Moorestown, New Jersey, United States
BIOTECNOVA™
COVID-19 early treatment: real-time analysis of 1,157 studies
BIOTECNOVA™ -Second Group Page
BIOTECNOVA™ -First Group Page
BIOTECNOVA™
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus bevacizumab
Press Release: Dupixent® significantly reduced COPD exacerbations in second positive Phase 3 trial, accelerating FDA submission and confirming potential to become first approved biologic for this serious disease
November 27, 2023
Dupixent® significantly reduced COPD exacerbations in second positive Phase 3 trial, accelerating FDA submission and confirming potential to become first approved biologic for this serious disease
- NOTUS trial met its primary endpoint with overwhelming efficacy, showing Dupixent significantly reduced exacerbations by 34% compared to placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD with evidence of type 2 inflammation (ie, blood eosinophils ≥300 cells per μL), confirming results from the landmark BOREAS pivotal trial
- Dupixent rapidly and significantly improved lung function (139 mL in FEV1) compared to placebo (57 mL in FEV1) at 12 weeks
- Supplemental BLA submission planned by end of 2023
- Approximately 300,000 people in the U.S. alone live with uncontrolled COPD with evidence of type 2 inflammation; no new treatment approaches approved for more than a decade
Paris and Tarrytown, N.Y. November 27, 2023. The second Dupixent® (dupilumab) investigational Phase 3 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) trial (NOTUS) has shown that Dupixent significantly reduced (34%) exacerbations, confirming positive published results from the landmark Phase 3 BOREAS trial. The NOTUS trial also confirmed that treatment with Dupixent led to rapid and significant improvements in lung function by 12 weeks and were sustained at 52 weeks. The NOTUS trial evaluated the investigational use of Dupixent compared to placebo in adults currently on maximal standard-of-care inhaled therapy (triple therapy) with uncontrolled COPD and evidence of type 2 inflammation (i.e., blood eosinophils ≥300 cells per μL). These results were from an interim analysis and, given the overwhelming positive efficacy of the primary endpoint, will be considered the primary analysis of the trial. Sanofi and Regeneron plan to submit the data from this replicate trial, along with positive results from the Phase 3 BOREAS trial, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of the year.
Naimish Patel, M.D.
Head of Global Development, Immunology and Inflammation at Sanofi
“This is the first and only time an investigational biologic in COPD has shown a significant and clinically meaningful reduction in exacerbations in two Phase 3 trials and we are pleased that we can potentially deliver Dupixent faster to patients in need where no new advancements have been identified in over a decade. These data validate our belief that Dupixent has the potential to transform the treatment of moderate-to-severe COPD and given the significant unmet needs for patients with uncontrolled COPD, we are not stopping with Dupixent. Our second program in COPD, itepekimab, continues with data expected in 2025. If positive, Dupixent and itepekimab could emerge as treatments for approximately 80% of those suffering from moderate-to-severe COPD with recurrent exacerbations.”
Earlier this year, the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for Dupixent as an add-on maintenance treatment in adult patients with uncontrolled COPD associated with a history of exacerbations and an eosinophilic phenotype based on the positive results from BOREAS.
George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D.
Board Co-Chair, President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron
“We are highly encouraged by these remarkable results from NOTUS showing a 34% reduction in COPD exacerbations compared to placebo, confirming the unprecedented results from our first Phase 3 trial, BOREAS. These results demonstrate the important role of type 2 inflammation in yet another chronic and debilitating disease, and the ability of Dupixent to address this inflammation. We are working to submit these data rapidly to the FDA.”
The NOTUS trial included 935 adults who were current or former smokers aged 40 to 85 years and randomized to receive Dupixent (n=470) or placebo (n=465), which was added to maximal standard-of-care inhaled therapy. Patients receiving Dupixent compared to placebo experienced:
- 34% reduction in moderate or severe acute COPD exacerbations over 52 weeks (p=0.0002), the primary endpoint.
- Improved lung function from baseline by 139 mL at 12 weeks compared to 57 mL for placebo (p=0.0001), with the benefit versus placebo sustained at week 52 (115 mL for Dupixent versus 54 mL for placebo, p=0.0182), both of which were key secondary endpoints.
The safety results were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved indications. Overall rates of adverse events (AE) were 67% for Dupixent and 66% for placebo. AEs more commonly observed with Dupixent (≥5% and ≥1% imbalance) compared to placebo included COVID-19 (9.4% Dupixent, 8.2% placebo), nasopharyngitis (6.2% Dupixent, 5.2% placebo), and headache (7.5% Dupixent, 6.5% placebo). AEs more commonly observed with placebo compared to Dupixent included COPD (7.8% placebo, 4.9% Dupixent). AEs leading to deaths were 2.6% for Dupixent and 1.5% for placebo.
Detailed results from the NOTUS trial are planned for presentation at a future scientific forum.
The efficacy results in NOTUS were consistent with the previously announced results in BOREAS. BOREAS results showed:
- 30% reduction in moderate or severe acute COPD exacerbations over 52 weeks (p=0.0005), the primary endpoint.
- Improved lung function from baseline by 160 mL at 12 weeks compared to 77 mL for placebo (p<0.0001), with the benefit versus placebo sustained through week 52 (p=0.0003).
The safety results in NOTUS were also consistent with those previously announced in BOREAS. Overall rates of AEs in BOREAS were 77% for Dupixent and 76% for placebo. AEs more commonly observed with Dupixent compared to placebo included headache (8.1% Dupixent, 6.8% placebo), diarrhea (5.3% Dupixent, 3.6% placebo) and back pain (5.1% Dupixent, 3.4% placebo). AEs more commonly observed with placebo compared to Dupixent included upper respiratory tract infection (9.8% placebo, 7.9% Dupixent), hypertension (6.0% placebo, 3.6% Dupixent) and COVID-19 (5.7% placebo, 4.1% Dupixent). AEs leading to deaths were 1.5% for Dupixent and 1.7% for placebo.
The European Medicines Agency is reviewing Sanofi and Regeneron’s application for Dupixent for the treatment of uncontrolled COPD with type 2 inflammation; this application is based on results from the BOREAS trial. Discussions with other regulatory authorities around the world are ongoing.
The safety and efficacy of Dupixent in COPD are currently under clinical investigation and have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About COPD
COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide and a life-threatening respiratory disease that damages the lungs and causes progressive lung function decline. Symptoms include persistent cough, breathlessness and excessive mucus production that may not only impair the ability to perform routine daily activities, but can also lead to anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. COPD is also associated with a significant health and economic burden due to recurrent acute exacerbations that require systemic corticosteroid treatment and/or lead to hospitalization or even death. Smoking and exposure to noxious particles are key risk factors for COPD, but even individuals who quit smoking can still develop or continue having the disease. In the U.S. alone, approximately 300,000 people live with uncontrolled COPD with evidence of type 2 inflammation.
About the Dupixent COPD Phase 3 Trial Program
NOTUS and BOREAS are replicate, randomized, Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in adults who were current or former smokers with moderate-to-severe COPD aged 40 to 85 years in NOTUS and 40 to 80 years in BOREAS. Enrolling a total of 1,874 patients, all patients in NOTUS and BOREAS had evidence of type 2 inflammation, as measured by blood eosinophils ≥300 cells per µL. Patients with a diagnosis or history of asthma were excluded from the trials.
During the 52-week treatment period, patients in NOTUS and BOREAS received Dupixent or placebo every two weeks added to a maximal standard-of-care inhaled triple therapy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long-acting beta agonists (LABA), and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA). Double maintenance therapy, which included LABA and LAMA, was allowed if ICS was contraindicated.
The primary endpoint for NOTUS and BOREAS evaluated the annualized rate of acute moderate or severe COPD exacerbations. Moderate exacerbations were defined as those requiring systemic steroids and/or antibiotics. Severe exacerbations were defined as those: requiring hospitalization; requiring more than a day of observation in an emergency department or urgent care facility; or resulting in death. Key secondary endpoints included change from baseline in lung function (assessed by pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume [FEV1]) at 12 and 52 weeks.
Data from BOREAS were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
About Sanofi and Regeneron’s COPD Clinical Research Program
Sanofi and Regeneron are motivated to transform the treatment paradigm of COPD by examining the role different types of inflammation play in the disease progression through the investigation of two potentially first-in-class biologics, Dupixent and itepekimab.
Dupixent inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and the program focuses on a specific population of people with evidence of type 2 inflammation. Itepekimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits interleukin-33 (IL-33), an initiator and amplifier of broad inflammation in COPD. Across both programs, four Phase 3 trials are ongoing and designed to inform next-generation treatments for people with COPD who might not have other options.
Itepekimab is currently under clinical investigation and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Dupixent
Dupixent is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and prurigo nodularis.
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP, EoE or prurigo nodularis in different age populations. Dupixent is currently approved for one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries, including in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. Approximately 750,000 patients are being treated with Dupixent globally.
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Sanofi and Regeneron under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more than 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.
In addition to the currently approved indications, Sanofi and Regeneron are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in Phase 3 trials, including pediatric EoE, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic pruritus of unknown origin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with evidence of type 2 inflammation and bullous pemphigoid. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops, and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 35 years by physician-scientists, Regeneron’s unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous FDA-approved treatments and product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in Regeneron’s laboratories. Regeneron’s medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases, and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through its proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune®, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For additional information about Regeneron, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow Regeneron on LinkedIn.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY
Attachment
Sanofi reports positive Phase 3 data on Dupixent for COPD
Nov. 27, 2023 6:29 AM ET
By: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor3 Comments
Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) on Monday reported positive data from a second Phase 3 trial of Dupixent (dupilumab) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Dupixent was found to significantly reduce COPD exacerbations by 34% compared to placebo, meeting the primary endpoint of the trial with "overwhelming" efficacy. The patients in the trial had moderate-to-severe COPD with evidence of type 2 inflammation.
Sanofi (SNY) and partner Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN) plan to submit the data from this replicate trial, along with results from the first positive Phase 3 trial, to the U.S. FDA by the end of 2023.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4040233-sanofi-reports-positive-phase-3-data-on-dupixent-for-copd
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus bevacizumab
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus bevacizumab
Imfinzi plus bevacizumab met primary endpoint for progression-free survival in liver cancer eligible for embolisation in EMERALD-1 Phase III trial
PUBLISHED9 November 2023
First global Phase III trial to show improved clinical outcome for systemic therapy in combination with transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) in this setting
Positive high-level results from the EMERALD-1 Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) and bevacizumab demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) versus TACE alone in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) eligible for embolisation. The trial continues to follow the secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS).
Liver cancer, of which HCC is the most common type, is the third-leading cause of cancer death with an estimated 900,000 people worldwide diagnosed each year.1,2 Approximately 20-30% of patients are eligible for embolisation, a procedure that blocks the blood supply to the tumour and can also deliver chemotherapy or radiation therapy directly to the liver.3-9 Despite being the standard of care in this setting, most patients who receive embolisation experience rapid disease progression or recurrence.10-14
Dr. Riccardo Lencioni, Professor and Director of the Cancer Imaging Program in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology of Pisa University Hospital in Pisa, Italy, and principal investigator in the trial, said: “Patients with liver cancer eligible for embolisation experience high rates of progression or recurrence and do not have the opportunity for early intervention with effective systemic therapy. These results for durvalumab plus bevacizumab have the potential to reshape the treatment of this complex disease with a poor prognosis by showing for the first time that adding an immunotherapy combination to TACE significantly improves progression-free survival.”
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “These positive results for Imfinzi-based treatment in EMERALD-1 may bring the potential of immunotherapy to patients with earlier stages of liver cancer. We look forward to discussing these data with regulatory authorities and seeing the survival data mature over time, which will be important as we aim to bring this novel treatment option to patients.”
The safety profiles for Imfinzi and TACE plus bevacizumab were consistent with the known profile of each medicine, and there were no new safety findings.
The data will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting and shared with regulatory authorities.
AstraZeneca has an extensive clinical development programme further assessing Imfinzi across multiple gastrointestinal (GI) cancer settings, including in combination with bevacizumab in adjuvant HCC (EMERALD-2) and in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab), lenvatinib and TACE in embolisation-eligible HCC (EMERALD-3).
Notes
Liver cancer
Liver cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.1-2 Asia holds more than 70% of the world’s new liver cancer cases.15 About 75% of all primary liver cancers in adults are HCC.1 Between 80-90% of all patients with HCC also have cirrhosis.16 Chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis are associated with inflammation that over time can lead to the development of HCC.16 Immunotherapy is a proven treatment modality in HCC with approved options available for patients in later-line settings.17
EMERALD-1
EMERALD-1 is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi plus TACE concurrently, followed by Imfinzi with or without bevacizumab until progression versus TACE alone in a total of 616 patients with unresectable HCC eligible for embolisation.
The trial was conducted in 157 centres across 18 countries, including in North America, Australia, Europe, South America and Asia. The primary endpoint was PFS for Imfinzi and TACE plus bevacizumab versus TACE alone, and secondary endpoints include PFS for Imfinzi plus TACE, overall survival, patient-reported outcomes and objective response rate.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is approved in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) in locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC) and in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab) in unresectable HCC in the US, EU, Japan and many other countries based on the TOPAZ-1 and HIMALAYA Phase III trials, respectively.
In addition to its indications in GI cancers, Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy and the global standard of care in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. Additionally, Imfinzi is approved in combination with a short course of Imjudo and chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC in the US, EU and Japan based on the POSEIDON Phase III trial. Imfinzi is approved in previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in a small number of countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 200,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several GI cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours. In 2023, AstraZeneca announced positive results for Phase III trials including combinations with Imfinzi in ovarian (DUO-O) and endometrial (DUO-E) cancers, as well as in resectable NSCLC (AEGEAN).
In addition to the EMERALD programme across multiple liver cancer settings, AstraZeneca has ongoing registrational trials investigating Imfinzi in resectable gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers (MATTERHORN) and in locally advanced oesophageal cancer (KUNLUN). In June 2023, Imfinzi added to standard-of-care neoadjuvant chemotherapy met a key secondary endpoint of pathologic complete response in the MATTERHORN Phase III trial.
AstraZeneca in GI cancers
AstraZeneca has a broad development programme for the treatment of GI cancers across several medicines and a variety of tumour types and stages of disease. In 2020, GI cancers collectively represented approximately 5.1 million new cancer cases leading to approximately 3.6 million deaths.18
Within this programme, the Company is committed to improving outcomes in gastric, liver, biliary tract, oesophageal, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
In addition to its indications in BTC and HCC, Imfinzi is being assessed in combinations, including with Imjudo, in liver, oesophageal and gastric cancers in an extensive development programme spanning early to late-stage disease across settings.
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate, is approved in the US and several other countries for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer and is being assessed in colorectal cancer. Enhertu is jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
Lynparza (olaparib), a first-in-class PARP inhibitor, is approved the US and several other countries for the treatment of BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. Lynparza is developed and commercialised in collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. inside the US and Canada).
AstraZeneca also recently entered into a global exclusive license agreement with KYM Biosciences Inc. for AZD0901. AZD0901 is a potential first-in-class antibody drug conjugate targeting Claudin 18.2, a promising therapeutic target in gastric cancer, currently in Phase I development.
AstraZeneca in immuno-oncology (IO)
AstraZeneca is a pioneer in introducing the concept of immunotherapy into dedicated clinical areas of high unmet medical need. The Company has a comprehensive and diverse IO portfolio and pipeline anchored in immunotherapies designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response and stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours.
AstraZeneca aims to reimagine cancer care and help transform outcomes for patients with Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with Imjudo as well as other novel immunotherapies and modalities. The Company is also exploring next-generation immunotherapies like bispecific antibodies and therapeutics that harness different aspects of immunity to target cancer.
AstraZeneca is boldly pursuing an innovative clinical strategy to bring IO-based therapies that deliver long-term survival to new settings across a wide range of cancer types. With an extensive clinical programme, the Company also champions the use of IO treatment in earlier disease stages, where there is the greatest potential for cure.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca succeeds in Phase 3 trial for liver cancer drug combo
Nov. 09, 2023 6:54 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)RHHBY, RHHBF
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) announced Thursday that its anti-PD-L1 agent Imfinzi (durvalumab) as a combination therapy reached the main goal in a Phase 3 trial for patients with liver cancer who are eligible for a medical procedure known as embolization.
The company already markets Imfinzi for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, in combination with the human monoclonal antibody Imjudo (tremelimumab).
Citing data from its EMERALD-1 Phase 3 trial, the British drugmaker said that HCC patients who received Imfinzi as a combination regimen indicated an improvement in the trial's primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS).
EMERALD-1 enrolled 616 patients who received the experimental therapy with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and bevacizumab, a cancer drug marketed by Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY) as Avastin.
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)RHHBY, RHHBF
https://www.avastin.com/patient/mcrc.html
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin
FDA Approves Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin as Treatment for Patients With Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer
November 1, 2023 6:45 am ET
Approval based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-966 trial, which demonstrated significant overall survival benefit in these patients versus chemotherapy alone
Approval marks sixth gastrointestinal cancer indication for KEYTRUDA-based regimens in the US
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, for the treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC). The approval was based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-966 trial, in which KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the study’s primary endpoint of overall survival (OS), reducing the risk of death by 17% (HR=0.83 [95% CI, 0.72-0.95]; one-sided p=0.0034) compared to chemotherapy alone at the trial’s pre-specified final analysis for OS. Median OS was 12.7 months (95% CI, 11.5-13.6) for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus 10.9 months (95% CI, 9.9-11.6) for chemotherapy alone. This approval marks the sixth indication for KEYTRUDA in gastrointestinal cancers.
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue and can affect more than one body system simultaneously. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time during or after treatment with KEYTRUDA, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, solid organ transplant rejection, and complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management of immune-mediated adverse reactions are essential to ensure safe use of KEYTRUDA. Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, KEYTRUDA should be withheld or permanently discontinued and corticosteroids administered if appropriate. KEYTRUDA can also cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. For more information, see “Selected Important Safety Information” below.
“Cancers of the biliary tract can be highly aggressive tumors, underscoring the need for additional treatment options for the growing number of patients facing this challenging disease,” said Dr. Robin Kate Kelley, professor of clinical medicine in the division of hematology/oncology, University of California, San Francisco. “Today's approval of pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy offers patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer a new immunotherapy regimen that has demonstrated the potential to help these patients live longer.”
“Many patients with biliary tract cancer are diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease, at which point they are not eligible for surgery and face poor survival outcomes with limited treatment options,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of late-stage oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “With this approval, Merck is proud to offer a new treatment option to certain patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer, and their healthcare providers, that has shown an overall survival benefit compared to chemotherapy alone.”
Study design and additional data supporting the approval
KEYNOTE-966 is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04003636) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin for the treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic BTC who had not received prior systemic therapy in the advanced disease setting. The trial enrolled 1,069 patients.
Patients were randomized (1:1) to KEYTRUDA (200 mg) on Day 1 plus gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2) and cisplatin (25 mg/m2) on Day 1 and Day 8 every three weeks (n=533), or placebo on Day 1 plus gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2) and cisplatin (25 mg/m2) on Day 1 and Day 8 every three weeks (n=536). Study medications were administered via intravenous infusion. Treatment continued until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. For KEYTRUDA, treatment continued for a maximum of 35 cycles (or approximately 24 months). For gemcitabine, treatment could be continued beyond eight cycles, while for cisplatin, treatment could be administered for a maximum of eight cycles. Administration of KEYTRUDA with chemotherapy was permitted beyond RECIST-defined disease progression if the patient was clinically stable and considered by the investigator to be deriving clinical benefit. Assessment of tumor status was performed at baseline and then every six weeks through 54 weeks, followed by every 12 weeks thereafter.
The major efficacy outcome measure was OS. Additional efficacy outcome measures were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) according to RECIST v1.1, modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of five target lesions per organ.
At the trial’s pre-specified final analysis for PFS and ORR, KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 14% (HR=0.86 [95% CI, 0.75-1.00]) compared to chemotherapy alone. Median PFS was 6.5 months (95% CI, 5.7-6.9) for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus 5.6 months (95% CI, 5.1-6.6) for chemotherapy alone; however, this result did not reach statistical significance at this analysis. The ORR for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy was 29% (95% CI, 25-33), with a complete response (CR) rate of 2.1% (n=11) and a partial response (PR) rate of 27% (n=142), and the ORR for chemotherapy alone was 29% (95% CI, 25-33), with a CR rate of 1.3% (n=7) and a PR rate of 27% (n=146). At the trial’s pre-specified final analysis for OS, median DOR was 8.3 months (95% CI, 6.9-10.2) for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy (n=156) versus 6.8 months (95% CI, 5.7-7.1) for chemotherapy alone (n=152).
The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was six months (range, 1 day to 28 months). KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 15% of patients. The most common adverse reaction resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA (≥1%) was pneumonitis (1.3%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 55% of patients; the most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) were decreased neutrophil count (18%), decreased platelet count (10%), anemia (6%), decreased white blood count (4%), pyrexia (3.8%), fatigue (3.0%), cholangitis (2.8%), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (2.6%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (2.5%) and biliary obstruction (2.3%).
In the KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy arms, there was a difference of ≥5% incidence in adverse reactions between patients who received KEYTRUDA versus placebo for pyrexia (26% vs. 20%), rash (21% vs. 13%), pruritus (15% vs. 10%) and hypothyroidism (9% vs. 2.6%). There were no clinically meaningful differences in incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity between arms.
There was a difference of ≥5% incidence in laboratory abnormalities between patients who received KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy for decreased lymphocytes (69% vs. 61%). There were no clinically meaningful differences in incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity between arms.
About biliary tract cancer
Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a group of rare and highly aggressive cancers in the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. Biliary tract cancer is the second most common type of primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for approximately 15% of all liver cancers. In the U.S., there are about 20,000 patients diagnosed with BTC each year. Biliary tract cancer is most frequently diagnosed in patients between 50 and 70 years old, and approximately 70% of BTC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Patients diagnosed with BTC face a very poor prognosis, with a five-year relative survival rate of 2-3% for those diagnosed with advanced disease and 9-11% for those diagnosed across all stages.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD- L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Biliary Tract Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma (BTC).
Pediatric Use
In KEYNOTE-051, 173 pediatric patients (65 pediatric patients aged 6 months to younger than 12 years and 108 pediatric patients aged 12 years to 17 years) were administered KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks. The median duration of exposure was 2.1 months (range: 1 day to 25 months).
Adverse reactions that occurred at a ≥10% higher rate in pediatric patients when compared to adults were pyrexia (33%), leukopenia (31%), vomiting (29%), neutropenia (28%), headache (25%), abdominal pain (23%), thrombocytopenia (22%), anemia (17%), decreased lymphocyte count (13%), and decreased white blood cell count (11%).
Additional Selected KEYTRUDA Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) NSCLC in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma:
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval of this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase (mut/Mb)] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About the Merck Access Program for KEYTRUDA
At Merck, we are committed to supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines. Merck provides multiple programs to help appropriate patients who are prescribed KEYTRUDA have access to our anti-PD-1 therapy. The Merck Access Program provides reimbursement support for patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including information to help with out-of-pocket costs and co-pay assistance for eligible patients. More information is available by calling 855-257-3932 or visiting www.merckaccessprogram-keytruda.com.
About Merck’s Patient Support Program for KEYTRUDA
Merck is committed to helping provide patients and their caregivers support throughout their treatment with KEYTRUDA. The KEY+YOU Patient Support Program provides a range of resources and support. For further information and to sign up, eligible patients may call 85-KEYTRUDA (855-398-7832) or visit www.keytruda.com.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck therapy shows improved survival in certain kidney cancer patients
Nov. 01, 2023 6:51 AM ET
By: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor
Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced on Wednesday positive trial result for its KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) anti-PD-1 therapy.
KEYTRUDA is an immunotherapy that may treat certain cancers by working with the immune system. In a Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial, the therapy met its secondary endpoint of improvement in overall survival (OS) compared to placebo in patients with renal cell carcinoma at a higher risk of recurrence following surgery.
Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus chemotherapy
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin
30 October 2023
Issued: London, UK
For media and investors only
Phase III RUBY trial of Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus chemotherapy meets endpoint of overall survival in patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer
- Statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival benefit observed in the overall population in the trial
- Dostarlimab plus chemotherapy is the only immuno-oncology combination regimen to show an overall survival benefit in this patient population
GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced positive headline results from a planned analysis of Part 1 of the RUBY/ENGOT-EN6/GOG3031/NSGO phase III trial investigating Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus standard-of-care chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel), followed by dostarlimab as a single agent, compared to placebo plus chemotherapy followed by placebo in adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. The trial met its primary endpoint of overall survival (OS), demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in the overall patient population.
A clinically meaningful OS benefit was observed in both prespecified subpopulations in the trial: mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and mismatch repair proficient (MMRp)/microsatellite stable (MSS) patient subgroups. OS is one of two primary endpoints in the RUBY Part 1 trial. Previously, the trial met its other primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), demonstrating a 72% and 36% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death observed in the dMMR/MSI-H population (HR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.16-0.50]) and overall patient population (HR: 0.64 [95% CI: 0.51–0.80]), respectively1.
Hesham Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Global Head Oncology, R&D, GSK, said: “With today’s headline results from Part 1 of the phase III RUBY trial, dostarlimab plus chemotherapy has become the only immuno-therapy combination to show a survival benefit in this broader patient population in this treatment setting. We look forward to sharing detailed results of this analysis with regulatory authorities and the larger scientific community.”
Full results from this latest analysis from the trial will be published in a medical journal and presented at an upcoming scientific meeting.
The safety and tolerability profile of dostarlimab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel was generally consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual agents. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (≥ 25%) in patients receiving dostarlimab plus chemotherapy were nausea, alopecia, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, anemia, arthralgia, constipation, diarrhoea and myalgia.
Currently, Jemperli has regulatory approvals in a certain subset of patients with endometrial cancer based on the previously reported positive results for the primary endpoint of progression-free survival in Part 1 of the RUBY trial. In July 2023, Jemperli received FDA approval in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by Jemperli as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). Jemperli was also approved in the United Kingdom in October 2023 in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with dMMR/MSI-H primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and who are candidates for systemic therapy. The application remains under review in the European Union (EU), Australia, Canada, Switzerland and Singapore.
About endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer is found in the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecologic cancer in developed countries, with approximately 417,000 new cases reported each year worldwide2, and incidence rates are expected to rise by almost 40% between 2020 and 2040.3,4 Approximately 15-20% of patients with endometrial cancer will be diagnosed with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.5
About RUBY
RUBY is a two-part global, randomised, double-blind, multicentre phase III trial of patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Part 1 is evaluating dostarlimab plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by dostarlimab versus carboplatin-paclitaxel plus placebo followed by placebo. Part 2 is evaluating dostarlimab plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by dostarlimab plus niraparib versus placebo plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by placebo.
The dual-primary endpoints in Part 1 are investigator-assessed PFS based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours v1.1 and OS. The statistical analysis plan included pre-specified analyses of PFS in the dMMR/MSI-H and ITT populations and OS in the overall population. Pre-specified exploratory analyses of PFS and OS in the MMRp/MSS population and OS in the dMMR/MSI-H populations were also performed. RUBY Part 1 included a broad population, including histologies often excluded from clinical trials and had approximately 10% of patients with carcinosarcoma and 20% with serous carcinoma. In Part 2, the primary endpoint is investigator-assessed PFS. Secondary endpoints in Part 1 and Part 2 include PFS per blinded independent central review, overall response rate, duration of response, disease control rate, patient-reported outcomes, and safety and tolerability.
About Jemperli (dostarlimab)
Jemperli is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)-blocking antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with the PD-1 ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2.6
In the US, Jemperli is indicated in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by Jemperli as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), and as a single agent for adult patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer, as determined by a US FDA-approved test, that has progressed on or following a prior platinum-containing regimen in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. The sBLA supporting the indication in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA. Jemperli is also indicated in the US for patients with dMMR recurrent or advanced solid tumours, as determined by a US FDA-approved test, that have progressed on or following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. The latter indication is approved in the US under accelerated approval based on tumour response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication in solid tumours may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
Jemperli was discovered by AnaptysBio, Inc. and licensed to TESARO, Inc., under a collaboration and exclusive license agreement signed in March 2014. The collaboration has resulted in three monospecific antibody therapies that have progressed into the clinic. These are: Jemperli (GSK4057190), a PD-1 antagonist; cobolimab, (GSK4069889), a TIM-3 antagonist; and GSK4074386, a LAG-3 antagonist. GSK is responsible for the ongoing research, development, commercialisation, and manufacturing of each of these medicines under the agreement.
Important Information for Jemperli in the EU
Indication
Jemperli is indicated as monotherapy for treating adult patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer that has progressed on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing regimen.
Refer to the Jemperli EMA Reference Information for a full list of adverse events and the complete important safety information in the EU.
GSK in oncology
GSK is committed to maximising patient survival through transformational medicines, with a current focus on breakthroughs in immuno-oncology and tumor-cell targeting therapies, and development in haematologic malignancies, gynaecologic cancers and other solid tumours.
About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.
GSK Phase 3 trial for Jemperli succeeds in endometrial cancer
Oct. 30, 2023 7:08 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- GSK (NYSE:GSK) announced Monday that its PD-1-blocking antibody Jemperli (dostarlimab) reached the primary endpoint of overall survival as a combination therapy in a Phase 3 trial for endometrial cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4026154-gsk-phase-3-trial-jemperli-succeeds-endometrial-cancer
- GSK plc (GSK), ANAB
- https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/
- https://jemperli.com/
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Groundbreaking EV-302 Trial Significantly Extends Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival in Patients Treated with PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in First-Line Advanced Bladder Cancer
10/22/2023
– Risk of death was reduced by 53% in patients treated with enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab compared to chemotherapy –
– Enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab improved median overall survival by more than 15 months vs. chemotherapy –
– Results will form the basis of global regulatory submissions –
BOTHELL, Wash. & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE:4503 “Astellas”) today announced results from the Phase 3 EV-302 clinical trial (also known as KEYNOTE-A39) for PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) versus chemotherapy. The combination improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with statistically significant and clinically meaningful results in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC). The findings were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 as part of the Presidential Session (Abstract #LBA6).
The EV-302 study met its dual primary endpoints of OS and PFS, compared to platinum and gemcitabine chemotherapy. Patients treated with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab experienced:
- Median OS of 31.5 months (95% CI: 25.4-NR) compared to 16.1 months (95% CI: 13.9-18.3) in the chemotherapy arm.
- Significantly prolonged OS, reducing the risk of death by 53% compared to treatment with chemotherapy (Hazard Ratio [HR]=0.47; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.38-0.58; P<0.00001).
- An Independent Data Monitoring Committee determined that OS crossed the pre-specified efficacy boundary at interim analysis.
- Median PFS of 12.5 months (95% CI: 10.4-16.6) compared to 6.3 months (95% CI: 6.2-6.5) in the chemotherapy arm.
- 55% reduction in the risk of cancer progression or death compared to treatment with chemotherapy (HR=0.45; 95% CI: (0.38-0.54); P<0.00001).
- Consistent OS results across all pre-defined subgroups, including cisplatin eligibility and PD-L1 expression level.
The most common (≥3%) Grade 3 or higher adverse events (AEs) related to treatment with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab were rash maculo-papular, hyperglycemia, neutropenia, peripheral sensory neuropathy, diarrhea, and anemia. The safety results in EV-302 are consistent with those previously reported with this combination in EV-103 in cisplatin-ineligible patients with la/mUC. No new safety issues were identified.
Please see Important Safety Information at the end of this press release, including BOXED WARNING for PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv).
Roger Dansey, M.D., President, Research and Development, Seagen
“The combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab, if approved, represents a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer. The results of this historic trial presented today show improvements in overall survival and progression free survival not previously achieved in a broad population of patients.”
Ahsan Arozullah, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Vice President, Head of Oncology Development, Astellas
“The remarkable findings presented today demonstrate that the combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab could offer longer survival and more time without disease progression for patients with advanced urothelial cancer. The presentation of this data is an important milestone for this patient population, and we look forward to continued discussions with regulatory authorities as we work to expedite bringing this therapy to those who need it most.”
Thomas Powles, M.R.C.P., M.D., Professor of Genitourinary Oncology at Queen Mary University of London; Director, Barts Cancer Center, London; EV-302 Primary Investigator
“An advanced urothelial cancer diagnosis is difficult for patients and their families, and physicians have limited treatment options for these patients. The results of this Phase 3 trial are unlike any we have seen so far and open a new chapter in advanced urothelial cancer treatment. This presents a great opportunity for this medicine to make a meaningful impact on advanced urothelial cancer patients, who face an urgent need for new therapies.”
Among secondary endpoints, results demonstrated a 68% confirmed objective response rate (ORR) (95% CI: 63.1-72.1, P<0.00001) in patients treated with enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab, versus an ORR of 44% (95% CI: 39.7-49.2) in patients treated with chemotherapy. In the enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab arm, 29.1% of patients experienced a complete response, and 38.7% of patients experienced a partial response, compared with 12.5% and 32.0% in the chemotherapy arm, respectively. The median duration of response (DOR) was not reached in the enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab arm, versus 7 months (95% CI: 6.2-10.2, P<0.00001) in the chemotherapy arm.
The EV-302 trial is an open-label, randomized, controlled Phase 3 study, evaluating enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated la/mUC. The study enrolled 886 patients with previously untreated la/mUC who were eligible for cisplatin- or carboplatin-containing chemotherapy regardless of PD-L1 status. Patients were randomized to receive either enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab or chemotherapy. The dual primary endpoints of this trial are OS and PFS per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR). Secondary endpoints include ORR per RECIST v1.1 by BICR, DOR per RECIST v1.1 by BICR, and safety.
The EV-302 trial is intended to serve as the basis for global submissions and as the confirmatory trial for the U.S. accelerated approval of this combination. In April 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an accelerated approval to PADCEV in combination with KEYTRUDA for the treatment of adult patients with la/mUC who are not eligible to receive cisplatin-containing chemotherapy based on tumor response rate and durability of response from the EV-103 trial. The EV-302 trial is part of an extensive program evaluating this combination in multiple stages of urothelial cancer and other solid tumors. Topline results of the EV-302 trial were announced in September 2023.
About Bladder and Urothelial Cancer
- Urothelial cancer, or bladder cancer, begins in the urothelial cells, which line the urethra, bladder, ureters, renal pelvis, and some other organs.1
- If bladder cancer has spread to surrounding organs or muscles, it is called locally advanced disease. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it is called metastatic disease. 2
- Globally, approximately 573,000 new cases of bladder cancer and 212,000 deaths are reported annually.3
- It is estimated that approximately 82,290 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023.4
- It is estimated that approximately 200,000 people in Europe and 24,000 people in Japan are diagnosed with bladder cancer annually. 5,6
- Urothelial cancer accounts for 90% of all bladder cancers and can also be found in the renal pelvis, ureter, and urethra. 2
- Approximately 12% of cases are locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer at diagnosis.7
Ongoing Investigational Trials
The EV-302 trial (NCT04223856) is an open-label, randomized, controlled Phase 3 study, evaluating the impact of treatment with enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) who were eligible for cisplatin- or carboplatin-containing chemotherapy regardless of PD-L1 status.
The EV-103 trial (NCT03288545) is an ongoing, multi-cohort, open-label, multicenter Phase 1b/2 study investigating enfortumab vedotin alone or in combination with pembrolizumab and/or chemotherapy in first- or second-line settings in patients with la/mUC and in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).
Enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab is being investigated in an extensive program in multiple stages of urothelial cancer, including two Phase 3 clinical trials in MIBC in EV-304 (NCT04700124, also known as KEYNOTE-B15) and EV-303 (NCT03924895, also known as KEYNOTE-905). The use of enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab in second-line urothelial cancer and in MIBC has not been proven safe or effective.
The EV-202 trial (NCT04225117) is an ongoing, multi-cohort, open-label, multicenter Phase 2 study investigating enfortumab vedotin alone in patients with previously treated advanced solid tumors. This study also has a cohort that is investigating enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with previously untreated recurrent/ metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
About PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed against Nectin-4, a protein located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer.8 Nonclinical data suggest the anticancer activity of PADCEV is due to its binding to Nectin-4-expressing cells, followed by the internalization and release of the anti-tumor agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into the cell, which result in the cell not reproducing (cell cycle arrest) and in programmed cell death (apoptosis).9
Indication
PADCEV®, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who:
- have previously received a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor and platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and have previously received one or more prior lines of therapy.1
PADCEV, in combination with pembrolizumab, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.1
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information including BOXED WARNING for PADCEV here .
About Seagen
Founded 25 years ago, Seagen Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes targeted cancer therapeutics, with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) at our core. Our colleagues work together with urgency to improve and extend the lives of people living with cancer. An ADC technology trailblazer, approximately one-third of FDA-approved and marketed ADCs use Seagen technology. Seagen is headquartered in Bothell, Washington and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and across Europe. For additional information, visit seagen.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.
About the Seagen, Astellas and Merck Collaboration
Seagen and Astellas entered a clinical collaboration agreement with Merck to evaluate the combination of Seagen’s and Astellas’ PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with previously untreated metastatic urothelial cancer. KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
Source: Seagen Inc.
Seagen/ Astellas succeed in Phase 3 trial for bladder cancer therapy
Oct. 23, 2023 2:25 PM ET
Seagen Inc. (SGEN), PFE, ALPMY, MRKALPMF, BCYC
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor2 Comments
Following its M&A deal with Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) marked another session of gains on Monday as Wall Street reacted to Phase 3 data for its Astellas (OTCPK:ALPMY)-partnered antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), Padcev, in bladder cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4022963-seagen-astellas-post-phase-3-win-bladder-cancer-therapy
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Detailed Results from Phase 3 CABINET Pivotal Trial Evaluating Cabozantinib in Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors Presented at ESMO 2023
October 22, 2023 PDF Version
– Cabozantinib compared with placebo reduced the risk of disease progression or death in patients with pancreatic NET and in patients with extra-pancreatic NET –
– Exelixis will discuss the results with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration –
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2023-- Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) today announced detailed results from CABINET, a phase 3 pivotal trial evaluating cabozantinib (CABOMETYX®) compared with placebo in two cohorts of patients with previously treated neuroendocrine tumors: one cohort of patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) and a second cohort of patients with advanced extra-pancreatic NET (epNET). The study met the primary objective for each cohort, demonstrating that cabozantinib provided dramatic improvements in median progression-free survival (PFS) for the patients in the pNET and epNET cohorts. The data are being presented today at 8:40 a.m. CET during the Proffered Paper Session – NETs and Endocrine Tumours at the 2023 European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress (LBA53) by the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. CABINET is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of National Institutes of Health, and is led by the NCI-funded Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and conducted by the NCI-funded National Clinical Trials Network Group.
“Although progress has been made in recent years, there remains a critical need for new and effective therapies for patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors. Given that there is no standard treatment for patients with progressive disease, these results showing notable improvements in progression-free survival are highly encouraging for patients and their physicians,” said Jennifer Chan, M.D., M.P.H., study chair for the CABINET trial and Clinical Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center and Director of the Program in Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumors at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “I am pleased to present these important findings at ESMO today, as they underscore the potential of cabozantinib as a much-needed new treatment option for this disease, which is rising in incidence.”
As announced in August, CABINET was stopped and unblinded early due to the dramatic improvement in efficacy observed at an interim analysis, per a unanimous recommendation of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). The DSMB based their vote on data from interim analyses of PFS using local radiology assessments. Ancillary analyses were conducted using local and central assessments of patients enrolled through June 2023.
Results from the CABINET study presented today at ESMO demonstrate that treatment with cabozantinib resulted in compelling improvements in PFS based both on local review and on independent blinded central radiology review. In the pNET cohort, at a median follow-up of 16.7 months, median PFS based on local radiology review was 11.4 months for patients receiving cabozantinib compared with 3.0 months for patients receiving placebo (stratified hazard ratio [HR]: 0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14-0.49; p<0.0001). The HR for PFS based on blinded independent central radiology review was 0.25 (95% CI: 0.12-0.54; p<0.0001). In the epNET cohort, at a median follow-up of 13.9 months, median PFS based on local radiology review was 8.3 months in patients receiving cabozantinib compared with 3.2 months for patients receiving placebo (stratified HR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.30-0.66; p<0.0001). The HR for PFS based on blinded independent central radiology review was 0.50 (95% CI: 0.32-0.79; p<0.0001).
The safety profile of cabozantinib observed in each cohort was consistent with its known safety profile; no new safety signals were identified.
For patients with advanced NET, treatment options include somatostatin analogs, targeted therapy, Lu-177 dotatate, which is a form of peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy, or chemotherapy. Over half of patients in each cohort received prior everolimus or prior Lu-177 dotatate.
“We are pleased to share these details of cabozantinib in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors who have limited treatment options,” said Amy Peterson, M.D., Executive Vice President, Product Development & Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, Exelixis. “We look forward to discussing these findings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration so that we may potentially bring an active therapy to patients with these aggressive, difficult-to-treat cancers.”
About CABINET (A021602)
CABINET (Randomized, Double-Blinded Phase III Study of CABozantinib versus Placebo In Patients with Advanced NEuroendocrine Tumors After Progression on Prior Therapy) is sponsored by the NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health, and is being led and conducted by the NCI-funded Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology with participation from the NCI-funded National Clinical Trials Network as part of Exelixis’ collaboration through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the NCI’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program.
CABINET is a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 3 pivotal trial that enrolled a total of 290 patients in the U.S. Patients were randomized 2:1 to cabozantinib or placebo in two separate cohorts (pNET, n=93; epNET, n=197). The epNET cohort included patients with the following primary tumor sites: gastrointestinal (GI) tract, lung, unknown and other. Each cohort was randomized separately and had its own statistical analysis plan. Patients must have had measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 criteria and must have experienced disease progression after at least one U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved line of prior therapy other than somatostatin analogs. The primary endpoint in each cohort was PFS per RECIST 1.1 by retrospective independent central review. Upon confirmation of disease progression, patients were unblinded, and those receiving placebo were permitted to cross over to open-label therapy with cabozantinib. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, radiographic response rate and safety. More information about this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov.
About Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET)
NET are cancers that begin in the specialized cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system.1 These cells have traits of both hormone-producing endocrine cells and nerve cells.1 In the U.S., more than 12,000 people are diagnosed with NET each year and approximately 171,000 people are living with the disease.2 The number of people diagnosed with NET each year has been increasing.2 NET are classified as functional or non-functional.1 Functional NET release peptide hormones that can cause debilitating symptoms and necessitate treatment, while symptoms of non-functional NET are related primarily to tumor growth.1,3,4 Most NET take years to develop and grow slowly, but some grow quickly, especially after progression on standard therapy.5
NET can develop in any part of the body, but most commonly start in the GI tract or in the lungs, where they have historically been referred to as carcinoid tumors and are more recently called epNET.5 The five-year survival rates for advanced GI-NET and lung carcinoid tumors are 68% and 55%, respectively.6,7 Less commonly, NET can also start in the pancreas, where they tend to be more aggressive, with a five-year survival rate of only 23% for advanced disease.8,9 Surgery to remove the tumor and prevent it from spreading is the typical first approach to treatment.10 For more advanced disease, options include somatostatin analogs, targeted therapy and peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy.10
About CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
In the U.S., CABOMETYX tablets are approved for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC); for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib; for patients with advanced RCC as a first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab; and for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) that has progressed following prior VEGFR-targeted therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory or ineligible. CABOMETYX tablets have also received regulatory approvals in the European Union and additional countries and regions worldwide. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen Pharma SAS exclusive rights for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the U.S. and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis granted exclusive rights to Takeda for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan. Exelixis holds the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize cabozantinib in the U.S.
CABOMETYX is not indicated as a treatment for NET.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information
https://www.cabometyx.com/downloads/CABOMETYXUSPI.pdf.
About Exelixis
Exelixis is a globally ambitious oncology company innovating next-generation medicines and regimens at the forefront of cancer care. Powered by bi-coastal centers of discovery and development excellence, we are rapidly evolving our product portfolio to target an expanding range of tumor types and indications with our clinically differentiated pipeline of small molecules, antibody-drug conjugates and other biotherapeutics. This comprehensive approach harnesses decades of robust investment in our science and partnerships to advance our investigational programs and extend the impact of our flagship commercial product, CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib). Exelixis is driven by a bold scientific pursuit to create transformational treatments that give more patients hope for the future. For information about the company and its mission to help cancer patients recover stronger and live longer, visit www.exelixis.com, follow @ExelixisInc on X (Twitter), like Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook and follow Exelixis on LinkedIn.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231020586023/en/
Source: Exelixis, Inc.
Exelixis reports positive results for Cabometyx in treating neuroendocrine tumors
Oct. 23, 2023 1:17 PM ET
By: Val Brickates Kennedy, SA News Editor
Exelixis (NASDAQ:EXEL) reported results from a Phase 3 study for its drug Cabometyx, also known as cabozantinib, in the treatment of patients with certain neuroendocrine tumors.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab)co-formulated w/ Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH)
OPDIVO® (nivolumab)co-formulated w/ Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH)
OPDIVO® (nivolumab)co-formulated w/ Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH)
Phase 3 CheckMate -67T Trial of Subcutaneous Nivolumab (nivolumab and hyaluronidase) Meets Co-Primary Endpoints in Advanced or Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
10/19/2023CATEGORY:
Subcutaneous nivolumab demonstrates noninferior pharmacokinetics (co-primary endpoints) and objective response rate (key secondary endpoint) compared to intravenous Opdivo (nivolumab)
In the first ever disclosure for the subcutaneous formulation of Opdivo, the CheckMate -67T Phase 3 trial demonstrates activity in advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Company plans to engage in discussions with health authorities regarding next steps for submission and approval of subcutaneous nivolumab across multiple indications
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the Phase 3 CheckMate -67T noninferiority trial evaluating the subcutaneous formulation of Opdivo (nivolumab) co-formulated with Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20) (herein referred to as “subcutaneous nivolumab”) compared to intravenous (IV) Opdivo in patients with advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) who have received prior systemic therapy met its co-primary pharmacokinetics endpoints and key secondary endpoint. Subcutaneousnivolumab demonstrated noninferiority of Cavgd28 (time-averaged Opdivo serum concentration over 28 days) and Cminss (trough serum concentration at steady state) compared to IV Opdivo, the study’s co-primary endpoints. Additionally, subcutaneous nivolumab showed a noninferior objective response rate (ORR) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) vs. IV Opdivo, a key secondary endpoint. The safety profile of subcutaneous nivolumab was consistent with the IV formulation.
“Intravenous Opdivo has helped transform the treatment of several solid tumor types over the past decade, but there remains a need for additional administration options to address treatment burden on patients and improve efficiencies in healthcare systems,” said Gina Fusaro, Ph.D., vice president, global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “We are delighted that the results of CheckMate -67T demonstrate that subcutaneous nivolumab delivers noninferior pharmacokinetics, in addition to objective response rate and safety data consistent with IV Opdivo. We believe this new option, given as a single injection administered in less than five minutes, could transform the treatment experience for both patients and physicians.”
The company will complete a full evaluation of the available CheckMate -67T trial data and work with investigators to present the results at an upcoming medical conference. The company also looks forward to discussing next steps for subcutaneous nivolumab with health authorities across multiple indications. Study follow-up is ongoing to assess additional secondary efficacy and safety endpoints.
Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -67T clinical trial.
About CheckMate -67T
CheckMate -67T is a Phase 3 randomized, open-label trial evaluating subcutaneous administration of Opdivo co-formulated with Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase, rHuPH20, or subcutaneous nivolumab (nivolumab and hyaluronidase) compared to intravenous (IV) Opdivo, in patients with advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) who have received prior systemic therapy. This trial presents an opportunity to potentially bring a subcutaneous formulation of Opdivo to patients. A total of 495 patients were randomized to either subcutaneous nivolumab or IV Opdivo. The co-primary endpoints of the trial are time-averaged serum concentration over 28 days (Cavgd28) and trough serum concentration at steady-state (Cminss) of subcutaneous nivolumab vs. IV Opdivo. Objective response rate (ORR) is a key secondary endpoint.
About Renal Cell Carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for more than 431,000 new cases and 179,000 deaths worldwide each year. RCC is approximately twice as common in men as in women, with the highest rates of the disease in North America and Europe. Clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common form of RCC, affecting about 7 out of 10 people with RCC. The five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with metastatic, or advanced, kidney cancer is 14% and five-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for those with localized disease that can be resected are just over 50%.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.
Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
Clinical Trials and Patient Populations
Checkmate 227–previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LA–previously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649–previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577–adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238–adjuvant treatment of patients with completely resected Stage III or Stage IV melanoma; Checkmate 76K–adjuvant treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with completely resected Stage IIB or Stage IIC melanoma; Checkmate 274–adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275–previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3–esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648–previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648—previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 040–hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743–previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037–previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066—previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067–previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017–second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057–second-line treatment of metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816–neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 141–recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025–previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ER–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039–classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Bristol Myers succeeds in Phase 3 trial for subcutaneous Opdivo
Oct. 19, 2023 7:49 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY), HALO
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) announced Thursday that its Phase 3 CheckMate-67T trial evaluating a subcutaneous version of Opdivo cancer therapy against its intravenous version reached the main goals.
- The open-label trial evaluated the PD-1 inhibitor, co-formulated with Halozyme’s (NASDAQ:HALO) ENHANZE drug delivery technology, against IV Opdivo as a second-line option in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4021921-bristol-myers-succeeds-phase-3-trial-subcutaneous-opdivo
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
- https://www.bms.com/
- https://www.opdivo.com/
- https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/bmy/dividend-history
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy
OPDIVO® (nivolumab)co-formulated w/ Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH)
OPDIVO® (nivolumab)co-formulated w/ Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH)
Neoadjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy Provides Benefits for Patients with Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Across PD-L1 Expression Levels with Three-Year Follow Up in CheckMate -816 Trial
10/17/2023 CATEGORY:
Regardless of PD-L1 expression levels, neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy showed a greater reduction in the risk of disease recurrence, progression or death than chemotherapy alone
Exploratory analyses from the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial will be shared in a late-breaking oral presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2023
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced three-year follow-up results from exploratory analyses of the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial, demonstrating sustained event-free survival (EFS) and promising overall survival (OS) trends with three cycles of Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), regardless of PD-L1 expression levels. Neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy also showed improvements in pathologic complete response (pCR) and major pathologic response (MPR) over chemotherapy alone in PD-L1 ≥1% and <1% patient populations. The safety profile of the Opdivo-based regimen was consistent across all PD-L1 subgroups. These results will be featured in a late-breaking oral presentation at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 on October 23, 2023, from 8:45 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. EDT / 14:45 to 15:55 CEST (Abstract #LBA57).
“The three-year results with neoadjuvant nivolumab with chemotherapy are a continuation of the statistically significant and clinically meaningful results we have seen with this regimen in the treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer, and they provide hope for patients that they may achieve long-term benefit,” said Mariano Provencio Pulla, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain. “It is encouraging to see that this neoadjuvant immunotherapy combination has demonstrated improvements across efficacy measures, regardless of PD-L1 expression levels, including within the PD-L1 negative subgroup that faces high unmet needs and represents approximately 40% of the study population. The CheckMate -816 data clearly indicate the potential for better outcomes for patients with this regimen than chemotherapy alone.”
With a median follow-up of 41.4 months in the CheckMate -816 trial, exploratory analyses showed:
- OS: While OS remains immature at this follow-up, promising OS trends were seen in both PD-L1 ≥1% and <1% patient populations. For patients with tumor PD-L1 expression ≥1%, Opdivo with chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 63% (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.37; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.20 to 0.71). Three-year OS rates favored neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy over chemotherapy alone at 85% vs. 66%, respectively. In patients with PD-L1 <1%, Opdivo with chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 19% (HR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.48 to 1.36), with three-year OS rates being 71% vs. 60%.
- EFS: Among patients with tumor PD-L1 expression ≥1%, three-year EFS rates were 72% with neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy vs. 47% with chemotherapy alone (HR 0.46; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.77). In patients with tumor PD-L1 expression <1%, EFS rates were 42% with the combination vs. 39% with chemotherapy (HR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.57 to 1.35).
- pCR: In patients with PD-L1 ≥1%, pCR rates were 32.6% with neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy compared to 2.2% with chemotherapy alone. For those with PD-L1 <1%, pCR rates were 16.7% vs. 2.6%, respectively.
- MPR: Among patients with PD-L1 ≥1%, MPR rates with neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy were 44.9% vs. 5.6% with chemotherapy. For patients with PD-L1 <1%, MPR rates were 29.5% with the Opdivo-based regimen and 14.3% with chemotherapy alone.
- Definitive Surgery: Definitive surgery rates with Opdivo with chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy were 84% vs. 74% in patients with tumor PD-L1 expression ≥1% and 81% vs. 77% in patients with tumor PD-L1 expression <1%. Of these, complete resection was achieved in 91% vs. 82% and 79% vs. 76% of cases, respectively.
“At ESMO this year, we are presenting data from several trials across stages and treatment settings in non-small cell lung cancer, including two studies in resectable disease. This is an area of research that we are heavily committed to, as it presents an important opportunity to treat cancer at earlier stages when the tumor is most responsive to treatment and the patient’s immune system is most intact,” said Abderrahim Oukessou, M.D., vice president, thoracic cancers global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “We are thrilled to see consistent results with the neoadjuvant regimen of Opdivo with chemotherapy from the CheckMate -816 study, regardless of PD-L1 expression, which build on the benefits we have already seen that led to multiple approvals of this combination globally. We want to sincerely thank every patient and investigator involved in the clinical trial.”
Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations have shown improved efficacy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or perioperative treatment of four earlier-stage tumor types, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer and melanoma.
About CheckMate -816
CheckMate -816 is a Phase 3 randomized, open label, multi-center trial evaluating Opdivo with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (per the 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control staging criteria), regardless of PD-L1 expression. For the primary analysis, 358 patients were randomized to receive either Opdivo 360 mg plus histology-based platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles, or platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles, followed by surgery. The primary endpoints of the trial are event-free survival and pathologic complete response. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, major pathologic response, and time to death or distant metastases.
About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of lung cancer, representing up to 84% of diagnoses. Non-metastatic cases account for the majority of NSCLC diagnoses (approximately 60%, with up to half of these being resectable), and the proportion is expected to grow over time with enhanced screening programs. While many non-metastatic NSCLC patients are cured by surgery, 30% to 55% develop recurrence and die of their disease despite resection, contributing to a need for treatment options administered before surgery (neoadjuvant) and/or after surgery (adjuvant) to improve long-term outcomes.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.
Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older with completely resected Stage IIB, Stage IIC, Stage III, or Stage IV melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
Clinical Trials and Patient Populations
Checkmate 227—previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LA–previously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649–previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577–adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238– adjuvant treatment of patients with completely resected Stage III or Stage IV melanoma; Checkmate 76K– adjuvant treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with completely resected Stage IIB or Stage IIC melanoma; Checkmate 274–adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275–previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3–esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648—previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648—previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 040–hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743–previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037–previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066—previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067–previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017–second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057–second-line treatment of metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816–neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 141–recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025– previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ER–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039–classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Multimedia Files:
Download:Download original 99 KB 1505 x 211Download thumbnail 5 KB 200 x 28Download lowres 15 KB 480 x 67Download square 7 KB 250 x 250
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) With Chemotherapy
OPDIVO® (nivolumab)co-formulated w/ Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) With Chemotherapy
FDA Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for Treatment of Patients With Resectable (T≥4 cm or N+) NSCLC in Combination With Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment, Then Continued as a Single Agent as Adjuvant Treatment After Surgery
October 16, 2023 7:00 pm ET
Approval marks the sixth NSCLC indication for KEYTRUDA and builds upon Merck’s progress in earlier stages of certain cancers across our oncology portfolio
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, for the treatment of patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 centimeters [cm] or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery. With this approval, KEYTRUDA has six indications in NSCLC, across both metastatic and earlier stages of NSCLC.
The approval was based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-671 trialevaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery and continued adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA as a single agent, for patients with resectable stage II, IIIA or IIIB (N2) NSCLC per the American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition (AJCC 8th edition). In the study, the KEYTRUDA regimen demonstrated statistically significant improvements in event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS), the study’s dual primary endpoints, versus neoadjuvant placebo plus chemotherapy followed by adjuvant placebo alone. The EFS results, which were from the first interim analysis, were published in June 2023 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The detailed OS results will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 in Madrid, Spain, on October 20, 2023.
Adverse reactions occurring in patients with resectable NSCLC receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy, given as neoadjuvant treatment and continued as single agent adjuvant treatment, were generally similar to those occurring in patients across tumor types receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy.
