Eisai will discontinue Tazverik (tazemetostat) use in Japan after safety reviews identified cases of secondary hematologic malignancies. The move follows Ipsen’s withdrawal in other markets and a Class-1 recall in China.
Written By: Anand Sathappan, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Eisai Co., Ltd. announced that administration of the anticancer medicine Tazverik® (tazemetostat hydrobromide) will be discontinued in Japan following a safety review that identified cases of secondary hematologic malignancies in patients treated with the drug.
The decision follows Eisai’s evaluation of global safety data, including findings from overseas clinical trials such as the SYMPHONY-1 study, as well as post-marketing safety reports from Japan and other countries. According to the company, multiple cases of secondary blood cancers were observed in patients receiving tazemetostat either as monotherapy or in combination regimens.
After a comprehensive review of the available evidence, Eisai concluded that the potential risk of developing secondary hematologic malignancies must be carefully considered even under the currently approved conditions of use in Japan. As a precautionary step, the company is advising physicians to stop initiating new treatment with Tazverik and consider discontinuing therapy for patients currently receiving the drug.
Eisai stated that it is communicating directly with medical institutions where the medicine is prescribed to ensure patient safety and to minimize disruption to ongoing care. The company added that sales of the product in Japan will be discontinued once it confirms that the drug is no longer being administered to any patients.
The move comes after Ipsen recently announced the voluntary withdrawal of tazemetostat in the United States and other markets following a similar safety evaluation. Regulatory actions related to the drug have also expanded internationally. In China, authorities initiated a Class-1 drug recall for tazemetostat products after safety concerns linked to secondary malignancies were identified.
Tazverik is an EZH2 inhibitor originally developed for certain cancers driven by epigenetic dysregulation, including epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma. The drug works by inhibiting the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) enzyme, which plays a key role in tumor cell growth through gene expression regulation.
Eisai said it will continue providing updated safety information to healthcare professionals as additional data become available.
Reference
Regarding Discontinuation of Administration of “Tazverik® Tablets 200mg” (tazemetostat hydrobromide), 19 March 2026, No.26-15
About the Writer
Anand Sathappan is a pharmacy graduate with interests in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, and medical writing. He also holds certification in medical coding and has familiarity with pharmacology and healthcare documentation. He has completed the Medical Writing Skills for Beginners program offered by the International Medical Writers Association (IMWA). His work focuses on exploring developments in pharmaceuticals and presenting scientific information in a clear and structured manner.
