joints such as the knees, hips, ankles and shoulders.

The primary treatment for synovial sarcoma is surgery to remove the entire tumor with a clear margin to make sure that all cancer cells have been removed from the area. Radiotherapy may be used before or after surgery to reduce the risk of leaving cancer cells behind. Chemotherapy can be used when the synovial sarcoma is advanced (unable to be removed) or has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body).

Tecelra (afamitresgene autoleucel) is the first gene therapy approved by the FDA for the treatment of synovial sarcoma. Tecelra is an autologous T cell immunotherapy composed of a patient’s own T cells which have been modified to express a T cell receptor that targets MAGE-A4, a protein that can be expressed by synovial sarcoma cells. Tecelra is a single dose infusion that works to recognize and attack the synovial sarcoma cells that express MAGE-A4.

Drugs used to treat Synovial Sarcoma

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Tecelra Rate Add review Rx U
Generic name:
afamitresgene autoleucel systemic
For consumers:

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.