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue and can affect more than one body system simultaneously. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time during or after treatment with KEYTRUDA, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, solid organ transplant rejection, and complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management of immune-mediated adverse reactions are essential to ensure safe use of KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab). Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, KEYTRUDA should be withheld or permanently discontinued and corticosteroids administered if appropriate. KEYTRUDA can also cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. For more information, see “Selected Important Safety Information” below.
“There remains a need for treatment options to improve outcomes for patients with earlier stages of non-small cell lung cancer,” said Dr. Heather Wakelee, principal investigator for KEYNOTE-671, thoracic medical oncologist and professor of medicine at Stanford University and past president of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). “This important milestone has the potential to change the current treatment paradigm for resectable non-small cell lung cancer that is greater than four centimeters or has lymph node involvement, by offering an immunotherapy-based regimen that has demonstrated statistically significant improvements in overall survival and event-free survival compared to a placebo and chemotherapy regimen.”
“KEYTRUDA continues to change the way non-small cell lung cancer is treated across earlier and metastatic disease regardless of PD-L1 expression,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of late-stage oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “This approval marks a pivotal moment for the lung cancer community by providing certain patients with earlier stages of non-small cell lung cancer and healthcare providers with an important new treatment option.”
The approval marks the sixth NSCLC indication for KEYTRUDA. The five other indications for KEYTRUDA in NSCLC include:
1) in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations;
2) in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC;
3) as a single agent for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations and is stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or metastatic;
4) as a single agent for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA; and
5) as a single agent for adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Study design
KEYNOTE-671 is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03425643) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by surgery and continued adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) as a single agent, versus placebo plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by resection and adjuvant placebo, in patients with resectable stage II, IIIA or IIIB (N2) NSCLC per the AJCC eighth edition. Patients were enrolled regardless of tumor PD-L1 expression. Patients with active autoimmune disease that required systemic therapy within two years of treatment, a medical condition that required immunosuppression or a history of interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis that required steroids were ineligible. Randomization was stratified by stage (II vs. III), tumor PD-L1 expression (TPS ≥50% or <50%), histology (squamous vs. nonsquamous), and geographic region (East Asia vs. non-East Asia).
The study enrolled 797 patients who were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either:
- Neoadjuvant KEYTRUDA 200 mg intravenously (IV) every three weeks on Day 1 in combination with cisplatin 75 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 and either pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 or gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 IV on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle for up to four cycles. Within 4-12 weeks following surgery, KEYTRUDA (200 mg) was administered every three weeks for up to 13 cycles, or;
- Neoadjuvant placebo IV every three weeks on Day 1 in combination with cisplatin 75 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 and either pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 or gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 IV on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle for up to four cycles. Within 4‑12 weeks following surgery, placebo was administered every three weeks for up to 13 cycles.
Treatment with KEYTRUDA or placebo continued until completion of the treatment (17 cycles), disease progression that precluded definitive surgery, disease recurrence in the adjuvant phase, disease progression for those who did not undergo surgery or had incomplete resection and entered the adjuvant phase, or unacceptable toxicity. Assessment of tumor status was performed at baseline, Week 7, and Week 13 in the neoadjuvant phase and within four weeks prior to the start of the adjuvant phase. Following the start of the adjuvant phase, assessment of tumor status was performed every 16 weeks through the end of Year 3, and then every six months thereafter. The trial was not designed to isolate the effect of KEYTRUDA in each phase (neoadjuvant or adjuvant) of treatment.
The main efficacy outcome measures were OS and investigator-assessed EFS. Additional efficacy outcome measures were pathological complete response (pCR) rate and major pathological response (mPR) rate as assessed by blinded independent pathology review (BIPR).
Eighty-one percent of patients in the KEYTRUDA in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy arm had definitive surgery compared to 76% of patients in the placebo in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy arm.
About lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In 2020 alone, there were more than 2.2 million new cases and approximately 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer globally. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 81% of all cases. In the U.S., the overall five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with lung cancer is 25%, which is a 21% improvement over the last five years. Improved survival rates are due, in part, to advances in diagnostic and surgical procedures, as well as the introduction of new therapies. However, screening and early detection remain an important unmet need, as 44% of lung cancer cases are not found until they are advanced. Only 5.8% of people in the U.S. who are eligible were screened for lung cancer.
About Merck’s research in lung cancer
Merck is advancing research aimed at transforming the way lung cancer is treated, with a goal of improving outcomes for patients affected by this deadly disease. Through nearly 200 clinical trials evaluating more than 36,000 patients around the world, Merck is at the forefront of lung cancer research. In NSCLC, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) has six approved U.S. indications (see indications below) and is approved for advanced disease in more than 95 countries. Among Merck’s research efforts are trials focused on evaluating KEYTRUDA in earlier stages of lung cancer as well as identifying new combinations and coformulations with KEYTRUDA.
About Merck’s early-stage cancer clinical program
Finding cancer at an earlier stage may give patients a greater chance of long-term survival. Many cancers are considered most treatable and potentially curable in their earliest stage of disease. Building on the strong understanding of the role of KEYTRUDA in later-stage cancers, Merck is studying KEYTRUDA in earlier disease states, with approximately 20 ongoing registrational studies across multiple types of cancer.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) NSCLC in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
See additional selected indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information
Selected Important Safety Information for KEYTRUDA
Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions
KEYTRUDA is a monoclonal antibody that belongs to a class of drugs that bind to either the PD-1 or the PD-L1, blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, thereby removing inhibition of the immune response, potentially breaking peripheral tolerance and inducing immune-mediated adverse reactions. Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue, can affect more than one body system simultaneously, and can occur at any time after starting treatment or after discontinuation of treatment. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions.
Monitor patients closely for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management are essential to ensure safe use of anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment. For patients with TNBC treated with KEYTRUDA in the neoadjuvant setting, monitor blood cortisol at baseline, prior to surgery, and as clinically indicated. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate.
Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity of the immune-mediated adverse reaction. In general, if KEYTRUDA requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy.
Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. The incidence is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.4% (94/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including fatal (0.1%), Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (0.9%), and Grade 2 (1.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 67% (63/94) of patients. Pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 1.3% (36) and withholding in 0.9% (26) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 23% had recurrence. Pneumonitis resolved in 59% of the 94 patients.
Pneumonitis occurred in 8% (31/389) of adult patients with cHL receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, including Grades 3-4 in 2.3% of patients. Patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median duration of 10 days (range: 2 days to 53 months). Pneumonitis rates were similar in patients with and without prior thoracic radiation. Pneumonitis led to discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 5.4% (21) of patients. Of the patients who developed pneumonitis, 42% interrupted KEYTRUDA, 68% discontinued KEYTRUDA, and 77% had resolution.
Pneumonitis occurred in 7% (41/580) of adult patients with resected NSCLC who received KEYTRUDA as a single agent for adjuvant treatment of NSCLC, including fatal (0.2%), Grade 4 (0.3%), and Grade 3 (1%) adverse reactions. Patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median duration of 10 days (range: 1 day to 2.3 months). Pneumonitis led to discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 26 (4.5%) of patients. Of the patients who developed pneumonitis, 54% interrupted KEYTRUDA, 63% discontinued KEYTRUDA, and 71% had resolution.
Immune-Mediated Colitis
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may present with diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 1.7% (48/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (1.1%), and Grade 2 (0.4%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 69% (33/48); additional immunosuppressant therapy was required in 4.2% of patients. Colitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.5% (15) and withholding in 0.5% (13) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 23% had recurrence. Colitis resolved in 85% of the 48 patients.
Hepatotoxicity and Immune-Mediated Hepatitis
KEYTRUDA as a Single Agent
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 0.7% (19/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.4%), and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 68% (13/19) of patients; additional immunosuppressant therapy was required in 11% of patients. Hepatitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in 0.2% (6) and withholding in 0.3% (9) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Hepatitis resolved in 79% of the 19 patients.
KEYTRUDA With Axitinib
KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib can cause hepatic toxicity. Monitor liver enzymes before initiation of and periodically throughout treatment. Consider monitoring more frequently as compared to when the drugs are administered as single agents. For elevated liver enzymes, interrupt KEYTRUDA and axitinib, and consider administering corticosteroids as needed. With the combination of KEYTRUDA and axitinib, Grades 3 and 4 increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (20%) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (13%) were seen at a higher frequency compared to KEYTRUDA alone. Fifty-nine percent of the patients with increased ALT received systemic corticosteroids. In patients with ALT ≥3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (Grades 2-4, n=116), ALT resolved to Grades 0-1 in 94%. Among the 92 patients who were rechallenged with either KEYTRUDA (n=3) or axitinib (n=34) administered as a single agent or with both (n=55), recurrence of ALT ≥3 times ULN was observed in 1 patient receiving KEYTRUDA, 16 patients receiving axitinib, and 24 patients receiving both. All patients with a recurrence of ALT ≥3 ULN subsequently recovered from the event.
Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies
Adrenal Insufficiency
KEYTRUDA can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.8% (22/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 77% (17/22) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.3% (8) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.
Hypophysitis
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate hormone replacement as indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (17/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.2%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 94% (16/17) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Hypophysitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in 0.1% (4) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.
Thyroid Disorders
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone replacement for hypothyroidism or institute medical management of hyperthyroidism as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Thyroiditis occurred in 0.6% (16/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), including Grade 2 (0.3%). None discontinued, but KEYTRUDA was withheld in <0.1% (1) of patients.
Hyperthyroidism occurred in 3.4% (96/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (0.8%). It led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (2) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement. Hypothyroidism occurred in 8% (237/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (6.2%). It led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.5% (14) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement. The majority of patients with hypothyroidism required long-term thyroid hormone replacement. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 1185 patients with HNSCC, occurring in 16% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent or in combination with platinum and FU, including Grade 3 (0.3%) hypothyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 389 adult patients with cHL (17%) receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, including Grade 1 (6.2%) and Grade 2 (10.8%) hypothyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hyperthyroidism was higher in 580 patients with resected NSCLC, occurring in 11% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent as adjuvant treatment, including Grade 3 (0.2%) hyperthyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 580 patients with resected NSCLC, occurring in 22% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent as adjuvant treatment (KEYNOTE-091), including Grade 3 (0.3%) hypothyroidism.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Which Can Present With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Type 1 DM occurred in 0.2% (6/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA. It led to permanent discontinuation in <0.1% (1) and withholding of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.
Immune-Mediated Nephritis With Renal Dysfunction
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.3% (9/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.1%), and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 89% (8/9) of patients. Nephritis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.1% (3) and withholding in 0.1% (3) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Nephritis resolved in 56% of the 9 patients.
Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse Reactions
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, has occurred with anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate nonexfoliative rashes. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions occurred in 1.4% (38/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (1%) and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 40% (15/38) of patients. These reactions led to permanent discontinuation in 0.1% (2) and withholding of KEYTRUDA in 0.6% (16) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) after symptom improvement; of these, 6% had recurrence. The reactions resolved in 79% of the 38 patients.
Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions
The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of <1% (unless otherwise noted) in patients who received KEYTRUDA or were reported with the use of other anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Severe or fatal cases have been reported for some of these adverse reactions. Cardiac/Vascular: Myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis; Nervous System: Meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and demyelination, myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis (including exacerbation), Guillain-Barré syndrome, nerve paresis, autoimmune neuropathy; Ocular: Uveitis, iritis and other ocular inflammatory toxicities can occur. Some cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment, including blindness, can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome, as this may require treatment with systemic steroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss; Gastrointestinal: Pancreatitis, to include increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis; Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue: Myositis/polymyositis, rhabdomyolysis (and associated sequelae, including renal failure), arthritis (1.5%), polymyalgia rheumatica; Endocrine: Hypoparathyroidism; Hematologic/Immune: Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, solid organ transplant rejection.
Additional Indications for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About the Merck Access Program for KEYTRUDA
At Merck, we are committed to supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines. Merck provides multiple programs to help appropriate patients who are prescribed KEYTRUDA have access to our anti-PD-1 therapy. The Merck Access Program provides reimbursement support for patients receiving KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), including information to help with out-of-pocket costs and co-pay assistance for eligible patients. More information is available by calling 855-257-3932 or visiting https://www.merckaccessprogram-keytruda.com/.
About Merck’s Patient Support Program for KEYTRUDA
Merck is committed to helping provide patients and their caregivers support throughout their treatment with KEYTRUDA. The KEY+YOU Patient Support Program provides a range of resources and support. For further information and to sign up, eligible patients may call 85-KEYTRUDA (855- 398-7832) or visit www.keytruda.com.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
FDA grants expanded approval for Merck's lung cancer drug Keytruda
Oct. 16, 2023 7:20 PM ET
By: Val Brickates Kennedy, SA News Editor
The FDA has granted expanded approval for Merck’s (NYSE:MRK) oncology drug Keytruda in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC.
Keytruda, also known as pembrolizumab, was approved as a neoadjuvant and post-surgical adjuvant for patients with resectable NSCLC, according to Bloomberg.
European Commission Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Treatment for Adults With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at High Risk of Recurrence Following Complete Resection and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy
October 16, 2023 6:45 am ET
Decision marks fifth approval for KEYTRUDA in lung cancer in the EU
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, as a monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are at high risk of recurrence following complete resection and platinum-based chemotherapy.
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) With Chemotherapy
September 26, 2023 at 1:29 AM EDT
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
SBLA FOR TREATMENT OF EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS (EOE) IN CHILDREN AGED 1 TO 11 ACCEPTED FOR FDA PRIORITY REVIEW
If approved, Dupixent would be the first and only treatment in the U.S. indicated for children aged 1 to 11 with EoE, a disease driven by type 2 inflammation that impacts the ability to eat
Of the approximately 21,000 children under the age of 12 in the U.S. currently being treated for EoE, about 9,000 do not satisfactorily respond to the unapproved therapies they have been treated with and potentially require advanced alternative therapy options
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, Sept. 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for Priority Review the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Dupixent® (dupilumab) to treat children aged 1 to 11 years with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The target action date for the FDA decision is January 31, 2024. Dupixent is the first and only treatment in the U.S. approved for children and adults aged 12 years and older with EoE, weighing at least 40kg.
The sBLA is supported by data from the Phase 3 EoE KIDS trial (Parts A and B) evaluating the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in children aged 1 to 11 with EoE. In Part A, the primary endpoint was met for the proportion of patients achieving histological disease remission (defined as peak esophageal intraepithelial eosinophil count of ≤6 eosinophils [eos]/high power field [hpf]) at 16 weeks for tiered dosing regimens based on body weight, compared to placebo. Part B was an active treatment extension period evaluating Dupixent for an additional 36 weeks and showed Dupixent maintained histologic remission for 52 weeks, a secondary endpoint. Dupixent also led to increases in body weight for age percentile, which was evaluated as an exploratory endpoint in Part A and a secondary endpoint in Part B.
Safety results in Parts A and B of the trial were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its FDA-approved EoE indication for children and adults aged 12 years and older who weigh at least 40kg. Adverse events more commonly observed (≥5%) with Dupixent compared to placebo were COVID-19, rash, headache, viral gastroenteritis, diarrhea and nausea.
Priority review is granted to therapies that have the potential to provide significant improvements in the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of serious conditions. The potential use of Dupixent in children with EoE aged 1 to 11 years is currently under clinical development, and its safety and efficacy have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority in this setting.
About Eosinophilic Esophagitis
EoE is a chronic, progressive disease driven by type 2 inflammation that damages the esophagus and prevents it from working properly. In children, common symptoms of EoE include heartburn, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, trouble swallowing, food refusal and failure to thrive. These symptoms can impact growth and development and can cause food-related fear and anxiety, which can persist through adulthood. Dietary adjustments, including the elimination of many foods, are the standard treatment for EoE, as well as the use of treatments not approved for the disease. These include proton pump inhibitors, swallowed topical corticosteroids, or in severe cases, a feeding tube, which may be used to ensure proper caloric intake and weight gain. Continuous treatment of EoE may be needed to reduce the risk of complications and disease recurrence.
About Dupixent
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), prurigo nodularis and EoE.
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP, EoE and prurigo nodularis in different age populations. Dupixent is currently approved for one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries, including in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. More than 600,000 patients are being treated with Dupixent globally.
About Regeneron’s VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create a substantial proportion of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent, Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc), Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb® (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more than 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.
In addition to the currently approved indications, Regeneron and Sanofi are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in Phase 3 trials, including pediatric EoE, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic pruritus of unknown origin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with evidence of type 2 inflammation and bullous pemphigoid. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. INDICATIONS
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
- to treat adults with prurigo nodularis (PN). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with prurigo nodularis under 18 years of age.
- https://www.dupixent.com/
- Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
About Regeneron
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune®, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on LinkedIn.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.
Source: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron, Sanofi label expansion for Dupixent under FDA priority review
Sep. 26, 2023 7:49 AM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY, GCVRZ, SNYNF
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) announced Tuesday that the U.S. FDA granted priority review for a supplemental Biologics License Application ((sBLA)) targeted at expanding the label for asthma therapy Dupixent.
- The sBLA is aimed at winning FDA authorization to market Dupixent for children aged 1 to 11 years with eosinophilic esophagitis ((EoE)), an inflammatory disease that impacts the ability to eat. The monoclonal antibody is already approved in the U.S. for older children and adults with EoE.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4015301-regeneron-label-expansion-dupixent-under-fda-review
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
- https://www.dupixent.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
OPDIVO® (nivolumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Bristol Myers Squibb to Showcase Data Demonstrating Improved Outcomes in Earlier Stages of Cancer, Durable Long-Term Benefits with Opdivo-Based Regimens, and Addressing High Unmet Needs in Multiple Tumor Types at ESMO 2023
10/12/2023 CATEGORY:
First presentation of results from CheckMate -901 show survival benefit with Opdivo (nivolumab) + chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are eligible for cisplatin-based therapies; selected for ESMO Presidential Symposium
First presentation of results from CheckMate - 77T demonstrate benefit with perioperative regimen of neoadjuvant Opdivo + chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant Opdivo in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer; selected for ESMO Presidential Symposium
Data to be presented reinforce benefits of Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in both earlier stages of cancer and advanced disease
Additional data demonstrate potential of repotrectinib in patients with NTRK-positive advanced solid tumors
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced the presentation of data from over 55 Bristol Myers Squibb-sponsored, investigator-sponsored, and collaboration studies across our oncology portfolio in more than 10 tumor types at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2023 to be held from October 20-24 in Madrid, Spain. Data from the Phase 3 CheckMate -901 and CheckMate -77T studies have been selected for presentation in Presidential Symposium sessions.
Data to be presented support the role of Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in both earlier and metastatic stages of multiple cancer types, especially in patient groups with high unmet needs. Additional data will highlight the potential of repotrectinib in patients with TKI-naïve and -pretreated NTRK-positive solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as the benefit of treatment with Opdualag, the dual immunotherapy fixed-dose combination of the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab and the LAG-3-blocking antibody relatlimab, in advanced melanoma.
“We are eager to share research during this year’s ESMO Congress on our immunotherapies and targeted therapies in both metastatic disease and earlier stages of several tumor types, including bladder cancer, melanoma and lung cancer,” said Samit Hirawat, M.D., executive vice president, chief medical officer, Global Drug Development, Bristol Myers Squibb. “These new data highlight our leading development program for Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in earlier stages of cancer, as well as our commitment to meeting the challenging treatment needs of cancer patients by both continuing to study the potential of our existing medicines as well as advancing new assets that may target cancer’s vulnerabilities more precisely.”
Key data highlighting approved or investigational therapies from Bristol Myers Squibb at ESMO 2023 include:
- First presentation of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) data from the Phase 3 CheckMate -901 trial of Opdivo in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by Opdivo monotherapy in the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma demonstrating survival benefits over standard-of-care cisplatin-based chemotherapy. CheckMate -901 is the first Phase 3 trial with an immunotherapy-based combination to demonstrate a survival benefit compared to standard-of-care cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of this patient population. These data will be presented at the Presidential Symposium on Sunday, October 22.
- First presentation of data from the Phase 3 CheckMate -77T trial of the perioperative regimen of neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant Opdivo in patients with resectable stage IIA to IIIB NSCLC. CheckMate -77T is the second positive Phase 3 trial of an Opdivo-based combination for the treatment of non-metastatic NSCLC. These data will be presented at the Presidential Symposium on Saturday, October 21.
- Late-breaking results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 study of neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy showing improved clinical benefit according to PD-L1 expression status in patients with resectable NSCLC. Additional CheckMate -816 results will also be presented showing efficacy benefits with Opdivo plus Yervoy in resectable NSCLC.
- Updated results from the registrational TRIDENT-1 trial demonstrating clinical benefit with repotrectinib in patients with NTRK-positive advanced solid tumors, including NSCLC, who often develop resistance to existing therapies.
- Seven-year efficacy results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -238 trial of adjuvant Opdivo in resected stage III/IV melanoma pointing to sustained benefits and reinforcing BMS’ leadership in earlier stages of melanoma.
- Subgroup data from the Phase 2/3 RELATIVITY-047 trial showing consistent benefit across subgroups with the company’s third distinct checkpoint inhibitor Opdualag (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw) in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced melanoma.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.
Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
OPDIVO U.S. INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
Clinical Trials and Patient Populations
Checkmate 227—previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LA–previously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649–previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577–adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238– adjuvant treatment of melanoma; Checkmate 274–adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275– previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3–esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648—previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648—previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 040–hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743–previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037–previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066—previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067–previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017–second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057–second-line treatment of metastatic non- squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816–neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 141–recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025–previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ER–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039–classical Hodgkin lymphoma
OPDUALAG U.S. INDICATION
Opdualag™ (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw) is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDUALAG.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Multimedia Files:
Download:Download original 99 KB 1505 x 211Download thumbnail 5 KB 200 x 28Download lowres 15 KB 480 x 67Download square 7 KB 250 x 250
BMY Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/bmy/dividend-history
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Met Primary Endpoint of Disease-Free Survival (DFS) in Certain Patients With Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma (MIUC) After Surgery
October 5, 2023 7:00 am ET
KEYTRUDA significantly improved DFS as adjuvant therapy versus observation for patients with localized MIUC and locally advanced urothelial carcinoma
First positive study for KEYTRUDA as adjuvant therapy for these patients
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the Phase 3 AMBASSADOR (A031501) trial (KEYNOTE-123) evaluating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, met one of its dual primary endpoints of disease-free survival (DFS) for the adjuvant treatment of patients with localized muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) and locally advanced urothelial carcinoma versus observation. At a pre-specified interim analysis review conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, KEYTRUDA demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in DFS versus observation in these patients after surgery. The trial will continue to evaluate its other dual primary endpoint of overall survival (OS). The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and discussed with regulatory authorities.
“Up to half of patients with bladder cancer who undergo surgery will experience recurrence within a year, underscoring the need for new treatment options in the adjuvant setting,” said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of late-stage oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “These positive results highlight the potential of KEYTRUDA to prevent recurrence after surgery for patients with localized muscle-invasive or locally advanced urothelial carcinoma.”
This trial was sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology designed and led the trial with funding from the NCI and participation from all the National Clinical Trials Network Groups. Merck provided funding and support through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between Merck and NCI.
Merck has an extensive clinical development program evaluating KEYTRUDA as monotherapy and in combination with other anti-cancer therapies across all stages of bladder cancer, including non-muscle-invasive, muscle-invasive and metastatic. Phase 3 studies in muscle-invasive bladder cancer include the KEYNOTE-866 trial, as well as the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-B15 and Phase 3 KEYNOTE-905 trials, which are being conducted in collaboration with Seagen and Astellas.
About A031501 AMBASSADOR/KEYNOTE-123
AMBASSADOR (A031501, KEYNOTE-123) is a randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03244384) evaluating KEYTRUDA versus observation for the adjuvant treatment of patients with localized MIUC and locally advanced urothelial carcinoma. The dual primary endpoints are OS and DFS, and secondary endpoints include OS and DFS in PD-L1 positive and negative patients. The trial enrolled 702 patients who were randomized to receive KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously every three weeks for up to 18 cycles) or undergo observation.
About bladder cancer
It is estimated that approximately 82,290 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023, and approximately 7% of bladder cancer cases are locally advanced at diagnosis. Globally, there were approximately 573,000 new cases. Muscle-invasive bladder cancer is bladder cancer that has spread into the deep muscle of the bladder wall, and locally advanced urothelial cancer is cancer that begins in the urothelial cells and has spread from where it started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes. Despite surgery, up to 50% of patients with bladder cancer experience recurrence within 12 months.
About Merck’s early-stage cancer clinical program
Finding cancer at an earlier stage may give patients a greater chance of long-term survival. Many cancers are considered most treatable and potentially curable in their earliest stage of disease. Building on the strong understanding of the role of KEYTRUDA in later-stage cancers, Merck is studying KEYTRUDA in earlier disease states, with more than 25 ongoing registrational studies across multiple types of cancer.
About K EYTRUDA®(pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Pediatric Use
In KEYNOTE-051, 161 pediatric patients (62 pediatric patients aged 6 months to younger than 12 years and 99 pediatric patients aged 12 years to 17 years) were administered KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks. The median duration of exposure was 2.1 months (range: 1 day to 24 months).
Adverse reactions that occurred at a ≥10% higher rate in pediatric patients when compared to adults were pyrexia (33%), vomiting (30%), leukopenia (30%), upper respiratory tract infection (29%), neutropenia (26%), headache (25%), and Grade 3 anemia (17%).
Additional Indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck posts Phase 3 win for Keytruda in muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Oct. 05, 2023 7:30 AM ET
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)SGEN, ALPMF, ALPMY
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced Thursday that its anti-PD-1 immunotherapy Keytruda met one of the main goals in a Phase 3 trial for patients with localized muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) following surgery.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4018563-merck-posts-phase-3-win-keytruda-bladder-cancer?mailingid=32931388&messageid=2900&serial=32931388.12662&utm_campaign=rta-stock-news&utm_content=link-1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=seeking_alpha&utm_term=32931388.12662
- Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
- https://www.merck.com/
- https://www.keytruda.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
Jardiance® (empagliflozin) 10 mg tablets
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) & Chemotherapy Followed by Adjuvant Opdivo
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) & Chemotherapy Followed by Adjuvant Opdivo
US FDA approves Jardiance® for the treatment of adults with chronic kidney disease
September 22, 2023 Download PDF
- Approval adds to the treatment options for the more than 35 million adults in the U.S. affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Jardiance® (empagliflozin) 10 mg tablets significantly reduced the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in adults with CKD, as established in the EMPA-KIDNEY phase III trial
- EMPA-KIDNEY is the first SGLT2 inhibitor CKD trial to demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in the risk of first and recurrent hospitalization in adults with CKD
RIDGEFIELD, Conn. and INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Jardiance® (empagliflozin) 10 mg tablets to reduce the risk of sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at risk of progression, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced.
Jardiance is not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes. It may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in these patients. Jardiance is not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes with an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Jardiance is likely to be ineffective in this setting based upon its mechanism of action. Jardiance is not recommended for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in patients with polycystic kidney disease or patients requiring or with a recent history of intravenous immunosuppressive therapy or greater than 45 mg of prednisone or equivalent for kidney disease. Jardiance is not expected to be effective in these populations.
"This approval provides healthcare professionals in the U.S. with another treatment option for adults with CKD that can reduce the risk of kidney function decline, kidney failure, cardiovascular death and hospitalizations," said Katherine Tuttle, M.D., Executive Director for Research, Providence Inland Northwest Health, Regional Principal investigator for the Institute of Translational Health Sciences and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, and EMPA-KIDNEY steering committee member. "The meaningful benefits that empagliflozin demonstrated in the EMPA-KIDNEY phase III trial are welcome news for adults living with CKD in this country."
"CKD affects more than one in seven adults in the U.S., 90% of whom are undiagnosed, and it remains a significantly under-recognized public health crisis," said Mohamed Eid, M.D., M.P.H., M.H.A., vice president, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Cardio-Renal-Metabolism & Respiratory Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Hospitalizations account for a third to a half of total healthcare costs for this population, and disease progression often leads to serious cardiovascular complications and kidney failure, which can require dialysis or transplantation. Given the clinically demonstrated benefits of Jardiance, we are proud to now be able to offer this option to adults with CKD at risk for progression."
Jardiance is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to empagliflozin or any of the excipients in Jardiance, as reactions such as angioedema have occurred. Please see additional Important Safety Information below.
EMPA-KIDNEY was a large trial designed to reflect the broad range of adults with CKD with or without type 2 diabetes. Based on the trial inclusion/exclusion criteria, over 6,600 patients were enrolled. Patients included had an eGFR ≥20 to <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 or an eGFR ≥45 to <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 with a urine albumin to creatinine ratio ≥200 mg/g. Included patients were deemed appropriate for treatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor by a local investigator. Patients were excluded if they had both type 2 diabetes and prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, had type 1 diabetes, had a functioning or scheduled kidney transplant, were on dialysis, had polycystic kidney disease, or required or had a recent history of intravenous immunosuppressive therapy or greater than 45 mg of prednisone or equivalent for kidney disease.
In EMPA-KIDNEY, Jardiance demonstrated a 28% relative risk reduction (absolute risk reduction 3.6% per patient-year at risk, HR=0.72; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.82; P<0.0001) compared with placebo, both on top of standard care, for the composite primary endpoint of kidney disease progression* or cardiovascular death. The event rate for Jardiance was 13.1% (432/3304) and for placebo was 16.9% (558/3305). EMPA-KIDNEY is the first SGLT2 inhibitor CKD trial to demonstrate a significant reduction in the risk of first and recurrent hospitalization, a pre-specified key secondary endpoint, with a 14% relative risk reduction (HR=0.86; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.95; p=0.0025) with Jardiance versus placebo. In the Jardiance group, 1,611 hospitalizations occurred among 960 patients (24.8 events per 100 patient-years). In the placebo group, 1,895 hospitalizations occurred among 1,035 patients (29.2 events per 100 patient-years).
This milestone marks the fourth FDA approval for Jardiance stemming from the EMPOWER program. With more than 700,000 adults enrolled worldwide in clinical trials, EMPOWER reinforces the long-term commitment of the Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Alliance to improve outcomes for people living with cardio-renal-metabolic conditions.
"Following previous indications for Jardiance in heart failure and type 2 diabetes, this FDA approval now provides physicians, including nephrologists, with an important treatment option for adults living with CKD at risk for progression," said Leonard Glass, M.D., F.A.C.E., senior vice president, Diabetes Global Medical Affairs, Lilly. "Alongside the recent CKD approval for Jardiance in the EU, this decision further bolsters our efforts to support this community globally."
*Kidney disease progression: Defined as end-stage kidney disease (the initiation of maintenance dialysis or receipt of a kidney transplant), a sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to below 10 mL/min/1.73 m2, kidney death or a sustained decline of at least 40% in eGFR from randomization).
About EMPA-KIDNEY
EMPA-KIDNEY (NCT03594110) is a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, designed to evaluate the effect of Jardiance on kidney disease progression and cardiovascular mortality risk. The primary outcome is defined as time to a first event of either cardiovascular death or kidney disease progression, defined as end-stage kidney disease (the need for kidney replacement therapy such as dialysis or kidney transplantation), a sustained decline in eGFR to <10 mL/min/1.73 m2, kidney death or a sustained decline of ≥40% in eGFR from randomization. Key secondary outcomes include cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, all-cause hospitalization and all-cause mortality. EMPA-KIDNEY includes 6,609 adults from eight countries with CKD, both with and without diabetes, who were randomized to receive either Jardiance 10 mg or placebo, once daily, both on top of current standard of care.
Patients included had an eGFR ≥20 to <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 or an eGFR ≥45 to <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 with a urine albumin to creatinine ratio ≥200 mg/g. Included patients were deemed appropriate for treatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor by a local investigator. Patients were excluded if they had both type 2 diabetes and prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, had type 1 diabetes, had a functioning or scheduled kidney transplant, were on dialysis, had polycystic kidney disease, or required or had a recent history of intravenous immunosuppressive therapy or greater than 45 mg of prednisone or equivalent for kidney disease.
What is JARDIANCE?
JARDIANCE is a prescription medicine used to:
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body
- reduce the risk of further worsening of kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), death due to cardiovascular disease, and hospitalization in adults with chronic kidney disease
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have known cardiovascular disease
- lower blood sugar along with diet and exercise in adults and children who are 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes
JARDIANCE is not for use to lower blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes. It may increase their risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).
JARDIANCE is not for use to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes who have severe kidney problems, because it may not work.
JARDIANCE is not for people with polycystic kidney disease, or who are taking or have recently received certain types of immunosuppressive therapy to treat kidney disease. JARDIANCE is not expected to work if you have these conditions.
For more information, please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
CL-JAR-100168 09.21.2023
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an Alliance that centers on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes. Depending on geographies, the companies either co-promote or separately promote the respective molecules each contributing to the Alliance. The Alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies to focus on patient needs. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate their commitment, not only to the care of people with diabetes, but also to investigating the potential to address areas of unmet medical need.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that transform lives, today and for generations to come. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term, sustainable perspective. More than 53,000 employees serve over 130 markets in the two business units Human Pharma and Animal Health.
Learn more at boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/
About Lilly
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 51 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Jardiance® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-fda-approves-jardiance-for-the-treatment-of-adults-with-chronic-kidney-disease-301936176.html
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly wins FDA nod for Jardiance in chronic kidney disease
Sep. 22, 2023 9:01 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and its partner Boehringer Ingelheim announced Friday that the U.S. FDA had approved their blockbuster heart failure therapy Jardiance (empagliflozin) for adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4014537-eli-lilly-jardiance-cleared-fda-chronic-kidney-disease
- Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)
- https://www.jardiance.com/
- https://www.lilly.com/
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) & Chemotherapy Followed by Adjuvant Opdivo
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) & Chemotherapy Followed by Adjuvant Opdivo
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) & Chemotherapy Followed by Adjuvant Opdivo
Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Perioperative Regimen of Neoadjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) and Chemotherapy Followed by Adjuvant Opdivo Significantly Improves Event-Free Survival in Patients with Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
09/22/2023CATEGORY:
CheckMate -77T represents the company’s second positive Phase 3 trial with an immunotherapy-based combination for the treatment of non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
Positive results reinforce improved efficacy now seen in six Phase 3 trials with Opdivo-based treatments in earlier-stage cancers, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer and melanoma
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced the Phase 3 CheckMate -77T trial met its primary endpoint of improved event-free survival (EFS) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) in patients with resectable stage IIA to IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In a prespecified interim analysis, the perioperative regimen of neoadjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) with chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant Opdivo showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in EFS compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and placebo followed by surgery and adjuvant placebo. The safety profile of this Opdivo-based regimen was consistent with previously reported studies in NSCLC.
“We’ve seen tremendous scientific advancements in the treatment of non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in recent years, and remain committed to researching new solutions that may help even more patients achieve better long-term outcomes,” said Abderrahim Oukessou, M.D., vice president, thoracic cancers global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Taken together with the data from our CheckMate -816 trial - which led to Opdivo being the only anti-PD-1 with an approval in the neoadjuvant setting - today’s results reinforce our leadership in resectable non-small cell lung cancer and add to our legacy of transformational science in thoracic cancers. We thank the patients and investigators involved in the trial who have allowed us to advance our understanding of the importance of immunotherapy in treating patients’ cancer in earlier stages.”
The company will complete a full evaluation of the available data from CheckMate -77T and looks forward to sharing the results with the scientific community at an upcoming medical conference as well as discussing with health authorities. The trial is currently ongoing to assess overall survival (OS), a secondary endpoint.
To date, Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations have shown improved efficacy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or perioperative treatment of four tumor types: lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer and melanoma.
About CheckMate -77T
CheckMate -77T is a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial evaluating neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant Opdivo versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy and placebo followed by surgery and adjuvant placebo in 452 patients with resectable stage IIA to IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary endpoint of the trial is event-free survival (EFS). Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), pathologic complete response (pCR) and major pathologic response (MPR).
About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of lung cancer, representing up to 84% of diagnoses. Non-metastatic cases account for the majority of NSCLC diagnoses (approximately 60%, with up to half of these being resectable), and the proportion is expected to grow over time with enhanced screening programs. While many non-metastatic NSCLC patients are cured by surgery, 30% to 55% develop recurrence and die of their disease despite resection, contributing to a need for treatment options administered before surgery (neoadjuvant) and/or after surgery (adjuvant) to improve long-term outcomes.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
Clinical Trials and Patient Populations
Checkmate 227–previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LA–previously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649–previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577–adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238– adjuvant treatment of melanoma; Checkmate 274–adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275–previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3–esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648–previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648–previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 040–hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743–previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037–previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066–previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067–previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017–second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057–second-line treatment of metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816–neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 141–recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025–previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ER–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039–classical Hodgkin lymphoma
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Multimedia Files:
Download:Download original 99 KB 1505 x 211Download thumbnail 5 KB 200 x 28Download lowres 15 KB 480 x 67Download square 7 KB 250 x 250
Bristol Myers in Phase 3 win for Opdivo in lung cancer
Sep. 22, 2023 8:01 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor2 Comments
- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) announced Friday that its anti-PD-1 immunotherapy Opdivo, when used before and after surgery, met the primary endpoint versus chemotherapy in a Phase 3 trial for certain patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
- The CheckMate-77T study evaluated neoadjuvant Opdivo with chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant Opdivo.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4014503-bristol-myers-phase-3-win-opdivo-lung-cancer
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
BMY Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/bmy/dividend-history
https://www.opdivo.com/?cid=sem_2267324&gclid=cfb765b967dc18d56322014647125972&gclsrc=3p.ds
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib)
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) & Chemotherapy Followed by Adjuvant Opdivo
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
Merck and Eisai Provide Update on Two Phase 3 Trials Evaluating KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) in Patients With Certain Types of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
September 22, 2023 6:45 am ET
RAHWAY, N.J. & NUTLEY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, and Eisai today provided updates on two Phase 3 trials, LEAP-006 and LEAP-008, evaluating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, plus LENVIMA, the orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor discovered by Eisai, in patients with certain types of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
LEAP-006: The Phase 3 LEAP-006 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA in combination with pemetrexed (Alimta®) and platinum-containing chemotherapy versus KEYTRUDA with pemetrexed and platinum-containing chemotherapy, a current standard of care option in this disease setting, as a first-line treatment for adult patients with metastatic, nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have confirmation that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)- or c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1)-directed therapies are not indicated, did not meet its dual primary endpoints of overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). At the study’s final analysis, there was not an improvement in OS for patients treated with KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA with chemotherapy compared to KEYTRUDA with chemotherapy. Earlier interim analyses did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in PFS or objective response rate (ORR), a key secondary endpoint.
LEAP-008: The Phase 3 LEAP-008 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA versus docetaxel, a current second line standard of care option, as a treatment for patients with metastatic NSCLC who progressed on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy and one prior anti-PD-1/-L1 immunotherapy, and have confirmation that EGFR-, ALK- or ROS1-directed therapies are not indicated, did not meet its dual primary endpoints of OS and PFS. At the final analysis of the study, there was not an improvement in OS for patients who received KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA compared to docetaxel. Earlier interim analyses did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in PFS or ORR, a key secondary endpoint.
In both the LEAP-006 and LEAP-008 trials, the safety profiles of the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA-based treatment regimens were consistent with that observed in previously reported studies evaluating the combination. A full evaluation of the data from these studies is ongoing. The companies will work with investigators to share the results with the scientific community.
“As a leader in lung cancer research, we continue to try to advance science for our patients by building upon the standard we set several years ago with KEYTRUDA,” said Dr. Gregory Lubiniecki, Vice President, Global Clinical Development, Merck Research Laboratories. “While these results are not what we hoped for, we are proud of the foundational role that KEYTRUDA has established in the treatment of certain types of lung cancer, and we are committed to continuing to research how we can further improve responses to our medicines for patients with difficult-to-treat forms of the disease.”
“Despite great progress in recent years, unmet needs still remain in the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, particularly for those without targetable biomarkers,” said Dr. Corina Dutcus, Senior Vice President, Global Clinical Development, Oncology at Eisai Inc. “KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA has demonstrated survival benefit in advanced renal cell carcinoma and advanced endometrial carcinoma, and while we are disappointed that the final analyses of these non-small cell lung cancer studies did not show the same benefit, we remain committed to applying learnings from these studies and furthering research in oncology for people with unmet needs. We thank all the patients, their families and the investigators involved.”
KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA is approved in the U.S., the EU, Japan and other countries for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and certain types of advanced endometrial carcinoma. Lenvatinib is marketed as KISPLYX for advanced RCC in the EU. Merck and Eisai are studying the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination through the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program in various tumor types, including but not limited to endometrial carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, RCC, head and neck cancer, gastric cancer and esophageal cancer across multiple clinical trials.
Results from the LEAP-006 and LEAP-008 trials do not affect the current approved indications for the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination or other ongoing trials from the LEAP clinical program.
About LEAP-006
LEAP-006 is a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03829319) evaluating KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA with pemetrexed and platinum-containing chemotherapy versus KEYTRUDA plus placebo with pemetrexed and platinum- containing chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic, nonsquamous NSCLC who have confirmation that EGFR-, ALK- or ROS1-directed therapies are not indicated. The dual primary endpoints are PFS, as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RESIST v1.1) modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ, and OS. Secondary endpoints include ORR and duration of response (DOR), as assessed by BICR per RECIST v1.1, quality of life, and safety. The study enrolled an estimated 748 patients who were randomized 1:1 to receive:
- KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously [IV] on Day 1 of each three-week cycle [Q3W]) plus LENVIMA (8 mg orally once daily) with pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 IV Q3W and carboplatin Area Under Curve 5 mg/mL/min (AUC5) or cisplatin 75 mg/m2 Q3W IV; or
- KEYTRUDA (200 mg IV Q3W) plus placebo (oral capsule once daily) with pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 IV Q3W and carboplatin AUC5 or cisplatin 75 mg/m2 Q3W IV.
All study drugs were continued until protocol-specified discontinuation criteria. KEYTRUDA was administered for up to 35 cycles (approximately two years). After completing two years of combination therapy, LENVIMA may have been administered as a single agent until protocol-specified discontinuation criteria were met. Carboplatin or cisplatin was administered for up to four cycles. The LEAP-006 study was conducted in collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company, the makers of Alimta® (pemetrexed).
About LEAP-008
LEAP-008 is a randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03976375) evaluating KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA versus docetaxel for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC who progressed on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy and one prior anti-PD-1/-L1 therapy, and have confirmation that EGFR-, ALK- or ROS1-directed therapies are not indicated. The trial’s dual primary endpoints are PFS, as assessed by BICR per RECIST v1.1 modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of 5 target lesions per organ, and OS. Secondary endpoints include ORR and DOR as assessed by BICR per RECIST v1.1, quality of life and safety. The study enrolled an estimated 422 patients who were randomized 4:4:1 to receive:
- KEYTRUDA (200 mg IV every three weeks) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally once daily); or
- Docetaxel (75 mg/m2 IV every three weeks); or
- LENVIMA (24 mg orally once daily).
KEYTRUDA was administered for up to 35 cycles (approximately two years) or until protocol-specified discontinuation criteria were met. After completing two years of combination therapy, LENVIMA may have been administered as a single agent until protocol-specified discontinuation criteria were met.
About lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In 2020 alone, there were more than 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer globally. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer in the U.S., accounting for about 81% of all cases. In the U.S., the overall five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with lung cancer is 25%, which is a 21% improvement over the last five years. Improved survival rates are due, in part, to earlier detection and screening, reduction in smoking, advances in diagnostic and surgical procedures, as well as the introduction of new therapies. Early detection and screening remain an important unmet need, as 44% of lung cancer cases are not found until they are advanced. Only 5.8% of people in the U.S. who are eligible were screened for lung cancer in 2021.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
See additional selected KEYTRUDA indications in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information.
Additional Selected KEYTRUDA Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA, in combination with LENVIMA, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with LENVIMA, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) as determined by an FDA-approved test or not MSI-H, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
About LENVIMA® (lenvatinib); available as 10 mg and 4 mg capsules
LENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is an orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, the platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), KIT, and RET. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, LENVIMA decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity in combination with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody compared to either treatment alone.
LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Indications in the U.S.
- For the treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)
- In combination with pembrolizumab, for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
- In combination with everolimus, for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy
- For the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
- In combination with pembrolizumab, for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma (EC) that is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
- https://www.lenvima.com/
Please see Prescribing Information for LENVIMA (lenvatinib) at http://www.lenvima.com/pdfs/prescribing-information.pdf .
About the Merck and Eisai strategic collaboration
In March 2018, Eisai and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA. Under the agreement, the companies will jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA.
In addition to ongoing clinical studies evaluating the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination across several different tumor types, the companies have jointly initiated new clinical studies through the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program and are evaluating the combination in various tumor types across multiple clinical trials.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Eisai’s focus on cancer
Eisai acknowledges “Oncology” as one of its key strategic areas, and will continue to focus on the discovery and development of anti-cancer drugs within drug discovery domains including “microenvironment”, “proteostasis disruption”, “cell lineage and cell differentiation”, and “inflammation, hypoxia, oxidative stress and cell senescence” under the Deep Human Biology Learning (DHBL) drug discovery and development organization. Eisai aspires to discover innovative new drugs with new targets and mechanisms of action from these domains, with the aim of contributing to the cure of cancers.
About Eisai
Eisai’s Corporate Concept is “to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides.” Under this Concept [also known as our human health care (hhc) Concept], we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology.
In addition, our continued commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is a target (3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is demonstrated by our work on various activities together with global partners.
For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), us.eisai.com (for U.S. headquarters: Eisai Inc.) or www.eisai.eu (for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand headquarters: Eisai Europe Ltd.), and connect with us on Twitter (U.S. and global) and LinkedIn (for U.S. and EMEA).
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
MRK Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/mrk/dividend-history
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
Merck Announces Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A39/EV-302 Trial Met Dual Primary Endpoints of Overall Survival (OS) and Progression-Free Survival (PFS) in Certain Patients With Previously Untreated Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer
September 22, 2023 6:00 am ET
First Phase 3 results for the KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) combination showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS, PFS and key secondary endpoint of overall response rate versus chemotherapy in these patients, who may or may not be eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced positive topline results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A39 trial (also known as EV-302), which was conducted in collaboration with Seagen and Astellas, evaluating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) versus chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin or carboplatin) in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC). The trial enrolled patients who may or may not be eligible for treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, regardless of PD-L1 status.
In the trial, KEYTRUDA in combination with enfortumab vedotin met its dual primary endpoints of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement versus chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated la/mUC. The combination also showed a statistically significant improvement in overall response rate (ORR), a key secondary endpoint, versus chemotherapy. The safety profile of KEYTRUDA and enfortumab vedotin in this study was consistent with previously reported studies of this combination.
“The results of this pivotal Phase 3 study are highly encouraging and showed a statistically significant survival benefit for the combination of KEYTRUDA with the antibody-drug conjugate enfortumab vedotin in cisplatin-eligible or cisplatin-ineligible patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president and head of global clinical development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “This is an important milestone, as many patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma still experience disease progression following chemotherapy. We look forward to sharing these data with the medical community and regulatory authorities.”
The Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A39 trial is intended to serve as the confirmatory trial for the current U.S. accelerated approval of KEYTRUDA in combination with enfortumab vedotin as first-line treatment for patients with la/mUC who are not eligible to receive cisplatin-containing chemotherapy based on data from the KEYNOTE-869 trial (also known as EV-103) dose escalation cohort, Cohort A and Cohort K.
Merck, in collaboration with Seagen and Astellas, are evaluating this combination as part of an extensive clinical development program in multiple stages of urothelial cancer, including two Phase 3 clinical trials in muscle-invasive bladder cancer in KEYNOTE-B15 (NCT04700124, also known as EV-304) and KEYNOTE-905 (NCT03924895, also known as EV-303).
About the KEYNOTE-A39 (EV-302) trial
The KEYNOTE-A39 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04223856) is an open-label, randomized, controlled Phase 3 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with enfortumab vedotin compared with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin or carboplatin) for the treatment of patients with previously untreated la/mUC who may or may not be able to receive treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The dual primary endpoints are PFS as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1 and OS. Key secondary endpoints include ORR per RECIST v1.1 by BICR, time to pain progression and duration of response per RECIST v1.1 by BICR. The study enrolled 886 patients who were randomized to receive either:
- KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously [IV] on Day 1 of each three-week cycle for a maximum of 35 cycles or a protocol-defined reason for study discontinuation occurs, whichever is first) plus enfortumab vedotin (125 mg/m2 by IV on Days 1 and 8 of each three-week cycle for an unlimited number of cycles until a protocol defined reason for study discontinuation occurs); or
- Gemcitabine (administered as IV infusion on Days 1 and 8 of each three-week cycle) plus platinum-containing chemotherapy (either carboplatin [administered by IV on Day 1 of each three-week cycle] or cisplatin [administered by IV on Day 1 of each three-week cycle]) for a maximum of six cycles or a protocol-defined reason for study discontinuation occurs, whichever is first.
About bladder and urothelial cancer
Urothelial cancer, or bladder cancer, begins in the urothelial cells, which line the urethra, bladder, ureters, renal pelvis and some other organs. In the U.S., it is estimated that approximately 82,290 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 573,000 new cases of bladder cancer are reported annually. Urothelial cancer accounts for about 90% of all bladder cancers. Approximately 12% of cases are la/mUC at diagnosis. Many patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma face a poor prognosis and experience disease progression following initial treatment with chemotherapy.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD- L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
See additional selected indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information
KEYTRUDA With Axitinib
KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib can cause hepatic toxicity. Monitor liver enzymes before initiation of and periodically throughout treatment. Consider monitoring more frequently as compared to when the drugs are administered as single agents. For elevated liver enzymes, interrupt KEYTRUDA and axitinib, and consider administering corticosteroids as needed. With the combination of KEYTRUDA and axitinib, Grades 3 and 4 increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (20%) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (13%) were seen at a higher frequency compared to KEYTRUDA alone. Fifty-nine percent of the patients with increased ALT received systemic corticosteroids. In patients with ALT ≥3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (Grades 2-4, n=116), ALT resolved to Grades 0-1 in 94%. Among the 92 patients who were rechallenged with either KEYTRUDA (n=3) or axitinib (n=34) administered as a single agent or with both (n=55), recurrence of ALT ≥3 times ULN was observed in 1 patient receiving KEYTRUDA, 16 patients receiving axitinib, and 24 patients receiving both. All patients with a recurrence of ALT ≥3 ULN subsequently recovered from the event.
Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies
Adrenal Insufficiency
KEYTRUDA can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.8% (22/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 77% (17/22) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.3% (8) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.
Hypophysitis
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate hormone replacement as indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (17/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.2%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 94% (16/17) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Hypophysitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.1% (4) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.
Thyroid Disorders
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone replacement for hypothyroidism or institute medical management of hyperthyroidism as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Thyroiditis occurred in 0.6% (16/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.3%). None discontinued, but KEYTRUDA was withheld in <0.1% (1) of patients.
Hyperthyroidism occurred in 3.4% (96/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (0.8%). It led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (2) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement. Hypothyroidism occurred in 8% (237/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (6.2%). It led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.5% (14) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement. The majority of patients with hypothyroidism required long-term thyroid hormone replacement. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 1185 patients with HNSCC, occurring in 16% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent or in combination with platinum and FU, including Grade 3 (0.3%) hypothyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 389 adult patients with cHL (17%) receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, including Grade 1 (6.2%) and Grade 2 (10.8%) hypothyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hyperthyroidism was higher in 580 patients with resected NSCLC, occurring in 11% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent as adjuvant treatment, including Grade 3 (0.2%) hyperthyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 580 patients with resected NSCLC, occurring in 22% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent as adjuvant treatment (KEYNOTE-091), including Grade 3 (0.3%) hypothyroidism.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Which Can Present With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Type 1 DM occurred in 0.2% (6/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA. It led to permanent discontinuation in <0.1% (1) and withholding of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.
Immune-Mediated Nephritis With Renal Dysfunction
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.3% (9/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.1%), and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 89% (8/9) of patients. Nephritis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.1% (3) and withholding in 0.1% (3) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Nephritis resolved in 56% of the 9 patients.
Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse Reactions
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, has occurred with anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate nonexfoliative rashes. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions occurred in 1.4% (38/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (1%) and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 40% (15/38) of patients. These reactions led to permanent discontinuation in 0.1% (2) and withholding of KEYTRUDA in 0.6% (16) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 6% had recurrence. The reactions resolved in 79% of the 38 patients.
Additional Indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either: in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About the Astellas, Seagen and Merck collaboration
Astellas and Seagen entered a clinical collaboration agreement with Merck to evaluate the combination of Astellas’ and Seagen’s Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with previously untreated metastatic urothelial cancer. Padcev® and the Padcev device are trademarks jointly owned by Agensys, Inc., and Seagen Inc.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck succeeds in Phase 3 trial for bladder cancer therapy
Sep. 22, 2023 6:49 AM ET
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), SGEN, ALPMF, ALPMYPFE
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced Friday that its anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda, in combination with Seagen’s (NASDAQ:SGEN) antibody-drug conjugate Padcev, met the dual primary endpoints in a Phase 3 trial as a first-line option for patients with bladder cancer.
Merck (MRK), Japanese drugmaker Astellas (OTCPK:ALPMF) (OTCPK:ALPMY), and Pfizer’s (PFE) buyout target, Seagen (SGEN), partnered in the trial known as KEYNOTE-A39 (EV-302).
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4014482-merck-phase-3-win-bladder-cancer-therapy
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), SGEN, ALPMF, ALPMY
MRK Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/mrk/dividend-history
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy
FDA Grants Priority Review to Merck’s Application for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy as Treatment for Patients With Newly Diagnosed High-Risk Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer
September 20, 2023 6:45 am ET
Acceptance based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A18 trial, which showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival in these patients
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for priority review a new supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) seeking approval for KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) plus concurrent chemotherapy, followed by brachytherapy (also known as concurrent chemoradiotherapy) as treatment with definitive intent for newly diagnosed patients with high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer. The sBLA is based on data from the KEYNOTE-A18 trial, also known as ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047, in which KEYTRUDA plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone. If approved, this would be Merck’s third approved indication in cervical cancer and first in an earlier stage of the disease. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of January 20, 2024.
“The standard of care for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer has not changed in more than two decades, and the majority of patients will experience recurrence or progression of their disease,” said Dr. Gursel Aktan, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “If approved, KEYTRUDA will be the first immunotherapy available for patients with newly diagnosed high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer. We are committed to working closely with the FDA to bring KEYTRUDA to these patients who are in need of additional treatment options.”
In the U.S., KEYTRUDA has two approved indications in cervical cancer: in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test; and as a single agent, for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About KEYNOTE-A18/ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047
KEYNOTE-A18, also known as ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047, is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04221945) sponsored by Merck and conducted in collaboration with the European Network for Gynaecological Oncology Trial (ENGOT) groups and the GOG Foundation, Inc. (GOG) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with EBRT plus concurrent chemotherapy (cisplatin), followed by brachytherapy (also known as concurrent chemoradiotherapy) compared to placebo plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of newly diagnosed high-risk (stage 1B2-2B with lymph node-positive disease, and stage 3-4A with and without lymph node-positive disease per FIGO 2014) locally advanced cervical cancer where patients are treated with definitive intent. The primary endpoints are PFS and overall survival, and secondary endpoints include complete response rate, objective response rate and safety. The trial enrolled 1,060 patients who were randomized to receive:
- KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously [IV]) on Day 1 of each three-week cycle (Q3W) for five cycles followed by KEYTRUDA (400 mg by IV) on Day 1 of each six-week cycle (Q6W) for an additional 15 cycles plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin 40 mg/m2 by IV once per week [QW] for five or six weeks plus EBRT followed by brachytherapy with minimum total radiotherapy dose of 80 Gray Units [Gy] for volume-directed and 75 Gy for point-directed given with the total duration of radiation treatment not to exceed 50 days [with an extension to a maximum of 56 days for unforeseen delays]); or
- Placebo plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin 40 mg/m2 by IV QW for five or six weeks plus EBRT followed by brachytherapy with minimum total radiotherapy dose of 80 Gy for volume-directed and 75 Gy for point-directed given with the total duration of radiation treatment not to exceed 50 days [with an extension to a maximum of 56 days for unforeseen delays]).
About Merck’s research in breast and gynecologic cancers
Merck is advancing research aimed at improving outcomes for patients affected by breast and gynecologic (ovarian, cervical and endometrial) cancers. Merck has a comprehensive clinical development program across these cancers, comprised of more than 15 Merck-sponsored Phase 3 studies evaluating KEYTRUDA as monotherapy and in combination with other medicines. In the U.S., KEYTRUDA currently has two approved indications for triple-negative breast cancer and four approved indications across gynecologic cancers (see indications below). Among Merck’s research efforts are trials focused on evaluating KEYTRUDA in earlier stages of these cancers, including KEYNOTE-A18, as well as identifying new combinations and coformulations with KEYTRUDA.
