Eflornithine (Iwilfin)

Mechanism of action

From the NCI Drug Dictionary: A difluoromethylated ornithine compound with antineoplastic activity. Eflornithine irreversibly inhibits ornithine decarboxylase, an enzyme required for polyamine biosynthesis, thereby inhibiting the formation and proliferation of tumor cells.

Diseases for which it is used

• Neuroblastoma

History of changes in FDA indication

• 2023-12-13: Approved to reduce the risk of relapse in adult and pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) who have demonstrated at least a partial response to prior multiagent, multimodality therapy including anti-GD2 immunotherapy. (Based on NMTRC003B)

Also known as

• Code names: MDL-71782, RMI-71782
• Generic names: DFMO, difluoromethylornithine
• Brand names: Iwilfin, Ornidyl