About Merck’s early-stage cancer clinical program
Finding cancer at an earlier stage may give patients a greater chance of long-term survival. Many cancers are considered most treatable and potentially curable in their earliest stage of disease. Building on the strong understanding of the role of KEYTRUDA in later-stage cancers, Merck is studying KEYTRUDA in earlier disease states, with more than 25 ongoing registrational studies across multiple types of cancer, including KEYNOTE-A18.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD- L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Additional Selected KEYTRUDA Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either: in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
MRK Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/mrk/dividend-history
Veklury® (Remdesivir)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy
September 19, 2023
CHMP Adopts Positive Opinion to Extend the Use of Veklury® (Remdesivir) to Treat COVID-19 in People With Hepatic Impairment
-- This Positive Opinion Reinforces Veklury’s Strong Safety Profile --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted a positive opinion for the use of Veklury® (remdesivir) to treat people with COVID-19 with mild to severe hepatic impairment. The European Commission (EC) will review the CHMP recommendation and, if adopted, Veklury will become the first and only authorized antiviral COVID-19 treatment that can be used across all stages of liver disease.
Europe has the highest burden of liver disease in the world and cases are expected to grow across many countries. Furthermore, people with liver disease represent a population that is highly vulnerable to COVID-19 and are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Safety data in people with severe hepatic impairment are limited and there are few treatment options that are safe and effective.
“Despite lower levels of COVID-19 circulating in the European Union (EU) than at the height of the pandemic, the disease continues to persist and pose a real risk to vulnerable individuals, including those with hepatic impairment,” said Anu Osinusi, Vice President, Clinical Research for Hepatitis, Respiratory and Emerging Viruses, Gilead Sciences. “Today’s positive CHMP opinion reflects Gilead’s ongoing commitment to addressing the unmet needs of those most susceptible to COVID-19.”
The clinical benefit of Veklury in hospitalized populations with COVID-19 is supported by randomized controlled trials, real-world evidence and meta-analyses, but the pharmacokinetics of Veklury had not previously been evaluated in patients with hepatic impairment. This positive opinion was based on results from a Phase 1 study of safety and pharmacokinetics in people with hepatic impairment (GS-US-540-9014). Based upon these results, the revised recommendation requires no dose adjustment or liver function testing before or during treatment with Veklury.
“The positive opinion from the Committee helps validate the safety profile of Veklury and is reassuring news to vulnerable populations, such as those living with liver disease that may be facing an increased risk of complications from COVID-19,” said Antonella Castagna, MD, Head of Infectious Diseases at San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Professor, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. “Expanding the use of Veklury to those with hepatic impairment will help more people gain access to treatment for COVID-19.”
This positive opinion follows recent approvals in the U.S. and the EU which extended the approval of Veklury to treat COVID-19 in people with renal and hepatic impairment.
About GS-US-540-9014
Gilead conducted a Phase 1, multicenter, open-label, single-dose study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of Veklury and its metabolites in participants with normal hepatic function and moderate or severe hepatic impairment. Participants with varying degrees of hepatic impairment and normal hepatic function were enrolled as follows: Cohort 1: 20 participants (10 moderate hepatic impairment and 10 matched normal hepatic function control participants, for a target of 8 evaluable per group), Cohort 2: 12 participants (6 severe hepatic impairment and 6 matched normal hepatic function control participants).
About Gilead’s COVID-19 Development Program
Veklury (remdesivir) is a nucleotide analog prodrug invented by Gilead, building on more than a decade of the company’s antiviral research. Veklury is the antiviral standard of care for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and is a recommended treatment for reducing disease progression in non-hospitalized patients at high risk of disease progression. Veklury has an established safety profile and minimal known drug interactions in diverse populations. It plays an important role in reducing disease progression and mortality across a spectrum of disease severity and enabling patients to recover faster.
Veklury directly inhibits viral replication inside of the cell by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA polymerase. Based on in vitro analyses, Veklury retains antiviral activity against recent Omicron subvariants of concern, including XBB, XBB.1.5 and CH.1.1. Veklury continues to be evaluated against emerging variants of interest and concern, including EG.5, EG.5.1 and BA.2.86.
Veklury is approved in more than 50 countries worldwide. To date, Veklury and generic remdesivir have been made available to more than 13 million patients around the world, including more than 8 million people in middle- and low-income countries through Gilead’s voluntary licensing program.
There remains a significant need to develop new and effective oral treatment options for people with COVID-19. Gilead is also working to advance an investigational oral antiviral, obeldesivir, for the treatment of COVID-19. Obeldesivir is a direct-acting nucleoside inhibitor of the of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a critical component that the virus uses to replicate.
U.S. Indication for Veklury
Veklury (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (≥28 days old and weighing ≥3 kg) who are:
- Hospitalized, or
- Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information available at www.gilead.com.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. full Prescribing Information for Veklury is available at www.gilead.com .
Veklury, Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead wins EU backing to use remdesivir for COVID-19 in liver disease
Sep. 19, 2023 12:10 PM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor2 Comments
- Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) announced Tuesday that an expert panel of the EU drug regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), recommended marketing authorization for its antiviral Veklury (remdesivir) for COVID-19 in people with liver impairment.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4013253-gilead-wins-eu-backing-covid-19-therapy-liver-disease
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)
- https://www.gilead.com/
- https://www.veklury.com/
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Six-Year Outcomes from Phase 3 CheckMate -227 Trial Show Durable, Long-Term Survival with Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) in the First-Line Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
09/11/2023 CATEGORY:
Data from longest reported follow-up for a Phase 3 trial with immunotherapy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer demonstrate consistent, durable benefits of Opdivo plus Yervoy vs. chemotherapy at six years, regardless of PD-L1 expression
Opdivo plus Yervoy combination more than tripled overall survival rate at six years compared to chemotherapy in patients with PD-L1 expression <1% in an exploratory analysis
Updated data to be presented and featured in the official press program at IASLC 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced six-year results from Part 1 of the Phase 3 CheckMate -227 trial, which continues to demonstrate long-term, durable survival benefits of Opdivo (nivolumab)plus Yervoy (ipilimumab)compared to chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), regardless of PD-L1 expression levels. Follow-up results will be featured in an oral presentation (Abstract #OA14.03) and have been selected for the official press program at the IASLC 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (#WCLC23) hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer on September 11, 2023, from 2:32 a.m. to 2:42 a.m. EDT / 2:32 p.m. to 2:42 p.m. SGT.
With a minimum follow-up of over six years (73.5 months), the longest reported for a Phase 3 trial with immunotherapy in mNSCLC:
- Follow-up results of the primary endpoint population of patients with tumor PD-L1 expression ≥1% show that the six-year survival rate for Opdivo plus Yervoy was 22%, compared to 13% for chemotherapy (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.78; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.67 to 0.91).
- In an exploratory analysis of patients with PD-L1 expression <1%, more than three times as many patients treated with Opdivo plus Yervoy were alive at six years compared to those treated with chemotherapy (16% vs. 5%, respectively; HR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.81).
- Among those who responded to treatment, greater proportions of patients had tumor burden reduction ≥80% with Opdivo plus Yervoy vs. chemotherapy in both the PD-L1 ≥1% (15% vs. 3%, respectively) and <1% (8% vs. 1%, respectively) subgroups, and six-year overall survival (OS) rates for patients with tumor burden reduction ≥80% with Opdivo plus Yervoy were higher compared to chemotherapy (59% vs. 42% for PD-L1 ≥1% and 77% vs. 0% for PD-L1 <1%, respectively).
- The safety profile for the dual immunotherapy combination Opdivo plus Yervoy remained consistent with previously reported data from this trial and was manageable with established protocols, with no new safety signals identified.
“Immunotherapy has transformed the treatment of advanced lung cancer, and thankfully, a diagnosis no longer means the same thing as it used to for many patients. With these six-year results, we are seeing remarkably sustained and durable clinical survival benefits with nivolumab plus ipilimumab year-over-year,” said Solange Peters, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of medical oncology and the thoracic malignancies program in the Department of Oncology at the University Hospital of Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland. “The long-term efficacy seen with the dual immunotherapy regimen in CheckMate -227 reinforce the importance of nivolumab plus ipilimumab to transform outcomes for appropriate patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.”
“We are ecstatic to see Opdivo plus Yervoy continue to demonstrate almost double the overall survival rates as chemotherapy after six years of follow-up – the longest-ever for a Phase 3 trial with immunotherapy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Further, the Opdivo plus Yervoy regimen more than tripled survival for patients with PD-L1 expression <1%, a population that is difficult to treat and faces high unmet needs,” said Abderrahim Oukessou, M.D., vice president, thoracic cancers global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Our results presented at WCLC 2023 build on our legacy of transforming survival expectations with immunotherapy combinations. Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our research into targeted and small molecule therapies, as well as additional immunotherapy combinations, in the hope of potentially finding solutions for as many people living with thoracic cancers as possible.”
Opdivo plus Yervoy-based combinations have shown significant improvements in OS in six Phase 3 clinical trials in five tumors to date: metastatic NSCLC, metastatic melanoma, advanced renal cell carcinoma, malignant pleural mesothelioma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
About CheckMate -227
CheckMate -227 is a multi-part open-label global randomized Phase 3 trial evaluating Opdivo-based regimens versus platinum-doublet chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) across non-squamous and squamous tumor histologies.
There are two independent primary endpoints in Part 1 for Opdivo plus Yervoy (versus chemotherapy): overall survival (OS) in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (assessed in patients enrolled in Part 1a) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with tumor mutational burden (TMB) ≥10 mutations/megabase (mut/Mb) across the PD-L1 spectrum (assessed in patients enrolled across Parts 1a and 1b). Patients were treated as follows:
- Part 1a: Opdivo (3 mg/kg every 2 weeks) plus Yervoy (1 mg/kg every 6 weeks), Opdivo monotherapy (240 mg every 2 weeks), or chemotherapy (every 3 weeks for up to four cycles) in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%)
- Part 1b: Opdivo plus Yervoy,Opdivo (360 mg every 3 weeks) plus chemotherapy (every 3 weeks for up to four cycles), or chemotherapy (every 3 weeks for up to four cycles) in patients whose tumors do not express PD-L1 (<1%)
Part 1 met both its independent primary endpoints of PFS with the Opdivo plus Yervoy combination versus chemotherapy in patients whose tumors have high (≥10 mut/Mb) TMB, regardless of PD-L1 expression, and OS demonstrating a superior benefit for Opdivo plus Yervoy versus chemotherapy in first-line metastatic NSCLC patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 ≥1%.
About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. The two main types of lung cancer are non-small cell and small cell. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of lung cancer, representing up to 84% of diagnoses. Survival rates vary depending on the stage and type of the cancer when diagnosed.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
About Yervoy
Yervoy is a recombinant, human monoclonal antibody that binds to the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4). CTLA-4 is a negative regulator of T-cell activity. Yervoy binds to CTLA-4 and blocks the interaction of CTLA-4 with its ligands, CD80/CD86. Blockade of CTLA-4 has been shown to augment T-cell activation and proliferation, including the activation and proliferation of tumor infiltrating T-effector cells. Inhibition of CTLA-4 signaling can also reduce T-regulatory cell function, which may contribute to a general increase in T-cell responsiveness, including the anti-tumor immune response. On March 25, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Yervoy 3 mg/kg monotherapy for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Yervoy is approved for unresectable or metastatic melanoma in more than 50 countries. There is a broad, ongoing development program in place for Yervoy spanning multiple tumor types.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
Clinical Trials and Patient Populations
Checkmate 227-previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LA–previously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649–previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577–adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238–adjuvant treatment of melanoma; Checkmate 274–adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275–previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142–MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3–esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648-previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648-previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 040–hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743–previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037–previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066-previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067–previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017–second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057–second-line treatment of metastatic non- squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816–neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 141–recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025–previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ER–previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039–classical Hodgkin lymphoma
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Multimedia Files:
Download:Download original 99 KB 1505 x 211Download thumbnail 5 KB 200 x 28Download lowres 15 KB 480 x 67Download square 7 KB 250 x 250
BMY Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/bmy/dividend-history
https://www.opdivo.com/?cid=sem_2267324&gclid=cfb765b967dc18d56322014647125972&gclsrc=3p.ds
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
September 10, 2023
Gilead’s Phase 2 EVOKE-02 Study of Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Demonstrates Promising Clinical Activity in First-Line Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
– Results Show Encouraging Activity of Trodelvy in Combination with KEYTRUDA in 1L Metastatic NSCLC Across all PD-L1 Subgroups and Histologies Studied –
– Results Support Further Investigation of Trodelvy in Combination with KEYTRUDA in 1L Metastatic NSCLC–
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced promising early data from the global, open-label, Phase 2 EVOKE-02 study evaluating Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) with or without platinum agents in patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without actionable genomic alterations. The results are being presented today at the IASLC 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (#WCLC23) hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
The preliminary analysis of the EVOKE-02 study includes results of two cohorts: Trodelvy in combination with KEYTRUDA in first-line advanced or metastatic squamous/non-squamous NSCLC with PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥ 50% (Cohort A) and TPS < 50% (Cohort B). In Cohort A (n=29), confirmed and unconfirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 69%, and disease control rate (DCR) was 86%. In Cohort B (n=32), confirmed and unconfirmed ORR was 44%, and DCR was 78%. Across both cohorts, the ORR was 56%, and DCR was 82%. Median duration of response (DoR) was not reached at the time of data cut-off, and DoR rate at six months was 88% in both cohorts.
“Patients with metastatic NSCLC continue to need novel treatment options. The data from the EVOKE-02 study gives us confidence in the clinical activity of sacituzumab govitecan in combination with pembrolizumab in first-line metastatic NSCLC patients,” said Byoung Chul Cho, MD, PhD, Professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine. “The positive response rates and duration of response across patients treated with the combination shows promise compared with historical responses to anti-PD1 monotherapy in this setting.These data support further investigation of sacituzumab govitecan as a potential IO-combination option in first-line metastatic NSCLC.”
“The EVOKE-02 trial is the first data presented from several Gilead studies dedicated to exploring Trodelvy’s potential in lung cancer,” said Bill Grossman, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. “These data are very encouraging and confirms our approach for the ongoing Phase 3 EVOKE-03 study of Trodelvy in combination with KEYTRUDA vs. KEYTRUDA monotherapy for patients in first-line PD-L1-high metastatic NSCLC. We look forward to potentially bringing a new treatment option to previously untreated metastatic NSCLC patients.”
The safety profile of Trodelvy in combination with KEYTRUDA in the EVOKE-02 study was consistent with the known safety of each agent. The most common any-grade TEAEs were diarrhea (54%), anemia (48%), and asthenia (38%). Known key safety events for Trodelvy were not increased with the addition of KEYTRUDA. The immune related adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of KEYTRUDA. Discontinuation rates due to adverse events were 18%. One treatment related death was observed due to sepsis.
Gilead entered into two clinical trial collaboration and supply agreements with Merck (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada) in January 2022 to evaluate the combination of Trodelvy and Merck’s KEYTRUDA in the Phase 2 EVOKE-02 signal-seeking study and the ongoing Phase 3 EVOKE-03 study in first-line NSCLC.
The use of Trodelvy for the treatment of NSCLC and the use of Trodelvy in combination with KEYTRUDA for any use is investigational, and the safety and efficacy for these uses have not been established or approved by any regulatory agency globally. Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Worldwide, more than two million people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for up to 85% of diagnoses. It is a cancer with high Trop-2 expression (89 – 100%) and about half of NSCLC cases are diagnosed at the metastatic stage (57%), when treatment is especially difficult. Even in patients whose disease is caught early, half will eventually progress to the metastatic stage within five years. Newly diagnosed patients have several treatment options including platinum-based therapy, checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies.
About the EVOKE-02 Study
The EVOKE-02 study is an open-label, global, multi-center, multi-cohort, Phase 2 study evaluating Trodelvy in combination with KEYTRUDA with or without chemotherapy regardless of PD-L1 expression in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC without actionable genomic alterations. Patients were assigned to cohorts according to disease status or PD-L1 expression. Patients were assigned to Cohorts A or B according to Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) status:
- Cohort A enrolled patients with squamous/non-squamous NSCLC with TPS ≥ 50%.
- Cohort B enrolled patients with squamous/non-squamous NSCLC with TPS < 50%.
Patients enrolled in Cohorts A or B received the combination of Trodelvy and KEYTRUDA.
Following enrolment in a safety run-in cohort, patients will be enrolled in Cohorts C or D according to disease status for carboplatin combinations.
- Cohort C enrolled patients with non-squamous NSCLC with any PD-L1 expression level.
- Cohort D enrolled patients with squamous NSCLC with any PD-L1 expression level.
Patients enrolled in Cohorts C or D received Trodelvy plus KEYTRUDA plus platinum agent.
The primary endpoints are objective response rate (ORR) as assessed by independent review per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) and percentage of participants experiencing dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) per dose level in the safety run-in cohorts. Additional efficacy measures include progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), duration of response (DoR) and disease control rate (DCR). More information about EVOKE-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05186974.
KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in almost 50 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. and the European Union to treat certain patients with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. In the U.S., Trodelvy also has accelerated approval for treatment of certain patients with second-line metastatic urothelial cancer (UC); see below for the full U.S. indication for Trodelvy.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC, HR+/HER2- and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:
- Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting.
- Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
- https://www.trodelvy.com/patient/hr-positive-her2-negative-mbc
In the TROPiCS-02 study (locally advanced or metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer), the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥25%) were diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, alopecia, and constipation. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (SAR) (>1%) were diarrhea (5%), febrile neutropenia (4%), neutropenia (3%), abdominal pain, colitis, neutropenic colitis, pneumonia, and vomiting (each 2%). SAR were reported in 28% of patients, and 6% discontinued therapy due to adverse reactions. The most common Grade 3-4 lab abnormalities (incidence ≥25%) in the TROPiCS-02 study were reduced neutrophils and leukocytes.
In the TROPHY study (locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer), the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥25%) were diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, any infection, alopecia, decreased appetite, constipation, vomiting, rash, and abdominal pain. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (SAR) (≥5%) were infection (18%), neutropenia (12%, including febrile neutropenia in 10%), acute kidney injury (6%), urinary tract infection (6%), and sepsis or bacteremia (5%). SAR were reported in 44% of patients, and 10% discontinued due to adverse reactions. The most common Grade 3-4 lab abnormalities (incidence ≥25%) in the TROPHY study were reduced neutrophils, leukocytes, and lymphocytes.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
UGT1A1 Inhibitors: Concomitant administration of Trodelvy with inhibitors of UGT1A1 may increase the incidence of adverse reactions due to potential increase in systemic exposure to SN-38. Avoid administering UGT1A1 inhibitors with Trodelvy.
UGT1A1 Inducers: Exposure to SN-38 may be reduced in patients concomitantly receiving UGT1A1 enzyme inducers. Avoid administering UGT1A1 inducers with Trodelvy.
Please see full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNING.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. Prescribing Information for Trodelvy including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.gilead.com .
Trodelvy, Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead says Trodelvy with Merck’s Keytruda controls lung cancer
Sep. 10, 2023 5:30 AM ET
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), MRK
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor3 Comments
Gilead (NASDAQ:GILD) announced Sunday that its antibody-drug conjugate Trodelvy and Merck’s (NYSE:MRK) anti-PD-1 immunotherapy Keytruda cut tumor size in previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the commonest form of lung cancer.
Ahead of a presentation at the World Conference on Lung Cancer, the Foster City, California-based biotech said that the early readout indicated the potential of Trodelvy in lung cancer. The intravenously delivered injection is approved in the U.S. for certain breast and bladder cancer types.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4010428-gilead-trodelvy-mercks-keytruda-controls-lung-cancer
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), MRK
https://www.trodelvy.com/patient/hr-positive-her2-negative-mbc
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
ENHERTU® Granted Two Breakthrough Therapy Designations in U.S. for Patients Across Multiple HER2 Expressing Cancers • Designations for Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca's ENHERTU include patients with HER2 expressing metastatic solid tumors and HER2 positive metastatic colorectal cancer • ENHERTU has now been granted seven Breakthrough Therapy Designations Tokyo and Basking Ridge, NJ – (August 31, 2023) – ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) has been granted two additional Breakthrough Therapy Designations (BTDs) in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive (immunohistochemistry [IHC] 3+) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options, and for the treatment of patients with HER2 positive (IHC 3+) metastatic colorectal cancer who have received two or more prior regimens. ENHERTU is a specifically engineered HER2 directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialized by Daiichi Sankyo (TSE: 4568) and AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN). HER2 overexpression has been observed in 1% to 28% across various types of metastatic solid tumors and in up to 5% of patients with colorectal cancer. 1,2,3,4 There is an unmet need for effective therapies for these tumor types, particularly for patients who have progressed on or are refractory to standard of care therapies. 5,6 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) BTD is designed to accelerate the development and regulatory review of potential new medicines that are intended to treat a serious condition and address a significant unmet medical need. The new medicine needs to have shown encouraging preliminary clinical results that demonstrate substantial improvement on a clinically significant endpoint over available medicines. The FDA granted the BTD for the treatment of metastatic HER2 positive solid tumors based on results from the ongoing DESTINY-PanTumor02 phase 2 trial with supporting data from other trials in the ENHERTU clinical development program. Results from an interim analysis of DESTINY-PanTumor02 were presented as a late-breaking oral presentation at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual 2 Meeting in previously treated patients with HER2 expressing metastatic solid tumors including biliary tract, bladder, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, pancreatic cancers and other tumors. The BTD for the treatment of HER2 positive metastatic colorectal cancer was based on final results from the DESTINY-CRC01 phase 2 trial presented at the 2022 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI) and primary results from the DESTINY-CRC02 phase 2 trial presented at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting. “ENHERTU is the first HER2 directed therapy to demonstrate a potential benefit across a series of difficultto-treat cancers and these designations are recognition of the continued potential of this innovative medicine,” said Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo. “We remain committed to exploring additional opportunities for ENHERTU in these tumor types with the goal of bringing this treatment to more patients as soon as possible.” “This is an important step in bringing ENHERTU to patients with a broad range of HER2 expressing solid tumors who currently face a poor prognosis,” said Susan Galbraith, MBBChir, PhD, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca. “We are encouraged by the recently reported results from our pantumor and colorectal cancer trials that contributed to these designations, and we look forward to working closely with the FDA to provide these patients with a potential new targeted treatment option.” ENHERTU has received seven BTDs and its designation in HER2 expressing metastatic solid tumors represents the first time ENHERTU has been granted this designation in a tumor agnostic setting. ENHERTU previously received BTDs for three indications in breast cancer, including HER2 low metastatic breast cancer, second-line HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer and later-line HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer. Two additional BTDs for ENHERTU were granted for HER2 (ERBB2) mutant metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and HER2 positive metastatic gastric cancer. About DESTINY-PanTumor02 DESTINY-PanTumor02 is a global, multicenter, multi-cohort, open-label phase 2 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of ENHERTU (5.4 mg/kg) for the treatment of HER2 expressing tumors (IHC 3+ or IHC 2+), including biliary tract cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and other tumors. The primary efficacy endpoint of DESTINY-PanTumor02 is confirmed objective response rate (ORR) as assessed by investigator. Secondary endpoints include duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics. DESTINY-PanTumor02 has enrolled 268 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. 3 About DESTINY-CRC01 DESTINY-CRC01 is a global, phase 2, open-label, multicenter trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of ENHERTU (6.4 mg/kg) in patients with HER2 expressing unresectable and/or metastatic colorectal cancer. The primary endpoint of the main cohort of DESTINY-CRC01, which enrolled 53 patients with HER2 positive (IHC 3+ or IHC 2+/in-situ hybridization [ISH]+) metastatic colorectal cancer, was confirmed ORR as assessed by independent central review. Secondary endpoints include DCR, DoR, PFS, OS and safety. Two additional exploratory cohorts enrolled patients whose tumors had lower levels of HER2 expression (HER2 IHC 2+/ISH- [n=15], and HER2 IHC 1+ [n=18], respectively). DESTINY-CRC01 enrolled 86 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. About DESTINY-CRC02 DESTINY-CRC02 is a global, randomized, two arm, parallel, multicenter phase 2 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of two doses (5.4 mg/kg or 6.4 mg/kg) of ENHERTU in patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive (IHC 3+ or IHC 2+/ISH+) colorectal cancer of BRAF wild-type, or RAS wild-type and RAS mutant tumor types previously treated with standard therapy. The trial was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, patients (n=80) were randomized 1:1 to receive either 5.4 mg/kg or 6.4 mg/kg of ENHERTU. In the second stage, additional patients (n=42) were enrolled in the 5.4 mg/kg arm. The primary endpoint is confirmed ORR as assessed by blinded independent central review. Secondary endpoints include DoR, DCR, investigator-assessed confirmed ORR, clinical benefit ratio, PFS, OS and safety. DESTINY-CRC02 enrolled 122 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. About HER2 Expression in Solid Tumors HER2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor growth-promoting protein expressed on the surface of various tissue cells throughout the body and is involved in normal cell growth. 5,7 In some cancers, HER2 expression is amplified or the cells have activating mutations.7,8 HER2 protein overexpression may occur as a result of HER2 gene amplification and is often associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis.9 4 While HER2 directed therapies have been used to treat breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers, more research is needed evaluating their potential role in treating other HER2 expressing tumor types.3,5,10 HER2 is an emerging biomarker in biliary tract, bladder, cervical, endometrial, ovarian and pancreatic cancers.8 Testing is not routinely performed in these additional tumor types and as a result, available literature is limited. HER2 overexpression has been observed at rates from 1% to 28% in these solid tumors.1,2 There is an unmet need for effective therapies for certain HER2 expressing solid tumors, particularly for those who have progressed on or are refractory to standard of care therapies as there are currently no approved HER2 directed therapies for biliary tract, bladder, cervical, endometrial, ovarian and pancreatic cancers. 5,6 Colorectal cancer is the third most common and second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide with more than 1.9 million patients diagnosed and more than 935,000 deaths globally in 2020.11 Approximately 25% of patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis, meaning the disease has spread to distant organs and about 50% of patients with colorectal cancer will eventually develop metastases.12 For patients with metastatic disease, up to 5% are HER2 overexpressing.3,4 About ENHERTU ENHERTU (trastuzumab deruxtecan; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only) is a HER2 directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, ENHERTU is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced program in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. ENHERTU consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker. ENHERTU (5.4 mg/kg) is approved in more than 50 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received a (or one or more) prior antiHER2-based regimen, either in the metastatic setting or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting, and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial. ENHERTU (5.4 mg/kg) is approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ ISH-) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast04 trial. ENHERTU (5.4 mg/kg) is approved in Israel, Japan and under accelerated approval in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by a locally or regionally approved test, and who have received a prior 5 systemic therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung02 trial. Continued approval in the U.S. for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. ENHERTU (6.4 mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 and/or DESTINY-Gastric02 trials. About the ENHERTU Clinical Development Program A comprehensive global development program is underway evaluating the efficacy and safety of ENHERTU monotherapy across multiple HER2 targetable cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, also are underway. About the Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca Collaboration Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialize ENHERTU in March 2019 and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights for each ADC. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of ENHERTU and datopotamab deruxtecan. About the DXd ADC Portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo The DXd ADC portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo currently consists of five ADCs in clinical development across multiple types of cancer. ENHERTU, a HER2 directed ADC, and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), a TROP2 directed ADC, are being jointly developed and commercialized globally with AstraZeneca. Three additional Daiichi Sankyo DXd ADCs include patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), a HER3 directed ADC, ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd; DS-7300), a B7-H3 directed ADC, and raludotatug deruxtecan (R-DXd; DS6000), a CDH6 directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology to target and deliver a cytotoxic payload inside cancer cells that express a specific cell surface antigen, each ADC consists of a monoclonal antibody attached to a number of topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads (an exatecan derivative, DXd) via tetrapeptidebased cleavable linkers. Datopotamab deruxtecan, ifinatamab deruxtecan, patritumab deruxtecan and raludotatug deruxtecan are investigational medicines that have not been approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established. 6 ENHERTU U.S. Important Safety Information Indications ENHERTU is a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: • Unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either: – In the metastatic setting, or – In the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy • Unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer, as determined by an FDAapproved test, who have received a prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within 6 months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy • Unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on objective response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. • Locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide. About Daiichi Sankyo Daiichi Sankyo is an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society that discovers, develops and delivers new standards of care to enrich the quality of life around the world. With more than 120 years of experience, Daiichi Sankyo leverages its world-class science and technology to create new modalities and innovative medicines for people with cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases with high unmet medical need. For more information, please visit www.daiichisankyo.com.
AstraZeneca Enhertu granted Breakthrough Therapy status for two indications
Aug. 31, 2023 9:58 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSNKY, DSKYF
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The US FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Enhertu (famtrastuzumab) for HER2 positive solid tumors and colorectal cancers.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4008026-astrazeneca-enhertu-breakthrough-therapy-two-indications?mailingid=32567232&messageid=2900&serial=32567232.5924&utm_campaign=rta-stock-news&utm_content=link-1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=seeking_alpha&utm_term=32567232.5924
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSNKY, DSKYF
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
- https://www.daiichisankyo.com/
- https://enhertu.com/en
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) injection
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Roche’s Tecentriq becomes the first subcutaneous anti-PD-(L)1 cancer immunotherapy available to patients in Great Britain, reducing treatment time to just minutes
August 29, 2023
- Tecentriq subcutaneous (SC) is now approved in Great Britain for all indications of intravenous Tecentriq, including certain types of lung, bladder, breast and liver cancer, offering a faster, more convenient option to receive treatment
- Administered under the skin within approx. seven minutes, Tecentriq SC saves time for patients and helps conserve resources in healthcare systems1
- Evaluations by the FDA, EMA and other health authorities globally are ongoing
Basel, 29 August 2023 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that Tecentriq® SC (atezolizumab) has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in Great Britain. It will be provided by the National Health Service (NHS) England. Injecting Tecentriq subcutaneously (under the skin) takes approximately seven minutes, compared with 30-60 minutes for intravenous (IV) infusion. Tecentriq SC will be available to patients in Great Britain for all indications in which the IV formulation of Tecentriq has been previously approved, including certain types of lung, bladder, breast and liver cancer.2
Tecentriq SC is Roche’s fourth subcutaneous cancer therapy.3-5 Multiple oncology studies suggest that the majority of cancer patients generally prefer SC over IV administration due to reduced discomfort, ease of administration and shorter duration of treatment.6-10
“Cancer immunotherapy has transformed the way we treat cancer. Giving Tecentriq subcutaneously now offers patients a faster and more flexible treatment option and can free up resources for healthcare systems, while maintaining its established safety profile,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. “We are working with health authorities globally to bring this option to many more patients around the world.”
The MHRA regulatory approval is the first for Tecentriq SC worldwide. It is based on pivotal data from the Phase IB/III IMscin001 study, which showed comparable levels of Tecentriq in the blood, when administered subcutaneously, and a safety and efficacy profile consistent with the IV formulation.11 While the IMscin001 trial was conducted within the hospital setting, Tecentriq SC may be suitable for out of hospital administration by a healthcare professional.
For Northern Ireland, the Tecentriq SC marketing authorisation application is currently under assessment by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Evaluations by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other health authorities globally are also ongoing.
About the IMscin001 study
IMscin001 is a Phase IB/III, global, multicentre, randomised study evaluating the pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy of Tecentriq SC, compared with Tecentriq IV, in patients with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC for whom prior platinum therapy has failed. The study enrolled 371 patients.
In August 2022, part 2 of the study met its primary endpoints, demonstrating comparable levels of Tecentriq in the blood during a given dosing interval on the basis of established pharmacokinetic measurements; observed serum Ctrough and model-predicted area under the curve. Efficacy, as measured by the overall response rate and progression-free survival, was similar between the SC and IV treatment arms and consistent with the known profile of Tecentriq IV. The safety profile of Tecentriq SC was also consistent with that of Tecentriq IV.11
About Tecentriq SC (subcutaneous)
Tecentriq SC combines Tecentriq with Halozyme Therapeutics’ Enhanze® drug delivery technology.
Tecentriq is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), which is expressed on tumour cells and tumour-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, Tecentriq may enable the activation of T-cells. Tecentriq is a cancer immunotherapy that has the potential to be used as a foundational combination partner with other immunotherapies, targeted medicines and various chemotherapies across a broad range of cancers.
The Enhanze drug delivery technology is based on a proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), an enzyme that locally and temporarily degrades hyaluronan – a glycosaminoglycan or chain of natural sugars in the body – in the subcutaneous space. This increases the permeability of the tissue under the skin, allowing space for Tecentriq to enter, enabling it to be rapidly dispersed and absorbed into the bloodstream.
Tecentriq is approved for some of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of cancer. Tecentriq was the first cancer immunotherapy approved for the treatment of a certain type of early-stage (adjuvant) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tecentriq is also approved in countries around the world, either alone or in combination with targeted therapies and/or chemotherapies, for various forms of metastatic NSCLC, certain types of metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC), PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), BRAF V600 mutation-positive advanced melanoma and alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS).
About Roche in cancer immunotherapy
To learn more about Roche’s scientific-led approach to cancer immunotherapy, please follow this link: https://www.roche.com/solutions/focus-areas/oncology/cancer-immunotherapy
About Roche
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.
In recognising our endeavour to pursue a long-term perspective in all we do, Roche has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceuticals industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the thirteenth consecutive year. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in every country we work.
Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.
For more information, please visit www.roche.com.
All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.
Roche granted U.K. approval for subcutaneous Tecentriq
Aug. 29, 2023 7:14 AM ET
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (HALO), RHHBY, RHHBF
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY) (OTCQX:RHHBF) announced Tuesday that the U.K. drug regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), approved a subcutaneous (under the skin) version of its blockbuster cancer therapy Tecentriq.
- Tecentriq SC, developed using the Enhanze drug delivery technology of Halozyme Therapeutics (NASDAQ:HALO), takes only about seven minutes to deliver the anti-PD-(L)1 cancer immunotherapy, compared to 30–60 minutes used by the intravenous (IV) infusion.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4006956-roche-wins-uk-approval-subcutaneous-tecentriq
- https://www.roche.com/
- Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (HALO), RHHBY, RHHBF
- https://www.tecentriq.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy
European Commission Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for HER2-Positive Advanced Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction (GEJ) Adenocarcinoma Expressing PD-L1 (CPS ≥1)
August 29, 2023 6:50 am ET
Approval based on progression-free survival benefit demonstrated in Phase 3 KEYNOTE-811 trial
KEYTRUDA is the first immunotherapy approved in the EU for the first-line treatment of this patient population
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, for the first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma in adults whose tumors express PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥1).
This approval by the EC follows the positive recommendation from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use received in July 2023 and was based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-811 trial. In the study, KEYTRUDA plus trastuzumab and chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR), compared to trastuzumab and chemotherapy alone in this patient population. In the study, more than 80% of patients had tumors that were PD-L1 positive.
There was a trend toward improvement in overall survival (OS), the trial’s other primary endpoint, in the ITT population for patients who received the KEYTRUDA combination versus placebo in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy; however, these results did not meet statistical significance per the pre-specified statistical analysis plan. OS analysis for this trial is ongoing.
Results from KEYNOTE-811 will be presented at the upcoming 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Meeting.
“Patients in the EU diagnosed with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer face an aggressive disease associated with a poor prognosis, underscoring the need for additional first-line treatment options for these patients,” said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “With today’s approval of KEYTRUDA, we’re proud that patients whose tumors express PD-L1 with a combined positive score ≥1 and healthcare providers in the EU will have an option that includes immunotherapy for this difficult-to-treat disease.”
This approval allows marketing of this KEYTRUDA regimen in all 27 European Union (EU) member states plus Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Northern Ireland.
In May 2021, KEYTRUDA was approved in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma in the U.S. This indication was approved by the FDA under accelerated approval based on ORR data from KEYNOTE-811, and continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. Merck is working with the FDA to update this indication to patients whose tumors are PD-L1 positive.
Merck has an extensive clinical development program evaluating KEYTRUDA in gastrointestinal cancers and is continuing to study KEYTRUDA for multiple uses in gastric, hepatobiliary, esophageal and colorectal cancers.
About KEYNOTE-811
KEYNOTE-811 is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03615326) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. The dual primary endpoints are PFS per RECIST v1.1 as assessed by blinded independent central review and OS. Secondary endpoints include ORR, duration of response and safety. The trial enrolled an estimated 732 patients who were randomized to receive KEYTRUDA (200 mg every three weeks) in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy (investigator’s choice of 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin), or placebo in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy.
About gastric cancer
Gastric (stomach) cancer tends to develop slowly over many years and rarely causes early symptoms, resulting in most patients presenting with advanced stage disease. Overall, more than 70% of patients with gastric cancer develop advanced-stage disease. Most gastric cancers are adenocarcinomas (about 90% to 95%), which develop from cells in the innermost lining of the stomach (known as the mucosa). Gastric cancer is the fifth most diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with approximately 1.1 million patients diagnosed and 768,000 patient deaths from the disease globally in 2020.In Europe, it is estimated that there were approximately 136,000 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer and 97,000 patient deaths from the disease in 2020. The five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with gastric cancer at an advanced stage is only 6%.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD- L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
See additional selected KEYTRUDA indications in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information.
Additional Selected KEYTRUDA Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either: in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck wins EU approval for Keytruda combo in gastric cancer
Aug. 29, 2023 8:38 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced Tuesday that the European Commission approved its anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda as part of a combination regimen to treat gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma as a first-line option.
- Accordingly, Keytruda, an immunotherapy, will be indicated in the region for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma with chemotherapy and the anti-cancer drug trastuzumab.
- The decision is applicable for EU member states plus Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Northern Ireland, and it follows a positive opinion from an expert panel of the EU drug regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), in July.
- The approval is backed by data from Merck’s (MRK) Phase 3 KEYNOTE-811 trial, in which patients on first-line Keytruda plus trastuzumab and chemotherapy witnessed a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to those on trastuzumab and chemotherapy.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4006990-merck-wins-eu-approval-keytruda-combo-gastric-cancer
- Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
- https://www.merck.com/
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.trazimera.com/
- https://www.herceptin.com/
Veklury® (Remdesivir)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy
August 24, 2023
FDA Approves Veklury® (Remdesivir) to Treat COVID-19 in People With Mild to Severe Hepatic Impairment With no Dose Adjustment
-- This Approval Supports Veklury’s Strong Safety Profile and Makes Veklury the Only Approved COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment Across all Stages of Liver Disease --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for the use of Veklury® (remdesivir) with no dose adjustments to treat COVID-19 in people with mild, moderate and severe hepatic impairment. This approval further supports the safety profile of Veklury as the first and only approved antiviral COVID-19 treatment that can be used across all stages of liver disease.
The clinical benefit of Veklury in hospitalized populations with COVID-19 is supported by randomized controlled trials, real-world evidence and meta-analyses, but the pharmacokinetics of Veklury had not previously been evaluated in patients with hepatic impairment. This latest approval is based on results from a Phase 1 study of safety and pharmacokinetics in people with hepatic impairment (GS-US-540-9014). No new safety signals were observed. Based upon these results, the label has been updated to reflect that no dose adjustment is required across all stages of liver disease. The label still recommends initial hepatic laboratory testing in all patients, before starting Veklury and during treatment as clinically appropriate, and that discontinuation be considered if alanine transaminase (ALT) levels increase to 10 times the upper limit of normal or if ALT elevation is accompanied by signs or symptoms of liver inflammation.
More than 100 million people in the U.S. are living with liver disease. Furthermore, people with liver disease represent a population that is vulnerable to COVID-19 and are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. People with severe liver disease currently have limited treatment options for COVID-19.
“With the recent increase in levels of COVID-19 circulating in the U.S., the risk to vulnerable individuals persists, including for those with hepatic impairment,” said Frank Duff, MD, Senior Vice President, Virology Therapeutic Area Head at Gilead Sciences. “This approval demonstrates Gilead’s ongoing commitment to COVID-19, including our focus on vulnerable populations.”
“The update to the safety profile and dosing recommendations for Veklury for those living with liver disease is important to this vulnerable population who faces an increased risk of complications from COVID-19,” said Douglas Dieterich, MD, Director, Institute for Liver Medicine, Professor of Medicine, Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “While COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency, the virus continues to present a threat to those with underlying conditions.”
This approval follows the recent FDA and European Commission decisions to extend the approved use of Veklury to treat COVID-19 in people with severe renal impairment, including those on dialysis.
Gilead’s ongoing research in the most vulnerable patient populations with high unmet need is a testament to the company’s commitment to COVID-19 and this approval further validates Veklury’s overall safety profile.
About GS-US-540-9014
Gilead conducted a Phase 1, multicenter, open-label, single-dose study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of Veklury and its metabolites in participants with normal hepatic function and moderate or severe hepatic impairment. Participants with varying degrees of hepatic impairment and normal hepatic function were enrolled as follows: Cohort 1: 20 participants (10 moderate hepatic impairment and 10 matched normal hepatic function control participants, for a target of 8 evaluable per group) Cohort 2: 12 participants (6 severe hepatic impairment and 6 matched normal hepatic function control participants).
About Gilead’s COVID-19 Development Program
Veklury (remdesivir) is a nucleotide analog prodrug invented and developed by Gilead, building on more than a decade of the company’s research on broad-spectrum antivirals for emerging viruses. Veklury is the antiviral standard of care for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and is a recommended treatment for non-hospitalized patients at high risk of disease progression. Veklury has an established safety profile and minimal known drug interactions in diverse populations. It plays an important role in reducing disease progression and mortality across a spectrum of disease severity and enabling patients to recover faster.
Veklury directly inhibits viral replication inside of the cell by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA polymerase. Based on in vitro analyses, Veklury retains antiviral activity against recent Omicron subvariants of concern, including XBB, XBB.1.5 and CH.1.1. Veklury continues to be evaluated against emerging variants of interest and concern, including EG.5, EG.5.1 and BA.2.86.
Veklury is approved in more than 50 countries worldwide. To date, Veklury and generic remdesivir have been made available to more than 13 million patients around the world, including more than 8 million people in middle- and low-income countries through Gilead’s voluntary licensing program.
There remains a significant need to develop new and effective oral treatment options for people with COVID-19. Gilead is also working to advance an investigational oral antiviral, obeldesivir, for the treatment of COVID-19. Obeldesivir is a direct-acting nucleoside inhibitor of the of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a critical component that the virus uses to replicate. Once metabolized, obeldesivir works in the same way as Veklury to halt SARS-CoV-2 virus replication.
U.S. Indication for Veklury
Veklury® (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (≥28 days old and weighing ≥3 kg) who are:
- Hospitalized, or
- Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information available at www.gilead.com.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. full Prescribing Information for Veklury is available at www.gilead.com .
Veklury, Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead wins FDA nod to use Veklury for COVID-19 in liver disease
Aug. 24, 2023 8:57 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) announced Thursday that the U.S. FDA approved its request to expand the label for its COVID-19 therapy, Veklury (remdesivir), allowing its use across all stages of liver disease.
- The supplemental new drug application (sNDA) that led to the FDA's decision was backed by data from a Phase 1 study in which Gilead (GILD) tested Veklury in patients with hepatic impairment.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4005964-gilead-wins-fda-ok-veklury-covid-19-in-liver-disease
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)
- https://www.gilead.com/
- https://www.veklury.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Exelixis Announces Positive Results from Phase 3 CABINET Pivotal Trial Evaluating Cabozantinib in Advanced Pancreatic and Extra-Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
August 24, 2023 PDF Version
– CABINET trial will be unblinded and stopped early due to a dramatic improvement in efficacy per a unanimous recommendation by The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board –
– Based on positive results, findings will be discussed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration –
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 2023-- Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) today announced that the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) unanimously recommended to unblind and stop the phase 3 CABINET pivotal trial early due to a dramatic improvement in efficacy that was observed at an interim analysis. CABINET is evaluating cabozantinib (CABOMETYX®) compared with placebo in patients with either advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) or advanced extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (also referred to as carcinoid tumors) who experienced progression after prior systemic therapy. Cabozantinib substantially prolonged the time without disease progression or death in both of the trial’s cohorts. CABINET is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and is led by The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. Detailed findings will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and discussed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“As there is no standard of care for patients with advanced pancreatic or extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors whose disease has progressed after prior therapy, we are pleased to see that cabozantinib improved outcomes for two additional patient populations living with advanced, difficult-to-treat cancers,” said Will Berg, M.D., Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs, Exelixis. “We are grateful for the recommendation of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board to unblind the CABINET study early due to a dramatic improvement in efficacy and look forward to discussing these findings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.”
The safety profile of cabozantinib observed in the trial was consistent with its known safety profile, and no new safety signals were identified.
“Patients with progressive neuroendocrine tumors have limited treatment options. At present, after progression on previous therapies, the treatment path is unclear, underscoring the need for additional options for this disease that is rising in incidence,” said Jennifer Chan, M.D., M.P.H., study chair for the CABINET trial and Clinical Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center and Director of the Program in Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumors at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “These promising findings from the CABINET trial, in which cabozantinib showed an efficacy benefit for patients with pancreatic and extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, are welcome news and show the potential for cabozantinib to address important unmet needs for this community.”
About CABINET (A021602)
CABINET (Randomized, Double-Blinded Phase III Study of CABozantinib versus Placebo IN Patients with Advanced NEuroendocrine Tumors After Progression on Prior Therapy) is sponsored by the NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health, and is being led and conducted by the NCI-funded Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology with participation from the NCI-funded National Clinical Trials Network as part of Exelixis’ collaboration with the NCI’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program. CABINET is a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 3 pivotal trial that enrolled a total of 290 patients in two separate cohorts (pNET, n=93; extra-pancreatic NET, n=197) in the U.S. Patients were randomized 2:1 into the cabozantinib or placebo arms of the study in each of the two cohorts. Patients must have had measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 criteria and must have experienced disease progression after at least one FDA-approved line of prior therapy other than somatostatin analogs. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival in each cohort. Upon confirmation of disease progression, patients were unblinded, and those receiving placebo were permitted to cross over to open-label therapy with cabozantinib. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, radiographic response rate and safety. More information about this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov.
About NET
NET refer to cancers that begin in the specialized cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system.1 These cells have traits of both hormone-producing endocrine cells and nerve cells.1 In the U.S., more than 12,000 people are diagnosed with NET each year and approximately 171,000 people are living with the disease.2 The number of people diagnosed with NET each year has been increasing.2 NET are classified as functional or non-functional.1 Functional NET release peptide hormones that can cause debilitating symptoms and necessitate treatment, while symptoms of non-functional NET are related primarily to tumor growth.1,3,4 Most NET take years to develop and grow slowly, but some grow quickly.5 NET can develop in any part of the body, but most commonly start in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or in the lungs – these historically have been referred to as carcinoid tumors.5 The five-year survival rates for advanced GI-NET and lung carcinoid tumors are 68% and 55%, respectively.6,7 NET can also start in the pancreas.8 While less common, these NET can be more aggressive and the five-year survival rate for advanced pNET is only 23%.8,9 Surgery to remove the tumor and prevent it from spreading is the typical first approach to treatment for both carcinoid tumors and pNET.10 For more advanced disease, options include somatostatin analogs, targeted therapy, peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy and chemotherapy.10
About CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
In the U.S., CABOMETYX tablets are approved for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC); for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib; for patients with advanced RCC as a first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab; and for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) that has progressed following prior VEGFR-targeted therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory or ineligible. CABOMETYX tablets have also received regulatory approvals in the European Union and additional countries and regions worldwide. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen Pharma SAS exclusive rights for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the U.S. and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis granted exclusive rights to Takeda for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan. Exelixis holds the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize cabozantinib in the U.S.
CABOMETYX is not indicated as a treatment for NET.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information https://www.cabometyx.com/downloads/CABOMETYXUSPI.pdf.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
About Exelixis
Exelixis is a globally ambitious oncology company innovating next-generation medicines and regimens at the forefront of cancer care. Powered by bi-coastal centers of discovery and development excellence, we are rapidly evolving our product portfolio to target an expanding range of tumor types and indications with our clinically differentiated pipeline of small molecules, antibody drug conjugates and other biotherapeutics. This comprehensive approach harnesses decades of robust investment in our science and partnerships to advance our investigational programs and extend the impact of our flagship commercial product, CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib). Exelixis is driven by a bold scientific pursuit to create transformational treatments that give more patients hope for the future. For information about the company and its mission to help cancer patients recover stronger and live longer, visit www.exelixis.com, follow @ExelixisInc on Twitter, like Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook and follow Exelixis on LinkedIn.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230823099737/en/
Source: Exelixis, Inc.
Exelixis reports positive results for Cabometyx in pancreatic cancer
Aug. 24, 2023 8:47 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- A phase 3 trial of Exelixis' (NASDAQ:EXEL) Cabometyx (cabozantinib) for a type of pancreatic cancer will end early and be unblinded after a data and safety monitoring board found a "dramatic improvement in efficacy" based on an interim analysis.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4005958-exelixis-reports-positive-results-cabometyx-pancreatic-cancer
- Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL)
- https://www.cabometyx.com/
- https://www.exelixis.com/
OPDIVO® (nivolumab)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Bristol Myers Squibb Receives European Commission Approval for Opdivo (nivolumab) as an Adjuvant Treatment for Patients with Completely Resected Stage IIB or IIC Melanoma
08/22/2023CATEGORY:
Approval based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -76K trial in patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma, in which Opdivo reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 58% versus placebo
Opdivo is the only PD-1 inhibitor that is indicated as an adjuvant treatment for patients within stages IIB, IIC, III, as well as stage IV resected melanoma
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved Opdivo (nivolumab) as a monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with stage IIB or IIC melanoma who have undergone complete resection, based upon results from the CheckMate -76K trial.
This approval builds upon the 2018 EC approval based on results from the CheckMate -238 trial. Opdivo is now indicated for use in the European Union as a monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with stage IIB or IIC melanoma, or melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection. Opdivo is now the only PD-1 inhibitor that – between two approvals – is indicated as an adjuvant treatment within stages IIB, IIC, III, as well as stageIV resected melanoma.
“Patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma are at a high risk of disease recurrence following surgery. This can be a very impactful event for patients,” said Peter Mohr, MD, Chief Physician and Head, Skin Cancer Center, Buxtehude, Department of Dermatology, Elbe-Kliniken, Germany. “This approval reinforces the benefit that nivolumab may offer when used after resection, potentially preventing the disease from recurring.”
The EC’s decision is based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -76K trial, in which, with a minimum follow-up of 7.8 months, Opdivo reduced the risk of recurrence or death in patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma by 58% versus placebo (hazard ratio [HR] 0.42; 95% CI: 0.30-0.59; p<0.0001). The safety profile of Opdivo was consistent with previously reported studies.
CheckMate -76K is part of Bristol Myers Squibb’s development program which explores the use of Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in earlier stages of cancer.
“With this approval, we can now offer patients in the European Union with stage IIB or IIC resected melanoma an efficacious treatment option that significantly reduced the risk of disease recurrence,” said Gina Fusaro, Ph.D., vice president, global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “This approval builds on our long-standing commitment to bring innovative medicines to patients across the cancer spectrum, including in earlier stages of cancer. We thank all the patients, researchers, and physicians who were involved along the way to help make this additional option for patients possible.”
The EC approval covers all European Union member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Centralized Marketing Authorization does not include approval in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales).
CheckMate –76K Efficacy and Safety Results
Results from the CheckMate –76K study evaluating adjuvant Opdivo versus placebo in patients with completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma include:
- Efficacy: Adjuvant Opdivo, with a minimum follow-up of 7.8 months, reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 58% versus placebo (HR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.30-0.59; p<0.0001). Twelve-month recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates for Opdivo were 89% (95% CI: 86-92) versus 79% (CI: 74-84) for placebo. The RFS benefit was observed across predefined subgroups in the trial, including T category and disease stage.
- Safety: In the pooled dataset of nivolumab as monotherapy across tumor types (n = 4646) with minimum follow-up ranging from 2.3 to 28 months, the most frequent adverse reactions (≥ 10%) were fatigue (44%), musculoskeletal pain (28%), diarrhea (26%), rash (24%), cough (22%), nausea (22%), pruritus (19%), decreased appetite (17%), arthralgia (17%), constipation (16%), dyspnoea (16%), abdominal pain (15%), upper respiratory tract infection (15%), pyrexia (13%), headache (13%), anemia (13%) and vomiting (12%). The majority of adverse reactions were mild to moderate (Grade 1 or 2).
About CheckMate -76K
CheckMate -76K is a randomized Phase 3, double-blind study evaluating adjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) 480 mg Q4W for up to 12 months versus placebo in patients with completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma.
The primary endpoint of the trial is recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary endpoints of the trial include overall survival (OS), distant metastases-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival on next-line therapy (PFS2), and safety endpoints.
About Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) located in the skin. Metastatic melanoma is the deadliest form of the disease and occurs when cancer spreads beyond the surface of the skin to other organs. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that by 2035, melanoma incidence will reach 424,102, with 94,308 related deaths. Melanomas can be mostly treatable when caught in very early stages; however, survival rates can decrease as the disease progresses.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan, and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Multimedia Files:
Download:Download original 99 KB 1505 x 211Download thumbnail 5 KB 200 x 28Download lowres 15 KB 480 x 67Download square 7 KB 250 x 250
Bristol wins European approval of Opdivo as adjuvant for melanoma
Aug. 22, 2023 5:03 PM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The European Commission has expanded the label for Bristol-Myers Squibb's (NYSE:BMY) Opdivo (nivolumab) to include as an adjuvant treatment for completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4005323-bristol-wins-european-approval-opdivo-adjuvant-melanoma?mailingid=32479663&messageid=2900&serial=32479663.13444&utm_campaign=rta-stock-news&utm_content=link-1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=seeking_alpha&utm_term=32479663.13444
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
- https://www.bms.com/
- https://www.opdivo.com/
Retevmo® (selpercatinib)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Antibody-Drug Conjugate ado-trastuzumab emtansine
Lilly's Retevmo® (selpercatinib) Demonstrates Superior Progression-Free Survival Compared to Approved Multikinase Inhibitors in RET-Mutant Medullary Thyroid Cancer
August 22, 2023 Download PDF
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced topline results from the LIBRETTO-531 study evaluating Retevmo versus physician's choice of the multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) cabozantinib or vandetanib as an initial treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic rearranged during transfection (RET)-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS). This result was based on a pre-specified interim efficacy analysis conducted by an independent data monitoring committee (IDMC). Adverse events observed on Retevmo were generally consistent with those identified across the previously reported Retevmo development program (LIBRETTO-001, LIBRETTO-121, LIBRETTO-321).
The labeling for Retevmo contains warnings and precautions for hepatotoxicity (evidence of liver dysfunction), interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis, hypertension, QT interval prolongation, hemorrhagic events, hypersensitivity, tumor lysis syndrome, risk of impaired wound healing, hypothyroidism, and embryo-fetal toxicity.
"These data from the LIBRETTO-531 trial confirm the importance of selectivity in targeting RET-driven cancers and suggest Retevmo should be considered the preferred first-line treatment for people with advanced RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer," said David Hyman, M.D., chief medical officer, Loxo@Lilly. "Taken together with the recent positive Retevmo Phase 3 LIBRETTO-431 announcement in lung cancer, these results underscore the importance of timely and broad-based genomic testing to ensure patients who could potentially benefit receive targeted therapies. We look forward to sharing detailed data with the oncology community."
LIBRETTO-531 is a Phase 3, randomized, open-label trial evaluating Retevmo versus cabozantinib or vandetanib, which are currently approved first-line options for patients with advanced MTC. LIBRETTO-531 is the first randomized trial comparing the safety and effectiveness of a highly selective RET-kinase inhibitor versus multikinase inhibitors in this population.
These results further build on the data from LIBRETTO-001, the largest clinical trial of patients with RET-driven cancers treated with a RET inhibitor, which includes more than 800 patients and spans 16 countries and 85 sites. In this trial, Retevmo demonstrated clinically meaningful and durable responses across a variety of tumor types in patients with RET-driven cancers.
MTC accounts for 1–2 percent of thyroid cancers in the U.S. RET mutations are found in approximately 60 percent of sporadic MTC and over 90 percent of hereditary MTC.
Full results from the LIBRETTO-531 trial will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting, submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, and discussed with health authorities.
About LIBRETTO-531
LIBRETTO-531 is a randomized Phase 3 clinical trial of patients with progressive, advanced kinase inhibitor naïve RET-mutant MTC. The trial enrolled 291 patients and participants were randomized 2:1 to receive either selpercatinib or physician's choice of cabozantinib or vandetanib as initial treatment of their advanced RET-mutant MTC. RET mutations may be identified using local testing. This trial's primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary endpoints include treatment failure-free survival (TFFS), overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), and overall survival (OS). For patients randomized to the control arm, crossover was allowed at progression.
About Retevmo® (selpercatinib, 40 mg & 80 mg capsules)
Retevmo (selpercatinib, formerly known as LOXO-292) (pronounced reh-TEHV-moh) is a highly selective and potent RET kinase inhibitor with CNS activity. Retevmo may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells, which can result in side effects. RET-driver alterations are predominantly mutually exclusive from other oncogenic drivers. Retevmo is a U.S. FDA-approved oral prescription medicine, 120 mg or 160 mg dependent on weight (<50 kg or ≥50 kg, respectively), taken twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Please see full Prescribing Information for Retevmo.
SE HCP ISI All_21SEP22
About Lilly
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 51 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. P-LLY
Retevmo® is a registered trademark owned by or licensed to Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
©Lilly USA, LLC 2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lillys-retevmo-selpercatinib-demonstrates-superior-progression-free-survival-compared-to-approved-multikinase-inhibitors-in-ret-mutant-medullary-thyroid-cancer-301906139.html
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly succeeds in Phase 3 thyroid cancer trial for Retevmo
Aug. 22, 2023 9:28 AM ET
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)EXEL
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) announced Tuesday that its oral cancer therapy Retevmo (selpercatinib) met the main goal of progression-free survival (PFS) in a Phase 3 trial for RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer, outperforming FDA-approved first-line treatments.
- The open-label LIBRETTO-531 trial was designed to compare patients on Retevmo, a RET kinase inhibitor, with those on multikinase inhibitors, vandetanib, or cabozantinib. Cabozantinibis is marketed by Exelixis (EXEL) as Cabometyx.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4005158-eli-lilly-phase-3-thyroid-cancer-trial-retevmo-succeeds?mailingid=32471902&messageid=2900&serial=32471902.7186&utm_campaign=rta-stock-news&utm_content=link-1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=seeking_alpha&utm_term=32471902.7186
- Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)
- https://www.lilly.com/
- https://www.retevmo.com/
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Antibody-Drug Conjugate ado-trastuzumab emtansine
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Antibody-Drug Conjugate ado-trastuzumab emtansine
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Antibody-Drug Conjugate ado-trastuzumab emtansine
Seagen Phase 3 Trial of TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Antibody-Drug Conjugate ado-trastuzumab emtansine Meets Primary Endpoint of Progression-Free Survival in Patients with Previously Treated HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
08/16/2023
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) today announced that the Phase 3 HER2CLIMB-02 clinical trial of TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in combination with the antibody-drug conjugate ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®) met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS). Patients in the trial had unresectable locally advanced or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2-positive) breast cancer and had received previous treatment with a taxane and trastuzumab. Overall survival (OS) data, a secondary endpoint, are not yet mature. Discontinuations due to adverse events were more common in the combination arm of the trial, but no new safety signals emerged for the combination.
“We are encouraged by these results for TUKYSA in combination with Kadcyla®in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including in patients with brain metastases,” said Roger Dansey, President of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at Seagen. “We plan to present the HER2CLIMB-02 data at an upcoming medical meeting and discuss the results with the FDA.”
About HER2CLIMB-02
HER2CLIMB-02 is a global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 clinical trial of tucatinib in combination with ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in patients with HER2-positive metastatic or unresectable breast cancer (MBC) who have had prior treatment with a taxane and trastuzumab in any setting. Trial enrollment began in 2019. The primary endpoint of the trial is PFS per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 by investigator assessment. OS, PFS by blinded independent committee review (BICR), objective response rate, duration of response, PFS and OS in patients with brain metastases at baseline, and safety and tolerability of the combination regimen are secondary objectives.
About the TUKYSA Breast Cancer Development Program
TUKYSA is currently approved in the U.S. in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine for adult patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including patients with brain metastases, who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting. Seagen has a robust development program for TUKYSA, including a study with registrational intent in first-line maintenance with trastuzumab and pertuzumab (HER2CLIMB-05). Seagen is also supporting a cooperative group study in adjuvant high-risk HER2-positive breast cancer in combination with T-DM1.
About HER2-positive Breast Cancer
An estimated 300,590 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States this year.1 Between 15 and 20 percent of breast cancer cases are HER2-positive, which means tumors have high levels of a protein called HER2 that promotes the growth of cancer cells.2 Up to 50 percent of patients with HER2-positive MBC develop brain metastases over time.3
About TUKYSA (tucatinib)
TUKYSA (tucatinib) is an oral medicine that is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the HER2 protein. It is approved in more than 40 countries. Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, has exclusive rights to commercialize TUKYSA in regions outside of the U.S., Canada and Europe.
TUKYSA is approved in the U.S.:
- in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine for adult patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including patients with brain metastases, who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting.
- in combination with trastuzumab for adult patients with RAS wild-type, HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information for TUKYSA here .
About Seagen
Founded 25 years ago, Seagen Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes targeted cancer therapeutics, with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) at our core. Our colleagues work together with urgency to improve and extend the lives of people living with cancer. An ADC technology trailblazer, approximately one-third of FDA-approved and marketed ADCs use Seagen technology. Seagen is headquartered in Bothell, Washington and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and across Europe. For additional information, visit seagen.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Source: Seagen Inc.
Seagen Tukysa combo breast cancer treatment successful in phase 3
Aug. 16, 2023 8:52 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- A combination of Seagen's (NASDAQ:SGEN) Tukysa (tucatinib) with Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY) Genentech unit's Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) met a primary endpoint of progression-free survival in a late-stage breast cancer trial.
- The HER2CLIMB-02 trial enrolled patients with HER2-positive metastatic or unresectable breast cancer who have had prior treatment with a taxane and Herceptin (trastuzumab) in any setting.
- Both Tukysa and Kadcyla, an antibody-drug conjugate, are already approved for HER2-positive breast cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/4003406-seagen-tukysa-kadcyla-combo-breast-cancer-treatment-successful-phase-3
- https://www.tukysa.com/mbc
- https://www.seagen.com/
Retevmo® (selpercatinib)
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Antibody-Drug Conjugate ado-trastuzumab emtansine
ERVEBO® (Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live)
Lilly's Retevmo® (selpercatinib) is the First Targeted Therapy to Demonstrate Superior Progression-Free Survival Compared to a PD-1 Inhibitor Plus Chemotherapy for Adults with Newly-Diagnosed Advanced or Metastatic RET Fusion-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
August 4, 2023 Download PDF
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced topline results from the LIBRETTO-431 study evaluating Retevmo versus platinum-based chemotherapy plus pemetrexed – with or without pembrolizumab – as an initial treatment for patients with rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion-positive advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS). This result was based on a pre-specified interim efficacy analysis conducted by an independent data monitoring committee (IDMC). Adverse events observed on Retevmo were generally consistent with those identified across the previously reported Retevmo development program (LIBRETTO-001, LIBRETTO-121, LIBRETTO-321).
The labeling for Retevmo contains warnings and precautions for hepatotoxicity (evidence of liver dysfunction), interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis, hypertension, QT interval prolongation, hemorrhagic events, hypersensitivity, tumor lysis syndrome, risk of impaired wound healing, hypothyroidism, and embryo-fetal toxicity.
LIBRETTO-431 is a Phase 3, randomized, open-label trial evaluating Retevmo versus platinum-based chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin) plus pemetrexed with or without pembrolizumab, which is a current first-line standard of care option for patients with EGFR/ALK-negative NSCLC. LIBRETTO-431 is the first randomized trial comparing the safety and effectiveness of a targeted therapy to a PD-1 inhibitor plus chemotherapy in a biomarker selected patient population.
"The LIBRETTO-431 trial aims to answer an important question about the selection of initial treatment for people with advanced RET fusion-positive NSCLC and these results suggest Retevmo should be considered a first-line standard of care," said David Hyman, M.D., chief medical officer, Loxo@Lilly. "Additionally, this clinically meaningful achievement of improved outcomes underscores the importance of timely and comprehensive genomic testing to inform initial treatment decisions for all patients with NSCLC. The results of this study provide further confirmation that RET status – like EGFR, ALK, and others in the family of lung cancer oncogenic drivers – should be known prior to initiating therapy. We look forward to sharing these data in more detail with the oncology community."
These results build on the data from LIBRETTO-001, the largest clinical trial of patients with RET-driven cancers treated with a RET inhibitor, which spans 16 countries and 85 sites, and includes a dose escalation phase (Phase 1) and a dose expansion phase (Phase 2). In this trial, Retevmo demonstrated clinically meaningful and durable responses across a variety of tumor types in patients with RET-driven cancers.
NSCLC accounts for about 85 percent of all lung cancer diagnoses in the U.S., of which approximately 50 percent have actionable biomarkers. RET fusions have been identified in approximately one to two percent of all NSCLC cases.
Full results from the LIBRETTO-431 trial will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting, submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, and discussed with health authorities.
About LIBRETTO-431
LIBRETTO-431 is a randomized Phase 3 clinical trial of patients with treatment-naïve RET fusion-positive NSCLC. The trial enrolled 261 patients with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC who had received no prior systemic therapy for metastatic disease. Enrolled trial participants were randomized 2:1 to receive either selpercatinib or platinum-based (carboplatin or cisplatin) and pemetrexed therapy with or without pembrolizumab as initial treatment of their advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC. RET fusions may be identified using local testing. This trial's primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) and secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), and intracranial ORR. For patients randomized to the control arm, crossover was allowed at progression.
About Retevmo® (selpercatinib, 40 mg & 80 mg capsules)
Retevmo (selpercatinib, formerly known as LOXO-292) (pronounced reh-TEHV-moh) is a highly selective and potent RET kinase inhibitor with central nervous system (CNS) activity. Retevmo may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells, which can result in side effects. RET-driver alterations are predominantly mutually exclusive from other oncogenic drivers. Retevmo is a U.S. FDA-approved oral prescription medicine, 120 mg or 160 mg dependent on weight (<50 kg or ≥50 kg, respectively), taken twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Please see full Prescribing Information for Retevmo.
SE HCP ISI LA_21SEP22
About Lilly
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 51 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. P-LLY
Retevmo® is a registered trademark owned by or licensed to Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
©Lilly USA, LLC 2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lillys-retevmo-selpercatinib-is-the-first-targeted-therapy-to-demonstrate-superior-progression-free-survival-compared-to-a-pd-1-inhibitor-plus-chemotherapy-for-adults-with-newly-diagnosed-advanced-or-metastatic-ret-fusion-posi-301893153.html
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
LLY Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/lly/dividend-history
ERVEBO® (Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live)
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Antibody-Drug Conjugate ado-trastuzumab emtansine
ERVEBO® (Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live)
U.S. FDA Approves Merck’s ERVEBO® (Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live) for Use in Children 12 Months of Age and Older
August 3, 2023 6:45 am ET
Merck continues progress in helping to protect people at risk of Zaire ebolavirus disease
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an expanded indication for ERVEBO, which is now indicated for the prevention of disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus in individuals 12 months of age and older. The vaccine was previously approved for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. ERVEBO does not protect against other species of Ebolavirus or Marburgvirus and the duration of protection conferred by ERVEBO is unknown. The effectiveness of the vaccine when administered concurrently with antiviral medication, immune globulin (IG), and/or blood or plasma transfusions is unknown. ERVEBO includes a contraindication for individuals with a history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine, including rice protein.
“Ebola virus disease is contagious and potentially deadly in both children and adults. We’re proud of the approval of ERVEBO for the prevention of disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus in children as young as 12 months old, which is another milestone in our continued commitment to help address the global health threat caused by Zaire ebolavirus,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories.
Separately, on July 20, 2023, the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended the expanded approval of ERVEBO® [Ebola Zaire Vaccine, (rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP) live], for active immunization of individuals 1 year of age or older to protect against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) caused by Zaire ebolavirus. ERVEBO is currently authorized for use in the European Union (EU) for individuals 18 years of age and older. The CHMP opinion will now be considered by the European Commission for amending the marketing authorization, and a final decision is expected in the third quarter of 2023.
In January 2021, Merck confirmed an agreement with UNICEF to establish the world’s first global Ebola vaccine stockpile with ERVEBO to support future Zaire ebolavirus outbreak preparedness and response efforts. As of March 2023, over 500,000 doses of the licensed vaccine have been delivered to the stockpile, which is administered by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
ERVEBO® is indicated for the prevention of disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus in individuals 12 months of age and older.
Limitations Of Use
The duration of protection conferred by ERVEBO is unknown. ERVEBO does not protect against other species of Ebolavirus or Marburgvirus. Effectiveness of the vaccine when administered concurrently with antiviral medication, immune globulin (IG), and/or blood or plasma transfusions is unknown.
About Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola virus disease is a rapidly progressive, severe, potentially fatal and transmissible hemorrhagic illness caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus species. While there are six identified Ebola virus species, the Zaire ebolavirus strain has been the leading cause of outbreaks over the last 20 years. The average fatality rate for Ebola virus disease is approximately 50% but has ranged from 25% to 90% in previous outbreaks.
Human-to-human transmission can occur via blood or bodily fluids, objects (like needles and syringes), possibly from contact with semen from a man who has recovered from Ebola, or direct contact through broken skin or mucous membranes.
About ERVEBO ® (Ebola Zaire Vaccine, Live) Suspension for intramuscular injection
ERVEBO® is indicated for the prevention of disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus in individuals 12 months of age and older. ERVEBO is a live recombinant viral vaccine consisting of a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) backbone deleted for the VSV envelope glycoprotein and substituted with the envelope glycoprotein of the Zaire ebolavirus (Kikwit 1995 strain).
ERVEBO was initially engineered by scientists from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory and the technology was subsequently licensed by a subsidiary of NewLink Genetics Corporation now known as Lumos Pharma, Inc. Merck licensed the vaccine in 2014 and led research and development efforts in collaboration with a number of public health organizations to enable a broad clinical development program. This project has been funded in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract number HHSO100201700012C.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), L’institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) sponsored the PREVAC study, designed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of two Ebola virus disease vaccine candidates, including ERVEBO, in adults and children aged 12 months and older.
ERVEBO is approved in the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Switzerland, and 10 countries in Africa.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for ERVEBO at https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/e/ervebo/ervebo_pi.pdf and Patient Information for ERVEBO at https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/e/ervebo/ervebo_ppi.pdf.
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck Ebola vaccine gets expanded indication for younger population
Aug. 03, 2023 10:47 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The US FDA has expanded the indication for Merck's (NYSE:MRK) ebola virus vaccine Ervebo to people 12 years and older. It was previously approved for those 18 and over.
- Ervebo is also authorized for use in the EU for those 18 and over. On July 20, the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use recommended expanding the indication for the shot to people one year old and over.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3996651-merck-ebola-vaccine-expanded-indication-younger-population
- Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
- https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/ervebo
- https://www.merck.com/
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy
July 27, 2023
European Commission Approves Gilead’s Trodelvy® For Pre-Treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
-- Approval Based on Clinically Meaningful Overall Survival Benefit Demonstrated in the TROPiCS-02 Study in Pre-Treated HR+/HER2- (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) Metastatic Breast Cancer vs. Physician’s Choice of Chemotherapy --
-- Trodelvy Now Indicated in Both Pre-Treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer and Second-Line Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Europe --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the European Commission (EC) approved Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan) as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy, and at least two additional systemic therapies in the advanced setting.
The approval by the European Commission follows the positive opinion of the Committee for Medicinal Products and is based on the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study, in which Trodelvy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) benefit of 3.2 months versus comparator single-agent chemotherapy (treatment of physician’s choice; TPC) (median OS: 14.4 months vs. 11.2 months; hazard ratio [HR]=0.79; 95% CI: 0.65-0.96; p=0.02). Trodelvy also demonstrated a 34% reduction in risk of disease progression or death (median PFS: 5.5 versus 4.0 months; HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.53-0.83; p=0.0003). Three times as many people treated with Trodelvy were progression-free at one year versus those treated with chemotherapy (21% versus 7%).
"The European approval of sacituzumab govitecan is an important milestone for the European breast cancer community,” said Dr. Javier Cortes, Head of the International Breast Cancer Center, in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain. “We now have a new treatment option that has delivered a proven and clinically meaningful survival benefit for women in Europe with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.”
“Trodelvy could change the outlook for women with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer by replacing the standard-of-care chemotherapy that has been their only option for decades,” said Bill Grossman, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. “We look forward to working with European authorities to ensure access for these patients who need new treatment options.”
“Women living with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer are focused on time with their loved ones and do not want to worry about running out of treatment options,” said Eva Schumacher-Wulf, Chief Editor, Mamma Mia! Magazine and Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient. “We welcome the approval of this needed new option that gives pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic patients the potential for a longer life.”
In the TROPiCS-02 study, Trodelvy also significantly improved additional secondary endpoint measures, including objective response rate and time to deterioration (TTD) assessed by the Global Health Status/Quality of Life and Fatigue scale per EORTC-QLQ-C30. No statistically significant difference in TTD in Pain Scale was observed.
The safety profile for Trodelvy is well-characterized and consistent with prior studies, with no new safety signals identified in this patient population. In TROPiCS-02, the most frequent serious adverse reactions (>1%) were diarrhea (5%), febrile neutropenia (4%), neutropenia (3%), and abdominal pain, colitis, neutropenic colitis, pneumonia, and vomiting (each 2%). No patients treated with Trodelvy in TROPiCS-02 experienced interstitial lung disease (ILD). In the TROPiCS-02 study, the discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions was 6% for Trodelvy and 4% for patients on single-agent chemotherapy.
The ESMO Living Guidelines have been updated to include Trodelvy as a category I, A, magnitude of clinical benefit (MCBS) score 3, for women with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.i
Trodelvy is also recommended as a Category 1, preferred treatment for metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) as defined in the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®).ii
Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
Hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer and accounts for approximately 70% of all new cases. Almost one in three cases of early-stage breast cancer eventually become metastatic, and among patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic disease, the five-year relative survival rate is 34%. As patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer become resistant to endocrine-based therapy, their primary treatment option is limited to single-agent chemotherapy. In this setting, it is common to receive multiple lines of chemotherapy regimens over the course of treatment, and the prognosis remains poor.
About the TROPiCS-02 Study
The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitor and two to four lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, clinical benefit rate and duration of response, as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. In the study, HER2 negativity was defined per American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria as immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridization (ISH) test. More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901339.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in more than 40 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting and has an accelerated approval for treatment of certain patients with second-line metastatic urothelial cancer; see below for full U.S. indication statements.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and HR+/HER2- metastatic and adjuvant breast cancer populations. It is also being investigated across a range of tumors, including metastatic urothelial cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic HR+/HER2- (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
Please see full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNING.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. Prescribing Information for Trodelvy including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.gilead.com .
Trodelvy, Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
i ESMO Metastatic Breast Cancer Living Guideline. Available at: https://www.esmo.org/living-guidelines/esmo-metastatic-breast-cancer-living-guideline/er-positive-her2-negative-breast-cancer ; Last accessed: June 2023
ii Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Breast Cancer Version 4.2023. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2023. All rights reserved. Accessed June 2023. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
GILD Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/gild/dividend-history
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy
July 28, 2023 6:45 am ET
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy before surgery significantly improved pCR rate compared to neoadjuvant placebo plus chemotherapy
KEYNOTE-756 is the first positive Phase 3 study with an immunotherapy regimen to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in pCR rate in the neoadjuvant setting for this patient population
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-756 trial investigating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with chemotherapy met one of its dual primary endpoints of pathological complete response (pCR) rate following the neoadjuvant part of the neoadjuvant/adjuvant study regimen in patients with high-risk, early-stage estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (ER+/HER2-) breast cancer. At a prespecified interim analysis conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), the KEYTRUDA-based regimen demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in pCR rate compared to neoadjuvant placebo plus chemotherapy. A pCR is defined as a lack of all signs of cancer in tissue samples analyzed following completion of neoadjuvant therapy and definitive surgery.
Based on the recommendation of the DMC, the trial will continue without changes to evaluate the other dual primary endpoint of event-free survival (EFS), per the trial design. The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.
“This is the first positive Phase 3 study evaluating an immunotherapy-based regimen for patients with high-risk, early-stage ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, and an important milestone in our efforts to advance research in early-stage breast cancer,” said Dr. Gursel Aktan, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. "We look forward to sharing the detailed results with the medical community and thank the patients and investigators for their important contributions to this study.”
“While significant advancements have been made in the treatment of ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, people diagnosed with high-risk disease as assessed by clinical and pathologic criteria typically have a worse prognosis and limited options before surgery,” said Dr. Fatima Cardoso, director of the Breast Unit of the Champalimaud Clinical Centre, Lisbon, Portugal and co-principal investigator. “Data from KEYNOTE-756 suggest that adding pembrolizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery can significantly improve the pCR rate compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone for people with high-risk, early-stage ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.”
“Worldwide, more than two million people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and it is critically important that breast cancer is found and treated early, especially for patients with high-risk disease,” said Dr. Aditya Bardia, attending physician, medical oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, director, breast cancer research, Massachusetts General Cancer Center, Associate professor, Harvard Medical School and co-principal investigator. “While we wait for event-free survival data, these initial pCR results provide a potentially encouraging signal and may have important therapeutic implications for patients with high-risk, early-stage ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.”
In the U.S., KEYTRUDA is approved for two indications for the treatment of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Based on results from KEYNOTE-522, KEYTRUDA is approved in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery for patients with high-risk, early-stage TNBC. Based on results from KEYNOTE-355, KEYTRUDA is approved in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (combined positive score [CPS ≥10]) as determined by an FDA-approved test. In addition to the U.S., KEYNOTE-522 and KEYNOTE-355 supported the approvals of KEYTRUDA-based regimens for certain patients with high-risk early-stage TNBC and locally recurrent unresectable metastatic TNBC, respectively, in more than 90 countries around the world.
About KEYNOTE-756
KEYNOTE-756 is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03725059) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, followed by adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA plus endocrine therapy for the treatment of high-risk, early-stage ER+/HER2- breast cancer. The dual primary endpoints are pCR rate and EFS, and secondary endpoints include overall survival and safety. The trial enrolled 1,240 patients who were randomized 1:1 to receive:
- KEYTRUDA (200 mg every three weeks [Q3W]) plus chemotherapy (paclitaxel weekly) for four cycles, followed by four additional cycles of KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy (doxorubicin or epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide) as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery, followed by nine cycles of KEYTRUDA (Q3W) plus endocrine therapy (for up to 10 years) as adjuvant therapy post-surgery; or,
- Placebo (Q3W) plus chemotherapy (paclitaxel weekly) for four cycles, followed by four additional cycles of placebo in combination with chemotherapy (doxorubicin or epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide) as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery, followed by nine cycles of placebo (Q3W) plus endocrine therapy (for up to 10 years) as adjuvant therapy post-surgery.
About breast cancer
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in women worldwide, with more than two million patients diagnosed and approximately 685,000 deaths from the disease globally in 2020. In the U.S., it is estimated there will be approximately 298,000 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,700 deaths from the disease in 2023. The are many different types of breast cancer and various subtypes. Of all breast cancer patients, about 70% will be diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative disease. Cancer recurrence following surgery for this type of cancer is most common within five years, and patients with high-risk features have a greater chance of recurrence.
About Merck’s research in breast and gynecologic cancers
Merck has a comprehensive clinical development program in breast and gynecological (ovarian, cervical, and endometrial) cancers, comprised of more than 20 Merck-sponsored Phase 3 studies evaluating KEYTRUDA as monotherapy and in combination with other medicines. Among Merck’s research efforts are trials focused on evaluating KEYTRUDA in earlier stages of these cancers as well as identifying new combinations and coformulations with KEYTRUDA.
About Merck’s early-stage cancer clinical program
Finding cancer at an earlier stage may give patients a greater chance of long-term survival. Many cancers are considered most treatable and potentially curable in their earliest stage of disease. Building on the strong understanding of the role of KEYTRUDA in later-stage cancers, Merck is studying KEYTRUDA in earlier disease states, with more than 25 ongoing registrational studies across multiple types of cancer.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD- L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Additional Selected KEYTRUDA Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either: in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck succeeds in Phase 3 trial for Keytruda in new breast cancer indication
Jul. 28, 2023 7:34 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor5 Comments
Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced Friday that a pivotal Phase 3 trial for its anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda reached one of its primary endpoints as a treatment for ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, a new indication for the blockbuster drug.
So far, the FDA has approved Keytruda only for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3992767-merck-keytruda-succeeds-new-breast-cancer-indication
Veklury® (Remdesivir)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy
Opdivo (nivolumab) in Combination with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy
July 14, 2023
FDA Approves Veklury® (Remdesivir) for COVID-19 Treatment in Patients With Severe Renal Impairment, Including Those on Dialysis
-- Veklury is Now the First Approved Antiviral Treatment for Patients Across all Stages of Renal Disease --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for the use of Veklury® (remdesivir) in COVID-19 patients with severe renal impairment, including those on dialysis. With this approval, Veklury is now the first and only approved antiviral COVID-19 treatment that can be used across all stages of renal disease. More than 1 in 7 (37 million) people in the U.S. are estimated to have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and are at increased risk of COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. The U.S. approval comes on the heels of the European Commission decision to extend the approved use of Veklury to treat COVID-19 in people with severe renal impairment, including those on dialysis, which was adopted on June 26, 2023.
“Patients with advanced CKD and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are at high risk for severe COVID-19 with hospitalization and mortality rates remaining high, even for those who are vaccinated. With limited clinical trial information for COVID-19 patients with advanced CKD and ESKD, few antiviral treatment options currently exist for this population,” said Meghan Sise, MD, Department of Nephrology at Massachusetts General Hospital. “This latest update to the prescribing information for remdesivir now includes patients with advanced CKD and ESKD and this is an important advance for a population that remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19.”
The updated prescribing information for Veklury does not require dose adjustments for renally-impaired patients and removes the requirement for eGFR testing before or during treatment with Veklury. The clinical benefit of Veklury in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is supported by randomized controlled trials, real-world evidence and meta-analyses, but its use has previously been limited among patients with severe renal impairment due to insufficient data. This approval for use in patients with severe renal impairment was based on results from a Phase 1 study (GS-US-540-9015), as well as results from the Phase 3 REDPINE trial that demonstrated the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety profile of Veklury in this population. No new safety signals were observed in either of the studies.
“The approval by the FDA of Veklury for the treatment of patients with renal impairment reflects the urgency to make this medicine available to these patients, and underscores the established safety profile for Veklury,” said Anu Osinusi, Vice President, Clinical Research for Hepatitis, Respiratory and Emerging Viruses at Gilead Sciences. “Gilead is committed to discovering, developing and providing transformational therapies for COVID-19, including for the most vulnerable populations at risk of developing severe disease.”
In the United States, Veklury is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (28 days and older and weighing at least 3 kg) who are either hospitalized, or not hospitalized and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. Veklury is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Veklury or any of its components; please see below for additional Important Safety Information for Veklury.
About GS-US-540-5912 (REDPINE)
Gilead conducted a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study (REDPINE) evaluating the efficacy and safety of Veklury in patients with severely reduced kidney function who are hospitalized with COVID-19. The trial enrolled 243 hospitalized adult participants with confirmed COVID-19 and renal impairment who were randomized in a 2:1 manner to receive Veklury (n=163) or placebo (n=80), in addition to standard of care, and were stratified by ESKD, high-flow oxygen requirement, and region (US vs. ex-US). The study closed prematurely due to feasibility issues and was underpowered to assess for efficacy because of lower-than-expected enrollment. No new safety signals were observed in the study and no additional adverse reactions to Veklury were identified in 163 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 and acute kidney injury (AKI) (n=60), CKD (eGFR <30 mL/minute) (n=44) or ESKD (eGFR <15 mL/minute) requiring hemodialysis (n=59) receiving Veklury for up to 5 days.
Pharmacokinetic data was obtained from the REDPINE study, as well as a Phase 1 open-label, parallel-group, single-dose study (GS-US-540-9015). Given the observed PK and the absence of any new safety signals associated with increased metabolite levels in patients with severely reduced kidney function, no dose adjustment of Veklury is recommended in patients with any degree of renal impairment, including those on dialysis.
About Gilead’s COVID-19 Development Program
Veklury (remdesivir) is a nucleotide analog invented by Gilead, building on more than a decade of the company’s antiviral research. Veklury is the antiviral standard of care for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and is a recommended treatment for reducing disease progression in non-hospitalized patients at high risk of disease progression. Veklury has an established safety profile and minimal known drug interactions in diverse populations. It plays an important role in reducing disease progression and mortality across a spectrum of disease severity and enabling patients to recover faster.
Veklury directly inhibits viral replication inside of the cell by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA polymerase. Based on in vitro analyses, Veklury retains antiviral activity against recent Omicron subvariants of concern, including BQ.1.1 and XBB. Data continue to confirm that Veklury retains antiviral activity against all Omicron subvariants analyzed to date. Gilead continuously evaluates the activity of Veklury against new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern as they emerge around the world.
Veklury is approved in more than 50 countries worldwide. To date, Veklury and generic remdesivir have been made available to more than 13 million patients around the world, including more than 8 million people in middle- and low-income countries through Gilead’s voluntary licensing program.
There remains a significant need to develop new and effective oral treatment options for people with COVID-19. Gilead is also working to advance an investigational oral antiviral, obeldesivir, for the treatment of COVID-19. Obeldesivir is a direct-acting nucleoside inhibitor of the of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a critical component that the virus uses to replicate. Once metabolized, obeldesivir works in the same way as Veklury to halt SARS-CoV-2 virus replication.
U.S. Indication for Veklury
VEKLURY is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (≥28 days old and weighing ≥3 kg) who are:
- Hospitalized, or
- Not hospitalized, have mild-to-moderate COVID-19, and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information available at www.gilead.com.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. full Prescribing Information for Veklury is available at www.gilead.com .
Veklury, Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead COVID therapy Veklury approved for those with renal impairment
Jul. 14, 2023 11:12 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The US FDA has approved Gilead Sciences' (NASDAQ:GILD) COVID-19 treatment Veklury (remdesivir) for use in patients with severe renal impairment.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3987743-gilead-covid-therapy-veklury-approved-renal-impairment
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)
- https://www.veklury.com/
- https://www.gilead.com/
Opdivo (nivolumab) in Combination with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy
Opdivo (nivolumab) in Combination with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy
Opdivo (nivolumab) in Combination with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy
Opdivo (nivolumab) in Combination with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy Shows Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival Benefit for Cisplatin-Eligible Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma in the Phase 3 CheckMate -901 Trial
07/11/2023
CATEGORY:
CheckMate -901 is the first and only Phase 3 trial with an immunotherapy-based combination to demonstrate a survival benefit compared to standard-of-care cisplatin-based combinations in the first-line treatment of this patient population
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the sub-study of the Phase 3 CheckMate -901 trial met the dual primary endpoints of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) at final analysis. Results of the sub-study showed that Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by Opdivo monotherapy demonstrated statistically significant benefits in OS and PFS compared to standard-of-care cisplatin-based combinations as a first-line treatment for patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The combination of Opdivo with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in first-line urothelial carcinoma had a tolerable safety profile consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual components of the regimen. No new safety concerns have been identified.
“Today’s news is yet another example of the power of immunotherapy combinations to transform outcomes for patients with cancer. Opdivo with cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the first immunotherapy-based combination to improve both overall survival and progression-free survivalin patients with previously untreated unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy, reinforcing the benefits of Opdivo-based treatments seen across a variety of genitourinary cancers, including durable survival in advanced renal cell carcinoma and a reduced risk of recurrence in resectable muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma,” said Dana Walker, M.D., M.S.C.E., vice president, global program lead, genitourinary cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. “We are encouraged by these positive results and remain steadfast in our commitment to bringing new solutions to patients with high unmet needs. We thank the patients, investigators and all site personnel involved in the CheckMate -901 trial.”
The company will complete a full evaluation of the available data and looks forward to sharing the results with the scientific community at an upcoming medical conference as well as discussing the results with health authorities.
The CheckMate -901 primary study, evaluating Opdivo plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) vs. standard-of-care cisplatin- or carboplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with untreated, unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma remains ongoing. Opdivo has previously shown clinical benefit across various stages of urothelial carcinoma, including in the second-line setting of metastatic urothelial carcinoma and the adjuvant setting of muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma for patients who are at a high risk of recurrence post-radical surgery.
In addition to resectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations have shown significant improvements in OS in Phase 3 clinical trials across several tumors, including advanced renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma, metastatic melanoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
About CheckMate -901
CheckMate -901 is a Phase 3, randomized, open-label trial evaluating Opdivo in combination with Yervoy (primary study) or Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy (sub-study) compared to standard-of-care chemotherapy alone, in patients with untreated unresectable or metastatic urothelial cancer.
In this sub-study of CheckMate -901, a total of 608 patients eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy were randomized to receive either Opdivo 360 mg in combination with chemotherapy every 3 weeks or chemotherapy alone. The primary endpoints of the sub-study are overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).
The OS and PFS outcomes for patients who are eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy are based on the final efficacy analysis for these endpoints of the CheckMate -901 sub-study.
About Urothelial Carcinoma
Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the world, with more than 573,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Urothelial carcinoma, which most frequently begins in the cells that line the inside of the bladder, accounts for approximately 90% of bladder cancer cases. In addition to the bladder, urothelial carcinoma can occur in other parts of the urinary tract, including the ureters and renal pelvis. The majority of urothelial carcinomas are diagnosed at an early stage, but approximately 50% of patients who undergo surgery will experience disease progression and recurrence within two-to-three years post-surgery. Additionally, approximately 20% to 25% of patients with urothelial carcinoma develop metastatic disease. The poor durability of responses seen with chemotherapy alone in the first-line setting presents a major challenge in the treatment of metastatic disease, and there are limited treatment options in the second-line setting for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Multimedia Files:
Download:Download original 99 KB 1505 x 211Download thumbnail 5 KB 200 x 28Download lowres 15 KB 480 x 67Download square 7 KB 250 x 250
Bristol Myers succeeds in Phase 3 trial for Opdivo in bladder cancer
Jul. 11, 2023 7:43 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) announced Tuesday that a Phase 3 sub-study for its blockbuster therapy Opdivo (nivolumab) reached the dual primary endpoints in combination with cisplatin-based chemotherapy as a first-line option for patients with bladder cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3986700-bristol-myers-hits-phase-3-win-opdivo-bladder-cancer
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
- https://www.bms.com/
- https://www.opdivo.com/
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Opdivo (nivolumab) in Combination with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
June 23, 2023
Gilead Receives CHMP Positive Opinion for Trodelvy® in Pre-Treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
-- Recommendation Based on the TROPiCS-02 Study Showing Trodelvy Demonstrated Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Overall Survival in Pre-Treated HR+/HER2- (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) Metastatic Breast Cancer vs. Physician’s Choice of Chemotherapy --
-- This Positive Opinion Could Lead to the Second Indication Based on Overall Survival Data for Trodelvy in Metastatic Breast Cancer in Europe --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion for Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy, and at least two additional systemic therapies in the advanced setting. The final European Commission decision on the additional indication for Trodelvy is anticipated later in 2023.
"This positive opinion from the Committee confirms the clinical benefit and value of sacituzumab govitecan in pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer and is a positive step toward bringing this treatment option to patients in Europe," said Dr. Javier Cortes, Head of the International Breast Cancer Center, in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain. "Too many people living with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer are without treatment options after their cancer progresses, and this positive opinion is a significant step forward for patients and their loved ones across Europe."
The CHMP positive opinion is supported by results from the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study, in which Trodelvy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) benefit of 3.2 months versus comparator single-agent chemotherapy (treatment of physician’s choice; TPC) (median OS: 14.4 months vs. 11.2 months; hazard ratio [HR]=0.79; 95% CI: 0.65-0.96; p=0.02). Trodelvy also demonstrated a 34% reduction in risk of disease progression or death (median PFS: 5.5 vs. 4.0 months; HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.53-0.83; p=0.0003). Three times as many people treated with Trodelvy were progression-free one year versus those treated with chemotherapy (21% vs. 7%).
“When patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer develop resistance to endocrine-based therapies, treatment options are limited,” said Bill Grossman, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. “Trodelvy has the potential to change this outlook, and we aim to build on the demonstrated benefits in second-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. This positive recommendation from the CHMP marks another important step toward making a difference for patients with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer in Europe.”
In the TROPiCS-02 study Trodelvy also significantly improved additional secondary endpoint measures, including objective response rate and time to deterioration (TTD) assessed by the Global Health Status/Quality of Life and Fatigue scale per EORTC-QLQ-C30. No statistically significant difference in TTD in Pain Scale was observed.
The safety profile for Trodelvy is well-characterized and consistent with prior studies, with no new safety signals identified in this patient population. In TROPiCS-02, the most frequent serious adverse reactions (>1%) were diarrhea (5%), febrile neutropenia (4%), neutropenia (3%), and abdominal pain, colitis, neutropenic colitis, pneumonia, and vomiting (each 2%). No patients treated with Trodelvy in TROPiCS-02 experienced interstitial lung disease (ILD). In the TROPiCS-02 study, the discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions was 6% for Trodelvy and 4% for patients on single-agent chemotherapy.
The ESMO Living Guidelines have been updated to include Trodelvy as a category I, A, magnitude of clinical benefit (MCBS) score 3, for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer patients.i
Trodelvy is also recommended as a Category 1, preferred treatment for metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) as defined in the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®).ii
Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
Hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer and accounts for approximately 70% of all new cases. Almost one in three cases of early-stage breast cancer eventually become metastatic, and among patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic disease, the five-year relative survival rate is 34%. As patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer become resistant to endocrine-based therapy, their primary treatment option is limited to single-agent chemotherapy. In this setting, it is common to receive multiple lines of chemotherapy regimens over the course of treatment, and the prognosis remains poor.
About the TROPiCS-02 Study
The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitor and two to four lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, clinical benefit rate and duration of response, as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. In the study, HER2 negativity was defined per American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria as immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridization (ISH) test. More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901339.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in more than 40 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting and has an accelerated approval for treatment of certain patients with second-line metastatic urothelial cancer; see below for full U.S. indication statements.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and HR+/HER2- metastatic and adjuvant breast cancer populations. It is also being investigated across a range of tumors, including metastatic urothelial cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic HR+/HER2- (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
Please see full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNING.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. Prescribing Information for Trodelvy including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.gilead.com .
Trodelvy, Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead's Trodelvy for breast cancer endorsed by EMA panel
Jun. 23, 2023 8:49 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency has issued a positive opinion on Gilead Sciences' (NASDAQ:GILD) Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan) for HR+/HER- pretreated breast cancer.
- A final decision from the EMA is expected later this year.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3982366-gilead-trodelvy-breast-cancer-endorsed-ema-chmp
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)
- https://www.gilead.com/
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
BLINCYTO® (BLINATUMOMAB)
Opdivo (nivolumab) in Combination with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
FDA GRANTS FULL APPROVAL FOR BLINCYTO® (BLINATUMOMAB) TO TREAT MINIMAL RESIDUAL DISEASE-POSITIVE B-CELL PRECURSOR ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA
Conversion From Accelerated to Full Approval
Reinforces BLINCYTO as Standard of Care for Patients With Minimal Residual Disease at Baseline After Remission
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab) for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients with CD19-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in first or second complete remission with minimal residual disease (MRD) greater than or equal to 0.1%, based on additional data from two Phase 3 studies that were submitted. The approval converts BLINCYTO's accelerated approval to a full approval.
"We are pleased the FDA has granted full approval for BLINCYTO, the first FDA-approved CD19-directed CD3 T-cell engager BiTE® immunotherapy and the first to be FDA-approved for MRD in 2018," said David M. Reese, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "Today's full approval underscores the clinical benefit of BLINCYTO for people living with B-ALL, and we look forward to exploring how we can continue to make a significant impact for these patients."
Amgen continues to advance a robust development program for BLINCYTO, including studies aimed at treating patients with MRD-negative B-ALL, trials designed to minimize chemotherapy, and the clinical investigation of a subcutaneous formulation, all intended to help address remaining unmet needs for patients.
"In a Phase 2 study, roughly 80% of adult patients treated with blinatumomab experienced a complete MRD response," said principal investigator Elias Jabbour, M.D., Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. "The FDA's decision to grant a full approval for blinatumomab further validates the use of this therapy to treat adults and children with B-cell precursor ALL with MRD present following a remission, which is a strong predictor of relapse in this patient population."
About BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab)
BLINCYTO is a BiTE® (bispecific T-cell engager) immuno-oncology therapy that targets CD19 surface antigens on B cells. BiTE molecules fight cancer by helping the body's immune system detect and target malignant cells by engaging T cells (a type of white blood cell capable of killing other cells perceived as threats) to cancer cells. By bringing T cells near cancer cells, the T cells can inject toxins and trigger cancer cell death (apoptosis). BiTE immuno-oncology therapies are currently being investigated for their potential to treat a wide variety of cancers.
BLINCYTO was granted breakthrough therapy and priority review designations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of:
- CD19-positive B-cell precursor ALL in first or second complete remission with minimal residual disease (MRD) greater than or equal to 0.1% in adults and pediatric patients.
- relapsed or refractory CD19-positive B-cell precursor ALL in adults and pediatric patients.
In the European Union (EU), BLINCYTO is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of:
- adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative CD19 positive relapsed or refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative CD19 positive B-precursor ALL in first or second complete remission with minimal residual disease (MRD) greater than or equal to 0.1%.
- pediatric patients aged 1 year or older with Philadelphia chromosome negative CD19 positive B-precursor ALL which is refractory or in relapse after receiving at least two prior therapies or in relapse after receiving prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
- https://www.blincytohcp.com/
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGICAL TOXICITIES
- Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), which may be life-threatening or fatal, occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTO®. Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTO® and treat with corticosteroids as recommended.
- Neurological toxicities, which may be severe, life-threatening or fatal, occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTO®. Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTO® as recommended.
Contraindications
BLINCYTO® is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to blinatumomab or to any component of the product formulation.
Please see BLINCYTO® full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNINGS, at www.BLINCYTO.com.
About BiTE® Technology
BiTE® (bispecific T-cell engager) technology is a targeted immuno-oncology platform that is designed to engage patient's own T cells to any tumor-specific antigen, activating the cytotoxic potential of T cells to eliminate detectable cancer. The BiTE immuno-oncology platform has the potential to treat different tumor types through tumor-specific antigens. The BiTE platform has a goal of leading to off-the-shelf solutions, which have the potential to make innovative T cell treatment available to all providers when their patients need it. Amgen is advancing more than a dozen BiTE molecules across a broad range of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, further investigating BiTE technology with the goal of enhancing patient experience and therapeutic potential. To learn more about BiTE technology, visit www.AmgenBiTETechnology.com.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also part of the Nasdaq-100 index. In 2022, Amgen was named one of the "World's Best Employers" by Forbes and one of "America's 100 Most Sustainable Companies" by Barron's.
For more information, visit Amgen.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-grants-full-approval-for-blincyto-blinatumomab-to-treat-minimal-residual-disease-positive-b-cell-precursor-acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia-301856128.html
SOURCE Amgen
Amgen wins full approval for leukemia therapy Blincyto
Jun. 21, 2023 9:26 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) announced Wednesday that the U.S. FDA converted the accelerated approval for its blood cancer therapy Blincyto to a full approval, allowing its use as a regular treatment for certain patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).
- Considering new data from two Phase 3 trials, the FDA issued full approval for Blincyto for adults and children with minimal residual disease (MRD)-positive B-ALL, the Thousand Oaks, California-based company said.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3981405-amgen-wins-full-approval-leukemia-therapy-blincyto
- Amgen Inc. (AMGN)
- https://www.blincytohcp.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) Plus Novel Immunotherapy Combination
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) Plus Novel Immunotherapy Combination
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) Plus Novel Immunotherapy Combination
Seagen Announces ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) Plus Novel Immunotherapy Combination Delivers 98% Overall Response Rate and 93% Complete Response Rate in Patients with Early-Stage Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL)
06/13/2023
– Updated phase 2 data results presented for ADCETRIS in combination with immune therapy nivolumab and doxorubicin and dacarbazine chemotherapy –
– Regimen well-tolerated with fewer than half of patients developing primarily low-grade peripheral neuropathy and no cases of febrile neutropenia –
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN) today announced updated efficacy and safety results from Part C of a phase 2 single-arm trial (SGN35-027) evaluating the antibody-drug conjugate ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab and standard chemotherapy agents doxorubicin and dacarbazine (AN+AD) for the frontline treatment of patients with early-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Data results will be presented at the 17th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML) in Lugano, Switzerland June 13-17.
Also, to be presented in a late-breaking session, are three-year results from a 1,500-patient phase 3 trial from the German Hodgkin Study Group (HD21) evaluating non-inferiority efficacy and potential for reduced toxicity of an ADCETRIS regimen (BrECADD) compared to the highly efficacious yet chemotherapy intensive escalated BEACOPP regimen, commonly used outside of the U.S. The study will be presented on June 17, 2023.
ADCETRIS + AVD chemotherapy (Adriamycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) is a U.S. standard of care in advanced-stage cHL based on national treatment guidelines and is the only targeted therapy inclusive regimen that has a proven statistically significant overall survival benefit at 6-years of follow-up, reducing risk of death by 41% for these patients.i,ii ADCETRIS is approved for seven indications in the U.S. and five indications in Europe, where Takeda has commercialization rights.
“With teens and young adults primarily impacted by Hodgkin lymphoma, our goal is to develop curative treatments that improve survival while also reducing toxicity,” said Jeremy Abramson, MD, Director, Jon and Jo Ann Hagler Center for Lymphoma at Massachusetts General Hospital and principal investigator of the trial. “The targeted agents of brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab have distinct mechanisms of action and demonstrated promising activity and safety in this early study; the omission of bleomycin and vinblastine chemotherapy likely contributed to the absence of certain adverse events.”
“We are encouraged by the promising clinical outcomes of an ADCETRIS plus nivolumab combination with reduced chemotherapy as we seek to maximize efficacy and improve tolerability in both early- and late-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma,” said Roger Dansey, President of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at Seagen.
New Results Presented from SGN35-027
Of 154 patients with early-stage disease in Part C of the study, 150 were included at the time of efficacy assessment, showing:
- A 98% ORR (95% CI: 94.3, 99.6) and a 93% CR rate (95% CI: 87.3, 96.3) at end of treatment (EOT).
- Follow-up is ongoing and progression-free survival (PFS) results are not yet available.
- The most frequently reported treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TRAEs) of any grade occurring in more than 30 percent of patients were nausea (65%), peripheral sensory neuropathy (47%) and fatigue (44%).
- Peripheral sensory neuropathy was primarily low grade (3% Grade ≥3).
- There were no cases of febrile neutropenia.
- Immune-mediated AEs observed to date are consistent with the individual safety profile of nivolumab.
- There were no grade 5 adverse events.
Updated data results from Part B of the study in patients with advanced-stage disease (n=57) were presented at the European Hematology Association 2023 Congress in Frankfurt, Germany June 8-11, which showed an estimated 95% 12-month PFS rate and 93% 18-month PFS rate, an ORR of 95% and CR rate of 89% at EOT. The most frequently reported TRAEs of any grade occurring in more than 30 percent of patients were nausea (65%), fatigue (49%), peripheral sensory neuropathy (44%) and alopecia (35%).
Please see Important Safety Information, including a BOXED WARNING for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), for ADCETRIS below.
About the SGN35-027 Clinical Study
SGN35-027 is an ongoing open-label, multiple part, multicenter, phase 2 clinical trial evaluating two different brentuximab vedotin treatment combinations in patients with advanced and early-stage cHL. The trial includes three parts (Parts A, B, and C). Part A is evaluating the combination of brentuximab vedotin and doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) with primary granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) prophylaxis, while Parts B and C are evaluating brentuximab vedotin in combination with nivolumab, doxorubicin, and dacarbazine (AN+AD) as a first-line treatment in advanced and early-stage disease, respectively. Part B is evaluating the combination in patients with stage II bulky (mediastinal mass ≥10 cm), stage III or IV cHL. Part C is evaluating the combination in patients with stage I or II cHL without bulky mediastinal disease (<10 cm). The primary endpoint for Part A is the proportion of patients with treatment-emergent febrile neutropenia. The primary endpoint for Parts B and C is the proportion of participants with complete response at end of treatment according to the Lymphoma Response to Immunomodulatory Therapy Criteria (LYRIC). Incidence of adverse events is a secondary endpoint for Parts B and C.
About Hodgkin Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the lymphatic system affecting a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. There are two major categories of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma is distinguished by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells that usually have a protein called CD30 on their surface. Approximately 8,830 cases of classical Hodgkin lymphoma will be diagnosed in the United States during 2023 and 900 people will die from the disease.iii According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2020, over 83,000 people worldwide were diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and approximately 23,000 people died from this cancer.iv
About ADCETRIS
ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprised of a CD30-directed monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seagen's proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-positive tumor cells.
ADCETRIS is approved in seven indications in the U.S.:
- Adult patients with previously untreated Stage III/IV cHL in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (2018)
- Pediatric patients 2 years and older with previously untreated high risk cHL in combination with doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone and cyclophosphamide (2022)
- Adult patients with cHL at high risk of relapse or progression as post-autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) consolidation (2015)
- Adult patients with cHL after failure of auto-HSCT or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not auto-HSCT candidates (2011)
- Adult patients with previously untreated systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) or other CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and PTCL not otherwise specified, in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (2018)
- Adult patients with sALCL after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. (2011)
- Adult patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) or CD30-expressing mycosis fungoides (MF) after prior systemic therapy (2017)
ADCETRIS has marketing authorization in more than 70 countries for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma. ADCETRIS received conditional marketing authorization from the European Commission in October 2012. Its approved indications in Europe are for:
- Adult patients with previously untreated CD30-positive Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma in combination with AVD
- Adult patients with CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma at increased risk of relapse or progression following ASCT
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma following ASCT, or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory sALCL
- Adult patients with CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after at least one prior systemic therapy
Seagen and Takeda jointly develop ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seagen has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights, and Takeda has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seagen and Takeda are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where Takeda is solely responsible for development costs.
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) for injection U.S. Important Safety Information
BOXED WARNING
PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY (PML): JC virus infection resulting in PML and death can occur in ADCETRIS-treated patients.
CONTRAINDICATION
Contraindicated with concomitant bleomycin due to pulmonary toxicity (e.g., interstitial infiltration and/or inflammation).
About Seagen
Founded 25 years ago, Seagen Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes targeted cancer therapeutics, with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) at our core. Our colleagues work together with urgency to improve and extend the lives of people living with cancer. An ADC technology trailblazer, approximately one-third of FDA-approved and marketed ADCs use Seagen technology. Seagen is headquartered in Bothell, Washington and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and across Europe. For additional information, visit seagen.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Source: Seagen Inc.
Seagen posts 93% complete remission for lymphoma therapy in Phase 2 trial
Jun. 13, 2023 7:03 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) announced Tuesday updated results from its Phase 2 trial SGN35-027 indicating that its FDA-approved antibody-drug conjugate Adcetris in a combination regimen led to a 93% complete response (CR) rate in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
A cancer originating in the lymphatic system, cHL is expected to cause about 900 deaths in the U.S. in 2023 out of an estimated 8,830 cases.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3979459-seagen-lymphoma-drug-adcetris-sets-93-complete-remission
VENCLYXTO®/VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax)
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) Plus Novel Immunotherapy Combination
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) Plus Novel Immunotherapy Combination
June 9, 2023
AbbVie's VENCLYXTO®/VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) Continues to Show Sustained Progression-Free Survival (PFS) in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Patients
- Data from two studies continue to show the long-term efficacy and safety of fixed-duration venetoclax combination regimens across different lines of therapy in CLL
- Six-year median follow-up from the Phase 3 CLL14 study shows continued PFS after treatment with venetoclax plus obinutuzumab compared to treatment with chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab in previously untreated patients with CLL and co-existing conditions
- Final seven-year follow-up results of the Phase 3 MURANO trial demonstrate sustained PFS and overall survival (OS) with venetoclax and rituximab compared to bendamustine and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced new findings demonstrating sustained long-term safety and efficacy of VENCLYXTO®/ VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax)-based combination therapies in patients with previously untreated CLL with co-existing conditions, as well as R/R CLL. The results are being presented during oral sessions at the European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress in Frankfurt, Germany.
"Results from the CLL14 and MURANO studies demonstrate the long-term benefits of fixed-duration venetoclax combinations for patients living with CLL," said Mariana Cota Stirner, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, hematology, AbbVie. "These results underscore our commitment to transform how blood cancers are treated today and show that venetoclax can give patients lasting results with time off treatment."
CLL14 Long-Term Analysis
New six-year follow-up results from the Phase 3 CLL14 study showcase updated outcomes in previously untreated patients with CLL and co-existing conditions. Patients treated with fixed-duration venetoclax plus obinutuzumab continued to experience improved PFS (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.31-0.52; Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.40) and higher rates of undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD) when treated with fixed-duration venetoclax plus obinutuzumab compared to those who received chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab (53.1% vs 21.7%, respectively).
The data also showed significantly improved rates of time to next treatment (TTNT) with venetoclax plus obinutuzumab at 65.2 percent (95% CI 0.33-0.58; HR 0.44) compared to chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab at 37.1 percent.1 The observed differences in PFS and TTNT benefits between venetoclax-based treatment and chemoimmunotherapy were maintained across all risk groups, including patients with high-risk molecular features of CLL.
No new safety signals were observed in this six-year analysis. The most frequently occurring Grade 3 (≥2%) adverse events (AEs) in patients receiving the venetoclax-based combination were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, infusion-related reaction (during treatment), anemia, febrile neutropenia, pneumonia and leukopenia.1
"The latest findings show that patients can experience long-term disease control, five years after stopping treatment," said Othman Al-Sawaf, M.D., investigator in the CLL14 study, hematologist-oncologist at the University Hospital Cologne in Germany, and study physician at the German CLL Study Group. "These results confirm the treatment benefits of fixed-duration venetoclax and obinutuzumab for previously untreated CLL patients with co-existing conditions."
Results will also be featured at EHA's Press Briefing.
MURANO Long-Term Analysis
Final data from the Phase 3 MURANO trial showcase that R/R CLL patients treated with two-year fixed-duration venetoclax plus rituximab sustained significantly longer median PFS at 54.7 months (95% CI 52.3, 59.9), the study's primary endpoint, compared to 17.0 months (95% CI 15.5, 21.7; HR 0.23) with bendamustine plus rituximab after 7 years of median follow-up.2
Seven-year OS rates were 69.6 percent (95% CI 62.8, 76.5) for patients treated with the venetoclax-based combination versus 51 percent (95% CI 43.3, 58.7) for study participants who received bendamustine-based combination (HR 0.53).2 Furthermore, most of the patients treated with the full two-year venetoclax-based combination achieved uMRD (70.3%) at the end of their treatment course, and those patients were shown to have improved PFS and OS compared to patients with detectable MRD (29.7%).
The safety profile of the venetoclax-rituximab combination is consistent with the known safety profile of each individual therapy alone. No new serious safety issues were observed in the MURANO updated analysis. The most common adverse reactions (ARs) (≥20%) of any grade were neutropenia, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, fatigue, and nausea.
"We are pleased to find that uMRD was associated with prolonged PFS in R/R CLL patients after seven years," said study investigator Prof. John Seymour, Director of the Integrated Haematology Department of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center and the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Melbourne. "Overall, these findings continue to support the use of treatment with venetoclax plus rituximab in this patient population."
VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S.
About the CLL14 Phase 3 Trial1,3
The prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized Phase 3 CLL14 trial, which was conducted in close collaboration with the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG), evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combined regimen of VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA and obinutuzumab (n=216) versus obinutuzumab and chlorambucil (n=216) in previously untreated patients with CLL and co-existing medical conditions (total Cumulative Illness Rating Scale [CIRS] score >6 or creatinine clearance <70 mL/min). The therapies were administered for a fixed-duration of 12 months for VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA in combination with six cycles of obinutuzumab. The trial enrolled 432 patients, all of whom were previously untreated, according to the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) criteria. Efficacy was based on PFS, as assessed by an independent review committee.
Key secondary endpoints were rates of MRD in peripheral blood and bone marrow, overall and complete response rates, MRD in complete response in peripheral blood and bone marrow, and OS.
In patients with CLL receiving venetoclax combination therapy with obinutuzumab, the most frequently occurring ≥ Grade 3 AEs (≥2%) were neutropenia (51.9%), thrombocytopenia (14.2%), infusion-related reaction (9.0%), anemia (7.5%), febrile neutropenia (4.2%), pneumonia (3.8%) and leukopenia (2.4%). Serious ARs were most often due to febrile neutropenia and pneumonia (5% each). The most common ARs (≥20%) of any grade were neutropenia (60%), diarrhea (28%), and fatigue (21%). Fatal ARs that occurred in the absence of disease progression and with onset within 28 days of the last study treatment were reported in 2 percent (4/212) of patients, most often from infection.
About the MURANO Phase 3 Trial2,4
A total of 389 patients with R/R CLL who had received at least one prior therapy were enrolled in the international, multicenter, open-label, randomized Phase 3 MURANO trial. The trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA and rituximab (n=194) compared with bendamustine and rituximab (n=195). The median age of patients in the trial was 65 years (range: 22 to 85).
The trial met its primary efficacy endpoint of investigator (INV)-assessed PFS. At the time of the primary analysis, median PFS with VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA and rituximab was not reached compared with 17.0 months for bendamustine and rituximab (HR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.11- 0.25; p<0.0001). In the primary efficacy analysis, the median follow-up for PFS was 23.8 months (range: 0 to 37.4). Additional efficacy endpoints included independent review committee (IRC)-assessed PFS, INV- and IRC-assessed overall response rate (defined as complete response + complete response with incomplete marrow recovery + partial response + nodular partial response), OS and rates of MRD-negativity.
In patients with CLL receiving combination therapy with rituximab, the most frequent serious adverse reaction (AR; ≥5%) was pneumonia (9%). The most common ARs (≥20%) of any grade were neutropenia (65%), diarrhea (40%), upper respiratory tract infection (39%), fatigue (22%), and nausea (21%). Fatal ARs that occurred in the absence of disease progression and within 30 days of the last venetoclax treatment and/or 90 days of the last rituximab were reported in 2% (4/194) of patients.
About VENCLYXTO® (venetoclax)
VENCLYXTO® (venetoclax) is a first-in-class medicine that selectively binds and inhibits the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein. In some blood cancers, BCL-2 prevents cancer cells from undergoing their natural death or self-destruction process, called apoptosis. VENCLYXTO targets the BCL-2 protein and works to help restore the process of apoptosis.
VENCLYXTO is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S. Together, the companies are committed to BCL-2 research and to studying venetoclax in clinical trials across several blood and other cancers. Venetoclax is approved in more than 80 countries, including the U.S.
Indication and Important VENCLYXTO (venetoclax) EU Safety Information5
Indications
Venclyxto in combination with obinutuzumab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
Venclyxto in combination with rituximab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with CLL who have received at least one prior therapy.
Venclyxto monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of CLL:
- In the presence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in adult patients who are unsuitable for or have failed a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor, or
- In the absence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in adult patients who have failed both chemoimmunotherapy and a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor.
Venclyxto in combination with a hypomethylating agent is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.
https://www.venclextahcp.com/aml.html
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients is contraindicated. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors at initiation and during the dose-titration phase due to increased risk for tumour lysis syndrome (TLS). Concomitant use of preparations containing St. John's wort as Venclyxto efficacy may be reduced.
About AbbVie in Oncology
At AbbVie, we are committed to transforming standards of care for multiple blood cancers while advancing a dynamic pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of cancer types. Our dedicated and experienced team joins forces with innovative partners to accelerate the delivery of potentially breakthrough medicines. We are evaluating more than 20 investigational medicines in over 300 clinical trials across some of the world's most widespread and debilitating cancers. As we work to have a remarkable impact on people's lives, we are committed to exploring solutions to help patients obtain access to our cancer medicines. For more information, please visit http://www.abbvie.com/oncology and our Blood Cancer Press Kit page.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
SOURCE AbbVie
ABBV Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/abbv/dividend-history
Jemperli (dostarlimab-gxly) plus chemotherapy
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) Plus Novel Immunotherapy Combination
Jemperli (dostarlimab-gxly) plus chemotherapy
June 06 2023
For media and investors only
GSK receives US FDA file acceptance for Jemperli (dostarlimab-gxly) plus chemotherapy for the treatment of dMMR/MSI-H primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer
- Submission accepted for Priority Review
- Breakthrough Therapy designation granted for this potential indication
- Application being reviewed under the FDA Project Orbis framework, which enables concurrent reviews among US, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Singapore and United Kingdom health authorities
Issued: London, UK
GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) forJemperli (dostarlimab-gxly) in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. If approved in this patient population, dostarlimab-gxly plus chemotherapy could represent the first meaningful frontline treatment advancement in decades for patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.
The FDA granted Priority Review for this application and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date of September 23, 2023. Dostarlimab-gxly was also recently granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for this potential new indication.
Under Project Orbis, an initiative from the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence that provides a framework for concurrent submission and review of oncology products among international partners, the dostarlimab-gxly sBLA will be reviewed by health authorities in the US, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
Hesham Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Oncology Development, GSK said: “We are excited about this initial filing for this potential new indication for dostarlimab-gxly in the patient population that demonstrated the strongest treatment effect in the phase III RUBY trial. Long-term outcomes for patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer remain poor, and there is an urgent need to evolve the current standard of care, which is platinum-based chemotherapy. We look forward to working with the FDA and other health authorities as they review this application.”
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in developed countries,[1] and there are about 60,000 new cases of endometrial cancer diagnosed every year in the US.[2] Approximately 15-20% of patients with endometrial cancer will be diagnosed with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.[3][4] An estimated 20-29% of all endometrial cancers are dMMR/MSI-H.[5] Chemotherapy used alone is the current standard of care for primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, and many patients eventually experience disease progression.[6]
Currently, in endometrial cancer, dostarlimab-gxly is approved in the US as monotherapy in dMMR recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer that has progressed on or following a prior platinum-containing regimen. If the sBLA is approved, dostarlimab-gxly could potentially be indicated earlier in treatment in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy for patients with dMMR/MSI-H primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.
The sBLA is based on the prespecified interim analysis results from Part 1 of the RUBY/ENGOT-EN6/GOG3031/NSGO phase III trial. The trial met its primary endpoint of investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS), which demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in patients treated with dostarlimab-gxly plus carboplatin-paclitaxel in the dMMR/MSI-H population and in the overall population. The data reflect a robust median duration of follow-up of ≥24.8 months. The safety and tolerability analysis from RUBY showed a safety profile for dostarlimab-gxly and carboplatin-paclitaxel that was generally consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual agents. These data were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Virtual Plenary and Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting on March 27, 2023, and were simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Part 1 of the RUBY trial continues to assess the dual-primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. At the first interim analysis in the ITT population, a clinically meaningful OS trend was observed among patients receiving dostarlimab plus chemotherapy followed by dostarlimab. The OS analysis was done at 33% maturity and statistical significance was not reached.
In April, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) validated GSK’s marketing authorization application for dostarlimab-gxly plus chemotherapy for the treatment of dMMR/MSI-H primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.
About endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer is found in the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in developed countries, with approximately 417,000 new cases reported each year worldwide[7], and incidence rates are expected to rise by almost 40% by 2040.[8][9] Approximately 15-20% of patients with endometrial cancer will be diagnosed with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.[10]
About RUBY
RUBY is a two-part global, randomized, double-blind, multicenter phase III trial of patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Part 1 is evaluating dostarlimab-gxly plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by dostarlimab-gxly versus carboplatin-paclitaxel plus placebo followed by placebo. Part 2 is evaluating dostarlimab-gxly plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by dostarlimab-gxly plus niraparib versus placebo plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by placebo. The primary endpoints in Part 1 are investigator-assessed PFS based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1 and OS. The statistical analysis plan included pre-specified analyses of PFS in the dMMR/MSI-H and ITT populations and OS in the overall population. Pre-specified exploratory analyses of PFS in the MMRp/MSS population and OS in the dMMR/MSI-H populations were also performed. RUBY Part 1 included a broad population, including histologies often excluded from clinical trials and had approximately 10% of patients with carcinosarcoma and 20% with serous carcinoma. In Part 2, the primary endpoint is investigator-assessed PFS. Secondary endpoints in Part 1 and Part 2 include PFS per blinded independent central review, overall response rate, duration of response, disease control rate, patient-reported outcomes, and safety and tolerability.
About Jemperli (dostarlimab-gxly)
Jemperli is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)-blocking antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with the PD-1 ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2.[11]
Jemperli is not approved anywhere in the world for use in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy (carboplatin-paclitaxel) followed by dostarlimab-gxly for primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.
Jemperli was discovered by AnaptysBio, Inc. and licensed to TESARO, Inc., under a collaboration and exclusive license agreement signed in March 2014. The collaboration has resulted in three monospecific antibody therapies that have progressed into the clinic. These are: Jemperli (GSK4057190), a PD-1 antagonist; cobolimab, (GSK4069889), a TIM-3 antagonist; and GSK4074386, a LAG-3 antagonist. GSK is responsible for the ongoing research, development, commercialisation, and manufacturing of each of these medicines under the agreement.
Indications and Important Safety Information for JEMPERLI (dostarlimab-gxly)
JEMPERLI is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) recurrent or advanced:
- endometrial cancer (EC), as determined by an FDA-approved test, that has progressed on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing regimen in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation, or
- solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed on or following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
GSK in oncology
GSK is committed to maximizing patient survival through transformational medicines. GSK’s pipeline is focused on immuno-oncology, tumor cell targeting therapies and synthetic lethality. Our goal is to achieve a sustainable flow of new treatments based on a diversified portfolio of investigational medicines utilizing modalities such as small molecules, antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates, either alone or in combination.
About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.
GSK granted FDA priority review for label expansion in cancer drug Jemperli
Jun. 06, 2023 6:47 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
GSK (NYSE:GSK) announced Tuesday that the FDA accepted its supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for PD-1 receptor blocker Jemperli granting priority review to expand its label as an earlier line option for patients with endometrial cancer.
Lynparza and Imfinzi combination
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Jemperli (dostarlimab-gxly) plus chemotherapy
Lynparza and Imfinzi combination reduced risk of disease progression or death by 37% vs. chemotherapy and bevacizumab in patients with advanced ovarian cancer without tumour BRCA mutations in the DUO-O Phase III trial
PUBLISHED3 June 2023
Positive results from a planned interim analysis of the DUO-O Phase III trial showed that treatment with a combination of Lynparza (olaparib), Imfinzi (durvalumab), chemotherapy and bevacizumab demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) versus chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (control arm) in newly diagnosed patients with advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer without tumour BRCA mutations. Patients were treated with Imfinzi in combination with chemotherapy and bevacizumab followed by Imfinzi, Lynparza and bevacizumab as maintenance therapy.
These results will be presented today in an oral presentation at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago (Abstract #LBA5506).
The combination of Lynparza, Imfinzi, chemotherapy and bevacizumab reduced the relative risk of disease progression or death by 37% versus chemotherapy and bevacizumab (hazard ratio (HR) 0.63; 95% CI 0.52-0.76; p<0.0001). Median PFS was 24.2 months versus 19.3, respectively. In the homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive subgroup of patients, Lynparza, Imfinzi, chemotherapy and bevacizumab reduced the relative risk of disease progression or death by 51% versus chemotherapy and bevacizumab alone (HR 0.49; 95% CI 0.34-0.69; p<0.0001). Median PFS was 37.3 months versus 23.0, respectively.
Professor Philipp Harter, Director, Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology, Evangelische Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Germany, and principal investigator for the trial, said: “The primary aim of first-line treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer is long-term control over the disease, but still too many patients progress quickly and face poor clinical outcomes today. Data from the DUO-O trial interim progression-free survival analysis provide evidence for further improvement with olaparib and durvalumab combination versus chemotherapy and bevacizumab alone in patients without tumour BRCA mutations.”
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “These results are an important milestone in our ongoing journey to address unmet need in ovarian cancer. The DUO-O trial demonstrates the potential of combining PARP inhibition with immunotherapy and we look forward to seeing more mature data and key secondary endpoints results.”
At a pre-planned exploratory analysis of the HRD-negative subgroup of patients, Lynparza, Imfinzi, chemotherapy and bevacizumab reduced the relative risk of disease progression or death by 32% versus chemotherapy and bevacizumab (HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.54-0.86). Median PFS was 20.9 months versus 17.4.
At the time of this interim analysis, an additional arm evaluating the combination of Imfinzi, chemotherapy and bevacizumab demonstrated a numerical improvement in PFS which was not statistically significant (HR 0.87; 95% CI 0.73-1.04; p=0.13).
At the time of this planned interim analysis, the overall survival (OS) and other secondary endpoints were immature. OS will be formally assessed at a subsequent analysis.
Approximately 65% of patients treated with the combination of Lynparza, Imfinzi, chemotherapy and bevacizumab who experienced AEs during chemotherapy and throughout the maintenance phase remained on treatment at the time of data cut-off, compared to 80% of patients in the control arm (chemotherapy plus bevacizumab).
Notes
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecologic cancers and is the eighth most common cancer in women worldwide with more than 314,000 new patients diagnosed in 2020 and over 207,000 deaths. This number is expected to rise by almost 42% by 2040 to over 445,000 newly diagnosed patients and 314,000 deaths.1,2,3
Over two thirds of patients are diagnosed with advanced disease, which can progress quickly, often within two years, diminishing their quality of life despite treatment. Unfortunately, 50-70% of patients with advanced disease die within five years.4-7 Outcomes are generally worse in patients with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-negative disease, where survival at five years is approximately 30%.5,8
DUO-O
DUO-O is a Phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Imfinzi in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy and bevacizumab followed by maintenance treatment with Imfinzi and bevacizumab with or without Lynparza in newly diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer without tumour BRCA mutations.
Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to: Arm 1 (control), induction therapy with platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab and placebo followed by maintenance treatment with bevacizumab plus placebo; Arm 2, induction therapy with platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab and Imfinzi followed by maintenance Imfinzi and bevacizumab plus placebo; or Arm 3, induction therapy with platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab and Imfinzi followed by maintenance Imfinzi and bevacizumab plus Lynparza. In all arms, platinum-based chemotherapy was administered every 3 weeks (q3w) for up to 6 cycles, bevacizumab was administered q3w for up to 15 months, Imfinzi or placebo was administered q3w for up to 24 months, and Lynparza or placebo was administered twice daily for up to 24 months.
The primary endpoint of the trial is progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by investigator for Arm 3 compared to Arm 1 (control) in the overall trial population which included patients without tumour BRCA mutations and in the subset of these patients with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive disease. Key secondary endpoints include PFS as assessed by investigator in Arm 2 compared to control, as well as comparisons for overall survival (OS). DUO-O enrolled over 1200 patients across all treatment arms at 179 study locations. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy and the global standard of care in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial. Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. Additionally, Imfinzi is approved in combination with a short course of Imjudo (tremelimumab) and chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC in the US, EU and Japan based on the POSEIDON Phase III trial.
In addition to its indications in lung cancer, Imfinzi is also approved in combination with chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer in the US, EU, Japan and several other countries; in combination with Imjudo in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in the US, EU and Japan; and in previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in a small number of countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 200,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi. As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several gastrointestinal cancers and other solid tumours.
Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to block DNA damage response (DDR) in cells/tumours harbouring a deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), such as those with mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2, or those where deficiency is induced by other agents (such as new hormonal agents [NHAs]).
Inhibition of PARP with Lynparza leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death.
Lynparza is currently approved in a number of countries across multiple tumour types including maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer and as both monotherapy and in combination with bevacizumab for the 1st-line maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive advanced ovarian cancer, respectively; for germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm), HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (in the EU and Japan this includes locally advanced breast cancer); for gBRCAm, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer (in Japan this includes all BRCAm HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer); for gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer; in combination with abiraterone for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated (in the EU) and as monotherapy in HRR gene-mutated mCRPC in patients who have progressed on prior NHA treatment (BRCAm only in the EU and Japan). In China, Lynparza is approved for the treatment of BRCA-mutated mCRPC, as a 1st-line maintenance therapy in BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer as well as 1st-line maintenance treatment with bevacizumab for HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer.
Lynparza, which is being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD, has been used to treat over 75,000 patients worldwide. The companies develop Lynparza in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines independently. Lynparza is the foundation of AstraZeneca's industry-leading portfolio of potential new medicines targeting DDR mechanisms in cancer cells.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company’s focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
By harnessing the power of six scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response, Antibody Drug Conjugates, Epigenetics and Cell Therapies – and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
Contacts
For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please click here. For Media contacts, click here.
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy significantly improved pathologic complete response in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers in MATTERHORN Phase III trial
PUBLISHED2 June 2023
First global Phase III trial of immunotherapy and chemotherapy
combination to demonstrate clinical benefit in this setting
Trial will continue to assess event-free survival
Positive high-level results from a planned interim analysis of the MATTERHORN Phase III trial showed treatment with AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) added to standard-of-care FLOT (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel) neoadjuvant (before surgery) chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the key secondary endpoint of pathologic complete response (pCR) versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone for patients with resectable, early-stage and locally advanced (Stages II, III, IVA) gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers.
The trial will continue as planned to assess EFS and overall survival to which the trial team, investigators and participants remain blinded.
The safety and tolerability of adding Imfinzi to neoadjuvant FLOT chemotherapy was consistent with the known profile of this combination and did not decrease the number of patients able to undergo surgery versus chemotherapy alone.
Josep Tabernero, MD, PhD, head of the Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, and principal investigator of the MATTERHORN trial, said: “Patients with resectable gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers urgently need better treatment options, because today, one in four patients still progress within one year even after surgery with curative intent. These results demonstrate an increase in pathologic complete response after adding durvalumab treatment to FLOT chemotherapy and surgery. This is an encouraging early sign that this regimen may deliver long-term clinical benefit for these patients, as pathologic complete response has been correlated with both event-free and overall survival in multiple settings.”
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “These early results from MATTERHORN support harnessing the immune system together with chemotherapy and surgery as a new treatment approach to improve outcomes for patients with earlier stages of gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. These findings reinforce our focus on delivering novel Imfinzi-based treatments that have the potential to redefine care for patients with gastrointestinal cancers.”
Gastric cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death globally, with more than one million people diagnosed each year. By 2030, approximately 70,000 patients in the US, EU and Japan will be newly diagnosed with Stage II-III gastric or GEJ cancers.1 Approximately one in four patients with gastric cancer who undergo surgery with curative intent develop recurrent disease within one year, reflecting a high unmet medical need.2
These data will be shared with health authorities and presented at a forthcoming medical meeting.
Notes
Gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers
Gastric (stomach) cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth highest leading cause of cancer mortality.3 Approximately one million new patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer in 2020, with 768,000 deaths reported globally.3
GEJ cancer is a type of gastric cancer that arises from and spans the area where the esophagus connects to the stomach.4
Disease recurrence is common in patients with resectable gastric cancer despite undergoing curative-intent surgery and treatment with neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy.2 Additionally, the five-year survival rate for gastric cancer remains poor, with only up to a third of patients alive at five years.5,6
MATTERHORN
MATTERHORN is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre, global Phase III trial evaluating Imfinzi as perioperative treatment for patients with resectable Stage II-IVA gastric and gastroesophageal cancers. Perioperative therapy includes treatment before and after surgery, also known as neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy. In the trial, 948 patients were randomised to receive a 1500mg fixed dose of Imfinzi plus FLOT chemotherapy or placebo plus FLOT chemotherapy every four weeks for two cycles prior to surgery, followed by Imfinzi or placebo every four weeks for up to 12 cycles after surgery (including two cycles of Imfinzi or placebo plus FLOT chemotherapy and 10 additional cycles of Imfinzi or placebo monotherapy).
In the MATTERHORN trial, the primary endpoint is EFS, defined as the time from randomisation until disease progression or death. Key secondary endpoints include pCR rate, defined as the proportion of patients who have no detectable cancer cells in resected tumour tissue following neoadjuvant therapy, and overall survival (OS). The trial enrolled participants in 176 centres in 20 countries, including in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is approved in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) in locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC) and in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab) in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the US, EU, Japan and several other countries based on the TOPAZ-1 and HIMALAYA Phase III trials, respectively.
In addition to its indications in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy and the global standard of care in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. Additionally, Imfinzi is approved in combination with a short course of Imjudo and chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC in the US, EU and Japan based on the POSEIDON Phase III trial. Imfinzi is approved in previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in a small number of countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 200,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several GI cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours.
In GI cancers specifically, AstraZeneca has several ongoing registrational trials investigating Imfinzi across multiple liver cancer settings (EMERALD-1, EMERALD-2 and EMERALD-3) and in locally advanced esophageal cancer (KUNLUN).
AstraZeneca in GI cancers
AstraZeneca has a broad development programme for the treatment of GI cancers across several medicines and a variety of tumour types and stages of disease. In 2020, GI cancers collectively represented approximately 5.1 million new cancer cases leading to approximately 3.6 million deaths.7
Within this programme, the Company is committed to improving outcomes in gastric, liver, biliary tract, oesophageal, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
In addition to its indications in BTC and HCC, Imfinzi is being assessed in combinations, including with Imjudo, in liver, oesophageal and gastric cancers in an extensive development programme spanning early to late-stage disease across settings.
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate, is approved in the US and several other countries for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer and is being assessed in colorectal cancer. Enhertu is jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
Lynparza (olaparib), a first-in-class PARP inhibitor, is approved the US and several other countries for the treatment of BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. Lynparza is developed and commercialised in collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. inside the US and Canada).
AstraZeneca also recently entered into a global exclusive license agreement with KYM Biosciences Inc. for CMG901. CMG901 is a potential first-in-class antibody drug conjugate targeting Claudin 18.2, a promising therapeutic target in gastric cancer, currently in Phase I development.
AstraZeneca in immuno-oncology (IO)
AstraZeneca is a pioneer in introducing the concept of immunotherapy into dedicated clinical areas of high unmet medical need. The Company has a comprehensive and diverse IO portfolio and pipeline anchored in immunotherapies designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response and stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours.
AstraZeneca aims to reimagine cancer care and help transform outcomes for patients with Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with Imjudo as well as other novel immunotherapies and modalities. The Company is also exploring next-generation immunotherapies like bispecific antibodies and therapeutics that harness different aspects of immunity to target cancer.
AstraZeneca is boldly pursuing an innovative clinical strategy to bring IO-based therapies that deliver long-term survival to new settings across a wide range of cancer types. With an extensive clinical programme, the Company also champions the use of IO treatment in earlier disease stages, where there is the greatest potential for cure.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca's Imfinzi shows positive response in gastric cancers
Jun. 02, 2023 5:18 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- Top-level phase 3 data on AstraZeneca's Imfinzi (durvalumab) showed statistically significant improvement in pathologic complete response compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3977374-astrazeneca-imfinzi-positive-response-gastric-cancers
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
- https://www.imfinzi.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
Kisqali® (ribociclib)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Novartis Kisqali® significantly reduced the risk of recurrence by 25% across a broad population of patients with early breast cancer; clinically meaningful benefit was consistent across subgroups
Jun 02, 2023
- Kisqali is the first and only CDK4/6 inhibitor to demonstrate a consistent, clinically meaningful benefit across a broad population of patients with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer, regardless of disease stage, menopausal or nodal status1
- Results were also consistent across all secondary endpoints, including distant disease-free survival and recurrence-free survival, with a trend for improved overall survival*1
- The safety profile of Kisqali was favorable at 400 mg with low rates of symptomatic adverse events and limited treatment modifications when administered up to three years1
- Collectively, NATALEE results have the potential to more-than-double the number of patients who could benefit from treatment with a CDK4/6 inhibitor in the adjuvant setting2
Basel, June 2, 2023 — Novartis today presents positive primary endpoint data from the pivotal Phase III NATALEE trial at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Data showed that Kisqali® (ribociclib) plus endocrine therapy (ET), compared to ET alone, lowered the risk of cancer recurrence by 25.2% in patients with stage II and III hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) early breast cancer (HR=0.748; 95% CI: 0.618, 0.906; p=0.0014) along with a consistent, clinically meaningful invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) benefit across key pre-specified subgroups (see table below)1.
Kisqali data across all secondary efficacy endpoints was also consistent, including distant disease-free survival (DDFS) (26% risk reduction) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (28% risk reduction), with a trend for improvement in overall survival (OS) (HR=0.759; 95% CI: 0.539, 1.068)*1.
The safety profile of Kisqali at 400 mg was favorable with low rates of symptomatic adverse events (AEs) and limited need for dose modifications when administered up to three years1. The most frequently reported AEs of special interest (grade 3 or higher) were neutropenia (43.8%) and liver-related AEs (e.g. elevated transaminases) (8.3%)1. Grade 3 or higher QT interval prolongation and diarrhea were low for Kisqali at 1.0% and 0.6%, respectively1.
“These landmark results will fundamentally change how we treat patients with stage II and III HR+/HER2- early breast cancer who are in need of new, well-tolerated options that prevent their cancer from coming back,” said Dennis J. Slamon, M.D., Director of Clinical/Translational Research, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Chairman and Executive Director of Translational Research In Oncology (TRIO) and NATALEE trial lead investigator. “Addressing this unmet need across such a broad patient population could help streamline treatment decisions for healthcare providers and keep many more at-risk patients cancer-free without disrupting their daily lives.”
“Patients diagnosed with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer remain at risk of cancer recurrence, given that one-third of patients diagnosed with stage II and more than half of those diagnosed with stage III will unfortunately experience a return of their cancer,” said Shreeram Aradhye, M.D., President, Global Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. “The compelling data from NATALEE highlight the potential of Kisqali to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in this at-risk population, including node-negative patients, while maintaining a favorable safety profile. These potentially practice-changing results reinforce the unique and well-established profile of Kisqali as a proven treatment in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.”
"After an early breast cancer diagnosis, patients live with a persistent and lifelong worry that their cancer will return,” said Fran Visco, President, National Breast Cancer Coalition, and member of the NATALEE Steering Committee. “The National Breast Cancer Coalition partners with industry and scientists to help find treatments that will make certain that does not happen. Educated patient advocate participation in all phases of research, especially in designing and implementing clinical trials, is critical to making certain patients have meaningful options, and we are grateful that Novartis welcomed our collaboration and participation in all aspects of the NATALEE trial."
Novartis plans to submit these Phase III data to regulatory authorities in the US and Europe before end of year.
About NATALEE
NATALEE is a global Phase III multi-center, randomized, open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Kisqali with ET as adjuvant treatment versus ET alone in patients with HR+/HER2- EBC, being conducted in collaboration with TRIO1. The adjuvant ET in both treatment arms was a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI; anastrozole or letrozole) and goserelin if applicable1. The primary endpoint of NATALEE is iDFS as defined by the Standardized Definitions for Efficacy End Points (STEEP) criteria1. A total of 5,101 adult patients with HR+/HER2- EBC across 20 countries were randomized in the trial1.
Results showed Kisqali plus ET, compared to ET alone, lowered the risk of cancer recurrence by 25.2% (HR=0.748; 95% CI: 0.618, 0.906; p=0.0014), along with consistent clinically meaningful iDFS benefit across key pre-specified subgroups: AJCC Tumor Stage II (HR=0.761; 95% CI: 0.525, 1.103), AJCC Tumor Stage III (HR=0.740; 95% CI: 0.592, 0.925), node-negative disease (HR=0.630; 95% CI: 0.341, 1.165), node-positive disease (HR=0.771; 95% CI: 0.630, 0.944), pre-menopausal women and men (HR=0.722; 95% CI: 0.530, 0.983), post-menopausal women (HR=0.781; 95% CI: 0.613, 0.997)1. Kisqali data across all secondary efficacy endpoints was also consistent, including DDFS (26% risk reduction) and RFS (28% risk reduction), with a trend for improvement in OS (HR=0.759; 95% CI: 0.539, 1.068)*1.
Median study duration of follow up was 34 months (range 21-48 months) with clinical benefits observed after approximately two years1. NATALEE explored a lower starting dose (400 mg) of Kisqali than the dose approved for treatment in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) (600 mg) with the goal to minimize disruptions to patient quality of life without compromising efficacy. The safety profile of Kisqali at 400 mg was favorable with low rates of symptomatic AEs and limited need for dose modifications when administered up to three years1. The most frequently reported AEs of special interest (grade 3 or higher) were neutropenia (43.8%) and liver-related AEs (e.g. elevated transaminases) (8.3%)1. Grade 3 or higher QT interval prolongation and diarrhea were low for Kisqali at 1.0% and 0.6%, respectively1.
*Results based on pre-specified interim analysis for OS at time of primary iDFS analysis; additional follow up is planned to obtain more mature OS data1.
About Early Breast Cancer
More than 90% of patients diagnosed with breast cancer have EBC3. Despite standard-of-care adjuvant therapy, approximately one-third of those diagnosed with stage II and more than half of those diagnosed with stage III HR+/HER2- EBC experience cancer recurrence4,5. The risk of recurrence continues over decades with more than half of breast cancer recurrences occurring five or more years after diagnosis4,6. For many of these patients, there are currently no targeted therapeutic options outside of the standard chemotherapy and ET7.
About Kisqali® (ribociclib)
Kisqali has consistently demonstrated OS benefit while preserving or improving quality of life across three Phase III trials in MBC8-19. Updates to the NCCN Guidelines® for breast cancer, released in January 2023, recommend ribociclib (Kisqali) as the only Category 1 preferred CDK4/6 inhibitor for first-line treatment of patients with HR+/HER2- MBC when combined with an aromatase inhibitor (AI)20. Additionally, Kisqali has the highest rating of any CDK4/6 inhibitor on the ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale, achieving a score of five out of five for first-line pre-menopausal patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer21. Further, Kisqali in combination with either letrozole or fulvestrant has uniquely, among other CDK4/6 inhibitors, received a score of four out of five for post-menopausal patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer treated in the first line22.
https://www.us.kisqali.com/metastatic-breast-cancer/
Kisqali has been approved in 99 countries worldwide, including by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission. In the U.S., Kisqali is approved for the treatment of adult patients with HR+/HER2- advanced or MBC in combination with an AI as initial ET or fulvestrant as initial ET or following disease progression on ET in post-menopausal women or in men. In the EU, Kisqali is approved for the treatment of women with HR+/HER2- advanced or MBC in combination with either an AI or fulvestrant as initial ET or following disease progression. In pre- or peri-menopausal women, the ET should be combined with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist19.
Novartis is committed to continuing to study Kisqali in breast cancer. Novartis is collaborating with SOLTI, which is leading the HARMONIA study to test whether Kisqali changes tumor biology to enable a better response to ET compared to Ibrance®** (palbociclib) for patients with HR+/HER2-, HER2-enriched subtype23 MBC, and with the Akershus University Hospital in Norway on the NEOLETRIB trial, a neoadjuvant Phase II trial studying the effects of Kisqali in HR+/HER2- EBC to discover the potentially unique underlying mechanism of action24.
Kisqali was developed by the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals.
Please see full Prescribing Information for Kisqali, available at www.Kisqali.com
About Novartis
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. We deliver high-value medicines that alleviate society’s greatest disease burdens through technology leadership in R&D and novel access approaches. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. About 103,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work together to bring Novartis products to nearly 800 million people around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com
Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews
For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library
For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com
Novartis says breast cancer pill Kisqali cut risk of recurrence by 25%
Jun. 02, 2023 8:43 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
Announcing data from its pivotal study NATALEE, Novartis (NYSE:NVS) announced Friday that its oral breast cancer therapy Kisqali as a combination regimen lowered the risk of cancer recurrence by 25% in certain patients with early breast cancer.
The global study was designed to evaluate Kisqali with endocrine therapy (ET) against ET alone in patients with stage II and III hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) early breast cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3977093-novartis-stock-breast-cancer-pill-kisqali-cut-recurrence
LYNPARZA® (olaparib)Plus Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib)Plus Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib)Plus Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
FDA Approves LYNPARZA® (olaparib)Plus Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone for Treatment of Adult Patients With BRCA-Mutated Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC)
June 1, 2023 6:45 am ET
LYNPARZA combination showed a clinically meaningful reduction in risk of disease progression or death in these patients in the Phase 3 PROpel trial
First approval of a PARP inhibitor in combination with a new hormonal agent in mCRPC
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstraZeneca and Merck (NYSE: MRK),known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone (abi/pred) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Patients should be selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
This approval was based on an exploratory subgroup analysis of the Phase 3 PROpel trial which showed that LYNPARZAplus abi/pred demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in both radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) (HR=0.24 [95% CI, 0.12-0.45]) and overall survival (OS) (HR=0.30 [95% CI, 0.15-0.59]) versus abi/pred alone in patients with BRCAm mCRPC. In the BRCAm subgroup (n=85), the median rPFS and OS were not reached (NR) in those receiving LYNPARZA plus abi/pred (95% CI, NR-NR for both rPFS and OS), compared to a median of eight months rPFS (95% CI, 6-15) and 23 months OS (95% CI, 18-34) in those receiving placebo plus abi/pred. As previously reported, there was a statistically significant improvement in rPFS in the full intention-to-treat (ITT) population in the PROpel trial (n=796). Based on exploratory analyses of rPFS and OS in the BRCAm and non-BRCAm subgroups (non-BRCA subgroup rPFS HR=0.77 [95% CI, 0.63-0.96]; non-BRCA subgroup OS HR=0.92 [95% CI, 0.74-1.14]), the FDA concluded that the improvement in the ITT population was primarily attributed to the results seen in the subgroup of patients with BRCAm.
In the ITT population, the most common adverse reactions (ARs) in patients who received LYNPARZA plus abi/pred (≥10%) were anemia (48%), fatigue (38%), nausea (30%), diarrhea (19%), decreased appetite (16%), lymphopenia and dizziness (14% each) and abdominal pain (13%). Among patients who received LYNPARZA in combination with abi/pred, 16% permanently discontinued treatment with LYNPARZA due to an AR, 48% had a dosage interruption of LYNPARZA and 21% had their dose of LYNPARZA reduced.
In the U.S., prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and despite an increase in the number of available therapies for patients with mCRPC, five-year survival remains low.Many patients with mCRPC are only able to receive one line of therapy, as the disease can progress quickly. Approximately 10% of patients with mCRPC will have BRCA mutations, which are associated with a poor prognosis and worse outcomes.
Andrew Armstrong, MD, ScM, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, N.C. and an investigator in the trial, said, “Preventing or delaying radiographic progression is an important clinical endpoint in assessing cancer treatment and is very important to patients, their caregivers and their families. The PROpel results showed the LYNPARZA combination demonstrated a notable clinically meaningful benefit that should rapidly be considered as the standard of care treatment for patients with BRCAm mCRPC.”
Dave Fredrickson, executive vice president, oncology business unit, AstraZeneca, said, “There is a critical unmet need for new first-line treatment options for patients with BRCAm mCRPC, and this approval underscores the importance of BRCA testing at metastatic diagnosis. We look forward to bringing the benefit of this LYNPARZA combination to patients earlier in their treatment.”
Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories, said, “It is imperative that we create new ways to treat advanced cancers and help improve patient outcomes by building on the current standard of care. In PROpel, the LYNPARZA combination improved rPFS and OS for the subgroup of patients with BRCAm mCRPC. This approval reinforces the importance of routine testing for genetic mutations at metastatic diagnosis to help guide clinical decisions.”
The rPFS results from the ITT population of the Phase 3 PROpel trial were published in NEJM Evidence in June 2022.
LYNPARZA plus abi/pred is approved in several other countries for the treatment of appropriate adult patients with mCRPC based on the PROpel trial. In the European Union (EU), LYNPARZA plus abi/pred is approved for the treatment of adult patients with mCRPC in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated, regardless of biomarker status.
In the U.S., LYNPARZA was previously approved for patients with homologous recombination repair gene-mutated mCRPC who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone, and in the EU, Japan and China for patients with BRCAm mCRPC who have progressed following prior therapy that included a new hormonal agent (NHA). These approvals were based on the data from the Phase 3 PROfound trial. For the U.S. indication, patients are selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
About PROpel
PROpel (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03732820) is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial testing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of LYNPARZAversus placebo when given in addition to abi/pred in 796 patients with mCRPC who had not received prior chemotherapy or NHAs in the mCRPC setting. The major efficacy outcome was rPFS as assessed by investigator per RECIST v1.1 and Prostate Cancer Working Group (bone) criteria. Overall survival was an additional efficacy outcome measure. Exploratory subgroup analyses were subsequently conducted to assess efficacy in patients with BRCAm (n=85) and patients without identified BRCAm (n=711). BRCA-mutated status was assessed after randomization and before primary analysis by both next generation sequencing-based tumor tissue and circulating tumor DNA tests. BRCA-mutated classification criteria in line with the FDA-approved assays were used to determine the deleterious and suspected deleterious somatic or germline mutation status of patients. BRCA was not a stratification factor in PROpel, and the BRCAm and non-BRCAm subgroup analyses were not controlled for Type 1 error.
INDICATIONS
LYNPARZA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated:
First-Line Maintenance BRCAm Advanced Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm or sBRCAm) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
First-Line Maintenance HRD-Positive Advanced Ovarian Cancer in Combination with Bevacizumab
In combination with bevacizumab for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and whose cancer is associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive status defined by either:
- a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA mutation, and/or
- genomic instability
Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Maintenance Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Adjuvant Treatment of gBRCAm, HER2-Negative, High-Risk Early Breast Cancer
For the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have been treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
gBRCAm, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or metastatic setting. Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with a prior endocrine therapy or be considered inappropriate for endocrine therapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
First-Line Maintenance gBRCAm Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma whose disease has not progressed on at least 16 weeks of a first-line platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
HRR Gene-mutated Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
BRCAm Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer in Combination with Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
In combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone (abi/pred) for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Please see complete Prescribing Information , including Medication Guide .
Financial considerations
Under the oncology collaboration with AstraZeneca and following this new approval for LYNPARZA, AstraZeneca will receive a regulatory milestone payment from Merck.
AboutLYNPARZA® (olaparib)
LYNPARZA is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to potentially exploit DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies, such as BRCA mutations, to preferentially kill cancer cells. Inhibition of PARP with LYNPARZA leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death. LYNPARZA is being tested in a range of tumor types with defects and dependencies in the DDR.
LYNPARZA, which is being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Merck, has a broad clinical trial development program, and AstraZeneca and Merck are working together to understand how it may affect multiple PARP-dependent tumors as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple cancer types.
About metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in male patients globally and is associated with a significant mortality rate. Development of prostate cancer is often driven by male sex hormones called androgens, including testosterone. In patients with mCRPC, their prostate cancer grows and spreads to other parts of the body, despite the use of androgen-deprivation therapy to block the action of male sex hormones.Approximately 10-20% of patients with prostate cancer are estimated to develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) within five years, with at least 84% of these patients presenting with metastases at the time of CRPC diagnosis.Of patients with no metastases at CRPC diagnosis, 33% are likely to develop metastases within two years.
About BRCA mutations
BRCA1 and BRCA2 (breast cancer susceptibility genes 1/2) are human genes that produce proteins responsible for repairing damaged DNA and play an important role maintaining the genetic stability of cells. When either of these genes is mutated or altered such that its protein product either is not made or does not function correctly, DNA damage may not be repaired properly, and cells become unstable. As a result, cells are more likely to develop additional genetic alterations that can lead to cancer.
Approximately 10% of patients with mCRPC will have BRCA mutations, which are associated with a poor prognosis and worse outcomes.
About the AstraZeneca and Merck strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize certain oncology products including LYNPARZA, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, for multiple cancer types. Working together, the companies will develop these products in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. Independently, the companies will develop these oncology products in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Multimedia
Merck Logo Horizontal Teal Grey RGB (211 KB)
AstraZeneca/Merck's Lynparza gains expanded prostate cancer indication
May 31, 2023 5:22 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The US FDA has expanded the prostate cancer indication for AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN)/Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Lynparza (olaparib) as a first-line treatment for adults with BRCA-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
- The new indication is in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3976412-astrazeneca-merck-lynparza-gains-expanded-prostate-cancer-indication?mailingid=31652735&messageid=2900&serial=31652735.18807&utm_campaign=rta-stock-news&utm_content=link-3&utm_medium=email&utm_source=seeking_alpha&utm_term=31652735.18807
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), MRK
- https://www.lynparza.com/
Opdivo (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy
LYNPARZA® (olaparib)Plus Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib)Plus Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
Bristol Myers Squibb Receives Positive CHMP Opinion Recommending Approval for Opdivo (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment of Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at High Risk of Recurrence in Patients with Tumor Cell PD-L1 Expre...
05/26/2023CATEGORY:
Recommendation based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial, in which Opdivo with chemotherapy demonstrated improved event-free survival and pathologic complete response compared to chemotherapy alone when administered before surgery
If approved, Opdivo with chemotherapy would be the first and only neoadjuvant immunotherapy-based option authorized to treat patients with non-small cell lung cancer in the European Union
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Bristol Myers Squibb Receives Positive CHMP Opinion Recommending Approval for Opdivo (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment of Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at High Risk of Recurrence in Patients with Tumor Cell PD-L1 Expression ≥1%
Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval of Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the neoadjuvant treatment of resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at a high risk of recurrence in adult patients with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥1%. The European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU), will now review the CHMP recommendation.
“The devastating reality is that despite progress in lung cancer treatment, many patients still ultimately end up relapsing and potentially dying of their disease,” said Abderrahim Oukessou, M.D., vice president, thoracic cancers development lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Based on the results of the CheckMate -816 trial, Opdivo with chemotherapy is the first immunotherapy-based regimen to reduce the risk of disease recurrence, progression and death in resectable NSCLC when given before surgery. The CHMP’s recommendation moves us another step closer to addressing the pressing need to offer certain patients in the European Union a chance to change the course of their disease with an effective and tolerable pre-surgical option that may help reduce the risk of relapse.”
The positive opinion is based on results from the CheckMate -816 trial, which demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in event-free survival (EFS) and pathologic complete response (pCR) with three cycles of Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone when given before surgery. The safety profile of Opdivo with chemotherapy was consistent with previously reported studies in NSCLC. Primary analyses of pCR, EFS and preliminary overall survival (OS) data from CheckMate -816 were previously presented at medical congresses and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Three-year data demonstrating durable clinical benefits with the combination were presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress 2023. CheckMate -816 is ongoing to assess key secondary endpoints and subgroup analyses, including OS, which continue to mature.
To date, Opdivo with chemotherapy has been approved for the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with resectable NSCLC regardless of PD-L1 expression levels in 21 countries, including the United States, Japan and China, and additional regulatory applications are under review by global health authorities. Opdivo-based treatments have shown improved efficacy in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment of four tumor types: lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer and melanoma.
Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -816 clinical trial.
About CheckMate -816
CheckMate -816 is a Phase 3 randomized, open label, multi-center trial evaluating Opdivo with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (per the 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control staging criteria). For the primary analysis, 358 patients were randomized to receive either Opdivo 360 mg plus histology-based platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles, or platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles, followed by surgery. The primary endpoints of the trial are event-free survival and pathologic complete response, regardless of PD-L1 expression. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, major pathologic response, and time to death or distant metastases.
About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of lung cancer, representing up to 84% of diagnoses. Non-metastatic cases account for the majority of NSCLC diagnoses (approximately 60%, with up to half of these being resectable), and the proportion is expected to grow over time with enhanced screening programs. While many non-metastatic NSCLC patients are cured by surgery, 30% to 55% develop recurrence and die of their disease despite resection, contributing to a need for treatment options administered before surgery (neoadjuvant) and/or after surgery (adjuvant) to improve long-term outcomes.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Multimedia Files:
Download:Download original 99 KB 1505 x 211Download thumbnail 5 KB 200 x 28Download lowres 15 KB 480 x 67Download square 7 KB 250 x 250
BMY Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/bmy/dividend-history
Veklury® (Remdesivir)
LYNPARZA® (olaparib)Plus Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
May 26, 2023
CHMP Adopts Positive Opinion to Extend the Use of Veklury® (Remdesivir) to Treat COVID-19 in People With Severe Renal Impairment, Including Those on Dialysis
– If Granted by the European Commission, Veklury will become the First and Only Authorized Antiviral Treatment Across All Stages of Renal Disease –
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted a positive opinion for the use of Veklury® (remdesivir) in COVID-19 patients with severe renal impairment, including those on dialysis. The European Commission (EC) will review the CHMP recommendation and, if adopted, Veklury will become the first and only authorized antiviral COVID-19 treatment that can be used across all stages of renal disease.
In Europe, approximately 75 million people suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with advanced CKD or end stage kidney disease (ESKD) represent a population that is highly vulnerable to COVID-19. They are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, with mortality rates as high as 21-25%, and currently have limited treatment options that are safe and effective.
“COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to the lives of vulnerable individuals, including those with renal impairment,” said Anu Osinusi, Vice President, Clinical Research for Hepatitis, Respiratory and Emerging Viruses, Gilead Sciences. “Gilead’s commitment to address the unmet needs of the most susceptible populations remains a top priority. We are encouraged by today’s CHMP opinion and will continue to invest in developing suitable treatment options for populations at risk of severe disease.”
The clinical benefit of Veklury in hospitalized populations with COVID-19 is supported by randomized controlled trials, real-world evidence and meta-analyses, but its use has previously been restricted among patients with severe renal impairment (<30mL/min) due to insufficient data. This positive opinion for use in people with severe renal impairment was based on results from a Phase 1 Pharmacokinetic study (GS-US-540-9015), as well as results from the Phase 3 REDPINE trial that evaluated the safety of Veklury in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with severe renal impairment. No new safety signals were observed in either of the studies.
“The positive opinion from the Committee helps validate the safety profile of Veklury in people with severe renal impairment,” said Prof. Dr. Tobias Welte, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine and Director of the Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases at Hannover University School of Medicine. “Expanding the use of Veklury in this population, which still has limited treatment options, will help more people gain access to treatment for COVID-19.”
In the European Economic Area (EEA), Veklury is the only antiviral indicated for both the treatment of COVID-19 in adult and adolescent patients who do not require supplemental oxygen and are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, as well as adults, adolescent and pediatric patients with pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen (low- or high-flow oxygen or other non-invasive ventilation).
About GS-US-540-5912 (REDPINE)
Gilead conducted a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group, multicenter study (REDPINE) evaluating the efficacy and safety of Veklury in patients with severely reduced kidney function who are hospitalized with COVID-19. The trial enrolled 243 hospitalized adult participants with confirmed COVID-19 and renal impairment who were randomized in a 2:1 manner to receive Veklury (n=163) or placebo (n=80), in addition to standard of care, and were stratified by ESKD, high-flow oxygen requirement, and region (US vs. ex-US). The study closed prematurely due to feasibility issues and was underpowered to assess for efficacy because of lower-than-expected enrollment. No new safety signals were observed in the study and no additional adverse reactions to Veklury were identified in 163 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 and acute kidney injury (AKI) (n=60), CKD (eGFR <30 mL/minute) (n=44) or ESKD (eGFR <15 mL/minute) requiring hemodialysis (n=59) receiving Veklury for up to 5 days.
Pharmacokinetic data were obtained from the REDPINE study, as well as a Phase 1 open-label, parallel-group, single-dose study (GS-US-540-9015). Given the observed PK and the absence of any new safety signals associated with increased metabolite levels in patients with severely reduced kidney function, no dose adjustment of Veklury is recommended in patients with renal impairment, including those on dialysis.
About Gilead’s COVID-19 Development Program
Veklury (remdesivir) is a nucleotide analog invented by Gilead, building on more than a decade of the company’s antiviral research. Veklury is the antiviral standard of care for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and is a recommended treatment for reducing disease progression in non-hospitalized patients at high risk of disease progression. Veklury has an established safety profile and minimal known drug interactions in diverse populations. It plays an important role in reducing disease progression and mortality across a spectrum of disease severity and enabling patients to recover faster. Veklury directly inhibits viral replication inside of the cell by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA polymerase. Based on in vitro analyses, Veklury retains antiviral activity against recent Omicron subvariants of concern, including BQ.1.1 and XBB.
Veklury is approved in more than 50 countries worldwide. To date, Veklury and generic remdesivir have been made available to nearly 13 million patients around the world, including more than 8 million people in middle- and low-income countries through Gilead’s voluntary licensing program.
There remains a significant need to develop new and effective oral treatment options for people with COVID-19. Gilead is also working to advance an investigational oral antiviral, obeldesivir, for the treatment of COVID-19. Obeldesivir is a direct-acting nucleoside inhibitor of the of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a critical component that the virus uses to replicate. Once metabolized, obeldesivir works in the same way as Veklury to halt SARS-CoV-2 virus replication.
U.S. Indication for Veklury
Veklury® (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (≥28 days old and weighing ≥3 kg) who are:
- Hospitalized, or
- Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information available at www.gilead.com.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. full Prescribing Information for Veklury is available at www.gilead.com .
Veklury, Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead's COVID drug Veklury gets EMA greenlight for expanded use
May 26, 2023 7:06 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the expanded approval of Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) Veklury (remdesivir) in patients with COVID-19 with severe kidney impairment, including those on dialysis.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3975353-gileads-covid-drug-veklury-gets-ema-greenlight-for-expanded-use
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)
- https://www.gilead.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
FDA Accepts Application for Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
April 13, 2023 6:45 am ET
Acceptance based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-859 trial, which showed significant overall survival benefit in these patients with HER2-negative disease, regardless of PD-L1 expression
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review a new supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) seeking approval for KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. The sBLA is based on data from the KEYNOTE-859 trial, in which KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy alone, regardless of PD-L1 expression, in patients who were human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of December 16, 2023.
“The five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with metastatic gastric cancer is estimated to be only six percent, and eighty percent of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma have HER2-negative disease,” said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are committed to working closely with the FDA to bring KEYTRUDA to more patients with gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer who are in need of additional treatment options that may help them live longer.”
KEYTRUDA is currently approved in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma in the U.S. This indication was approved by the FDA under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-811 study. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merck has an extensive clinical development program evaluating KEYTRUDA in gastrointestinal cancers, which includes KEYNOTE-811 in first-line advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer, KEYNOTE-585 in early-stage gastric cancer, and further exploration in advanced/metastatic gastric cancer in LEAP-015. Merck is continuing to study KEYTRUDA for multiple uses in hepatobiliary, esophageal, pancreatic, colorectal and biliary tract cancers.
About KEYNOTE-859
KEYNOTE-859 is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03675737) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy compared to placebo in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with HER2-negative locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. The primary endpoint is OS, and secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, ORR, duration of response and safety. The trial enrolled 1,579 patients who were randomized to receive KEYTRUDA (200 mg every three weeks for up to approximately two years) in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy (n=785), or placebo in combination with chemotherapy (n=787). All patients received investigator’s choice of chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin).
About gastric cancer
Gastric (stomach) cancer tends to develop slowly over many years and rarely causes early symptoms, resulting in most cases going undetected until an advanced stage.More than 70% of patients with gastric cancer develop advanced-stage disease. Most gastric cancers are adenocarcinomas (about 90-95%), which develop from cells in the innermost lining of the stomach (known as the mucosa). The majority of gastric cancers are HER2-negative, affecting approximately four out of every five patients. Gastric cancer is the fifth most diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with approximately 1.1 million patients diagnosed and 768,000 deaths from the disease globally in 2020.In the U.S., it is estimated there will be approximately 26,500 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer and 11,000 deaths from the disease in 2023. The five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with gastric cancer at an advanced stage is only 6%.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD- L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
See additional selected KEYTRUDA indications in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information.
Selected Important Safety Information for KEYTRUDA
Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions
KEYTRUDA is a monoclonal antibody that belongs to a class of drugs that bind to either the PD-1 or the PD-L1, blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, thereby removing inhibition of the immune response, potentially breaking peripheral tolerance and inducing immune-mediated adverse reactions. Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue, can affect more than one body system simultaneously, and can occur at any time after starting treatment or after discontinuation of treatment. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions.
Monitor patients closely for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management are essential to ensure safe use of anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment. For patients with TNBC treated with KEYTRUDA in the neoadjuvant setting, monitor blood cortisol at baseline, prior to surgery, and as clinically indicated. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate.
Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity of the immune-mediated adverse reaction. In general, if KEYTRUDA requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy.
Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. The incidence is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.4% (94/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including fatal (0.1%), Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (0.9%), and Grade 2 (1.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 67% (63/94) of patients. Pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 1.3% (36) and withholding in 0.9% (26) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 23% had recurrence. Pneumonitis resolved in 59% of the 94 patients.
Pneumonitis occurred in 8% (31/389) of adult patients with cHL receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, including Grades 3-4 in 2.3% of patients. Patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median duration of 10 days (range: 2 days to 53 months). Pneumonitis rates were similar in patients with and without prior thoracic radiation. Pneumonitis led to discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 5.4% (21) of patients. Of the patients who developed pneumonitis, 42% interrupted KEYTRUDA, 68% discontinued KEYTRUDA, and 77% had resolution.
Pneumonitis occurred in 7% (41/580) of adult patients with resected NSCLC who received KEYTRUDA as a single agent for adjuvant treatment of NSCLC, including fatal (0.2%), Grade 4 (0.3%), and Grade 3 (1%) adverse reactions. Patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median duration of 10 days (range: 1 day to 2.3 months). Pneumonitis led to discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 26 (4.5%) of patients. Of the patients who developed pneumonitis, 54% interrupted KEYTRUDA, 63% discontinued KEYTRUDA, and 71% had resolution.
Immune-Mediated Colitis
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may present with diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 1.7% (48/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (1.1%), and Grade 2 (0.4%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 69% (33/48); additional immunosuppressant therapy was required in 4.2% of patients. Colitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.5% (15) and withholding in 0.5% (13) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 23% had recurrence. Colitis resolved in 85% of the 48 patients.
Hepatotoxicity and Immune-Mediated Hepatitis
KEYTRUDA as a Single Agent
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 0.7% (19/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.4%), and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 68% (13/19) of patients; additional immunosuppressant therapy was required in 11% of patients. Hepatitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.2% (6) and withholding in 0.3% (9) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Hepatitis resolved in 79% of the 19 patients.
KEYTRUDA With Axitinib
KEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib can cause hepatic toxicity. Monitor liver enzymes before initiation of and periodically throughout treatment. Consider monitoring more frequently as compared to when the drugs are administered as single agents. For elevated liver enzymes, interrupt KEYTRUDA and axitinib, and consider administering corticosteroids as needed. With the combination of KEYTRUDA and axitinib, Grades 3 and 4 increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (20%) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (13%) were seen at a higher frequency compared to KEYTRUDA alone. Fifty-nine percent of the patients with increased ALT received systemic corticosteroids. In patients with ALT ≥3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (Grades 2-4, n=116), ALT resolved to Grades 0-1 in 94%. Among the 92 patients who were rechallenged with either KEYTRUDA (n=3) or axitinib (n=34) administered as a single agent or with both (n=55), recurrence of ALT ≥3 times ULN was observed in 1 patient receiving KEYTRUDA, 16 patients receiving axitinib, and 24 patients receiving both. All patients with a recurrence of ALT ≥3 ULN subsequently recovered from the event.
Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies
Adrenal Insufficiency
KEYTRUDA can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.8% (22/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 77% (17/22) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.3% (8) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.
Hypophysitis
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate hormone replacement as indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (17/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.2%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 94% (16/17) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Hypophysitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.1% (4) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.
Thyroid Disorders
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone replacement for hypothyroidism or institute medical management of hyperthyroidism as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Thyroiditis occurred in 0.6% (16/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.3%). None discontinued, but KEYTRUDA was withheld in <0.1% (1) of patients.
Hyperthyroidism occurred in 3.4% (96/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (0.8%). It led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (2) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement. Hypothyroidism occurred in 8% (237/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (6.2%). It led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.5% (14) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement. The majority of patients with hypothyroidism required long-term thyroid hormone replacement. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 1185 patients with HNSCC, occurring in 16% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent or in combination with platinum and FU, including Grade 3 (0.3%) hypothyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 389 adult patients with cHL (17%) receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, including Grade 1 (6.2%) and Grade 2 (10.8%) hypothyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hyperthyroidism was higher in 580 patients with resected NSCLC, occurring in 11% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent as adjuvant treatment, including Grade 3 (0.2%) hyperthyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 580 patients with resected NSCLC, occurring in 22% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent as adjuvant treatment (KEYNOTE-091), including Grade 3 (0.3%) hypothyroidism.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Which Can Present With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Type 1 DM occurred in 0.2% (6/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA. It led to permanent discontinuation in <0.1% (1) and withholding of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.
Immune-Mediated Nephritis With Renal Dysfunction
KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.3% (9/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.1%), and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 89% (8/9) of patients. Nephritis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.1% (3) and withholding in 0.1% (3) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Nephritis resolved in 56% of the 9 patients.
Additional Selected KEYTRUDA Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either: in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck's Keytruda combo gets FDA review for initial therapy in gastric, esophagus cancer
Apr. 13, 2023 7:19 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted for review Merck's (NYSE:MRK) application seeking approval for a Keytruda combo as initial therapy for a type of gastric cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3956215-merck-keytruda-combo-gets-fda-review-for-gastric-esophagus-cancer
- Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Lynparza (olaparib) & Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Update on IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) U.S. Accelerated Approvals for Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Marginal Zone Lymphoma Indications
HORSHAM, Pa., April 6, 2023 – The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, in collaboration with its alliance partner, Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie Company, announced today the intent to voluntarily withdraw the U.S. indications for IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) for the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy, and for the treatment of patients with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) who require systemic therapy and have received at least one prior anti-CD20-based therapy. This decision was made in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consistent with FDA procedural guidance on accelerated approvals. This decision does not affect any other approved indications for IMBRUVICA® in the U.S. Janssen will be communicating directly with healthcare professionals to help support patients currently receiving treatment with IMBRUVICA® in the U.S. for MCL or MZL.
The FDA previously granted approval for IMBRUVICA® in MCL and MZL based on overall response rates in two Phase 2 clinical studies under the accelerated approval pathway. Continued approval was contingent upon demonstration of clinical benefit in the confirmatory Phase 3 SHINE study (NCT01776840) in previously untreated patients with MCL, and the confirmatory Phase 3 SELENE study (NCT01974440) in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) or MZL. The companies fully enrolled the Phase 3 studies within approximately one year of the accelerated approvals. After discussing the study results with the companies, the FDA advised that the primary outcomes from the Phase 3 confirmatory studies for the indications were considered insufficient to support conversion to full approval.
“We fully support the FDA accelerated approval pathway, which patients rely on for timely access to promising treatments that may improve or extend their lives. While withdrawing these indications was a difficult decision, we remain confident in the benefit/risk profile of IMBRUVICA in its approved indications and are committed to its continued development,” said Craig Tendler, M.D., Vice President, Late Development and Global Medical Affairs, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. “IMBRUVICA has transformed how patients with B-cell malignancies are treated and is the most comprehensively studied and prescribed therapy in its class.”
The Phase 3 SHINE study met its primary endpoint and demonstrated a significant progression-free survival advantage in patients with previously untreated MCL but did not show an overall survival advantage. The addition of IMBRUVICA® to chemoimmunotherapy was associated with increased adverse reactions compared to the placebo-controlled arm. The SHINE study results were presented during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting and were published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The Phase 3 SELENE study did not meet its primary endpoint of progression-free survival in patients with R/R FL or MZL. The SELENE study results will be presented at a future scientific forum.
About IMBRUVICA® in MCL and MZL Outside the United States
IMBRUVICA® has been used to treat more than 270,000 patients worldwide. This Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor is approved for R/R MCL in more than 100 countries outside the U.S. based on positive clinical data from the Phase 2 PCYC-1104 study (NCT01236391) and the randomized Phase 3 RAY study (NCT01646021). In addition, IMBRUVICA® is approved for R/R MZL in more than 30 countries outside the U.S. based on the Phase 2 PCYC-1121 study (NCT01980628). IMBRUVICA® remains an important therapy for patients and healthcare professionals around the world.
About MCL and MZL
MCL and MZL, both subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), are rare and serious blood cancers.1,2 MCL accounts for approximately five percent and MZL accounts for approximately seven percent of all cases of NHL in adults and approximately 80,000 people will be diagnosed with NHL in 2023.1,2,3 MCL occurs in the white blood cells and is marked by small- to medium-size cancer cells in the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood, or gastrointestinal system.4 MZL occurs in white blood cells (lymphocytes) at the edges of lymph nodes and various tissues, including the stomach, salivary glands, thyroid gland, eyes, lungs and spleen.5,6 MCL and MZL are difficult to treat, and therefore treatment options are limited.7,8
About IMBRUVICA®
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) is a once-daily oral medication that is jointly developed and commercialized by Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company. IMBRUVICA® blocks the BTK protein, which is needed by normal and abnormal B cells, including specific cancer cells, to multiply and spread. By blocking BTK, IMBRUVICA® may help move abnormal B cells out of their nourishing environments and inhibits their proliferation.9,10,11
IMBRUVICA® is approved in more than 100 countries and has been used to treat more than 270,000 patients worldwide. There are more than 50 company-sponsored clinical trials, including 18 Phase 3 studies, and more than 11 years evaluating the efficacy and safety of IMBRUVICA®.
IMBRUVICA® was first approved by the U.S. FDA in November 2013, and today is indicated for adult patients in four disease areas, including three hematologic cancers. These include indications to treat adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/ small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with or without 17p deletion (del17p); adults with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM); and adult and pediatric patients aged one year and older with previously treated chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy.12
For more information, visit www.IMBRUVICA.com.
Please click here to see the full Prescribing Information
About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
At Janssen, we’re creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We’re the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Retina; Immunology; Infectious Diseases & Vaccines; Neuroscience; Oncology; and Pulmonary Hypertension.
Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at @JanssenUS and @JanssenGlobal. Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Janssen Research & Development, LLC are part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/JNJ
JNJ Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/jnj/dividend-history
Lynparza (olaparib) & Imfinzi (durvalumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Lynparza (olaparib) & Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Lynparza and Imfinzi combination improved progression-free survival in newly diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer without tumour BRCA mutations in DUO-O Phase III trial
PUBLISHED5 April 2023 5 April 2023 07:00 BST
Positive high-level results from a planned interim analysis of the DUO-O Phase III trial showed treatment with a combination of Lynparza (olaparib), Imfinzi (durvalumab), chemotherapy and bevacizumab demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) versus chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (control arm) in newly diagnosed patients with advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer without tumour BRCA mutations. Patients were treated with Imfinzi in combination with chemotherapy and bevacizumab followed by Imfinzi, Lynparza and bevacizumab as maintenance therapy.
In an additional arm, Imfinzi, chemotherapy plus bevacizumab showed a numerical improvement in PFS versus the control arm but did not reach statistical significance at this interim analysis.
At the time of this planned interim analysis, the overall survival (OS) and other secondary endpoints are immature and will be formally assessed at a subsequent analysis.
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecologic cancers.1 Over two thirds of patients are diagnosed with advanced disease which can progress quickly, often within two years, diminishing their quality of life despite treatment. Unfortunately, 50-70% of patients with advanced disease die within five years.2-5
Philipp Harter, Director, Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology, Evangelische Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Germany and principal investigator for the trial, said: "DUO-O showcases the power of academia and industry collaboration in advancing new treatment combinations for patients with ovarian cancer. I’m grateful for the academic cooperative study groups and patients around the world that made this trial possible and look forward to sharing the results with the clinical community."
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "While there has been significant progress for patients with advanced ovarian cancer, an unmet need still remains. These data from the DUO-O trial provide encouraging evidence for this Lynparza and Imfinzi combination in patients without tumour BRCA mutations and reinforce our continued commitment to finding new treatment approaches for these patients. It will be important to understand the key secondary endpoints as well as data for relevant subgroups.”
The safety and tolerability of these combinations are broadly consistent with that observed in prior clinical trials and the known profiles of the individual medicines.
The data will be presented at forthcoming medical meetings and shared with health authorities.
Notes
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women worldwide with more than 314,000 new patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020 and over 207,000 deaths. This number is expected to rise by almost 42% by 2040 to over 445,000 newly diagnosed patients and 314,000 deaths.6
DUO-O
DUO-O is a Phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Imfinzi in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy and bevacizumab followed by maintenance treatment with Imfinzi and bevacizumab with or without Lynparza in newly diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer without tumour BRCA mutations.
Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to: Arm 1 (control), induction therapy with platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab and placebo followed by maintenance treatment with bevacizumab plus placebo; Arm 2, induction therapy with platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab and Imfinzi followed by maintenance Imfinzi and bevacizumab plus placebo; or Arm 3, induction therapy with platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab and Imfinzi followed by maintenance Imfinzi and bevacizumab plus Lynparza. In all arms, platinum-based chemotherapy was administered every 3 weeks (q3w) for up to 6 cycles, bevacizumab was administered q3w for up to 15 months, Imfinzi or placebo was administered q3w for up to 24 months, and Lynparza or placebo was administered twice daily for up to 24 months.
The primary endpoint of the trial is PFS as assessed by investigator for Arm 3 compared to Arm 1 (control) in the overall trial population which included patients without tumour BRCA mutations and in the subset of these patients with HRD positive disease. Key secondary endpoints include PFS as assessed by investigator in Arm 2 compared to control, as well as comparisons for OS. DUO-O enrolled over 1200 patients across all treatment arms at 179 study locations. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy and the global standard of care in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial. Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. Additionally, Imfinzi is approved in combination with a short course of Imjudo (tremelimumab) and chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC in the US, EU and Japan based on the POSEIDON Phase III trial.
In addition to its indications in lung cancer, Imfinzi is also approved in combination with chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer in the US, EU, Japan and several other countries; in combination with Imjudo in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in the US, EU and Japan; and in previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in a small number of countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 150,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi. As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several gastrointestinal cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours.
Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to block DNA damage response (DDR) in cells/tumours harbouring a deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), such as those with mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2, or those where deficiency is induced by other agents (such as new hormonal agents [NHAs]).
Inhibition of PARP with Lynparza leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death.
Lynparza is currently approved in a number of countries across multiple tumour types including maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer and as both monotherapy and in combination with bevacizumab for the 1st-line maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive advanced ovarian cancer, respectively; for germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm), HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (in the EU and Japan this includes locally advanced breast cancer); for gBRCAm, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer (in Japan this includes all BRCAm HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer); for gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer; in combination with abiraterone for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated (in the EU) and as monotherapy in HRR gene-mutated mCRPC in patients who have progressed on prior NHA treatment (BRCAm only in the EU and Japan). In China, Lynparza is approved for the treatment of BRCA-mutated mCRPC, as a 1st-line maintenance therapy in BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer as well as 1st-line maintenance treatment with bevacizumab for HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer.
Lynparza, which is being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD, has been used to treat over 75,000 patients worldwide. The companies develop Lynparza in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines independently. Lynparza is the foundation of AstraZeneca's industry-leading portfolio of potential new medicines targeting DDR mechanisms in cancer cells.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company’s focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
By harnessing the power of six scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response, Antibody Drug Conjugates, Epigenetics and Cell Therapies – and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca Imfinzi, Lynparza combo improves progression-free survival in ovarian cancer trial
Apr. 05, 2023 4:52 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), MRKRHHBY, RHHBF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) said a combination of Lynparza and Imfinzi improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with type of ovarian cancer in a phase 3 trial.
BIOTECNOVA™
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Combination With Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Combination With Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Combination With Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
FDA Approves Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Combination With Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) for First-Line Treatment of Certain Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer
April 3, 2023 5:00 pm ET
First approved therapeutic regimen that combines an anti-PD-1 and an antibody-drug conjugate in the US in these patients
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. This marks the first time an anti-PD-1 therapy has been approved in combination with anantibody-drug conjugate in the U.S. in these patients.
The approval is based on data from the KEYNOTE-869 trial (also known as EV-103) dose escalation cohort, Cohort A and Cohort K, which was conducted in collaboration with Seagen and Astellas. The median follow-up time for the dose escalation cohort + Cohort A was 44.7 months (range, 0.7 to 52.4 months) and for Cohort K was 14.8 months (range, 0.6 to 26.2 months). In the combined efficacy analysis of the dose escalation cohort, Cohort A and Cohort K (n=121), KEYTRUDA in combination with enfortumab vedotin demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 68% (95% CI: 58.7, 76.0), with complete and partial response rates of 12% and 55%, respectively. The median duration of response (DOR) for the dose escalation cohort + Cohort A was 22.1 months (range, 1.0+ to 46.3+ months) and for Cohort K was not reached (range, 1.2 to 24.1+ months).
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue and can affect more than one body system simultaneously. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time during or after treatment with KEYTRUDA, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, solid organ transplant rejection, and complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management of immune-mediated adverse reactions are essential to ensure safe use of KEYTRUDA. Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, KEYTRUDA should be withheld or permanently discontinued and corticosteroids administered if appropriate. KEYTRUDA can also cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. For more information, see “Selected Important Safety Information” below.
“This approval is a major milestone in the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma because it is the first approved combination of an immunotherapy and an antibody-drug conjugate for these patients,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “This expands the use of KEYTRUDA-based regimens to more patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma and demonstrates the value of collaboration in creating new combination approaches for patients in need of more options.”
Results from Cohort K were presented in a late-breaking session at the 2022 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress, and earlier results from dose escalation and Cohort A were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The combination therapy was granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA in February 2020. The accelerated approval designation granted today is part of the FDA's Accelerated Approval Program, which allows earlier approval of a medicine based on a surrogate endpoint if the medicine fills an unmet medical need for a serious condition. The ongoing Phase 3 EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 trial evaluating the clinical benefit of KEYTRUDA in combination with enfortumab vedotin in patients with previously untreated advanced urothelial cancer is intended to serve as the U.S. confirmatory trial for the accelerated approval. It will also serve as the basis for global registration.
Study design and additional data supporting the approval
The approval is based on data from KEYNOTE-869 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03288545), an open-label, multi-cohort (dose escalation cohort, Cohort A, Cohort K) study in patients with la/mUC who were ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and received no prior systemic therapy for locally advanced or metastatic disease. Patients with active central nervous system metastases, ongoing sensory or motor neuropathy Grade ≥2 or uncontrolled diabetes defined as hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) ≥8% or HbA1c ≥7% with associated diabetes symptoms were excluded from participating in this study.
Patients in the dose escalation cohort (n=5), Cohort A (n=40), and Cohort K (n=76) received enfortumab vedotin 1.25 mg/kg as an intravenous (IV) infusion over 30 minutes on Days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle followed by KEYTRUDA 200 mg as an IV infusion on Day 1 of a 21-day cycle approximately 30 minutes after enfortumab vedotin. Patients were treated until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
A total of 121 patients received KEYTRUDA in combination with enfortumab vedotin. The median age was 71 years (range, 51 to 91); 74% were male; 85% were White, 5% were Black, 4% were Asian, and 6% were other, unknown or not reported. Ten percent of patients were Hispanic or Latino. Forty-five percent of patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 1 and 15% had an ECOG performance status of 2. Forty-seven percent of patients had a documented baseline HbA1c of <5.7%. Reasons for cisplatin-ineligibility included: 60% with baseline creatinine clearance of 30-59 mL/min, 10% with ECOG PS of 2, 13% with Grade 2 or greater hearing loss and 16% with more than one cisplatin-ineligibility criteria.
At baseline, 97.5% of patients had metastatic urothelial cancer and 2.5% of patients had locally advanced urothelial cancer. Thirty-seven percent of patients had upper tract disease. Eighty-four percent of patients had visceral metastasis at baseline, including 22% with liver metastases. Thirty-nine percent of patients had transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) histology, 13% had TCC with squamous differentiation and 48% had TCC with other histologic variants.
The major efficacy outcome measures were ORR and DOR as assessed by blinded independent central review according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1.
In KEYNOTE-869, the safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with enfortumab vedotin was investigated in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma and who are not eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. A total of 121 patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg on Day 1, and enfortumab vedotin 1.25 mg/kg on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle. The median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 6.9 months (range, 1 day to 29.6 months). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 5% of patients treated with KEYTRUDA in combination with enfortumab vedotin, including sepsis (1.6%), bullous dermatitis (0.8%), myasthenia gravis (0.8%), and pneumonitis (0.8%). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 50% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA in combination with enfortumab vedotin; the serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients were acute kidney injury (7%), urinary tract infection (7%), urosepsis (5%), hematuria (3.3%), pneumonia (3.3%), pneumonitis (3.3%), sepsis (3.3%), anemia (2.5%), diarrhea (2.5%), hypotension (2.5%), myasthenia gravis (2.5%), myositis (2.5%), and urinary retention (2.5%). Permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA occurred in 32% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (≥2%) resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA were pneumonitis (5%), peripheral neuropathy (5%), rash (3.3%), and myasthenia gravis (2.5%). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) occurring in patients treated with KEYTRUDA in combination with enfortumab vedotin were rash (71%), peripheral neuropathy (65%), fatigue (60%), alopecia (52%), weight loss (48%), diarrhea (45%), pruritus (40%), decreased appetite (38%), nausea (36%), dysgeusia (35%), urinary tract infection (30%), constipation (27%), peripheral edema (26%), dry eye (25%), dizziness (23%), arthralgia (23%), and dry skin (21%). Clinically relevant adverse reactions (<20%) include vomiting (19.8%), fever (18%), hypothyroidism (11%), pneumonitis (9%), myositis (3.3%), myasthenia gravis (2.5%), and infusion site extravasation (0.8%).
About bladder and urothelial cancer
It is estimated that approximately 82,290 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2023. Urothelial cancer accounts for about 90% of all bladder cancers and can also be found in the renal pelvis, ureters and urethra. Approximately 12% of cases are la/mUC at diagnosis, and some patients with metastatic disease may be ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy due to certain factors such as medical comorbidities and performance status.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with enfortumab vedotin, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
See additional selected indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information.
Additional Indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S .
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About the Astellas, Seagen and Merck collaboration
Astellas and Seagen entered a clinical collaboration agreement with Merck to evaluate the combination of Astellas’ and Seagen’s Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with previously untreated metastatic urothelial cancer. KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
FDA approves Merck and Astellas-Seagen's combination treatment for bladder cancer
Apr. 03, 2023 6:16 PM ET
By: Anuron Mitra, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday approved a combination treatment of Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Keytruda with Astellas Pharma (OTCPK:ALPMF) (OTCPK:ALPMY) and Seagen's (SGEN) Padcev for the treatment of certain patients with bladder cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3953995-fda-approves-merck-and-astellas-seagens-combination-treatment-for-bladder-cancer
- Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
- Astellas Pharma (OTCPK:ALPMF) (OTCPK:ALPMY) and Seagen's (SGEN)
- https://www.padcev.com/hcp
- https://www.keytruda.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Combination With Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Combination With Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
FDA Converts to Full Approval Indication for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for Certain Adult and Pediatric Patients With Advanced Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) or Mismatch Repair Deficient (dMMR) Solid Tumors
March 29, 2023 4:15 pm ET
KEYTRUDA is approved for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. The conversion from an accelerated to a full (regular) approval is based on results from the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-158, KEYNOTE-164 and KEYNOTE-051 trials and includes data in 504 adult and pediatric patients across more than 30 types of cancer. This marks the first full approval for an immunotherapy based on a predictive biomarker, regardless of solid tumor type.
“This approval reinforces the important role of KEYTRUDA in certain patients with MSI-Hor dMMR solid tumors facing a variety of cancers,” said Dr. Luis A. Diaz, Jr., head of the Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “These data also further underscore the need for biomarker testing to identify patients who may be eligible for this therapy.”
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue and can affect more than one body system simultaneously. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time during or after treatment with KEYTRUDA, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, solid organ transplant rejection, and complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management of immune- mediated adverse reactions are essential to ensure safe use of KEYTRUDA. Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, KEYTRUDA should be withheld or permanently discontinued and corticosteroids administered if appropriate. KEYTRUDA can also cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. For more information, see “Selected Important Safety Information” below.
"Today’s approval builds on the 2017 accelerated approval of KEYTRUDA as the first immunotherapy with a tumor agnostic indication and supports the role of KEYTRUDA as an effective immunotherapy option based on a pan-tumor predictive biomarker," said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “This milestone reflects Merck’s longstanding commitment to biomarker research and personalizing treatment strategies for patients.”
Data supporting the approval
The full approval was based on data from three multicenter, non-randomized, open-label multi-cohort trials. KEYNOTE-164 (NCT02460198) enrolled 124 patients with advanced MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer that progressed following treatment with fluoropyrimidine and either oxaliplatin or irinotecan with or without anti-VEGF/EGFR mAb-based therapy. KEYNOTE-158 (NCT02628067) enrolled 373 patients with advanced MSI-H/dMMR non-colorectal cancers who had disease progression following prior therapy. Patients were either prospectively enrolled with MSI-H/dMMR tumors (Cohort K) or retrospectively identified in one of 10 solid tumor cohorts (Cohorts A-J). KEYNOTE-051 (NCT02332668) enrolled seven pediatric patients with MSI-H/dMMR cancers. All trials excluded patients with autoimmune disease or a medical condition that required immunosuppression. Regardless of histology, MSI or MMR tumor status was determined using polymerase chain reaction (local or central) or immunohistochemistry (local or central), respectively.
Adult patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg administered intravenously every three weeks (pediatric patients received 2 mg/kg every three weeks) until unacceptable toxicity, disease progression or a maximum of 24 months. In KEYNOTE‑164 and KEYNOTE‑158, assessment of tumor status was performed every nine weeks through the first year, then every 12 weeks thereafter. In KEYNOTE‑051, assessment of tumor status was performed every eight weeks for 24 weeks, and then every 12 weeks thereafter. The major efficacy outcome measures were objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) as assessed by blinded independent central review according to RECIST v1.1 (modified to follow a maximum of 10 target lesions and a maximum of five target lesions per organ in KEYNOTE-158) and as assessed by the investigator according to RECIST v1.1 in KEYNOTE-051.
In a pooled analysis of the three trials, KEYTRUDA demonstrated an ORR of 33.3% (95% CI, 29.2-37.6), including a complete response rate of 10.3% and partial response rate of 23.0% at a median follow-up time of 20.1 months (range, 0.1 to 71.4 months). Of the responding patients (n=168), 77% had responses lasting 12 months or longer, and 39% had responses lasting 36 months or longer. Median DOR was 63.2 months (range, 1.9+ to 63.9+ months).
In patients with MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer (n=124), KEYTRUDA demonstrated an ORR of 34% (95% CI, 26%-43%) with a DOR ranging from 4.4 to 58.5+ months. In patients with other MSI-H/dMMR non-colorectal solid tumors (n=380), which included endometrial cancer, gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer, small intestinal cancer, brain cancer, ovarian cancer, biliary cancer, pancreatic cancer, sarcoma, breast cancer, cervical cancer, neuroendocrine cancer, prostate cancer, adrenocortical cancer, mesothelioma, thyroid cancer, small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, salivary cancer, renal cell cancer and other cancers (including anal cancer, head and neck squamous cell cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, retroperitoneal cancer, testicular cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, appendiceal adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, carcinoma not-otherwise-specified and carcinoma of unknown origin), KEYTRUDA demonstrated an overall ORR of 33% (95% CI: 28%-38%) with a duration of response ranging from 1.9+ to 63.9+ months.
In KEYNOTE-158 and KEYNOTE-164, the median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 6.2 months (range, 1 day to 53.5 months). In KEYNOTE-051, the median duration of exposure was 2.1 months (range: 1 day to 25 months).
About Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) and Deficient Mismatch Repair (dMMR)
Microsatellite instability (MSI) and dMMR are biomarkers that have been identified in many different types of cancer and that can be hereditary or random. MSI is a change that occurs in the DNA of certain cells, such as cancer cells, in which the number of repeated DNA bases in a microsatellite (which is a short, repeated sequence of DNA) is different from what it was when the microsatellite was inherited. dMMR describes cells that have mutations in certain genes involved in correcting mistakes made when DNA is copied into a cell when dividing. MSI-H and dMMR can occur when a cell is unable to repair mistakes during that division process.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD- L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About the Merck Access Program for KEYTRUDA
At Merck, we are committed to supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines. Merck provides multiple programs to help appropriate patients who are prescribed KEYTRUDA have access to our anti-PD-1 therapy. The Merck Access Program provides reimbursement support for patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including information to help with out-of-pocket costs and co-pay assistance for eligible patients. More information is available by calling 855-257-3932 or visiting https://www.merckaccessprogram-keytruda.com/.
About Merck’s Patient Support Program for KEYTRUDA
Merck is committed to helping provide patients and their caregivers support throughout their treatment with KEYTRUDA. The KEY+YOU Patient Support Program provides a range of resources and support. For further information and to sign up, eligible patients may call 85-KEYTRUDA (855- 398-7832) or visit www.keytruda.com.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck's Keytruda granted full approval for certain tumor types
Mar. 29, 2023 5:11 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The US FDA has converted to full approval to Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for adults and children with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3952495-merck-keytruda-granted-full-approval-for-certain-tumor-types
- Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Combination With Padcev® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
March 29, 2023 at 7:00 AM EDT Back
LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY APPROVED BY EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR THE FIRST-LINE TREATMENT OF ADVANCED PD-L1 POSITIVE NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER (NSCLC)
Libtayo-based combination demonstrated superior survival outcomes compared to chemotherapy alone in Phase 3 trial designed to include patients with varied disease presentations seen in everyday clinical practice
Approval marks second first-line indication in NSCLC and fifth indication for Libtayo in the European Union (EU)
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., March 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced that the European Commission (EC) approved Libtayo® (cemiplimab) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ≥1% PD-L1 expression. This includes patients that have no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations and whose tumors are metastatic or locally advanced and not candidates for definitive chemoradiation.
“Today’s approval considerably expands the number of people in Europe with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who are eligible for Libtayo-based first-line treatment, including those with PD-L1 expression ranges most commonly seen in real-world practice,” said Israel Lowy, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Translational and Clinical Sciences, Oncology at Regeneron. “We are proud that Libtayo continues to distinguish itself among PD-1 pathway blockers, as just one of two PD-1 inhibitors to be approved for use across squamous and non-squamous forms of advanced NSCLC in both combination and monotherapy settings. This marks the fifth approval for Libtayo in Europe.”
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In recent years, more than 2.2 million annual new cases have been diagnosed globally. Approximately 80-85% of all lung cancers are NSCLC, with 75% of these cases diagnosed in advanced stages.
“The Phase 3 EMPOWER-Lung 3 trial showed significant improvements across primary and key secondary endpoints, including overall survival in the cemiplimab plus chemotherapy arm,” said Prof. Martin Reck, Head of Department of Thoracic Oncology, Lung Clinic Grosshansdorf, Germany. “As a treating physician of this patient population, I welcome a new treatment option for patients in Europe, as we continue to strive for better outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.”
“With lung cancer being the leading cause of cancer mortality globally, ongoing research is imperative to find more treatment options for people impacted by this disease,” said Anne-Marie Baird, Ph.D., President, Lung Cancer Europe. “This approval highlights continued progress in first-line treatment options for people impacted by advanced lung cancer in Europe.”
Libtayo is currently approved in the EU and other countries for the treatment of certain patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), advanced NSCLC and advanced cervical cancer. The Libtayo combination was also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for advanced NSCLC regardless of PD-L1 expression in November 2022.
About the Phase 3 Trial
The EC approval is based on data from the global Phase 3 EMPOWER-Lung 3 trial, a randomized, multicenter trial investigating a first-line combination treatment of Libtayo and platinum-doublet chemotherapy (Libtayo combination), compared to platinum-doublet chemotherapy alone. The trial enrolled 466 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, as well as squamous or non-squamous histologies across all PD-L1 expression levels and with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations. Notably, the trial was designed to closely resemble a patient population with varied disease presentations seen in everyday clinical practice. Among those enrolled, 43% had tumors with squamous histology, 15% had locally advanced disease and 7% had a history of brain metastases.
Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either Libtayo 350 mg (n=312) or placebo (n=154) administered intravenously every 3 weeks for 108 weeks, plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy administered every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. The trial was stopped early based on a recommendation by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee after the Libtayo combination demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival (OS). Results of the trial at the primary analysis were published in Nature Medicine in August 2022.
At the primary analysis (median follow-up: 16 months), the trial showed a statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint of OS for patients treated with the Libtayo combination compared to chemotherapy alone in the overall population (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53 to 0.93). Among the 70% of patients in the trial expressing PD-L1 ≥1% (n=327), efficacy results for the Libtayo combination arm (n=217) compared to chemotherapy alone (n=110) showed a:
- 22-month median OS versus 13 months, representing a 45% relative reduction in the risk of death (HR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.78).
- 9-month median progression-free survival (PFS) versus 6 months (HR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.63)
- 48% objective response rate (ORR) versus 23%
- 16-month median duration of response (DOR; range: 2 to 19+) versus 5 months (range: 2 to 19+)
At the time of the pre-specified final analysis (median follow up: 28 months), patients with PD-L1 expression ≥1% treated with the Libtayo combination continued to show clinically meaningful survival and PFS benefits compared to chemotherapy alone.
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue during or after treatment with Libtayo. Among patients treated with the Libtayo combination evaluated for safety in the trial (n=312), adverse reactions occurring in at least 10% included anemia (44%), alopecia (37%), musculoskeletal pain (27%), nausea (25%), fatigue (23%), peripheral neuropathy (21%), hyperglycemia (18%), decreased appetite (17%), alanine aminotransferase increased (16%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (15%), neutropenia (15%), constipation (14%), dyspnoea (13%), rash (13%), thrombocytopenia (13%), vomiting (12%), diarrhea (11%), insomnia (11%), weight decreased (11%) and hypoalbuminemia (10%). Adverse reactions were serious in 25% of patients and led to permanent discontinuation of the Libtayo combination in 5% of patients.
In December 2022, Libtayo in combination with chemotherapy was added to the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (score: 4 out of 5), for patients with advanced NSCLC across squamous and non-squamous histologies, and irrespective of PD-1 expression levels.
About Regeneron in Oncology
At Regeneron, we’re applying more than three decades of scientific innovation with the goal of developing paradigm-changing therapies for patients with cancer. Our oncology portfolio is built around two foundational approaches – our approved PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo and investigational bispecific antibodies – which are being evaluated both as monotherapies and in combination with emerging therapeutic modalities. Together, they provide us with unique combinatorial flexibility to develop potentially synergistic treatments for a wide range of solid tumors and blood cancers.
If you are interested in learning more about our clinical trials, please contact us (clinicaltrials@regeneron.com or 844-734-6643) or visit our clinical trials website.
About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation. In the U.S. and other countries, Libtayo is indicated in certain patients with advanced BCC, advanced CSCC and advanced NSCLC, as well as in advanced cervical cancer in the EU, Canada and Brazil. As of July 1, 2022, Regeneron is responsible for the development and marketing of Libtayo globally. In the EU, Libtayo is currently marketed by Sanofi on Regeneron’s behalf over the course of a defined transition period.
In the U.S., the generic name for Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab-rwlc, with rwlc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the FDA. Outside of the U.S. the generic name of Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab.
The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Libtayo is currently being investigated in trials as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. FDA-approved Indications
Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat:
- People with a type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.
- People with a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC):
- That cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced BCC) and have received treatment with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI), or cannot receive treatment with an HHI.
- That has spread (metastatic BCC) and have received treatment with an HHI, or cannot receive treatment with an HHI. This use is approved based on how many patients responded to treatment and how long they responded. Studies are ongoing to provide additional information about clinical benefit.
- Adults with a type of lung cancer called NSCLC:
- Libtayo may be used in combination with chemotherapy that contains a platinum medicine as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, OR your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), AND your tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR”, “ALK” or “ROS1” gene.
- Libtayo may be used alone as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, OR your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), AND your tumor tests positive for high "PD-L1", AND your tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR", "ALK "or "ROS1" gene.
It is not known if Libtayo is safe and effective in children.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create a substantial proportion of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent® (dupilumab), Libtayo®, Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb® (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite technologies, such as VelocImmune, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
Source: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron Libtayo gets expanded approval in EU for lung cancer subtype
Mar. 29, 2023 7:31 AM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The European Commission (EC) approved the expanded use of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ:REGN) Libtayo in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy as a first-line therapy for adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ≥1% PD-L1 expression.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3952178-regeneron-libtayo-gets-expanded-approval-eu-lung-cancer
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN),
- https://www.libtayo.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy Significantly Improved Progression-Free Survival Compared to Chemotherapy Alone as First-Line Therapy for Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Carcinoma, Regardless of Mismatch Repair Status
March 27, 2023 5:15 pm ET
KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy reduced risk of disease progression or death by 46% in patients whose cancer was mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) and by 70% in patients whose cancer was mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), compared to chemotherapy alone
Results from Phase 3 NRG-GY018 trial to be presented at Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) 2023 Annual Meeting and published simultaneously in New England Journal of Medicine
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced results from the Phase 3 NRG‑GY018 trial investigating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with standard of care chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) then continued as a single agent every six weeks for up to 14 cycles for the first-line treatment of patients with stage III-IV or recurrent endometrial carcinoma whose cancer was either mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR). Results from the trial showed the KEYTRUDA regimen demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for patients, regardless of mismatch repair status. These late-breaking data are being presented for the first time during a scientific plenary at the 2023 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer (abstract #338166) and are also being simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The results are being discussed with regulatory authorities worldwide.
In the pMMR cohort of 591 evaluable patients, after a median follow-up of 7.9 months, the KEYTRUDA regimen significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 46% (HR=0.54 [95% CI, 0.41-0.71]; p<0.00001) compared to chemotherapy alone; median PFS was 13.1 months (95% CI, 10.5-18.8) for the KEYTRUDA regimen versus 8.7 months (95% CI, 8.4-10.7) for chemotherapy alone. In the dMMR cohort of 225 evaluable patients, after a median follow-up of 12 months, the KEYTRUDA regimen significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 70% (HR=0.30 [95% CI, 0.19-0.48]; p<0.00001) compared to chemotherapy alone; median PFS was not reached (95% CI, 30.6-NR) for the KEYTRUDA regimen versus 7.6 months (95% CI, 6.4-9.9) for chemotherapy alone.
“Endometrial cancer is the most common type of gynecological cancer, and patients with advanced stage or recurrent disease face a poor prognosis with limited treatment options,” said Dr. Ramez Eskander, principal investigator and gynecologic oncologist, University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center. “The significant improvement in progression-free survival regardless of mismatch repair status observed in this study demonstrates the potential of this pembrolizumab regimen to benefit these patients.”
The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified. Grade 3-5 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 55.1% of patients receiving the KEYTRUDA regimen and 45.3% of patients receiving chemotherapy alone in the pMMR cohort. In the dMMR cohort, Grade 3-5 AEs occurred in 63.3% of patients receiving the KEYTRUDA regimen and 47.2% of patients receiving chemotherapy alone. There were no KEYTRUDA-related AEs leading to death in either cohort.
“KEYTRUDA has become an important treatment option, both as monotherapy and in combination, in certain patients with advanced endometrial cancer who have progressed following prior systemic therapy and are not candidates for surgery or radiation,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “Results from this trial show that KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy, if approved, may represent an important new first-line immunotherapy option for patients with stage III-IV disease, and could extend the use of KEYTRUDA to more patients earlier in their treatment journey.”
This trial was sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. NRG Oncology designed and led the trial with funding from the NCI and participation from all the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) Groups. Merck provided funding and support through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Merck and NCI.
In the U.S., KEYTRUDA has two approved indications in endometrial cancer: in combination with LENVIMA® (lenvatinib), in collaboration with Eisai, for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is pMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, or not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation; and as a single agent, for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Merck has a comprehensive clinical development program in breast and gynecological (ovarian, cervical, and endometrial) cancers, comprised of more than 20 Merck-sponsored Phase 3 studies evaluating KEYTRUDA as monotherapy and in combination with other medicines. In endometrial cancer, Merck is evaluating KEYTRUDA in first-line advanced endometrial cancer both as monotherapy (KEYNOTE-C93/ENGOT-en15/GOG-3064) and in combination with LENVIMA (LEAP-001/ENGOT-en9), as well as in the adjuvant setting (KEYNOTE-B21/ENGOT-en11/GOG-3053).
About NRG-GY018
NRG-GY018 is a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03914612) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with standard of care chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin) versus placebo plus standard of care chemotherapy for the treatment of measurable stage III, IVA, IVB or recurrent endometrial cancer in pMMR and dMMR cohorts. The primary endpoint is PFS, and secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, duration of response and safety. The trial enrolled 816 patients who were randomized to receive KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy every three weeks for approximately six cycles followed by KEYTRUDA as a single agent every six weeks for up to 14 cycles, or placebo plus chemotherapy. Enrolled patients were required to have MMR IHC testing prior to randomization; 591 patients were determined to have pMMR tumors, and 225 were determined to have dMMR tumors.
About endometrial carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma begins in the inner lining of the uterus, which is known as the endometrium, and is the most common type of cancer in the uterus. In the U.S., it is estimated there will be approximately 66,000 new cases of uterine body cancer and approximately 13,000 deaths from the disease in 2023. Globally, endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women and 15th most common cancer overall.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with LENVIMA, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
See additional selected KEYTRUDA indications in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information.
Additional Selected KEYTRUDA Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA, in combination with lenvatinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Please see Prescribing Information for LENVIMA (lenvatinib) at http://www.lenvima.com/pdfs/prescribing-information.pdf .
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck's Keytruda successful in multiple types of endometrial cancer
Mar. 27, 2023 6:16 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor3 Comments
- A phase 3 trial found that Merck's Keytruda (pembrolizumab) was effective in improving progression-free survival as a first-line treatment for endometrial cancer regardless of mismatch repair status.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3951691-mercks-keytruda-successful-in-multiple-types-of-endometrial-cancer
- Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
Kisqali® (ribociclib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Kisqali® (ribociclib)
Novartis Kisqali® Phase III NATALEE trial meets primary endpoint at interim analysis demonstrating clinically meaningful benefit in broad population of patients with early breast cancer
Mar 27, 2023
Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR
- Kisqali plus endocrine therapy (ET) significantly reduced the risk of disease recurrence compared to standard ET alone in the adjuvant setting1
- NATALEE is the first and only positive Phase III study of a CDK4/6 inhibitor demonstrating consistent benefit in a broad population of patients with stage II and III HR+/HER2- early breast cancer (EBC) at risk of recurrence, including those with no nodal involvement
- Approximately 30-60% of people with HR+/HER2- stage II and III EBC treated with ET only remain at risk of breast cancer recurrence2
- NATALEE results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and submitted to regulatory authorities worldwide
Basel, March 27, 2023 — Novartis today announced positive topline results from an interim analysis of NATALEE, a Phase III trial evaluating Kisqali® (ribociclib) plus endocrine therapy (ET) in a broad population of patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) early breast cancer (EBC) at risk of recurrence1. The Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended stopping the trial early as the primary endpoint of invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) has been met. Kisqali plus ET significantly reduced the risk of disease recurrence, compared to standard adjuvant ET alone, with consistent benefit in patients with stage II and stage III EBC regardless of nodal involvement1.
“While most patients are diagnosed and treated early with the aim to cure breast cancer, the risk of cancer returning, often as metastatic disease, peaks within three years after diagnosis, but never goes away completely,” said Dennis J. Slamon, MD, Director of Clinical/Translational Research, University of California, Los Angeles Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Chairman and Executive Director of Translational Research In Oncology (TRIO) and NATALEE trial lead investigator. "There is a critical need for new, well-tolerated options that keep patients cancer-free without disrupting quality of life. The NATALEE trial, where ribociclib was given for three years plus ET, was designed with these unmet needs in mind, and it is extremely encouraging that this study met its primary endpoint.”
Per the NATALEE study protocol, patient follow-up will continue to evaluate long-term outcomes, including overall survival1.
"The positive topline results from NATALEE represent a major milestone in our ambition to expand the benefits of Kisqali to patients with earlier stages of breast cancer, building on the heritage of this effective treatment in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer,” said Shreeram Aradhye, M.D., President, Global Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. “These data have the potential to be paradigm-shifting for patients at risk of recurrence, including those with no nodal involvement, who have limited well-tolerated options to prevent recurrence. Our teams are working on submissions to health authorities around the world with the hope to bring Kisqali to many more patients diagnosed with breast cancer.”
These findings build on the legacy of Kisqali in metastatic breast cancer (MBC), where it has consistently demonstrated overall survival benefit while preserving or improving quality of life across three Phase III trials3-14. Updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for breast cancer, released in January 2023, recommend ribociclib (Kisqali) as the only Category 1 preferred CDK4/6 inhibitor for first-line treatment of patients with HR+/HER2- MBC when combined with an aromatase inhibitor (AI)15.
About NATALEE
NATALEE is a global Phase III multi-center, randomized, open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Kisqali with ET as adjuvant treatment versus ET alone in patients with HR+/HER2- EBC, being conducted in collaboration with Translational Research In Oncology (TRIO)1. The primary endpoint of NATALEE is iDFS as defined by the Standardized Definitions for Efficacy End Points (STEEP) criteria; secondary endpoints include safety, quality of life, and overall survival, among others. iDFS is a composite endpoint in EBC adjuvant trials, which incorporates locoregional relapse, ipsilateral and contralateral invasive breast cancer, distant recurrence, and types of new cancer events or death from any cause. Approximately 5,100 adult patients with HR+/HER2- EBC across 20 countries were randomized in the trial, including patients with tumor stages IIA (select patients), IIB or III, regardless of nodal involvement. NATALEE explored a lower starting dose (400 mg) of Kisqali than the dose approved for treatment in MBC (600 mg) with the goal to minimize disruptions to patient quality of life without compromising efficacy1.
About Early Breast Cancer
More than 90% of patients diagnosed with breast cancer have EBC2,16. Approximately 30-60% of people with HR+/HER2- stage II and III EBC treated with ET only remain at risk of breast cancer recurrence2. The risk of recurrence peaks within the first three years after initial diagnosis and continues over decades2. For many of these patients, there are currently no targeted therapeutic options outside of the standard chemotherapy and ET17.
About Kisqali® (ribociclib)
Kisqali has consistently demonstrated overall survival benefit while preserving or improving quality of life across three Phase III trials3-14. Updates to the NCCN Guidelines® for breast cancer, released in January 2023, recommend ribociclib (Kisqali) as the only Category 1 preferred CDK4/6 inhibitor for first-line treatment of patients with HR+/HER2- MBC when combined with an AI15. Additionally, Kisqali has the highest rating of any CDK4/6 inhibitor on the ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale, achieving a score of five out of five for first-line premenopausal patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer18. Further, Kisqali in combination with either letrozole or fulvestrant has uniquely, among other CDK4/6 inhibitors, received a score of four out of five for postmenopausal patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer treated in the first line19.
https://www.us.kisqali.com/metastatic-breast-cancer/
Kisqali has been approved in 99 countries worldwide, including by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission. In the U.S., Kisqali is approved for the treatment of adult patients with HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with an AI as initial ET or fulvestrant as initial ET or following disease progression on ET in postmenopausal women or in men. In the EU, Kisqali is approved for the treatment of women with HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with either an AI or fulvestrant as initial ET or following disease progression. In pre- or perimenopausal women, the ET should be combined with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist14.
Novartis is committed to continuing to study Kisqali in breast cancer. Novartis is collaborating with SOLTI, which is leading the HARMONIA study to test whether Kisqali changes tumor biology to enable a better response to ET compared to Ibrance®* (palbociclib) for patients with metastatic HR+/HER2-, HER2-enriched subtype20, and with the Akershus University Hospital in Norway on the NEOLETRIB trial, a neoadjuvant Phase II trial studying the effects of Kisqali in HR+/HER2- EBC to discover the potentially unique underlying mechanism of action21. Novartis also plans to build on the findings from NATALEE with ADJUVANT WIDER, an open-label Phase IIIb trial evaluating Kisqali plus ET in a population of HR+/HER2- patients with stage II and III EBC that is closer to a real-world population.
Kisqali was developed by the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals.
Please see full Prescribing Information for Kisqali, available at www.Kisqali.com.
About Novartis
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. We deliver high-value medicines that alleviate society’s greatest disease burdens through technology leadership in R&D and novel access approaches. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. About 106,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work together to bring Novartis products to nearly 800 million people around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com
Novartis stock jumps on cancer trial success
Mar. 27, 2023 5:46 AM ET
By: Preeti Singh, SA News Editor2 Comments
- Novartis (NYSE:NVS) shares surged 6% premarket on Monday after the pharmaceutical firm reported positive topline results from its highly awaited Natalee breast cancer trial.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3951338-novartis-stock-jumps-on-cancer-trial-success
- Novartis AG (NVS)
- https://www.us.kisqali.com/metastatic-breast-cancer/
- https://www.novartis.com/
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Kisqali® (ribociclib)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) DEMONSTRATES POTENTIAL TO BECOME FIRST BIOLOGIC TO TREAT COPD BY SHOWING SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN EXACERBATIONS IN PIVOTAL TRIAL
First and only biologic to demonstrate clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction (30%) in exacerbations compared to placebo
First and only biologic to show rapid and significant improvement in lung function (160 mL in FEV1) compared to placebo (77 mL in FEV1)
First and only biologic to demonstrate significant improvements in quality of life and respiratory symptoms
COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide with no new treatment approaches approved in more than a decade; trial enrolled patients with moderate to severe disease and evidence of type 2 inflammation (i.e., blood eosinophils ≥300 cells/μL)
COPD is the seventh disease in which Dupixent has shown positive pivotal results, confirming the key role of IL-4 and IL-13 in driving these type 2 inflammatory diseases
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, March 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced the primary and all key secondary endpoints were met in a Phase 3 trial evaluating the investigational use of Dupixent® (dupilumab) compared to placebo in adults currently on maximal standard-of-care inhaled therapy (triple therapy) with uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and evidence of type 2 inflammation. Dupixent is the first and only biologic to demonstrate a clinically meaningful and highly significant reduction (30%) in moderate or severe acute exacerbations of COPD (rapid and acute worsening of respiratory symptoms) over 52 weeks, while also demonstrating significant improvements in lung function, quality of life and COPD respiratory symptoms.
“COPD is an urgent global health concern and a notoriously difficult-to-treat disease due to its heterogeneity, with no novel treatments approved in more than a decade,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron, and a principal inventor of Dupixent. “In this landmark Phase 3 trial, patients with uncontrolled COPD achieved clinical outcomes with Dupixent at a magnitude never before seen with a biologic. These results also validate the role type 2 inflammation plays in driving COPD in these patients, advancing the scientific community’s understanding of the underlying biology of this disease. We look forward to discussing these exciting results with regulatory authorities.”
COPD is a life-threatening respiratory disease that damages the lungs and causes progressive lung function decline. Symptoms include persistent cough and breathlessness that may not only impair the ability to perform routine daily activities, but can also lead to anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. COPD is also associated with a significant health and economic burden due to recurrent acute exacerbations that require systemic corticosteroid treatment and/or lead to hospitalization or even death. Smoking is a key risk factor for COPD, but even individuals who quit smoking can still develop the disease. In the U.S. alone, approximately 300,000 people live with uncontrolled COPD with type 2 inflammation.
“Change cannot come quick enough for people living with uncontrolled COPD, but unfortunately, many investigational treatments have failed to demonstrate significant clinical outcomes leaving these vulnerable patients with limited treatment options. We took a bold approach with our direct to Phase 3 program, shaving years off standard clinical development timelines,” said Dietmar Berger, M.D., Ph.D., Head of Global R&D ad interim at Sanofi and Chief Medical Officer. “We are excited to share these unprecedented and potentially paradigm-shifting clinical results, which may give new hope to patients, caregivers and physicians.”
In the BOREAS trial (the first of two Phase 3 trials), 939 adults who were current or former smokers aged 40 to 80 years were randomized to receive Dupixent (n=468) or placebo (n=471) added to maximal standard-of-care inhaled therapy. Patients receiving Dupixent experienced:
- 30% reduction in moderate or severe acute COPD exacerbations over 52 weeks (p=0.0005), the primary endpoint.
- Improved lung function from baseline by 160 mL at 12 weeks compared to 77 mL for placebo (p<0.0001), with the benefit versus placebo sustained through week 52 (p=0.0003), both of which were key secondary endpoints.
Dupixent met all endpoints tested in the hierarchy, including improvement in patient-reported health-related quality of life as measured by the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and reduction in the severity of respiratory symptoms of COPD as measured by Evaluation Respiratory Symptoms: COPD (E-RS: COPD) Scale.
The safety results were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved indications. Overall rates of adverse events (AEs) were 77% for Dupixent and 76% for placebo. AEs more commonly observed with Dupixent compared to placebo included headache (8.1% Dupixent, 6.8% placebo), diarrhea (5.3% Dupixent, 3.6% placebo) and back pain (5.1% Dupixent, 3.4% placebo). AEs more commonly observed with placebo compared to Dupixent included upper respiratory tract infection (9.8% placebo, 7.9% Dupixent), hypertension (6.0% placebo, 3.6% Dupixent) and COVID-19 (5.7% placebo, 4.1% Dupixent). AEs leading to deaths were balanced between the two arms (1.7% placebo, 1.5% Dupixent).
Detailed efficacy and safety results from this trial will be presented in a future scientific forum.
The broader Sanofi and Regeneron COPD clinical research program includes Phase 3 trials with itepekimab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits interleukin-33 (IL-33). Itepekimab received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2023 for the treatment of COPD in patients who do not currently smoke. Data from this pivotal program is expected in 2025.
The safety and efficacy of Dupixent and itepekimab in COPD have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About the Dupixent COPD Phase 3 Trial Program
BOREAS is one of two pivotal trials in the Dupixent COPD program. The randomized, Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in 939 adults who were current or former smokers aged 40 to 80 years with moderate-to-severe COPD. All patients in the trial had evidence of type 2 inflammation, as measured by blood eosinophils ≥300 cells/µL. During the 52-week treatment period, patients received Dupixent or placebo every two weeks added to a triple therapy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), long-acting beta agonists, and long-acting muscarinic antagonists. Double maintenance therapy was allowed if ICS was contraindicated.
The primary endpoint evaluated the annualized rate of acute moderate or severe COPD exacerbations. Moderate exacerbations were defined as those requiring systemic steroids and/or antibiotics. Severe exacerbations were defined as those: requiring hospitalization; more than a day of observation in an emergency department or urgent care facility; or resulting in death. Key secondary endpoints included: change from baseline in lung function (assessed by pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume [FEV1]) at 12 and 52 weeks; change from baseline at 52 weeks in SGRQ total score compared to placebo; the proportion of patients with SGRQ improvement ≥4 points at 52 weeks; and the change from baseline at 52 weeks in the ERS: COPD Scale symptom score.
The second, replicate Phase 3 trial of Dupixent in COPD (NOTUS) is ongoing with data expected in 2024.
About Regeneron and Sanofi’s COPD Clinical Research Program
Regeneron and Sanofi are motivated to transform the treatment paradigm of COPD by examining the role different types of inflammation play in the disease progression through the investigation of two potentially first-in-class biologics, Dupixent and itepekimab.
Dupixent inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and the program focuses on a specific population of people with evidence of type 2 inflammation. Itepekimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits interleukin-33 (IL-33), an initiator and amplifier of broad inflammation in COPD. Across both programs, four Phase 3 trials are ongoing and designed to inform next-generation treatments for people with COPD who might not have other options.
About Dupixent
Dupixent is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and prurigo nodularis.
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP, EoE or prurigo nodularis in different age populations. Dupixent is currently approved for one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries, including in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. More than 600,000 patients are being treated with Dupixent globally.
About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create a substantial proportion of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent, Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc), Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb® (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more than 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.
In addition to the currently approved indications, Regeneron and Sanofi are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in Phase 3 trials, including pediatric EoE, chronic inducible urticaria-cold, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic pruritus of unknown origin, COPD with evidence of type 2 inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and bullous pemphigoid. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. INDICATIONS
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
- to treat adults with prurigo nodularis (PN). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with prurigo nodularis under 18 years of age.
- https://www.dupixenthcp.com/prurigo-nodularis/
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
About Regeneron
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune®, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.
Source: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron up 7% following Dupixent data, Raymond James upgrade
Mar. 23, 2023 11:07 AM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN)SNY
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor2 Comments
- A combination of positive late-stage trial results for Dupixent (dupilumab) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a Street upgrade has propelled Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) 7% higher in Thursday morning trading.
- Earlier Thursday, Regeneron's (REGN) partner, Sanofi (SNY), said that Dupixent could potentially become the first biologic medicine approved for COPD based on a reduction in exacerbations.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3950434-regeneron-up-7-following-dupixent-data-raymond-james-upgrade
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN)SNY
- https://www.regeneron.com/
- https://www.dupixenthcp.com/prurigo-nodularis/
CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
XTANDI® (enzalutamide) plus Leuprolide
Calquence granted first regulatory approval in China for adults with previously treated mantle cell lymphoma
PUBLISHED23 March 2023
23 March 2023 07:00 GMT
Across two clinical trials 82% overall response and 35% complete response rate
were observed in Chinese patients using Calquence
AstraZeneca’s Calquence (acalabrutinib), a next generation, selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, has been conditionally approved in China for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. This is the first approved indication for Calquence in China.
The conditional approval by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) was based on positive results from two clinical trials, including the ACE-LY-004 global Phase II trial in adults with relapsed or refractory MCL and a Phase I/ II trial in Chinese patients with relapsed or refractory MCL and other B-cell malignancies.1,2 Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of ongoing randomised controlled confirmatory trials.
MCL is typically an aggressive, rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that accounts for between 2-6% of all patients diagnosed with NHL in China. Patients are generally diagnosed around 60 years of age, often at later stages of the disease.3
Jun Zhu, Chief Physician, Department of Lymphatic Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing, said: “Mantle cell lymphoma progresses rapidly and responds poorly to conventional treatment such as immunochemotherapy. Before the emergence of BTK inhibitors, there were few satisfactory treatment options for patients. The next-generation BTK inhibitor Calquence has higher target selectivity, fewer side effects, and a higher response rate compared to currently available treatments. This approval of Calquence in China can provide a new treatment option which can better benefit patients with this disease.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “This approval for Calquence offers people living with mantle cell lymphoma in China an effective and tolerable new treatment option to help control their disease. As the first approval in China for Calquence, it is also an exciting step forward for AstraZeneca in blood cancers, enabling us to help more patients across the globe gain access to innovative treatments.”
Results from the ACE-LY-004 Phase II trial showed at a median follow up of 15.2 months, investigator-assessed overall response rate (ORR) with Calquence was 80.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 72.6-87.2), with a complete response (CR) achieved in 39.5% of patients with relapsed or refractory MCL (95% CI 30.9-48.7).1 Longer-term follow-up data showed at 38.1 months, patients treated with Calquence remained progression-free for a median of 22 months, with median overall survival (OS) of 59.2 months (95% CI 36.5-NE).4
Additionally, results from a Phase I/II trial conducted in China showed Calquence achieved a 82.4% ORR, with a CR achieved in 35.3% of patients with MCL based on a blinded independent central-review (BICR) analysis (95% CI 65.5-93.2). Calquence reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 51.5% (95% CI 33.3-67.0) at 12 months, with an estimated duration of response (DOR) of 65.5% (95% CI 66.6-93.3). The median DOR was not reached.2
The safety and tolerability of Calquence in these trials was consistent with that observed in previous clinical trials.1,2,4
Calquence is approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in the US and Japan and is approved for the treatment of CLL in the EU and in several other countries worldwide in the treatment-naïve and relapsed or refractory settings. Calquence is also approved in the US and several other countries for the treatment of adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy. Calquence is not currently approved for the treatment of MCL in Japan or the EU.
Notes
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
MCL is a rare B-cell malignancy subtype and is typically clinically aggressive with a poor prognosis.3 The epidemiology of MCL in Asia is not well documented, with few published datasets describing the incidence and outcomes.3 MCL accounts for between 2-6% of all patients diagnosed with NHL China.3 Patients are generally diagnosed around 60 years of age and often at later stages of disease (Stage III or IV).3
ACE-LY-004
ACE-LY-004 is an open-label, single-arm Phase II clinical trial evaluating Calquence in adult patients with relapsed or refractory MCL.5 Patients in the trial were adults with MCL and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 2 or lower who had relapsed or were refractory to 1-5 prior therapies, had no prior BTK/BCL-2 inhibitor exposure, and did not require warfarin/vitamin K antagonists. Patients received oral Calquence 100mg twice-daily until progressive disease or toxicity. ORR (investigator-assessed partial response or better per Lugano classification), DOR, progression-free survival (PFS), OS and safety were assessed.1
Phase I/II trial in Chinese patients
The Phase I/II trial is an open-label, multicentre clinical trial evaluating pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy of Calquence in adult Chinese patients with relapsed or refractory MCL and other advanced B-cell malignancies.2 In Phase I, patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies received a single dose of Calquence 100mg orally followed by a two-day washout period and subsequent treatment with Calquence 100mg orally twice daily in 28-day cycles, until progressive disease (PD) or treatment discontinuation (TD) for any other reason. In Phase II, patients with relapsed or refractory MCL and ECOG status of 2 or lower received Calquence 100mg orally twice daily in 28-day cycles until PD or TD. The primary efficacy endpoint was ORR per Lugano classification for NHL assessed by BICR. Secondary endpoints were investigator-assessed ORR, BICR- and investigator-assessed time to response, DOR, PFS, OS and adverse events. 2
Calquence
Calquence (acalabrutinib) is a next-generation, selective inhibitor of BTK. Calquence binds covalently to BTK, thereby inhibiting its activity.6 In B cells, BTK signalling results in activation of pathways necessary for B-cell proliferation, trafficking, chemotaxis and adhesion.
Calquence is approved for the treatment of CLL and SLL in the US, approved for CLL in the EU and many other countries worldwide and approved in Japan for relapsed or refractory CLL and SLL.
As part of an extensive clinical development programme, AstraZeneca is currently evaluating Calquence in more than 20 company-sponsored clinical trials. Calquence is being evaluated for the treatment of multiple B-cell blood cancers, including CLL, MCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia, marginal zone lymphoma and other haematologic malignancies.
AstraZeneca in haematology
AstraZeneca is pushing the boundaries of science to redefine care in haematology. We have expanded our commitment to patients with haematologic conditions, not only in oncology but also in rare diseases with the acquisition of Alexion, allowing us to reach more patients with high unmet needs. By applying our deep understanding of blood cancers, leveraging our strength in solid tumour oncology and delivering on Alexion’s pioneering legacy in complement science to provide innovative medicines for rare diseases, we are pursuing the end-to-end development of novel therapies designed to target underlying drivers of disease.
By targeting haematologic conditions with high unmet medical needs, we aim to deliver innovative medicines and approaches to improve patient outcomes. Our goal is to help transform the lives of patients living with malignant, rare and other related haematologic diseases, shaped by insights from patients, caregivers and physicians to have the most meaningful impact.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company’s focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca's blood cancer drug Calquence gets conditional approval in China
Mar. 23, 2023 6:24 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
China' National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) granted conditional approval to AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Calquence to treat adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy.
XTANDI® (enzalutamide) plus Leuprolide
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
XTANDI® (enzalutamide) plus Leuprolide
Phase 3 Study Shows XTANDI® (enzalutamide) plus Leuprolide Significantly Improves Metastasis-Free Survival in Men with Non-Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Thursday, March 16, 2023 - 07:30pm
Pfizer and Astellas announce positive topline results from Phase 3 EMBARK trial
NEW YORK and TOKYO, March 16, 2023 – Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas”) today announced positive topline results from the Phase 3 EMBARK trial evaluating XTANDI® (enzalutamide) in men with non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC; also known as non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer or nmCSPC) with high-risk biochemical recurrence (BCR). Patients enrolled in the trial were randomized to one of three study arms: XTANDI plus leuprolide, placebo plus leuprolide, or XTANDI monotherapy. The study met its primary endpoint with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in metastasis-free survival (MFS) for patients treated with XTANDI plus leuprolide versus placebo plus leuprolide.
At the time of the analysis, a positive trend in the key secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS) was also observed, but these data were not yet mature. Patients in the trial will be followed for a subsequent final OS analysis. The study also met a key secondary endpoint with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in MFS for patients treated with XTANDI monotherapy versus placebo plus leuprolide. Additional key secondary endpoints reached statistical significance, including time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression and time to first use of new antineoplastic therapy. Other secondary endpoints are being analyzed. No new safety signals have been observed to date in the preliminary safety analysis, which is consistent with the established safety profile of XTANDI.
“As the only novel hormone therapy approved for three disease states of prostate cancer in the U.S., XTANDI has impacted hundreds of thousands of men,” said Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Development Officer, Oncology and Rare Disease, Pfizer Global Product Development. “The topline findings from EMBARK are highly encouraging and we look forward to engaging with health authorities to potentially bring XTANDI to men with non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer with high-risk biochemical recurrence.”
“While current treatment options for localized prostate cancer are intended to be curative, some men remain at higher risk for biochemical recurrence following primary treatment, which may result in metastases,” said Ahsan Arozullah, M.D., MPH, Senior Vice President and Head of Development Therapeutic Areas, Astellas. “The EMBARK trial is the first study to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in MFS using the combination of XTANDI plus leuprolide in men with this stage of disease.”
Detailed results from EMBARK will be presented at a future medical meeting. These data will also be discussed with regulatory authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to support a potential regulatory submission for XTANDI in this indication.
About EMBARK
The Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-national trial enrolled 1,068 patients with non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC; also known as non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer or nmCSPC) with high-risk biochemical recurrence (BCR) at sites in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Patients who were considered high-risk BCR had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time ≤ 9 months, serum testosterone ≥ 150 ng/dL (5.2 nmol/L), and screening PSA by the central laboratory ≥ 1 ng/mL if they had a radical prostatectomy (with or without radiotherapy) as primary treatment for prostate cancer or at least 2 ng/mL above the nadir if they had radiotherapy only as primary treatment for prostate cancer. Patients in the EMBARK trial were randomized to receive enzalutamide 160 mg daily plus leuprolide, enzalutamide 160 mg as a monotherapy, or placebo plus leuprolide.
The primary endpoint of the trial was metastasis-free survival (MFS) for enzalutamide plus leuprolide and placebo plus leuprolide. MFS is defined as the duration of time in months between randomization and the earliest objective evidence of radiographic progression by central imaging or death. For more information on the EMBARK (NCT02319837) trial go to www.clinicaltrials.gov.
XTANDI has not been approved for the treatment of patients with nmHSPC with high-risk BCR.
About Non-Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer with High-Risk Biochemical Recurrence
Non-metastatic hormone- (or castration-) sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC or nmCSPC) means there is no detectable evidence of the cancer spreading to distant parts of the body (metastases) with conventional radiological methods (CT/MRI) and the cancer still responds to medical or surgical treatment to lower testosterone levels.1,2 Of men who have undergone definitive prostate cancer treatment, including radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, or both, an estimated 20-40% will experience a biochemical recurrence (BCR) within 10 years.3 About 9 out of 10 men with high-risk BCR will develop metastatic disease, and 1 in 3 will die as a result of the recurrence.3 The EMBARK trial focused on men with high-risk BCR. Per the EMBARK protocol, patients with nmHSPC with high-risk BCR are those initially treated by radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy, or both, with a PSA doubling time ≤ 9 months. High-risk BCR patients with a PSA doubling time of ≤ 9 months have a higher risk of metastases and death.4
About XTANDI® (enzalutamide)
XTANDI (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor. The recommended dosage of XTANDI is 160 mg (capsules or tablets) administered orally once daily with or without food. XTANDI is a standard of care that has received regulatory approvals for use in men with mHSPC, mCRPC, and nmCRPC in the United States and for one or more of these indications in more than 100 countries, including the European Union and Japan. More than 720,000 patients have been treated with XTANDI globally.5
Please see Full Prescribing Information for additional safety information.
About Pfizer Oncology
At Pfizer Oncology, we are committed to advancing medicines wherever we believe we can
make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with cancer. Today, we have an
industry-leading portfolio of 24 approved innovative cancer medicines and biosimilars that generated $12.1 billion in revenue in 2022, including the best-selling therapies for metastatic breast cancer and prostate cancer. Our in-line portfolio is focused on four broad, key areas where we have pioneered several breakthroughs: breast cancer, genitourinary cancer, hematology, and precision medicine, and we are advancing an extensive pipeline of 33 programs in clinical development.
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.
About the Pfizer/Astellas Collaboration
In October 2009, Medivation, Inc., which is now part of Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), and Astellas (TSE: 4503) entered into a commercial agreement to jointly develop and commercialize XTANDI® (enzalutamide) in the United States, while Astellas has responsibility for manufacturing and all additional regulatory filings globally, as well as commercializing the product outside the United States. Pfizer receives alliance revenues as a share of U.S. profits and receives royalties on sales outside the U.S.
Pfizer, Astellas' Xtandi meets main goal in phase 3 trial for prostate cancer subtype
Mar. 17, 2023 6:30 AM ET
Pfizer Inc. (PFE), ALPMF, ALPMY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and Astellas Pharma's (OTCPK:ALPMF) (OTCPK:ALPMY) Xtandi met the main goal of a phase 3 trial to treat men with non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC).
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy Significantly Improved Overall Survival Versus Chemotherapy Alone as First-Line Treatment for Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
March 10, 2023 6:45 am ET
RAHWAY, N.J. & KINGSTON, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) today announced that the Phase 2/3 CCTG IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with chemotherapy met its primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma. IND.227 was sponsored by CCTG, in collaboration with investigators in Italy (co-sponsored by National Cancer Institute of Naples - NCIN), and France (co-sponsored by The French Cooperative Thoracic Intergroup - IFCT); Merck provided KEYTRUDA and support for the trial. At the final analysis of the study, KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS compared to chemotherapy alone in these patients. The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy in this study was consistent with previously reported studies. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and discussed with regulatory authorities worldwide.
“Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rapidly progressing cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and has a poor prognosis,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “Patients are in need of new treatments that can improve survival outcomes, and these positive results support the potential of KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with the most common form of malignant mesothelioma.”
“There have been few treatment advances for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, which can be challenging to treat through surgery and radiation alone,” said Dr. Quincy Chu, CCTG’s study chair of the IND.227 trial/KEYNOTE-483 trial. “The results from the trial have the potential to make a difference for patients with this disease who have had limited treatment options available to them.”
Merck has an extensive clinical development program in lung cancer and is advancing multiple registration-enabling studies, with research directed at earlier stages of disease and novel combinations.
About IND.227/KEYNOTE-483
IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 is a randomized, open-label, randomized Phase 2/3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02784171) sponsored and conducted by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) in collaboration with National Cancer Institute of Naples (NCIN) and Intergroupe Francophone de Cancérologie Thoracique (IFCT). Support for the trial was provided by Merck. The trial evaluated KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with unresected advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma. The primary endpoint of the study is OS, and secondary endpoints include progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1 modified for mesothelioma, safety and quality of life. The Phase 3 part of the trial enrolled 440 patients who were randomized to receive:
- KEYTRUDA (200 mg every three weeks for up to 35 cycles) in combination with pemetrexed (500 mg/m2 every three weeks for six cycles) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2 every three weeks for six cycles; carboplatin substitution was permitted), or
- Pemetrexed and cisplatin (carboplatin substitution was permitted) alone.
About malignant mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a type of cancer that starts in the linings of certain parts of the body, including the chest, abdomen, heart and testicles. Worldwide, it is estimated there were more than 30,000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma diagnosed and more than 26,000 deaths from the disease in 2020. Pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs, is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, accounting for about 75% of all cases. Malignant pleural mesothelioma often progresses rapidly, and the five-year survival rate is only 12%. Although incidence of malignant mesothelioma has gradually declined in the United States, continued use of and exposure to asbestos around the world has resulted in increasing global rates of this aggressive disease.
About the Canadian Cancer Trials Group
The Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) is a cancer clinical trials research cooperative that runs phase I-III trials to test anti-cancer and supportive therapies at over 85 hospitals and cancer centres across Canada. From their operations centre at Queen's University, CCTG has supported more than 600 trials enrolling 100,000 patients from 40 countries on 6 continents through a global network of 20,000 investigators and clinical trial staff. CCTG is a national program of the Canadian Cancer Society and their aim is to improve survival and quality of life for all people with cancer. CCTG IND.227 was supported by a grant from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) (707213). For further information, please visit the CCTG website: www.cctg.ca.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Additional Indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck’s Keytruda succeeds in pleural mesothelioma study with chemotherapy
Mar. 10, 2023 7:12 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Merck’s (NYSE:MRK) anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda with chemotherapy has reached the primary endpoint of overall survival in a Phase 2/3 trial against lung cancer pleural mesothelioma as a first-line option, the company and one of the trial’s partners announced Friday.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3946398-mercks-keytruda-pleural-mesothelioma-study-chemotherapy
- Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv)
JARDIANCE® (empagliflozin tablets)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Astellas and Seagen Announce China’s National Medical Products Administration Accepts Biologics License Application for Enfortumab Vedotin in Certain Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer
03/09/2023
– Clinical data submitted are consistent with global data and support enfortumab vedotin as a platinum-free option in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who received prior treatment with a PD-1/L1 inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy –
TOKYO & BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE:4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas”) and Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) today announced that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for enfortumab vedotin for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) who received prior treatment with a PD-1/L1 inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy.
“In China, there were nearly 86,000 new cases of bladder cancer in 2020, and we are working with the NMPA to seek approval for enfortumab vedotin for patients with advanced stage disease,” said Ahsan Arozullah, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Vice President and Head of Development Therapeutic Areas, Astellas. “Enfortumab vedotin has become a second- and third-line treatment option for many patients around the world with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer, and an approval in China may bring this therapy to those patients.”
The BLA submission for enfortumab vedotin is based on data from the EV-203 study (NCT04995419), a single-arm, open-label, multicenter Phase 2 study of enfortumab vedotin in Chinese patients with la/mUC who previously received a PD-1/L1 inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy. Results showed that EV-203 met its primary endpoint, showing statistical significance in objective response rate (ORR) by independent review committee (IRC) for patients treated with enfortumab vedotin alone compared to historical controls. Efficacy and pharmacokinetic data from the study are in line with global data, and EV-203 is a bridging study to EV-301, a Phase 3 randomized study that has supported global registrations of enfortumab vedotin, and EV-201 Cohort 1.
Please see Important Safety Information, including BOXED WARNING, at the end of this press release for further safety information regarding enfortumab vedotin including serious skin reactions.
Enfortumab vedotin alone and in combination with other therapies is the subject of a robust clinical development program aimed at addressing unmet medical needs across the continuum of urothelial cancer and in other solid tumors.
About Bladder and Urothelial Cancer
Globally, approximately 573,000 new cases of bladder cancer and 212,000 deaths are reported annually.1 Urothelial cancer accounts for 90% of all bladder cancers and can also be found in the renal pelvis, ureter and urethra.2 Approximately 12% of cases are locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer at diagnosis.3
In China, the incidence rate of bladder cancer in 2020 ranked 12th among all cancers, with an estimated 85,649 new cases that year. The five-year prevalence of bladder cancer in China is estimated to be 16.26/100,000 cases, or 235,393 cases.4
About the EV-203 Trial
The EV-203 trial (NCT04995419) is a Phase 2, multicenter, single-arm bridging study in China designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic performance of enfortumab vedotin as treatment for patients in China. A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study.
About the EV-301 Trial
The EV-301 trial (NCT03474107) is a global, multicenter, open-label, randomized Phase 3 trial designed to evaluate enfortumab vedotin versus physician's choice of chemotherapy (docetaxel, paclitaxel or vinflunine) in 608 patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who were previously treated with a PD-1/L1 inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapies. The primary endpoint is overall survival, and secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, overall response rate, duration of response and disease control rate, as well as assessment of safety/tolerability and quality-of-life parameters.
About the EV-201 Trial
The EV-201 trial (NCT03219333) is a single-arm, multi-cohort, multicenter, pivotal phase 2 clinical trial of enfortumab vedotin for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who have been previously treated with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor, including those who have also been treated with a platinum-containing chemotherapy (Cohort 1) and those who have not received a platinum-containing chemotherapy in this setting and who are ineligible for cisplatin (Cohort 2). The trial enrolled 125 patients in Cohort 1 and 89 patients in Cohort 2 at multiple centers internationally. The primary endpoint is confirmed objective response rate per blinded independent central review. Secondary endpoints include assessments of duration of response, disease control rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, safety and tolerability.
Results of EV-301 and EV-201 Cohort 2 clinical trials supported the full and supplemental approval of PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2021. Additionally, results from EV-301 and EV-201 Cohort 1 serve as core data to support the Marketing Authorization Applications for enfortumab vedotin in the global market, including the European Union, Japan and Singapore.
About PADCEV
PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed against Nectin-4, a protein located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer.5 Nonclinical data suggest the anticancer activity of PADCEV is due to its binding to Nectin-4-expressing cells followed by the internalization and release of the anti-tumor agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into the cell, which result in the cell not reproducing (cell cycle arrest) and in programmed cell death (apoptosis).6
PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) U.S. Indication & Important Safety Information
BOXED WARNING: SERIOUS SKIN REACTIONS
- PADCEV can cause severe and fatal cutaneous adverse reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), which occurred predominantly during the first cycle of treatment, but may occur later.
- Closely monitor patients for skin reactions.
- Immediately withhold PADCEV and consider referral for specialized care for suspected SJS or TEN or severe skin reactions.
- Permanently discontinue PADCEV in patients with confirmed SJS or TEN; or Grade 4 or recurrent Grade 3 skin reactions.
Indication
PADCEV® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who:
- have previously received a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor and platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and have previously received one or more prior lines of therapy.6
- https://www.padcev.com/hcp
For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information including BOXED WARNING for PADCEV here .
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.
About Seagen
Seagen Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes transformative cancer medicines to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Seagen is headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area, and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and the European Union. For more information on the company’s marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter.
About the Astellas and Seagen Collaboration
Astellas and Seagen are co-developing enfortumab vedotin under a 50:50 worldwide development and commercialization collaboration. In the United States, Astellas and Seagen co-promote enfortumab vedotin under the brand name PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv). In the Americas outside the US, Seagen holds responsibility for commercialization activities and regulatory filings. Outside of the Americas, Astellas holds responsibility for commercialization activities and regulatory filings.
Source: Seagen Inc.
Astellas, Seagen's bladder cancer therapy gets review in China
Mar. 10, 2023 6:21 AM ET
Seagen Inc. (SGEN), ALPMY, ALPMF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) accepted Astellas Pharma (OTCPK:ALPMF) (OTCPK:ALPMY) and Seagen's (NASDAQ:SGEN) application seeking approval of enfortumab vedotin to treat patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) who received prior therapy with a PD-1/L1 inhibitor and platinum-based chemotherapy.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3946367-astellas-seagens-bladder-cancer-therapy-gets-review-in-china
- Seagen Inc. (SGEN), ALPMY, ALPMF
- https://www.padcev.com/hcp
- https://www.seagen.com/
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) injection
JARDIANCE® (empagliflozin tablets)
JARDIANCE® (empagliflozin tablets)
Imfinzi significantly improved event-free survival in AEGEAN Phase III trial for patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer
PUBLISHED9 March 2023 9
March 2023 07:00 GMT
Results showed that Imfinzi-based treatment before and after surgery significantly
increased the time patients live without recurrence or progression events
Positive high-level results from a planned interim analysis of the AEGEAN Phase III, placebo- controlled trial showed that treatment with AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery and as adjuvant monotherapy after surgery demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in event-free survival (EFS) versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone followed by surgery for patients with resectable early-stage (IIA-IIIB) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Results from the final pathologic complete response (pCR) and major pathologic response (mPR) analyses were consistent with previously announced positive results. The trial will continue as planned to assess key secondary endpoints including disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).
Each year there are an estimated 2.2 million people diagnosed with lung cancer globally with 80-85% of patients diagnosed with NSCLC, the most common form of lung cancer.1-3 Approximately 25-30% of all patients with NSCLC are diagnosed early enough to have surgery with curative intent.4-5 However, only around 56-65% of patients with Stage II disease will survive for five years.6 This decreases to 41% for patients with Stage IIIA and 24% for patients with Stage IIIB disease, reflecting a high unmet medical need.6
John V. Heymach, MD, PhD. Professor and Chair Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, said: “Treating patients early with durvalumab both before and after surgery delivers a significant and clinically meaningful benefit in resectable non-small cell lung cancer, where new options are urgently needed to offer patients the best chance of long-term survival. The AEGEAN results provide compelling evidence that this novel durvalumab regimen can drive improved outcomes in this curative-intent setting.”
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “Patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer face unacceptably high rates of recurrence, despite treatment with chemotherapy and surgery. We have shown that adding Imfinzi both before and after surgery significantly increased the time patients live without recurrence or progression events. We will continue to follow patients for overall survival.”
Imfinzi was well tolerated and no new safety concerns were observed in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Further, adding Imfinzi to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was consistent with the known profile for this combination and did not increase complications or adverse events, or compromise patients' ability to undergo surgery versus chemotherapy alone.
These data will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting and shared with global health authorities.
AstraZeneca has a comprehensive portfolio of approved and potential new medicines in development for patients with lung cancer. In addition to these results, the Company is also announcing today that Tagrisso (osimertinib) met a secondary endpoint of OS in the ADAURA Phase III trial in early-stage (IB, II and IIIA) epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) NSCLC after complete tumour resection with curative intent.
Notes
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, accounting for about one-fifth of all cancer deaths.1 Lung cancer is broadly split into NSCLC and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).2 The majority of NSCLC patients are diagnosed with advanced disease while approximately 25-30% present with resectable disease at diagnosis.4-5 Early-stage lung cancer diagnoses are often only made when the cancer is found on imaging for an unrelated condition.7-8
For patients with resectable tumours, the majority eventually develop recurrence despite complete tumour resection and adjuvant chemotherapy.9
AEGEAN
AEGEAN is a randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, placebo-controlled global Phase III trial evaluating Imfinzi as perioperative treatment for patients with resectable Stage IIA-IIIB (Eighth Edition AJCC Cancer Staging Manual) NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression. Perioperative therapy includes treatment before and after surgery, also known as neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy. In the trial, 802 patients were randomised to receive a 1500mg fixed dose of Imfinzi plus chemotherapy or placebo plus chemotherapy every three weeks for four cycles prior to surgery, followed by Imfinzi or placebo every four weeks (for up to 12 cycles) after surgery. Patients with known EGFR or ALK genomic tumour aberrations were excluded from the primary efficacy analyses.
In the AEGEAN trial, the primary endpoints were pCR, defined as no viable tumour in the resection specimen (including lymph nodes) following neoadjuvant therapy, and EFS, defined as the time from randomisation to an event like tumour recurrence, progression precluding definitive surgery, or death. Key secondary endpoints were mPR, defined as residual viable tumour of less than or equal to 10% in the resected primary tumour following neoadjuvant therapy, DFS, OS, safety and quality of life. The final pathologic response analyses were performed after all patients had the opportunity for surgery and pathology assessment per the trial protocol. The trial enrolled participants in 264 centres in more than 25 countries including in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy and the global standard of care in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III NSCLC in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage SCLC based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. In an exploratory analysis in 2021, updated results from the CASPIAN trial showed Imfinzi plus chemotherapy tripled patient survival at three years versus chemotherapy alone. Additionally, Imfinzi is approved in combination with a short course of Imjudo (tremelimumab) and chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC in the US, EU and Japan based on the POSEIDON Phase III trial.
In addition to its indications in lung cancer, Imfinzi is also approved in combination with chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer in the US, EU, Japan and several other countries; in combination with Imjudo in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in the US, EU and Japan; and in previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 150,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
AstraZeneca has several ongoing registrational trials focused on testing Imfinzi in earlier stages of lung cancer, including in resectable NSCLC (ADJUVANT BR.31) and unresectable NSCLC (PACIFIC-2, 4, 5, 8 and 9), and in limited-stage SCLC (ADRIATIC).
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours.
AstraZeneca in lung cancer
AstraZeneca is working to bring patients with lung cancer closer to cure through the detection and treatment of early-stage disease, while also pushing the boundaries of science to improve outcomes in the resistant and advanced settings. By defining new therapeutic targets and investigating innovative approaches, the Company aims to match medicines to the patients who can benefit most.
The Company's comprehensive portfolio includes leading lung cancer medicines and the next wave of innovations, including Tagrisso and Iressa (gefitinib); Imfinzi and Imjudo; Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) and datopotamab deruxtecan in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo; Orpathys (savolitinib) in collaboration with HUTCHMED; as well as a pipeline of potential new medicines and combinations across diverse mechanisms of action.
AstraZeneca is a founding member of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition working to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful improvements for people with lung cancer, including and beyond treatment.
AstraZeneca in immuno-oncology (IO)
AstraZeneca is a pioneer in introducing the concept of immunotherapy into dedicated clinical areas of high unmet medical need. The Company has a comprehensive and diverse IO portfolio and pipeline anchored in immunotherapies designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response and stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours.
AstraZeneca aims to reimagine cancer care and help transform outcomes for patients with Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with Imjudo as well as other novel immunotherapies and modalities. The Company is also exploring next-generation immunotherapies like bispecific antibodies and therapeutics that harness different aspects of immunity to target cancer.
AstraZeneca is boldly pursuing an innovative clinical strategy to bring IO-based therapies that deliver long-term survival to new settings across a wide range of cancer types. With an extensive clinical programme, the Company also champions the use of IO treatment in earlier disease stages, where there is the greatest potential for cure.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca's Imfinzi shows event-free survival benefit in lung cancer patients in trial
Mar. 09, 2023 4:46 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) said data from a phase 3 trial showed that Imfinzi-based therapy before and after surgery significantly increased the time patients with lung cancer lived without the disease recurring or progressing.
The late stage study, dubbed AEGEAN, is evaluating Imfinzi (durvalumab) as a perioperative therapy for patients with resectable stage 2A-3B non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), irrespective of PD-L1 expression.
JARDIANCE® (empagliflozin tablets)
JARDIANCE® (empagliflozin tablets)
JARDIANCE® (empagliflozin tablets)
US FDA accepts supplemental New Drug Application for Jardiance® for children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes
March 8, 2023
- The application is based on phase III results from the DINAMO trial showing Jardiance® (empagliflozin) tablets significantly reduced A1c (a marker of average blood sugar) versus placebo in participants aged 10-17 living with type 2 diabetes
- If approved, Jardiance would be the first SGLT2 inhibitor indicated for this vulnerable population
RIDGEFIELD, Conn. and INDIANAPOLIS, March 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Jardiance® (empagliflozin) investigating a potential new indication to lower blood sugar along with diet and exercise in children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced.
"There are clear unmet needs for young people living with type 2 diabetes, which has nearly doubled in prevalence in people aged 10-19 over the past two decades," said Mohamed Eid, M.D., M.P.H., M.H.A., vice president, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Cardio-Renal-Metabolism & Respiratory Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "We look forward to working closely with the FDA during the review process and while we await a decision on our efforts to bring another potential treatment option to children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes."
The sNDA is based on the results from the DINAMO phase III trial, in which Jardiance was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the primary endpoint of change from baseline in A1c at 26 weeks compared with placebo in participants aged 10-17 years with type 2 diabetes. When added to other baseline treatments (diet, exercise, metformin and/or insulin), Jardiance 10 mg and 25 mg pooled doses reduced A1c by 0.84% compared with placebo at week 26 (95% CI −1.50 to −0.19; P=0.012). Reduction in A1c in participants treated with Tradjenta® (linagliptin) was not statistically significant when compared with placebo. A numerical reduction of 0.34% (P=0.2935) was observed. Results were presented during the International Diabetes Federation World Diabetes Congress 2022.
Overall, the safety data in DINAMO was consistent with the previously known safety profile of Jardiance.
Initially approved in 2014, Jardiance is a once-daily tablet used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes; and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known cardiovascular disease. Jardiance is also indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure. Jardiance is not for patients with type 1 diabetes, or to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes with an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Jardiance is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to empagliflozin or any of the excipients in Jardiance, and in patients on dialysis. Please see additional Important Safety Information below.
"Impacting an estimated 39,000 people under the age of 20, type 2 diabetes is a growing health issue for young people in the U.S.," said Jeff Emmick, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, Product Development, Lilly. "If approved, Jardiance would be a new oral treatment option for type 2 diabetes in children 10 years and older in the U.S., making this application acceptance an important step forward as we add to the body of knowledge for this vulnerable patient population, for whom oral treatment options have been limited."
About DINAMO: DIabetes study of liNAgliptin and eMpagliflozin in children and adOlescents
DINAMO (NCT03429543) is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group phase III trial that enrolled participants aged 10-17 years with type 2 diabetes (A1c 6.5% to 10.5%) previously treated with metformin or insulin. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in A1c at 26 weeks. Of the 262 participants screened, 158 were randomly assigned to treatment with Jardiance (10 mg) (n=52), Tradjenta (5 mg) (n=53) or placebo (n=53) once daily. Participants in the Jardiance group who did not have A1c below 7.0% by week 12 were re-randomized to either remain on 10 mg or increase to 25 mg. Participants in the placebo group were reassigned at week 26 to Tradjenta 5 mg or Jardiance 10 mg or 25 mg. All participants were treated with diet and exercise plus metformin and/or insulin (or no background if metformin intolerant). Safety was assessed until week 52.
What is JARDIANCE?
JARDIANCE is a prescription medicine used to:
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have known cardiovascular disease
- lower blood sugar along with diet and exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes
JARDIANCE is not for people with type 1 diabetes. It may increase their risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).
JARDIANCE is not for use to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes who have severe kidney problems, because it may not work.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not take JARDIANCE if you are allergic to empagliflozin or any of the ingredients in JARDIANCE.
Do not take JARDIANCE if you are on dialysis.
For more information, please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an Alliance that centers on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes. Depending on geographies, the companies either co-promote or separately promote the respective molecules each contributing to the Alliance. The Alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies to focus on patient needs. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate their commitment, not only to the care of people with diabetes, but also to investigating the potential to address areas of unmet medical need.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Around 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us.
About Lilly
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 47 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-fda-accepts-supplemental-new-drug-application-for-jardiance-for-children-10-years-and-older-with-type-2-diabetes-301765746.html
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Boehringer, Lilly get FDA review for expanded use of Jardiance in adolescents
Mar. 08, 2023 9:38 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted to review Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly's (NYSE:LLY) application seeking expanded approval of Jardiance to lower blood sugar, along with diet and exercise, in children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3945363-boehringer-lilly-get-fda-review-for-expanded-use-of-jardiance-in-adolescents
- Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)
- https://www.lilly.com/
- https://www.jardiance.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan)
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan)
March 7, 2023 at 1:00 AM EST
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) APPLICATION FOR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC SPONTANEOUS URTICARIA (CSU) IN ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS AGED 12 YEARS AND OLDER ACCEPTED FOR FDA REVIEW
More than 300,000 people in the U.S. suffer from CSU that is inadequately controlled by antihistamines
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, March 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Dupixent® (dupilumab) to treat adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) that is not adequately controlled with the current standard of care, H1 antihistamine treatment. The target action date for the FDA decision is October 22, 2023.
CSU is an inflammatory skin condition driven in part by type 2 inflammation, which causes sudden and debilitating hives and swelling on the skin. Swelling, called angioedema, may occur most commonly on the face, hands and feet, but can also affect the throat and upper airways. CSU is typically treated with H1 antihistamines, medicines that target histamine-1 receptors on cells to control symptoms of urticaria. However, the disease remains uncontrolled in up to 50% of patients, who are left with limited alternative treatment options. These individuals continue to experience symptoms, including persistent itch or burning sensations that can be debilitating and significantly impact quality of life.
The sBLA is supported by data from two Phase 3 trials (LIBERTY-CUPID Studies A and B) evaluating Dupixent in two different patient populations with uncontrolled CSU. Study A was conducted in CSU patients who were uncontrolled on standard-of-care antihistamines with efficacy and safety data supporting the submission, while Study B was conducted in CSU patients who were uncontrolled on standard-of-care antihistamines and refractory to omalizumab with results providing additional supporting data.
The potential use of Dupixent in CSU is currently under clinical development, and the safety and efficacy have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About the CSU Clinical Trial Program
The clinical trial program, known as LIBERTY-CUPID, includes Studies A and B, two Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in two different patient populations with uncontrolled CSU.
Study A evaluated Dupixent as an add-on therapy to standard-of-care H1 antihistamines compared to antihistamines alone in 138 patients with CSU aged 6 years and older who remained symptomatic despite antihistamine use and were not previously treated with omalizumab. Study B evaluated Dupixent in 108 patients with CSU aged 12 to 80 years who remained symptomatic despite standard-of-care treatment and were intolerant or incomplete responders to omalizumab.
In addition to CSU, Regeneron and Sanofi are also studying Dupixent in chronic inducible urticaria triggered by cold (LIBERTY-CINDU CUrIADS program) in an ongoing Phase 3 trial.
About Dupixent
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the IL-4 and IL-13 pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), prurigo nodularis and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP, EoE or prurigo nodularis in different age populations. Dupixent is currently approved for one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries, including in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. More than 500,000 patients have been treated with Dupixent globally.
About Regeneron’s VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron’s VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron’s President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create a substantial proportion of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies currently available. This includes Dupixent, REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc), Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb® (atoltivimab, maftivimab, and odesivimab-ebgn).
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more than 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.
In addition to the currently approved indications, Regeneron and Sanofi are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in Phase 3 trials, including pediatric EoE, atopic hand and foot dermatitis, chronic inducible urticaria-cold, CSU, chronic pruritus of unknown origin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with evidence of type 2 inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and bullous pemphigoid. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. INDICATIONS
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
- to treat adults with prurigo nodularis (PN). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with prurigo nodularis under 18 years of age.
- https://www.dupixent.com/
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune®, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.
Source: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
FDA accepts for review Regeneron/Sanofi's Dupixent application for inflammatory skin condition
Mar. 07, 2023 6:39 AM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) announce that the FDA has accepted for review the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Dupixent (dupilumab) to treat adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) that is not adequately controlled with the current standard of care, H1 antihistamine treatment.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3944785-fda-accepts-for-review-regeneronsanofis-dupixent-application-for-inflammatory-skin-condition
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
- https://www.dupixent.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
News: Mar 21
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan)
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan)
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan)
Enhertu showed clinically meaningful and durable responses across multiple HER2-expressing tumour types in DESTINY-PanTumor02 Phase II trial
PUBLISHED6 March 2023 06
March 2023 07:00 GMT
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu met prespecified criteria for objective
response rate and duration of response
Positive high-level results from an analysis of the ongoing DESTINY-PanTumor02 Phase II trial showed AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) met the prespecified target for objective response rate (ORR) and demonstrated durable response across multiple HER2-expressing advanced solid tumours in heavily pretreated patients.
Enhertu is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
The DESTINY-PanTumor02 Phase II trial is evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu in patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic previously treated, HER2-expressing solid tumours not eligible for curative therapy, including biliary tract, bladder, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, pancreatic, and rare cancers. The primary endpoint of the trial is investigator-assessed confirmed ORR and investigator-assessed duration of response (DoR) is a key secondary endpoint.
The data will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and shared with global regulatory authorities.
HER2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor protein expressed on the surface of various tissue cells throughout the body and is involved in normal cell growth.1,2 In some cancer cells, HER2 expression is amplified or the cells have activating mutations.1,3 While HER2-directed therapies have been used to treat breast, gastric and lung cancers, more research is needed evaluating their potential role in treating other HER2-expressing tumour types.2,4-6
Cristian Massacesi, Chief Medical Officer and Oncology Chief Development Officer, AstraZeneca, said, “Enhertu has already demonstrated its potential to improve outcomes for patients with HER2-targetable breast, gastric and lung cancers, and these positive initial results in other tumour settings with significant unmet need are very encouraging. The DESTINY-PanTumor02 results mark an important step forward in our understanding of the potential role of Enhertu across multiple HER2-expressing tumour types.”
Ken Takeshita, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo, said, “The clinically meaningful responses seen in the DESTINY-PanTumor02 trial reaffirm our belief in the potential of Enhertu across multiple HER2-expressing cancers. The results seen so far across multiple cohorts of the trial will inform next steps of our broad development programme as we look to bring this important medicine to as many patients as quickly as possible.”
The safety profile observed in patients treated with Enhertu in the DESTINY-PanTumor02 trial was consistent with that seen in other trials of Enhertu with no new safety signals identified.
Notes
DESTINY-PanTumor02
DESTINY-PanTumor02 is a global, multicentre, multi-cohort, open-label Phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) for the treatment of HER2-expressing tumours, including biliary tract cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and rare tumours.
The primary efficacy endpoint of DESTINY-PanTumor02 is confirmed ORR as assessed by investigator. Secondary endpoints include DoR, disease control rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics.
DESTINY-PanTumor02 has enrolled 268 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a (or one or more) prior anti-HER2-based regimen, either in the metastatic setting or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting, and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (immunohistochemistry [IHC] 1+ or IHC 2+/in-situ hybridisation [ISH]-) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast04 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved under accelerated approval in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose tumours have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung02 trial. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial and/or DESTINY-Gastric02 trial.
Enhertu development programme
A comprehensive global development programme is underway evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu monotherapy across multiple HER2-targetable cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, are also underway.
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu shows promise in multiple cancer types in trial
Mar. 06, 2023 4:55 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSKYF, DSNKY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) said their drug Enhertu met the target for objective response rate (ORR) and showed durable response in multiple HER2-expressing advanced solid tumors in heavily pretreated patients in an ongoing phase 2 trial.
Verzenio® (abemaciclib)
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy
U.S. FDA Broadens Indication for Verzenio® (abemaciclib) in HR+, HER2-, Node-Positive, High Risk Early Breast Cancer
March 3, 2023
High risk patients eligible for Verzenio can now be identified solely based on nodal status, tumor size, and tumor grade, regardless of Ki-67 score
Approval supported by four-year data from the monarchE trial; Verzenio added to adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) reduced the risk of recurrence by 35% compared to adjuvant ET alone
Verzenio remains the first and only CDK4/6 inhibitor approved in the adjuvant setting
INDIANAPOLIS, March 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an expanded indication for Verzenio® (abemaciclib), in combination with endocrine therapy (ET), for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-), node-positive, early breast cancer (EBC) at a high risk of recurrence. High risk patients eligible for Verzenio can now be identified solely based on nodal status, tumor size, and tumor grade (4+ positive nodes, or 1-3 positive nodes and at least one of the following: tumors that are ≥5 cm or Grade 3).1 This expanded adjuvant indication removes the Ki-67 score requirement for patient selection.
This label expansion is supported by four-year data from the Phase 3 monarchE trial of adjuvant Verzenio in combination with ET, which showed a deepened benefit in invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) beyond the two-year treatment course with adjuvant Verzenio. The absolute difference in IDFS between treatment groups increased over time. At four years, 85.5% of patients remained recurrence-free with Verzenio plus ET, compared to 78.6% with ET alone, an absolute difference in IDFS of 6.9%. At two years and at three years, the absolute differences between treatment groups were 3.1% and 5.0%, respectively; see Fig. 1 below. The addition of Verzenio to ET reduced the risk of recurrence by 35% compared to ET alone (HR=0.653 [95% CI: 0.567-0.753]). There were no new safety findings, and overall results are consistent with the well-established safety profile for Verzenio. These four-year monarchE data were presented at the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and simultaneously published in The Lancet Oncology.2
The monarchE study enrolled 5,637 adults with high risk HR+, HER2-, node-positive EBC into two cohorts. Verzenio is now approved for use in the full Cohort 1 patient population, which comprised 91% of the study population. A statistically significant difference in IDFS was observed in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population, primarily due to patients in Cohort 1. As of the data cut-off date, while overall survival (OS) data remain immature across the entire study, an OS trend in favor of Verzenio was observed in the Cohort 1 population, but not the Cohort 2 population where more deaths were seen with Verzenio plus ET compared to ET alone (10/253 vs. 5/264). The "About the monarchE Study" section below provides more details on study design.
"Our goal in intensifying treatment for early breast cancer is to maintain remission and prevent the recurrence of cancer. The magnitude of benefit seen in the four-year data from the monarchE study reinforces my confidence in adjuvant Verzenio as the standard-of-care for high risk patients in this setting," said Erika P. Hamilton, M.D., medical oncologist, director of Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Research at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, and an investigator on the monarchE clinical trial. "The initial Verzenio FDA approval in early breast cancer was practice-changing and now, through this indication expansion, we have the potential to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence for many more patients, relying solely on commonly utilized clinicopathologic features to identify them."
More than 300,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. in 2023.3 It is estimated that 90% of all breast cancers are detected at an early stage.4 Approximately 70% of all breast cancer cases are the HR+, HER2- subtype.5 Although the prognosis for HR+, HER2- EBC is generally favorable, high risk patients are three times more likely than those with low risk characteristics to experience recurrence – with the majority being incurable metastatic disease.6 These patients have an increased risk of recurrence during the first two years of endocrine therapy.
"This expanded approval will allow us to bring Verzenio to many more women and men with HR+, HER2-, high risk early breast cancer in the curative setting – before patients experience recurrence, potentially to incurable metastatic disease," said Jacob Van Naarden, chief executive officer of Loxo@Lilly. "The initial adjuvant approval for Verzenio changed the treatment paradigm, and the strength of the monarchE results supporting this approval underscores the role this differentiated CDK4/6 inhibitor can play in reducing the risk of recurrence in early breast cancer."
"This expanded approval for Verzenio is welcome news for our community," said Jean Sachs, chief executive officer of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. "A significant number of women and men have HR+, HER2- early breast cancer at high risk of returning. Making effective treatment options available is crucial to allowing people to make the best care decisions for themselves, together with their healthcare providers. We're pleased Verzenio will now be available to more people with this type of early breast cancer."
Concurrent with this expanded indication approval in EBC, the FDA has also broadened the indicated use of Verzenio in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) when used in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy for the treatment of people with HR+, HER2- advanced or MBC. This updated MBC indication now includes all adult patients, with the expanded indication including pre-/perimenopausal women when used in combination with ovarian suppression. See below "Indications for Verzenio" for full details on indicated uses in HR+, HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Verzenio is available in tablet strengths of 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg.
The labeling for Verzenio contains warnings and precautions for diarrhea, neutropenia, interstitial lung disease (ILD/pneumonitis), hepatotoxicity, venous thromboembolism, and embryo-fetal toxicity. Instruct patients at the first sign of loose stools to initiate antidiarrheal therapy, increase oral fluids, and notify their healthcare provider. Perform complete blood counts and liver function tests prior to the start of Verzenio treatment, every two weeks for the first two months, monthly for the next two months and as clinically indicated. Based on results, Verzenio may require dose modification. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and treat as medically appropriate. Advise patients of potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception.
See Important Safety Information below and full Prescribing Information for additional information.
Click here to view the early breast cancer infographic.
About the monarchE Study
monarchE was a global, randomized, open-label, two cohort, multicenter Phase 3 clinical trial that enrolled 5,637 adults with HR+, HER2-, node-positive EBC at high risk of recurrence. To be enrolled in Cohort 1 (n=5,120), which is the FDA-approved population, patients had to have 4+ positive nodes or 1-3 positive nodes and at least one of the following: tumors that were ≥5 cm or Grade 3. Patients enrolled in Cohort 2 could not have met the eligibility criteria for Cohort 1. To be enrolled in Cohort 2 (n=517), patients had to have 1-3 positive nodes and Ki-67 score ≥20%. Patients in each cohort were randomized 1:1 to receive either Verzenio 150 mg twice daily plus standard-of-care adjuvant ET (Cohort 1, n=2,555; Cohort 2, n=253) or standard-of-care adjuvant ET alone (Cohort 1, n=2,565; Cohort 2, n=264) for 2 years. ET continued for at least 5 years if deemed medically appropriate. The primary endpoint was IDFS. Consistent with expert guidelines, IDFS was defined as the length of time before breast cancer comes back, any new cancer develops, or death.
About Early Breast Cancer and Risk of Recurrence
It is estimated that 90% of all breast cancers are detected at an early stage.4 Approximately 70% of all breast cancer cases are the HR+, HER2- subtype.5 Although the prognosis for HR+, HER2- EBC is generally favorable, high risk patients are three times more likely than those with low risk characteristics to experience recurrence – with the majority being incurable metastatic disease.6 These patients have an increased risk of recurrence during the first two years of endocrine therapy.
Factors associated with high risk of recurrence in HR+, HER2- early breast cancer include: positive nodal status, the number of positive nodes, large tumor size (≥5 cm), and high tumor grade (Grade 3). Node-positive means that cancer cells from the tumor in the breast have been found in the lymph nodes near the breast. Although breast cancer is removed through surgery, the presence of cancer cells in the lymph nodes signifies that there is a higher chance of developing recurrence and distant metastatic disease.
About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, according to GLOBOCAN. The estimated 2.3 million new cases indicate that 1 in every 8 cancers diagnosed in 2020 is breast cancer. With approximately 685,000 deaths in 2020, breast cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death worldwide.7 In the U.S., it is estimated that there will be more than 300,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 2023. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the U.S.3
About Verzenio® (abemaciclib)
Verzenio® (abemaciclib) is a targeted treatment known as a CDK4/6 inhibitor. Verzenio is a nonchemotherapy oral tablet.
Verzenio works inside the cell to block CDK4/6 activity and help stop the growth of cancer cells so that they may eventually die (based on preclinical studies). Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK)4/6 are activated by binding to D-cyclins. In estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cell lines, cyclin D1 and CDK4/6 promote phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb), cell cycle progression and cell proliferation.
In vitro, continuous exposure to Verzenio inhibited Rb phosphorylation and blocked progression from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle, resulting in senescence and apoptosis (cell death). Preclinically, Verzenio dosed daily without interruption resulted in reduction of tumor size. Inhibiting CDK4/6 in healthy cells can result in side effects, some of which may be serious. Clinical evidence also suggests that Verzenio crosses the blood-brain barrier. In patients with advanced cancer, including breast cancer, concentrations of Verzenio and its active metabolites (M2 and M20) in cerebrospinal fluid are comparable to unbound plasma concentrations.
Verzenio is Lilly's first solid oral dosage form to be made using a faster, more efficient process known as continuous manufacturing. Continuous manufacturing is a new and advanced type of manufacturing within the pharmaceutical industry, and Lilly is one of the first companies to use this technology.
INDICATIONS FOR VERZENIO®
VERZENIO® is a kinase inhibitor indicated:
- in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.
- in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
- in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy.
- as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy and prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting.
- Please see full Prescribing Information for Verzenio.
About Lilly
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 47 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. P-LLY
PP-AL-US-3657 © Lilly USA, LLC 2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Verzenio® is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-fda-broadens-indication-for-verzenio-abemaciclib-in-hr-her2--node-positive-high-risk-early-breast-cancer-301762459.html
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly wins additional breast cancer indication for Verzenio
Mar. 03, 2023 3:20 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The US FDA has granted an additional indication for Eli Lilly's (NYSE:LLY) Verzenio (abemaciclib) in combination with endocrine therapy as an adjuvant treatment for HR+, HER2- node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of occurrence.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3944114-eli-lilly-wins-additional-breast-cancer-indication-for-verzenio
- Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)
- https://www.lilly.com/
- https://www.verzenio.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy
Merck Announces Phase 3 KEYNOTE-671 Trial Met Primary Endpoint of Event-Free Survival (EFS) in Patients With Resectable Stage II, IIIA or IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
March 1, 2023 6:45 am ET
In pivotal study, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy before surgery and continuing as a single agent after surgery showed a statistically significant improvement in EFS versus pre-operative chemotherapy
KEYTRUDA-based regimen also showed statistically significant improvements in key secondary endpoints of pathological complete response and major pathological response
FDA accepted application based on these data and set PDUFA date of October 16, 2023
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced today that the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-671 trial investigating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, met one of its dual primary endpoints, event-free survival (EFS), as a perioperative treatment regimen for patients with resectable stage II, IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A perioperative treatment regimen includes treatment before surgery (neoadjuvant) and continued after surgery (adjuvant). The trial will continue to evaluate the other dual primary endpoint of overall survival (OS).
At a prespecified interim analysis conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, neoadjuvant KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy followed by resection and adjuvant single-agent KEYTRUDA demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in EFS compared to neoadjuvant placebo plus chemotherapy followed by adjuvant placebo. Statistically significant improvements in the trial’s key secondary endpoints of pathological compete response (pCR) and major pathological response (mPR) were also demonstrated at this analysis. No new safety signals were observed.
Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted Merck’s new supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) based on these data for KEYTRUDA for the treatment of patients with resectable stage II, IIIA, or IIIB (T3-4N2) NSCLC in combination with platinum containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of October 16, 2023.
“Results from KEYNOTE-671 show that KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy provided significant improvement in event-free survival, pathological complete response and major pathological response over chemotherapy alone as a perioperative treatment regimen for patients with resectable stage II, IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “By moving this KEYTRUDA-based regimen into earlier stages of non-small cell lung cancer, we may be able to significantly reduce the risk of recurrence for these patients. This study is an important milestone, and we look forward to sharing the detailed results with the medical community as soon as possible. We thank the patients and investigators for their important contributions to this study.”
Merck has an extensive clinical development program in lung cancer and is advancing multiple registration-enabling studies, with research directed at earlier stages of disease and novel combinations. Key studies in earlier stages of NSCLC include KEYNOTE-671, KEYNOTE-091, KEYNOTE-867, KEYLYNK-012 and KEYVIBE-006.
About KEYNOTE-671
KEYNOTE-671 is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03425643) evaluating neoadjuvant KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy, followed by adjuvant KEYTRUDA as a single agent versus placebo plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by adjuvant placebo in patients with resectable stage II, IIIA or IIIB (T3-4N2) NSCLC. The trial’s dual primary endpoints are EFS and OS. Key secondary endpoints include pCR and mPR. The study enrolled 786 patients who were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either:
- KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously [IV] every three weeks [Q3W] for up to four cycles) plus chemotherapy (cisplatin [75 mg/m^2, IV; given on Day 1 of each cycle] and either gemcitabine [1000 mg/m^2, IV; given on Days 1 and 8 of each cycle) or pemetrexed [500 mg/m^2, IV; given on Day 1 of each cycle]) as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery, followed by KEYTRUDA (200 mg IV Q3W for up to 13 cycles) as adjuvant therapy post-surgery, or;
- Placebo (saline IV Q3W for up to four cycles) plus chemotherapy (cisplatin [75 mg/m^2, IV; given on Day 1 of each cycle] and either gemcitabine [1000 mg/m^2, IV; given on Days 1 and 8 of each cycle] or pemetrexed [500 mg/m^2, IV; given on Day 1 of each cycle]) as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery, followed by placebo (saline IV Q3W for up to 13 cycles) as adjuvant therapy post-surgery.
About lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In 2020 alone, there were more than 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer globally. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 81% of all cases. In the U.S., the overall five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with lung cancer is 25%, which is a 21% improvement over the last five years. Improved survival rates are due, in part, to earlier detection and screening, reduction in smoking, advances in diagnostic and surgical procedures, as well as the introduction of new therapies. Early detection and screening remain an important unmet need, as 44% of lung cancer cases are not found until they are advanced. Only 5.8% of people in the U.S. who are eligible were screened for lung cancer in 2021.
About Merck’s research in lung cancer
Merck is advancing research aimed at transforming the way lung cancer is treated, with a goal of improving outcomes for patients affected by this deadly disease. Through nearly 200 clinical trials evaluating more than 36,000 patients around the world, Merck is at the forefront of lung cancer research. In NSCLC, KEYTRUDA has five approved U.S. indications (see indications below) and is approved for advanced disease in more than 95 countries. Among Merck’s research efforts are trials focused on evaluating KEYTRUDA in earlier stages of lung cancer as well as identifying new combinations and coformulations with KEYTRUDA.
About Merck’s early-stage cancer clinical program
Finding cancer at an earlier stage may give patients a greater chance of long-term survival. Many cancers are considered most treatable and potentially curable in their earliest stage of disease. Building on the strong understanding of the role of KEYTRUDA in later-stage cancers, Merck is studying KEYTRUDA in earlier disease states, with approximately 20 ongoing registrational studies across multiple types of cancer.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
See additional selected indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information
Pediatric Use
In KEYNOTE-051, 161 pediatric patients (62 pediatric patients aged 6 months to younger than 12 years and 99 pediatric patients aged 12 years to 17 years) were administered KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks. The median duration of exposure was 2.1 months (range: 1 day to 24 months).
Adverse reactions that occurred at a ≥10% higher rate in pediatric patients when compared to adults were pyrexia (33%), vomiting (30%), leukopenia (30%), upper respiratory tract infection (29%), neutropenia (26%), headache (25%), and Grade 3 anemia (17%).
Additional Indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About the Merck Access Program for KEYTRUDA
At Merck, we are committed to supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines. Merck provides multiple programs to help appropriate patients who are prescribed KEYTRUDA have access to our anti-PD-1 therapy. The Merck Access Program provides reimbursement support for patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including information to help with out-of-pocket costs and co-pay assistance for eligible patients. More information is available by calling 855-257-3932 or visiting https://www.merckaccessprogram-keytruda.com/.
About Merck’s Patient Support Program for KEYTRUDA
Merck is committed to helping provide patients and their caregivers support throughout their treatment with KEYTRUDA. The KEY+YOU Patient Support Program provides a range of resources and support. For further information and to sign up, eligible patients may call 85-KEYTRUDA (855- 398-7832) or visit www.keytruda.com.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck says Keytruda trial met main goal as perioperative therapy in lung cancer
Mar. 01, 2023 7:26 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced Wednesday that its blockbuster immunotherapy Keytruda reached one of the dual primary endpoints in a Phase 3 trial as perioperative therapy for certain lung cancer patients.
The trial named KEYNOTE-671 tested neoadjuvant KEYTRUDA (before surgery) plus chemotherapy, followed by adjuvant KEYTRUDA (after surgery) as a single agent against placebo plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by adjuvant placebo.
Opdivo (nivolumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy
Calquence (acalabrutinib)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Accepts Bristol Myers Squibb’s Supplemental Biologics License Application and European Medicines Agency Validates Application for Opdivo (nivolumab) ….
02/28/2023
CATEGORY:
The applications are based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -76K trial, in which Opdivo demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in recurrence-free survival
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has assigned a target action date of October 13, 2023
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Accepts Bristol Myers Squibb’s Supplemental Biologics License Application and European Medicines Agency Validates Application for Opdivo (nivolumab) as an Adjuvant Treatment for Patients with Completely Resected Stage IIB or IIC Melanoma
Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated the Type II Variation Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Opdivo® (nivolumab) as monotherapy in the adjuvant setting for the treatment of patients with completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma. In the U.S., the FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of October 13, 2023. In Europe, the EMA’s validation of the application confirms the submission is complete and begins the start of the EMA’s centralized review process.
“Melanoma can be a devastating diagnosis, and patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma tend to be at high risk of disease recurrence. Approximately one third of stage IIB and half of stage IIC patients experience recurrence within five years after surgery,” said Gina Fusaro, PhD, vice president, development program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “The data from the CheckMate -76K trial demonstrate the benefit that Opdivo can have for patients with this earlier stage of cancer. We look forward to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency to potentially offer a treatment option to patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma that could help prevent recurrence.”
The submissions were based on safety and efficacy results from the pivotal Phase 3 CheckMate -76K trial, in which Opdivo demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in recurrence-free survival (RFS) versus placebo in patients with completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma. The safety profile of Opdivo was consistent with previously reported studies.
Results from CheckMate -76K were presented as late-breaking data during a plenary session at the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) Annual Meeting in October 2022.
CheckMate -76K is part of BMS’ development program studying Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in earlier stages of cancer (adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and peri-operative), which currently spans seven tumor types. To date, Opdivo-based therapies have shown improved efficacy in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment of four tumor types: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), bladder cancer, esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer, and melanoma.
Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -76K trial.
About CheckMate -76K
CheckMate -76K is a randomized Phase 3, double-blind study evaluating adjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) 480 mg Q4W for up to 12 months versus placebo in patients with completely resected stage IIB/C melanoma.
The primary endpoint of the trial is recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary endpoints of the trial include overall survival (OS), distant metastases-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival on next-line therapy (PFS2), and safety endpoints.
About Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) located in the skin. Metastatic melanoma is the deadliest form of the disease and occurs when cancer spreads beyond the surface of the skin to other organs. In the United States, approximately 97,610 new diagnoses of melanoma and about 7,990 related deaths are estimated for 2023. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that by 2035, melanoma incidence will reach 424,102, with 94,308 related deaths. Melanomas can be mostly treatable when caught in very early stages; however, survival rates can decrease as the disease progresses.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan, and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Download:Download original 99 KB 1505 x 211
Download thumbnail 5 KB 200 x 28
Download lowres 15 KB 480 x 67
Download square 7 KB 250 x 250
Bristol Myers Opdivo for skin cancer gets review in US, EU
Feb. 28, 2023 8:08 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted to review Bristol Myers Squibb's (NYSE:BMY) supplemental biologics license application (sBLA) seeking approval of Opdivo (nivolumab) as monotherapy in the adjuvant setting to treat patients with completely resected stage 2B or 2C melanoma.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3941763-bristol-myers-opdivo-for-skin-cancer-gets-review-in-us-eu
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
- https://www.opdivo.com/
- https://www.bms.com/
Calquence (acalabrutinib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy
Calquence (acalabrutinib)
Calquence tablet formulation approved in the EU for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
PUBLISHED22 February 2023
22 February 2023 07:05 GMT
Tablet formulation can be co-administered with gastric acid-reducing agents
allowing greater patient and physician choice
Approval based on ELEVATE-PLUS trials which showed
bioequivalence and consistent dosing vs. current capsule
AstraZeneca’s tablet formulation of Calquence (acalabrutinib) has been approved in the European Union (EU) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
The approval by the European Commission follows the positive opinion of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use and is based on results from the ELEVATE-PLUS trials published in the American Society of Haematology journal, Blood.1
In the trials, results showed the Calquence capsule and tablet formulations are bioequivalent, indicating the same efficacy and safety profile can be expected when prescribed with the same dosing strength and schedule.1 The tablet can be taken with gastric acid-reducing agents, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), antacids and H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs).1 The majority of observed adverse events (AEs) in these studies were mild with no new safety concerns identified.1
Paolo Ghia, MD, Director, Strategic Research Program on CLL, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele in Milan, said: “Many patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia face multiple medical conditions that require daily treatment, including the use of acid-reducing agents for conditions such as gastro-oesophageal reflux. The tablet formulation allows for co-administration with these drugs, allowing more patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia to assume Calquence.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “The Calquence tablet formulation underscores our commitment to understanding the needs of the chronic lymphocytic leukaemia community and providing patient-oriented treatment solutions. Today’s approval offers physicians and patients in the EU more flexibility to determine the right treatment plan and enables more patients to potentially benefit from this medicine.”
Calquence is approved as a capsule formulation for CLL in the EU. It is also approved in the US as a capsule and tablet formulation for patients with CLL, small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Additionally, Calquence is approved as a capsule formulation in many other countries worldwide. Indications may vary by market.
Notes
CLL
CLL is the most prevalent type of leukaemia in adults, with over 100,000 new cases globally in 2019.2 Although some people with CLL may not experience any symptoms at diagnosis, others may experience symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue, weight loss, chills, fever, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes and abdominal pain.3
In CLL, there is an accumulation of abnormal lymphocytes within the bone marrow and in blood and lymph nodes. As the number of abnormal cells increases, there is less room within the marrow for the production of normal white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. This could result in anaemia, infection and bleeding.4 B-cell receptor signalling through BTK is one of the essential growth pathways for CLL.
ELEVATE-PLUS
ELEVATE-PLUS is comprised of three Phase I, open-label, single-dose, cross-over studies conducted in 116 healthy subjects. The trials established bioequivalence between acalabrutinib tablets (100mg) and acalabrutinib (100mg) capsules, evaluated the PPI effect of acalabrutinib tablets administered in the presence versus absence of PPI rabeprazole and investigated the effect of food by comparing acalabrutinib tablets administered with a high-fat diet versus fasted.1
Calquence
Calquence (acalabrutinib) is a next-generation, selective inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). Calquence binds covalently to BTK, thereby inhibiting its activity.5,6 In B cells, BTK signalling results in activation of pathways necessary for B-cell proliferation, trafficking, chemotaxis and adhesion.5
Calquence is available for prescribing in capsule and tablet formulations in the US and EU for the treatment of CLL. Capsules have restrictions in relation to use with gastric acid reducing agents.
Calquence capsules are approved for CLL in Japan, Canada, Australia and many other countries worldwide.
In the US and several other countries, Calquence capsules are also approved for the treatment of adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy. The US MCL indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. Calquence is not currently approved for the treatment of MCL in Europe or Japan.
As part of an extensive clinical development programme, AstraZeneca and Acerta Pharma are currently evaluating Calquence in more than 20 company-sponsored clinical trials. Calquence is being evaluated for the treatment of multiple B-cell blood cancers, including CLL, MCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia, follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma.
AstraZeneca in haematology
AstraZeneca is pushing the boundaries of science to redefine care in haematology. We have expanded our commitment to patients with haematologic conditions, not only in oncology but also in rare diseases with the acquisition of Alexion, allowing us to reach more patients with high unmet needs. By applying our deep understanding of blood cancers, leveraging our strength in solid tumour oncology and delivering on Alexion’s pioneering legacy in complement science to provide innovative medicines for rare diseases, we are pursuing the end-to-end development of novel therapies designed to target underlying drivers of disease.
By targeting haematologic conditions with high unmet medical needs, we aim to deliver innovative medicines and approaches to improve patient outcomes. Our goal is to help transform the lives of patients living with malignant, rare and other related haematologic diseases, shaped by insights from patients, caregivers and physicians to have the most meaningful impact.
AstraZeneca in Oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients. The Company’s focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca's blood cancer drug Calquence's tablet form gets approval in EU
Feb. 22, 2023 4:44 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The European Commission (EC) approved AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) tablet formulation of Calquence (acalabrutinib) to treat adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3938876-astrazenecas-blood-cancer-drug-calquences-tablet-form-gets-approval-in-eu
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
- https://www.calquence.com/
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
Imfinzi plus Imjudo approved in the EU for patients with advanced liver and non-small cell lung cancers
PUBLISHED22 February 2023
22 February 2023 07:00 GMT
Approvals based on significant survival benefits
in HIMALAYA and POSEIDON Phase III trials
AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab) immunotherapy combinations have been approved in the European Union (EU) for the treatment of advanced liver and lung cancers.
The approvals authorise Imfinzi in combination with Imjudo for the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and Imfinzi in combination with Imjudo and platinum-based chemotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic (Stage IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
The two approvals by the European Commission follow positive recommendations by The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency in December 2022 and are based on positive results from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine Evidence and the POSEIDON Phase III trial, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Bruno Sangro, MD, PhD, Director of the Liver Unit and Professor of Internal Medicine at Clínica Universidad de Navarra, and a lead investigator in the HIMALAYA Phase III trial, said: “This approval in Europe is welcome news for eligible patients with advanced liver cancer, who face a poor prognosis and are in need of well-tolerated treatments that can meaningfully extend overall survival. In HIMALAYA, an estimated 31% of patients treated with this novel combination of tremelimumab with durvalumab were alive at three years, while only 20% of patients treated with sorafenib were still alive at the same duration of follow-up.”
Solange Peters, MD, PhD, Head of the Medical Oncology Service and Chair of Thoracic Oncology at Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland, and principal investigator in the POSEIDON Phase III trial, said: “Patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer continue to need new therapies that can meaningfully extend survival, including for many patients whose disease does not respond to current therapies. The approval of tremelimumab added to durvalumab and chemotherapy means that patients in Europe with this devastating cancer now have a valuable new treatment approach with demonstrated long-term survival benefits.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers in Europe, and rates of liver cancer are rising steadily across the region. These approvals for Imfinzi and Imjudo bring critically needed, novel immunotherapy-based treatment regimens that will potentially deliver life-extending benefits for European patients with advanced liver and non-small cell lung cancers.”
Imjudo and Imfinzi approved in liver cancer
The approval for the treatment of HCC is based on results from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial, where the Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab (STRIDE) regimen, comprised of a single dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody Imjudo (300mg) combined with anti-PD-L1 antibody Imfinzi (1500mg dose) followed by Imfinzi every four weeks significantly reduced the risk of death by 22% versus sorafenib (hazard ratio [HR] 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.92; p=0.0035). Median overall survival (OS) was 16.4 months versus 13.8 for sorafenib. An estimated 31% of patients treated with the combination were still alive after three years with 20% of patients treated with sorafenib still alive at the same duration of follow-up.
The safety profile of the combination of Imjudo added to Imfinzi were consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, and no new safety signals were identified.
Liver cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.1,2 Approximately 87,000 Europeans were diagnosed with liver cancer in 2020, with 51% of patients at an advanced cancer stage at time of diagnosis. Rates of liver cancer continue to rise rapidly, with a 70% increase of liver cancer-related mortality in Europe from 1990-2019.3
Imfinzi and Imjudo approved in NSCLC
The approval for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC is based on results from the POSEIDON Phase III trial, which showed a limited course of five cycles of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody Imjudo added to Imfinzi plus four cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy significantly reduced the risk of death by 23% versus a range of chemotherapy options (HR 0.77; 95% CI, 0.65-0.92; p=0.00304). Median OS was 14.0 months versus 11.7 months for chemotherapy. An estimated 33% of patients were alive at two years versus 22% for chemotherapy. This treatment combination also reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 28% compared to chemotherapy alone (HR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60-0.86; p=0.00031) with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 6.2 months versus 4.8 months, respectively.
Updated results from the POSEIDON Phase III trial after approximately four years of follow-up presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2022 demonstrated sustained survival benefit, reducing the risk of death by 25% compared to chemotherapy alone (HR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.88). Updated median OS was 14 months for the combination versus 11.7 months for chemotherapy alone. An estimated 25% of patients treated with the combination were alive at three years versus 13.6% for those treated with chemotherapy alone.
The safety profile for Imjudo plus Imfinzi and chemotherapy was consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, and no new safety signals were identified.
Metastatic lung cancer is the most advanced form of lung cancer.4,5 Approximately 40% of people with NSCLC have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis.6 An estimated 5% of patients with metastatic NSCLC in Europe will survive five years after diagnosis.7-8
For the POSEIDON indication in the EU, Imjudo will be temporarily marketed under the name Tremelimumab AstraZeneca until the second half of 2023.
Notes
Liver cancer
About 75% of all primary liver cancers in adults are HCC.1 Between 80-90% of all patients with HCC also have cirrhosis.9 Chronic liver diseases are associated with inflammation that over time can lead to the development of HCC.9
More than half of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, often when symptoms first appear.10 A critical unmet need exists for patients with HCC who face limited treatment options.10 The unique immune environment of liver cancer provides clear rationale for investigating medications that harness the power of the immune system to treat HCC.10
Stage IV NSCLC
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death and is the second most common form of cancer globally, with more than two million patients diagnosed in 2020.11 Lung cancer is broadly split into NSCLC and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), with 80-85% classified as NSCLC. Within NSCLC, patients are classified as squamous, representing 25-30% of patients, or non-squamous, in approximately 70-75% of patients.4, 12-13
HIMALAYA
HIMALAYA is a randomised, open-label, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi monotherapy and a regimen comprising a single priming dose of Imjudo 300mg added to Imfinzi 1500mg followed by Imfinzi every four weeks versus sorafenib, a standard-of-care multi-kinase inhibitor.
The trial included a total of 1,324 randomised patients with unresectable, advanced HCC who had not been treated with prior systemic therapy and were not eligible for locoregional therapy (treatment localised to the liver and surrounding tissue).
The trial was conducted in 181 centres across 16 countries, including in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. The primary endpoint was OS for the combination versus sorafenib and key secondary endpoints included OS for Imfinzi versus sorafenib, objective response rate and PFS for the combination and for Imfinzi alone.
POSEIDON
POSEIDON is a randomised, open-label, multi-centre, global, Phase III trial of Imfinzi plus platinum-based chemotherapy or Imfinzi, tremelimumab and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in the 1st-line treatment of 1,013 patients with metastatic NSCLC. The trial population included patients with either non-squamous or squamous disease and the full range of PD-L1 expression levels. POSEIDON excluded patients with certain epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusions.
In the experimental arms, patients were treated with a flat dose of either Imfinzi (1,500mg) or Imfinzi plus Imjudo (75mg) with up to four cycles of chemotherapy every three weeks before either Imfinzi maintenance once every four weeks or Imfinzi and a fifth dose of Imjudo given at week 16. In comparison, the control arm allowed up to six cycles of chemotherapy. Pemetrexed maintenance treatment was allowed in all arms in patients with non-squamous disease if given during the induction phase. Nearly all patients with non-squamous disease (95.5%) had pemetrexed and platinum, while the majority of patients with squamous disease receiving chemotherapy (88.3%) received gemcitabine and platinum.
Primary endpoints included PFS and OS for the Imfinzi plus chemotherapy arm. Key secondary endpoints included PFS and OS in the Imfinzi plus Imjudo and chemotherapy arm. As PFS endpoints were met for both experimental arms, the prespecified statistical analysis plan allowed for testing OS in the Imfinzi plus Imjudo and chemotherapy arm. The OS trend observed in the Imfinzi plus chemotherapy arm did not achieve statistical significance. The trial was conducted in more than 150 centres across 18 countries, including the US, Europe, South America, Asia and South Africa.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III NSCLC in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiotherapy and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage SCLC based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. In an exploratory analysis in 2021, updated results from the CASPIAN trial showed Imfinzi plus chemotherapy tripled patient survival at three years versus chemotherapy alone.
Imfinzi is also approved in combination with Imjudo and chemotherapy in metastatic NSCLC in the US, EU and Japan; in combination with chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC) in the US, EU, Japan and several other countries; in combination with Imjudo in unresectable HCC in the US, EU and Japan; as monotherapy in unresectable HCC in Japan; and in previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours.
Imjudo
Imjudo (tremelimumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Imjudo blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T-cell activation, priming the immune response to cancer and fostering cancer cell death.
In addition to its approved indications in liver and lung cancers, Imjudo is being tested in combination with Imfinzi across multiple tumour types including locoregional HCC (EMERALD-3 trial), SCLC (ADRIATIC trial) and bladder cancer (VOLGA and NILE trials).
AstraZeneca in GI cancers
AstraZeneca has a broad development programme for the treatment of GI cancers across several medicines and a variety of tumour types and stages of disease. In 2020, GI cancers collectively represented approximately 5.1 million new cancer cases leading to approximately 3.6 million deaths.14
Within this programme, the Company is committed to improving outcomes in gastric, liver, biliary tract, oesophageal, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
In addition to its approved indications in biliary tract and liver cancers, Imfinzi is being assessed in combinations, including with Imjudo, in liver, oesophageal and gastric cancers in an extensive development programme spanning early to late-stage disease across settings.
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate, is approved in the US, EU and several other countries for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer and is being assessed in colorectal cancer. Enhertu is jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
Lynparza (olaparib), a first-in-class PARP inhibitor, is approved in the US, EU and several other countries for the treatment of BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. Lynparza is developed and commercialised in collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. inside the US and Canada).
AstraZeneca in lung cancer
AstraZeneca is working to bring patients with lung cancer closer to cure through the detection and treatment of early-stage disease, while also pushing the boundaries of science to improve outcomes in the resistant and advanced settings. By defining new therapeutic targets and investigating innovative approaches, the Company aims to match medicines to the patients who can benefit most.
The Company's comprehensive portfolio includes leading lung cancer medicines and the next wave of innovations, including Tagrisso (osimertinib) and Iressa (gefitinib); Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab); Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) and datopotamab deruxtecan in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo; Orpathys (savolitinib) in collaboration with HUTCHMED; as well as a pipeline of potential new medicines and combinations across diverse mechanisms of action.
AstraZeneca is a founding member of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition working to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful improvements for people with lung cancer, including and beyond treatment.
AstraZeneca in immuno-oncology (IO)
AstraZeneca is a pioneer in introducing the concept of immunotherapy into dedicated clinical areas of high unmet medical need. The Company has a comprehensive and diverse IO portfolio and pipeline anchored in immunotherapies designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response and stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours.
AstraZeneca aims to reimagine cancer care and help transform outcomes for patients with Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with Imjudo as well as other novel immunotherapies and modalities. The Company is also exploring next-generation immunotherapies like bispecific antibodies and therapeutics that harness different aspects of immunity to target cancer.
AstraZeneca is boldly pursuing an innovative clinical strategy to bring IO-based therapies that deliver long-term survival to new settings across a wide range of cancer types. With an extensive clinical programme, the Company also champions the use of IO treatment in earlier disease stages, where there is the greatest potential for cure.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca Imfinzi, Imjudo combo gets approval in EU to treat liver, lung cancers
Feb. 22, 2023 4:27 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The European Commission approved AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Imfinzi and Imjudo immunotherapy combinations to treat advanced liver and lung cancers.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3938875-astrazeneca-imfinzi-imjudo-combo-gets-approval-in-eu-to-treat-liver-lung-cancers
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
- https://www.imfinzi.com/
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
February 17, 2023
Trodelvy® Demonstrates Positive Efficacy Treating Both Platinum-Ineligible and Rapidly Progressing, Post-Platinum Metastatic Urothelial Cancer
– Oral Presentati on Highlights Trodelvy Efficacy of 13.5 Months Overall Survival in Pati ents with Platinum-Ineligible Metastatic UC After Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy –
– Trodelvy Demonstrated 12.8 Months Overall Survival in Pa tients with Metastatic UC Whose Disease Progressed Rapidly Following Platinum-Based Chemotherapy –
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced new and updated positive results from three cohorts of the Phase 2 TROPHY-U-01 study of Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) for the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). These data demonstrate that Trodelvy produced both rapid and durable responses for patients across a range of hard-to-treat types of mUC including platinum-ineligible and rapidly progressing, post-platinum mUC. These findings will be featured in both an oral session (abstract #520) and in poster presentations (abstract #518, #526) during the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO-GU) Annual Meeting February 16-18.
“The TROPHY-U-01 data show consistent benefit of Trodelvy across multiple types of metastatic urothelial cancer, including the most difficult-to-treat and, often times, frail patients where treatment options are still scarce,” said Bill Grossman, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. “Trodelvy has the potential to become a cornerstone treatment in metastatic urothelial cancer, and we are excited about the expected results from the ongoing Phase 3 TROPiCS-04 study that may serve to convert our U.S. accelerated approval to full approval for Trodelvy to treat patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer following a platinum-containing chemotherapy and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor.”
Longer-term follow-up across Cohorts 1, 2, and 3 of TROPHY-U-01 provides an increasing body of evidence supporting the potential benefit of treating mUC with Trodelvy across clinically relevant, hard-to-treat patient populations.
In April 2021, the U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval of Trodelvy for use in adult patients with locally advanced or mUC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor. This approval is based on ORR and DOR established in Cohort 1.
Trodelvy has not been approved by any regulatory agency for the treatment of platinum-ineligible patients with mUC who progressed after prior CPI therapy, or in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with mUC who progressed after platinum-based therapy. Its safety and efficacy have not been established for these indications.
Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About Metastatic Urothelial Cancer
Urothelial Cancer (UC) is the most common type of bladder cancer and occurs when the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract grow unusually or uncontrollably. An estimated 83,000 Americans will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 20231, and almost 90% of those diagnoses will be UC2. In total, 30% of cases are considered advanced or metastatic disease.3 Despite advancements in treating mUC, long-term survival remains low.
About the TROPHY U-01 Study
The Phase 2 TROPHY-U-01 trial is an ongoing, international, multi-center, open-label, multi-cohort, single-arm study evaluating Trodelvy monotherapy or combination therapy in patients with mUC after progression on a platinum-based regimen and anti-PD-1/PD-L1-based immunotherapy.
Cohort 1 is assessing Trodelvy after progression on platinum-based chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy. Cohorts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the study are ongoing. Cohort 2 is assessing Trodelvy monotherapy in platinum-ineligible patients after progression on anti-PD-1/PD-L1-based immunotherapy. Cohort 3 is assessing Trodelvy in patients with rapidly progressing, mUC who progressed after platinum-based therapy. Cohorts 4 and 5 are assessing Trodelvy combination therapy in patients with treatment naive mUC, with those in Cohort 4 receiving cisplatin and those in Cohort 5 receiving cisplatin and avelumab, respectively, in addition to Trodelvy.
More information about TROPHY is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03547973.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in more than 40 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. to treat certain patients with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer and has an accelerated approval for treatment of certain patients with second-line metastatic urothelial cancer; see below for full indication statements.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC, HR+/HER2- and mUC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:
- Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting.
- Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
Please see full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNING.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead updates Phase 2 data for bladder cancer therapy Trodelvy
Feb. 17, 2023 9:44 AM ET
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)MRK
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Announcing updated data from its Phase 2 TROPHY-U-01 study, Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) said Friday that its antibody-drug conjugate Trodelvy showed efficacy across new indications in bladder cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3937727-gilead-updates-phase-2-data-for-bladder-cancer-therapy-trodelvy
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
- https://www.gilead.com/
Opdivo (nivolumab)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Adjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) Continues to Provide Significant, Durable Clinical Benefits for Patients with Radically Resected, High-Risk Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma After Three Years in CheckMate -274 Trial
02/17/2023 CATEGORY:
Three-year median follow-up data demonstrate significantly improved disease-free survival, non-urothelial tract recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival and second progression-free survival with adjuvant Opdivo compared to placebo
Randomized patients who received Opdivo after radical surgery remained disease-free more than twice as long vs. placebo; patients whose tumor cells express PD-L1 ≥1% remained disease-free more than six times as long vs. placebo
Updated results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -274 trial will be presented in a late-breaking oral presentation at ASCO GU 2023
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced three-year follow-up results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -274 trial, demonstrating significant sustained clinical benefits with Opdivo (nivolumab) for the adjuvant treatment of patients with surgically resected, high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma. With a median follow-up of 36.1 months (31.6 months minimum), adjuvant Opdivo continued to show improved disease-free survival (DFS), non-urothelial tract recurrence-free survival (NUTRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and second progression-free survival (PFS2) compared to placebo across all-randomized patients and in patients whose tumor cells express PD-L1 ≥1%. These updated results will be featured in a late-breaking oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2023 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium from February 16-18, 2023.
“Patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma face a high chance of recurrence due to micrometastatic disease, especially within the first three years after surgical removal of the bladder or kidney. The three-year results from CheckMate -274 show a stable decrease in the risk of disease with adjuvant nivolumab with longer follow-up,” said Matthew D. Galsky,* M.D., Professor of Medicine, Director of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Associate Director for Translational Research, and Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for Bladder Cancer at The Tisch Cancer Institute and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Nivolumab remains the only immunotherapy, as well as the only medical treatment in general, to decrease the risk of urothelial cancer recurrence after radical surgery in patients who received chemotherapy prior to surgery or who are ineligible for chemotherapy. The results of this trial have changed the way that urothelial cancer is treated.”
With three years of follow-up in the CheckMate -274 trial:
- DFS (primary endpoint): Across all randomized patients, Opdivo more than doubled the average length of time patients lived without disease recurrence, demonstrating a median disease-free survival of 22.0 months compared to 10.9 months with placebo, a risk reduction of 29% (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.71, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.58 to 0.86). The risk reduction remained consistent with that observed at the primary analysis, with only a 1% change with an additional 25.7 months of minimum follow-up (a risk reduction of 30% was observed with 5.9 months minimum follow-up at the primary analysis; HR 0.70). In patients whose tumor cells express PD-L1 ≥1%, Opdivo extended the average length of time patients lived without disease recurrence more than six times compared to placebo, with median DFS of 52.6 months vs. 8.4 months with placebo (HR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.72), a 48% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death.
- NUTRFS (secondary endpoint): In all randomized patients, those treated with Opdivo showed a median NUTRFS, defined as the time that patients lived without disease recurrence outside of the bladder, ureters or renal pelvis, of 25.9 months compared to 13.7 months for placebo (HR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.88). In patients whose tumor cells express PD-L1 ≥1%, median NUTRFS was 52.6 months with Opdivo vs. 8.4 months with placebo (HR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.74).
- DMFS (exploratory endpoint): Across all randomized patients, median DMFS, defined as the time that patients live without cancer spreading from the primary tumor to distant organs or lymph nodes, was 47.1 months with Opdivo vs. 28.7 months with placebo (HR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.92). Among patients whose tumor cells express PD-L1 ≥1%, median DMFS was not reached with Opdivo, compared to 20.7 months with placebo (HR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.84).
- PFS2 (exploratory endpoint): Median PFS2, defined as the time from randomization to disease progression after subsequent next-line systemic therapy, start of second subsequent next-line systemic therapy, or death, was 61.2 months for all-randomized patients treated with Opdivo compared to 47.1 months with placebo (HR 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.98). In patients whose tumor cells express PD-L1 ≥1%, median PFS2 was not reached with Opdivo vs. 39.4 months with placebo (HR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.79).
- Safety: Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 18.2% and 7.2% of patients in the Opdivo and placebo arms, respectively, consistent with the primary analysis.
“We strive to provide hope for patients by offering safe and effective options that may help prevent recurrence and improve long-term outcomes. This is why earlier stages of cancer is an important research area for Bristol Myers Squibb across multiple tumor types, including hard-to-treat cancers with high unmet needs like urothelial carcinoma,” said Dana Walker, M.D., M.S.C.E., vice president, development program lead, genitourinary cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. “The durable follow-up results from CheckMate -274 continue to fuel our excitement toward our ongoing research in earlier stages and its potential to change outcomes for patients. We look forward to closely following the CheckMate -274 trial, which is ongoing to assess additional key secondary endpoints, including overall survival to which we currently remain blinded.”
Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -274 clinical trial.
About CheckMate -274
CheckMate -274 is a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, multi-center study evaluating Opdivo compared to placebo in patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma at a high risk of recurrence after radical resection. A total of 709 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive Opdivo 240 mg or placebo every two weeks for up to one year. The primary endpoints of the trial are disease-free survival (DFS) in all randomized patients (i.e., the intention-to-treat population) and in the subset of patients whose tumor cells express PD-L1 ≥1%. Key secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), non-urothelial tract recurrence-free survival (NUTRFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Key exploratory endpoints include distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), quality of life (QoL) and second progression-free survival (PFS2).
About Urothelial Carcinoma
Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the world, with more than 573,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Urothelial carcinoma, which most frequently begins in the cells that line the inside of the bladder, accounts for approximately 90% of bladder cancer cases. In addition to the bladder, urothelial carcinoma can occur in other parts of the urinary tract, including the ureters and renal pelvis. The majority of urothelial carcinomas are diagnosed at an early stage, but rates of recurrence and disease progression are high. Approximately 50% of patients who undergo radical surgery will experience disease recurrence, especially within the first three years after surgical removal of the bladder or kidney. For patients whose disease recurs as metastatic cancer, the prognosis is poor, with a median overall survival of approximately 12 to 14 months when treated with systemic therapy.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In September 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
For more information, please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for OPDIVO,
and U.S. Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for YERVOY, or talk to your healthcare team.
Information provided on this website is not a substitute for talking with your healthcare professional.
Your healthcare professional is the best source of information about your disease.
All individuals depicted are models used for illustrative purposes only.
Bristol's Opdivo improves disease-free survival in urothelial carcinoma over long term
Feb. 17, 2023 11:01 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- Three-year follow-up data examining Bristol-Myers Squibb's (NYSE:BMY) Opdivo (nivolumab) as an adjunct therapy for urothelial carcinoma showed several durable benefits compared to placebo in a phase 3 trial.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3937750-bristol-opdivo-improves-disease-free-survival-in-urothelial-carcinoma-over-long-term
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) Shows Durable Survival with Over Three Years of Follow-Up in the CheckMate -9ER Trial in First-Line Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
02/13/2023 CATEGORY: Corporate/Financial News
Data to be featured at ASCO GU 2023 demonstrate continued overall survival, progression-free survival and objective response rate benefits with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX compared to sunitinib, regardless of IMDC risk score
These three-year data – with a median follow-up of 44 months – from CheckMate -9ER represent the longest reported follow-up in any Phase 3 trial with an immunotherapy-tyrosine kinase inhibitor regimen in this population
In an exploratory biomarker analysis, median progression-free survival and overall survival were improved with the combination of Opdivo and CABOMETYX regardless of PD-L1 status
PRINCETON, N.J. & ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) today announced three-year (36.5 months minimum; 44.0 months median) follow-up results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -9ER trial, demonstrating sustained survival and response rate benefits with the combination of Opdivo® (nivolumab) and CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) versus sunitinib in the first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Additionally, a biomarker analysis showed that improvements in median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were sustained with the combination of Opdivo and CABOMETYX regardless of PD-L1 status. These updated results will be featured in one oral and one poster presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2023 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium from February 16-18, 2023.
“Despite the progress made through science and medicine, there remains a need for treatment options that can durably extend survival for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, especially for those classified as higher risk,” said Mauricio Burotto, M.D., medical director, Bradford Hill Clinical Research Center, Santiago, Chile. “With these updated results from CheckMate -9ER, we’ve now seen nivolumab in combination with cabozantinib durably extend survival and sustain response benefits compared to sunitinib for over three years, regardless of patients’ risk classification. These results reinforce the importance of this immunotherapy-tyrosine kinase inhibitor regimen for patients and its potential to help change survival expectations for patients with this challenging cancer.”
Abstract #603: Nivolumab plus cabozantinib vs sunitinib for first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC): 3-year follow-up from the phase 3 CheckMate -9ER trial (Burotto, et. al.)
With a median follow-up of 44.0 months (36.5 months minimum), Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX (n=323) continued to show superior OS, PFS, objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR) and complete response (CR) rates versus sunitinib (n=328). No new safety signals were seen with extended follow-up. Within the full study population:
- OS: Treatment with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX continued to show a 30% reduction in the risk of death (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.70; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.56 to 0.87), and improvement in median OS vs. sunitinib (49.5 months vs. 35.5 months, respectively). Additionally, median OS improved by 11.8 months since the previous data cut at 32.9 months median follow-up.
- PFS: PFS benefits were sustained, with the combination continuing to double median PFS vs. sunitinib (16.6 months vs. 8.4 months, respectively; HR 0.58; 95% CI: 0.48 to 0.71).
- ORR and DoR: ORR benefits were maintained, with nearly twice as many patients responding to Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYXvs. sunitinib (55.7% vs. 28.4%). Responses also continued to be more durable with the combination, with a median DoR of 23.1 months compared to 15.2 months with sunitinib.
- CR: CR rates were also sustained, with 12.4% of those treated with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX having a CR vs. 5.2% of those treated with sunitinib.
- Safety: 97% of patients treated with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX experienced a treatment-related adverse event (TRAE) of any grade compared to 93% of patients treated with sunitinib; 67% vs. 55% had a grade ≥3 TRAE, respectively.
Results were also assessed by the following International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) risk scores: favorable, intermediate, intermediate/poor and poor. Benefits were seen with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX across all efficacy measures (OS, PFS, ORR and CR), regardless of IMDC risk.
Abstract #608: Biomarker analysis from the phase 3 CheckMate 9ER trial of nivolumab + cabozantinib v sunitinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) (Choueiri, et. al.)
In an exploratory post-hoc analysis from CheckMate -9ER with 44.0 months median follow-up, improvements were observed in both median PFS and OS with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX regardless of PD-L1 status. PFS and OS were evaluated by tumor PD-L1 expression (<1% or ≥1%), CD8% (low, medium, high by tertiles), and CD8 topology phenotype (cold, excluded, inflamed), and assessed for association using Kaplan-Meier (KM) methods with log-rank test (PD-L1 and CD8), and Cox proportional hazard (Cox PH) models (CD8). Biomarkers previously found to be predictive of anti-PD-L1 + anti-VEGF outcomes, including established gene expression signatures, were not necessarily predictive of efficacy with anti-PD-1 + anti-VEGF targeted therapy, suggesting that key determinants of response to anti-PD-1 vs. anti-PD-L1 therapies may differ.
“We have a strong heritage of bringing immunotherapy-based combinations to patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and transforming patient outcomes with Opdivo-based combinations across several cancer types,” said Dana Walker, M.D., M.S.C.E., vice president, development program lead, genitourinary cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. “The updated data from CheckMate -9ER further reinforce the use of Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. We remain committed to collaboration across the scientific community and our ongoing exploration of combination approaches with our proven cancer agents in the pursuit of solutions that may help improve long-term outcomes for as many patients as possible.”
“With forty-four months median follow-up, the compelling survival benefit further reinforces the value of the CABOMETYX and Opdivo combination regimen as a first-line option for patients with advanced kidney cancer,” said Vicki L. Goodman, M.D., Executive Vice President, Product Development & Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, Exelixis. “We are pleased to share these long-term findings at ASCO GU and remain steadfast in our longstanding commitment to improving outcomes for patients living with advanced kidney cancer.”
Bristol Myers Squibb and Exelixis thank the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -9ER clinical trial.
About CheckMate -9ER
CheckMate -9ER is an open-label, randomized, multi-national Phase 3 trial evaluating patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A total of 651 patients (23% favorable risk, 58% intermediate risk, 20% poor risk; 25% PD-L1≥1%) were randomized to receive Opdivo plus CABOMETYX (n=323) vs. sunitinib (n=328). The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). The primary efficacy analysis is comparing the doublet combination vs. sunitinib in all randomized patients. The trial is sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Co. and co-funded by Exelixis, Inc., Ipsen Pharma SAS and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.
About Renal Cell Carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for more than 431,000 new cases and 179,000 deaths worldwide each year. RCC is approximately twice as common in men as in women, with the highest rates of the disease in North America and Europe. At diagnosis, up to 30% of patients present with advanced or metastatic RCC.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In September 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
OPDIVO INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
About CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
In the U.S., CABOMETYX tablets are approved for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC); for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who have been previously treated with sorafenib; for patients with advanced RCC as a first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab; and for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer that has progressed following prior VEGFR-targeted therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory or ineligible. CABOMETYX tablets have also received regulatory approvals in the European Union and additional countries and regions worldwide. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen exclusive rights for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the U.S. and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis granted exclusive rights to Takeda for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan. Exelixis holds the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize cabozantinib in the U.S.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information https://www.cabometyx.com/downloads/CABOMETYXUSPI.pdf
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
About Exelixis
Exelixis is a globally ambitious oncology company innovating next-generation medicines and regimens at the forefront of cancer care. Powered by bi-coastal centers of discovery and development excellence, we are rapidly evolving our product portfolio to target an expanding range of tumor types and indications with our clinically differentiated pipeline of small molecules, antibody-drug conjugates and other biotherapeutics. This comprehensive approach harnesses decades of robust investment in our science and partnerships to advance our investigational programs and extend the impact of our flagship commercial product, CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib). Exelixis is driven by a bold scientific pursuit to create transformational treatments that give more patients hope for the future. For information about the company and its mission to help cancer patients recover stronger and live longer, visit www.exelixis.com, follow @ExelixisInc on Twitter, like Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook and follow Exelixis on LinkedIn.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb and Exelixis, Inc.
Bristol Myers Opdivo, Exelixis/Ipsen's Cabometyx combo shows survival benefit in kidney cancer in 3 year data
Feb. 14, 2023 5:59 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY), EXELPFE, IPSEF, IPSEY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor2 Comments
Three year data from a phase 3 trial showed sustained survival and response rate benefits with Bristol Myers Squibb's (NYSE:BMY) Opdivo and Exelixis and Ipsen's (OTCPK:IPSEY) (OTCPK:IPSEF) Cabometyx compared to Pfizer's (PFE) Sutent (sunitinib) as first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) (known as Farxiga in the US)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) (known as Farxiga in the US)
Forxiga approved in the EU for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure
PUBLISHED7 February 2023
7 February 2023 07:00 GMT
First and only heart failure therapy with proven mortality benefit
across the full ejection fraction range
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) has been approved in the European Union to extend the indication for heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) to cover patients across the full spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), including HF with mildly reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF, HFpEF).
The approval by the European Commission follows the positive opinion of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use in December 2022 and was based on the positive results from the DELIVER Phase III trial1. Results from the prespecified pooled analysis of DELIVER and DAPA-HF Phase III trials also established Forxiga as the first HF medication to demonstrate mortality benefit across the full ejection fraction range2.
Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “This broader indication for Forxiga for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure across the full ejection fraction range will help more patients to benefit from this well-tolerated and guideline-directed treatment. We are redefining treatment of cardiorenal diseases with Forxiga’s demonstration of life-saving benefits, underscoring AstraZeneca’s commitment to provide innovative solutions that can help address the complexities of heart failure across the spectrum of the disease.”
HF is a chronic, long-term condition that worsens over time3 and affects about 15 million people in Europe4. Approximately half of HF patients die within five years of diagnosis5 and patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF are not only at greater risk of death and hospitalisations but experience an especially high burden of symptoms and physical limitations, and a poor quality of life6.
HFmrEF and HFpEF are also severely underdiagnosed as signs and symptoms are often nonspecific and overlapping with other clinical conditions7. These conditions are frequently complicated by multiple interrelated diseases, specifically coronary heart disease, obesity, diabetes, long-standing hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), highlighting the importance of risk management for patients with this complex syndrome7.
Forxiga (known as Farxiga in the US) is approved for the treatment of patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D), HFrEF and CKD in more than 100 countries around the world including the US, the EU, China and Japan. It has most recently received regulatory approvals in Great Britain, Japan and Turkey to extend the HF indication to include patients across the full spectrum of LVEF. The HF indication extension application is currently under review in the US and other countries.
Notes
HF
HF is a chronic, long-term condition that worsens over time3. It affects nearly 64 million people globally8 and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality5. Chronic HF is the leading cause of hospitalisation for those over the age of 65 and represents a significant clinical and economic burden9. There are several types of HF often defined by LVEF, a measurement of the percentage of blood leaving the heart each time it contracts, including: HFrEF (LVEF less than or equal to 40%), HFmrEF (LVEF 41-49%) and HFpEF (LVEF greater than or equal to 50%)7. Approximately half of all HF patients have HFmrEF or HFpEF, with few therapeutic options available7,10.
DAPA-HF
DAPA-HF (Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse-outcomes in Heart Failure) was an international, multi-centre, parallel-group, randomised, double-blinded Phase III trial in 4,744 patients with HFrEF, with and without T2D), designed to evaluate the effect of Forxiga 10mg, compared with placebo, given once daily in addition to standard of care (SoC). The primary composite endpoint was time to the first occurrence of a worsening HF event (hospitalisation or equivalent event, i.e. an urgent HF visit), or cardiovascular (CV) death. The median duration of follow-up was 18.2 months. Key secondary endpoints included the total number of hospitalisations for HF (hHF) (including repeat admissions) and CV deaths, change from baseline to 8 months in the total symptom score on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ)11.
DELIVER
DELIVER was an international, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, event-driven Phase III trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of Forxiga, compared with placebo, in the treatment of HF patients with LVEF greater than 40%, with or without T2D. Forxiga was given once daily in addition to background therapy (regional SoC for all comorbidities, including diabetes and hypertension, with the exception of concomitant use of SGLT2 inhibitor)12. DELIVER is the largest clinical trial to date in HF patients with LVEF above 40%, with 6,263 randomised patients12.
The primary composite endpoint was the time to first occurrence of CV death, hHF or an urgent HF visit. Key secondary endpoints include the total number of HF events (hHF or urgent HF visit) and CV death, change from baseline in the total symptom score of the KCCQ at eight months, time to the occurrence of CV death and time to the occurrence of death from any cause12.
Forxiga
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) is a first-in-class, oral, once-daily SGLT2 inhibitor. Research has shown Forxiga’s efficacy in preventing and delaying cardiorenal disease, while also protecting the organs – important findings given the underlying links between the heart, kidneys and pancreas11,13,14. Damage to one of these organs can cause the other organs to fail, contributing to leading causes of death worldwide, including T2D, HF and CKD8,15-17.
Forxiga is approved in adults and children aged 10 years and above for the treatment of insufficiently controlled T2D mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise. Forxiga is also approved for the treatment of HFrEF in adults and the treatment of CKD in adults based on the findings of the DAPA-HF and DAPA-CKD Phase III trials.
AstraZeneca in CVRM
Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), part of BioPharmaceuticals, forms one of AstraZeneca’s main disease areas and is a key growth driver for the Company. By following the science to understand more clearly the underlying links between the heart, kidneys and pancreas, AstraZeneca is investing in a portfolio of medicines for organ protection and improving outcomes by slowing disease progression, reducing risks and tackling co-morbidities. The Company’s ambition is to modify or halt the natural course of CVRM diseases and potentially regenerate organs and restore function, by continuing to deliver transformative science that improves treatment practices and CV health for millions of patients worldwide.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca Forxiga approved for expanded use in EU for chronic heart failure
Feb. 07, 2023 4:25 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
The European Commission (EC) approved AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) Forxiga for expanded use to treat heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) to cover patients across the full spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), including HF with mildly reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF, HFpEF).
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) (known as Farxiga in the US)
February 03, 2023
U.S. FDA Approves Trodelvy® in Pre-treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
-- First Trop-2 Directed ADC to Demonstrate Overall Survival Benefit in HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients who had Received Prior Endocrine-based Therapy and at Least Two Chemotherapies --
-- Trodelvy has Now Improved Survival in both Pre-Treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer and in Second-Line Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting. The approval is based on statistically significant and clinically meaningful progression-free survival and overall survival data from the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study. Trodelvy is now also recommended as a Category 1, preferred treatment for metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) as defined in the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®)i.
(Graphic: Business Wire)
“Despite decades of advances, people living with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer need new treatment options. Nearly all people with this type of breast cancer will eventually develop resistance to endocrine-based therapies and progress on available chemotherapies,” said Hope S. Rugo, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director, Breast Oncology and Clinical Trials Education at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, U.S. and principal investigator of the TROPiCS-02 study. “This approval is significant for the breast cancer community. We have had limited options to offer patients after endocrine-based therapy and chemotherapy, and to see a clinically meaningful survival benefit of more than three months with a quality of life benefit for these women is exceptional.”
In the TROPiCS-02 study, Trodelvy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) benefit of 3.2 months versus comparator single-agent chemotherapy (treatment of physician’s choice; TPC) (median OS: 14.4 months vs. 11.2 months; hazard ratio [HR]=0.79; 95% CI: 0.65-0.96; p=0.02). Trodelvy also demonstrated a 34% reduction in risk of disease progression or death (median PFS: 5.5 versus 4.0 months; HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.53-0.83; p=0.0003). Three times as many people treated with Trodelvy were progression free at one year versus those treated with chemotherapy (21% versus 7%). In a post-hoc analysis, data demonstrated Trodelvy’s efficacy across HER2-low and IHC0 status in pre-treated metastatic breast cancer patients in the TROPiCS-02 trial.
Trodelvy also significantly improved additional secondary endpoint measures, including objective response rate and time to deterioration (TTD) assessed by the Global Health Status/Quality of Life and Fatigue scale per EORTC-QLQ-C30. No statistically significant difference in TTD in Pain Scale was observed.
“The FDA approval is an important step forward for both women and men living with metastatic breast cancer, especially for those individuals whose tumor is no longer responding to endocrine-based therapies and who are facing a poor prognosis,” said Laura Carfang, Executive Director, SurvivingBreastCancer.org. “We need to combat this terrible disease, and all options that potentially slow its progress and extend life for those living with metastatic breast cancer are welcomed.”
“We are pleased that Trodelvy could now provide new hope for people living with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, building on the transformative role that Trodelvy is already playing for people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer,” said Daniel O'Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gilead Sciences. “We thank the physicians, patients and their families who put their trust in the TROPiCS-02 study and helped make this milestone possible.”
The safety profile for Trodelvy was consistent with prior studies, with no new safety signals identified in this patient population. In TROPiCS-02 the most frequent serious adverse reactions (>1%) were diarrhea (5%), febrile neutropenia (4%), neutropenia (3%), abdominal pain, colitis, neutropenic colitis, pneumonia, and vomiting (each 2%). The most common Grade 3-4 lab abnormalities (incidence ≥25%) in the TROPiCS-02 study were reduced neutrophils and leukocytes. No patients treated with Trodelvy experienced interstitial lung disease.
This review by the FDA was conducted under Project Orbis and granted Priority Review.
The European Medicines Agency has also validated a Type II Variation Marketing Authorization Application for Trodelvy in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.
Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About the TROPiCS-02 Study
The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitor and two to four lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, clinical benefit rate and duration of response, as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. In the study, HER2 negativity was defined per American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria as immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridization (ISH) test. More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901339.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in more than 40 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. to treat certain patients with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer and has an accelerated approval for treatment of certain patients with second-line metastatic urothelial cancer; see below for full indication statements.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC, HR+/HER2- and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:
- Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting.
- Locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
- Please see full Prescribing Information
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. Prescribing Information for Trodelvy including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.gilead.com .
Trodelvy, Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
Gilead wins FDA nod for Trodelvy in new breast cancer indication
Feb. 03, 2023 10:56 AM ET
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)AZN, DSKYF, DSNKY
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) announced Friday that the FDA approved its antibody-drug conjugate Trodelvy as a late-line option for certain adult patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3931880-gilead-wins-fda-nod-trodelvy-new-breast-cancer-indication
BIOTECNOVA™
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy Met Primary Endpoint of Progression-Free Survival (PFS) as First-Line Therapy for Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Carcinoma
February 3, 2023 6:45 am ET
KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy significantly improved PFS versus standard of care chemotherapy alone as first-line treatment for patients with stage III-IV or recurrent endometrial carcinoma regardless of mismatch repair status
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the Phase 3 NRG-GY018 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with standard of care chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) for the treatment of patients with stage III-IV or recurrent endometrial carcinoma regardless of mismatch repair status. At a pre-specified interim analysis review conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy then continued as single agent every six weeks for up to 14 cycles demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared with chemotherapy alone in these patients whose endometrial carcinoma was either mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR).
The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and discussed with regulatory authorities.
“Patients with advanced stage or recurrent endometrial cancer, the most common type of gynecologic cancer in the U.S., face a poor prognosis with limited treatment options. This is particularly notable in patients who progress after prior platinum-based adjuvant therapy with disease not amenable to curative surgery or radiation,” said Dr. Ramez Eskander, principal investigator and gynecologic oncologist, University of California, San Diego. “In this study, pembrolizumab in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel resulted in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival in both the dMMR and pMMR study populations. We look forward to presenting these exciting findings at an upcoming scientific congress.”
“In certain patients with advanced endometrial cancer who have progressed following prior systemic therapy and are not candidates for surgery or radiation, KEYTRUDA has become an important treatment option, both as monotherapy and in combination,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “These latest results in the first-line setting are very encouraging and show the potential of KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy for patients with stage III to IV or recurrent disease regardless of mismatch repair status. We thank our collaborators for their partnership on this study, and we are grateful to the patients and investigators for their participation.”
This trial was sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. NRG Oncology designed and led the trial with funding from the NCI and participation from all the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) Groups. Merck provided funding and support through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Merck and NCI.
Merck has a comprehensive clinical development program in endometrial cancer. In the U.S., KEYTRUDA has two approved indications in endometrial cancer: in combination with LENVIMA® (lenvatinib), for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is pMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, or not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation; and as a single agent, for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Additionally, Merck is evaluating KEYTRUDA in first-line advanced endometrial cancer both as monotherapy (KEYNOTE-C93/ENGOT-en15/GOG-3064) and in combination with LENVIMA (LEAP-001/ENGOT-en9), as well as in the adjuvant setting (KEYNOTE-B21/ENGOT-en11/GOG-3053).
About NRG-GY018
NRG-GY018 is a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03914612) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with standard of care chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin) versus placebo plus standard of care chemotherapy alone for the treatment of measurable stage III, IVA, IVB or recurrent endometrial cancer in pMMR and dMMR cohorts. The primary endpoint is PFS, and secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, duration of response and safety. The trial enrolled 819 patients who were randomized to receive KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy every three weeks for approximately six cycles followed by KEYTRUDA as a single agent every six weeks for up to 14 cycles, or placebo plus chemotherapy. Enrolled patients were required to have MMR testing prior to randomization; approximately 70% of patients were pMMR, and approximately 30% were dMMR.
About endometrial carcinoma
Endometrial carcinoma begins in the inner lining of the uterus, which is known as the endometrium, and is the most common type of cancer in the uterus. This disease remains the only gynecologic malignancy with a rising incidence and mortality. In the U.S., it is estimated there will be approximately 66,000 new cases of uterine body cancer and approximately 13,000 deaths from the disease in 2023. Globally, endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women and 15th most common cancer overall.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with LENVIMA, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is mismatch repair proficient (pMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
See additional selected KEYTRUDA indications in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information.
Additional Selected KEYTRUDA Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated as adjuvant treatment following resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with Stage IB (T2a ≥4 cm), II, or IIIA NSCLC.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA, in combination with lenvatinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck’s Keytruda shows survival benefit in uterus cancer, meeting main goal of phase 3 trial
Feb. 03, 2023 7:15 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
Merck's (NYSE:MRK) blockbuster drug Keytruda, with chemotherapy, met the main goal of progression free survival (PFS) in patients with a type of cancer of the uterus in a phase 3 trial.
The study, dubbed NRG-GY018, evaluated Keytruda (pembrolizumab), in combination with standard of care chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) to treat patients with stage 3-4 or recurrent endometrial carcinoma regardless of mismatch repair status.
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
January 30, 2023 at 1:00 AM EST
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) APPROVED BY EUROPEAN COMMISSION AS THE FIRST AND ONLY TARGETED MEDICINE INDICATED FOR EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS
Approximately 60% of patients aged 12 years and older treated with Dupixent 300 mg weekly in the pivotal trial experienced histological disease remission; patients also significantly improved their ability to swallow compared to placebo
Dupixent is now an option for the approximately 50,000 adults and adolescents living with severe uncontrolled eosinophilic esophagitis in the European Union (EU)
Dupixent now approved to treat five diseases with underlying type 2 inflammation in the EU
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, Jan. 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced that the European Commission (EC) expanded the marketing authorization for Dupixent® (dupilumab) in the European Union (EU) to treat eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in adults and adolescents 12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg, who are inadequately controlled by, are intolerant to, or who are not candidates for conventional medicinal therapy. EoE is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease that damages the esophagus and prevents it from working properly. With this approval, Dupixent is the first and only targeted medicine specifically indicated to treat EoE in Europe and the U.S.
“This latest approval establishes Dupixent as the only targeted medicine specifically indicated for eosinophilic esophagitis in the European Union. Dupixent is also the only biologic shown in pivotal trials to help patients achieve histological remission, reduce difficulty swallowing and improve health-related quality of life – all of which are crucial to reducing the burden of this debilitating disease,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron, and a principal inventor of Dupixent. “Since its first approval, Dupixent has redefined the treatment of certain chronic diseases with underlying type 2 inflammation and is now indicated for five conditions in the European Union. We remain committed to investigating Dupixent’s potential in additional diseases in which IL-4 and IL-13 may play a key role.”
“The impact of EoE on a patient’s daily life cannot be overstated – the narrowing and scarring of the esophagus can make something as simple as eating a painful and distressing experience, and may lead to choking and food impaction,” said Naimish Patel, M.D., Head of Global Development, Immunology and Inflammation at Sanofi. “With this latest approval for Dupixent, adults and adolescents in the EU suffering from the chronic and often debilitating symptoms of EoE now have the first and only targeted treatment option clinically proven to reduce both esophageal inflammation and damage, as well as improve swallowing ability, pain and health-related quality of life.”
The EC decision is supported by 52-week data from a Phase 3 trial consisting of three parts (Part A, B and C). Part A and Part B investigated Dupixent 300 mg weekly (Part A n=42; Part B n=80) compared to placebo (Part A n=39; Part B n=79) for 24 weeks. Part C (n=188) observed patients who had continued on or switched to Dupixent from Parts A and B for an additional 28 weeks.
Dupixent patients in Parts A and B, respectively, experienced:
- An approximately 10 times higher rate of histological disease remission (60% and 59%), a co-primary endpoint, compared to placebo (5% and 6%).
- A 69% and 64% reduction in disease symptoms compared to 32% and 41% with placebo. Disease symptoms were measured using the Dysphagia Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ), on which Dupixent patients experienced a 21.9- and 23.8-point clinically meaningful improvement compared to a 9.6- and 13.9-point improvement for placebo, a co-primary endpoint. Swallowing improvement was observed as early as four weeks.
- A greater than seven-fold reduction in abnormal endoscopic findings from baseline (-3.2 and -4.5 points) compared to placebo (-0.3 and -0.6 points).
- Nominally significant improvements in swallowing-related pain and health-related quality of life, as well as less frequent non-swallowing symptoms.
Histological disease remission, swallowing improvement and reduction in abnormal endoscopic findings were consistent with the overall population in patients who were uncontrolled, or not responsive to or not eligible for swallowed topical corticosteroids. Longer term efficacy in Part C was similar to results observed in Parts A and B.
The safety results of the trial were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved indications. The most common side effects across indications were injection site reactions, conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis allergic, arthralgia, oral herpes and eosinophilia. Adverse events more commonly observed in EoE patients treated with Dupixent (n=122) compared to placebo (n=117) included infections (32% vs. 25%). An additional adverse reaction of injection site bruising was reported in the EoE trial. The safety profile through 52 weeks was generally consistent with the safety profile observed at 24 weeks.
About the Dupixent Eosinophilic Esophagitis Trial
The three-part Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in patients aged 12 years and older with EoE. All patients had previously not responded to proton pump inhibitors, and, across Parts A and B, 74% of patients were previously treated with swallowed topical corticosteroids.
At 24 weeks, the co-primary endpoints in Parts A and B assessed patient-reported measures of difficulty swallowing (change from baseline in the DSQ on a 0-84 scale) and esophageal inflammation (proportion of patients achieving histological disease remission, defined as peak esophageal intraepithelial eosinophil count of ≤6 eos/hpf).
Additional endpoints included abnormal endoscopic findings (EoE Endoscopic Reference Score [EoE-EREFS] on a 0-18 scale), swallowing-related pain (DSQ pain score), health-related quality of life (EoE Impact Questionnaire [EoE-IQ]) and frequency of other non-dysphagia symptoms (EoE Symptom Questionnaire [EoE-SQ]).
About Dupixent
Dupixent is an injection administered under the skin (subcutaneous injection) at different injection sites. In the EU for adolescents and adults with EoE, Dupixent is administered at 300 mg every week. It is available as both a pre-filled pen and pre-filled syringe at the 300 mg dose. Dupixent is intended for use under the guidance of a healthcare professional and can be given in a clinic or at home by self-administration after training by a healthcare professional.
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), prurigo nodularis and EoE.
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP, EoE or prurigo nodularis in different age populations. Dupixent is currently approved for one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries, including in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. More than 500,000 patients have been treated with Dupixent globally.
About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create a substantial proportion of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent, Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc), Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb® (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more than 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.
In addition to the currently approved indications, Regeneron and Sanofi are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in Phase 3 trials, including pediatric EoE, hand and foot atopic dermatitis, chronic inducible urticaria-cold, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic pruritus of unknown origin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with evidence of type 2 inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and bullous pemphigoid. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. INDICATIONS
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
- to treat adults with prurigo nodularis (PN). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with prurigo nodularis under 18 years of age.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
About Regeneron
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune®, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.
Source: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sanofi, Regeneron Dupixent gets approval in EU for expanded use in eosinophilic esophagitis
Jan. 30, 2023 4:26 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
The European Commission (EC) approved Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ:REGN) Dupixent to treat eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in patients 12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg, who are inadequately controlled by, are intolerant to, or who are not eligible for conventional medicinal therapy.
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Enhertu approved in the EU as the first HER2-directed therapy for patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer
PUBLISHED26 January 2023 26 January 2023 07:00 GMT
Approval based on DESTINY-Breast04 results where AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 50% and increased overall survival by more than 6 months vs. chemotherapy
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) has been approved in the European Union (EU) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy.
Enhertu is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
The approval by the European Commission follows the positive opinion of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use and is based on results from the DESTINY-Breast04 Phase III trial, which were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2022 Annual Meeting and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.1
In the trial, Enhertu significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 50% versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40-0.63; p<0.0001) in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer with hormone receptor (HR)-positive or HR-negative disease. A median progression-free survival (PFS) of 9.9 months was seen with Enhertu versus 5.1 months in those treated with chemotherapy, as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). A 36% reduction in the risk of death was seen with Enhertu compared to chemotherapy (hazard ratio of 0.64; 95% CI: 0.49-0.84; p=0.001) with a median overall survival (OS) of 23.4 months versus 16.8 months.
Javier Cortés, MD, PhD, Head, International Breast Cancer Center, Barcelona, Spain, said: “The European approval of Enhertu in the HER2-low metastatic breast cancer population marks the first time we will have the opportunity to treat patients with lower levels of HER2 expression with a HER2-directed therapy. Enhertu has shown a significant improvement in outcomes compared to chemotherapy for these patients, reinforcing its potential to become a new standard of care.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “Historically, patients with breast cancer who have tumours with low levels of HER2 expression have been classified as HER2-negative, giving them limited treatment options beyond chemotherapy. This approval reinforces the important role Enhertu may have for patients with HER2-low disease and highlights the need to evolve the way breast cancer is treated to improve patient outcomes.”
Ken Keller, Global Head of Oncology Business, and President and CEO, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc, said: “The approval of Enhertu in HER2-low metastatic breast cancer represents a significant clinical advance for patients in Europe with both HR-positive and HR-negative disease who previously have had limited treatment options in the late-line setting. This milestone also supports our vision to bring Enhertu to more patients across the HER2 spectrum, which requires a change to the breast cancer classification system that has been guiding treatment for more than two decades.”
The safety profile observed in patients treated with Enhertu in the DESTINY-Breast04 trial was consistent with that seen in other trials of Enhertu in breast cancer with no new safety signals identified.
Financial considerations
Following EU approval, an amount of $150m is due from AstraZeneca to Daiichi Sankyo as a milestone payment for this HER2-low breast cancer post-chemotherapy indication. The milestone payment will be capitalised as an addition to the upfront payment made by AstraZeneca to Daiichi Sankyo in 2019 and subsequent capitalised milestones.
Sales of Enhertu in most EU territories are recognised by Daiichi Sankyo. AstraZeneca reports its share of gross profit margin from Enhertu sales in those territories as collaboration revenue in the Company’s financial statements. AstraZeneca will record product sales in respect of sales made in territories where AstraZeneca is the selling party.
Further details on the financial arrangements were set out in the March 2019 announcement of the collaboration.
DESTINY-Breast04
DESTINY-Breast04 is a global, randomised, open-label, Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) in patients with HR-positive or HR-negative, HER2-low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with one or two prior lines of chemotherapy. Patients were randomised 2:1 to receive either Enhertu or chemotherapy.
The primary endpoint of DESTINY-Breast04 is PFS in patients with HR-positive disease based on BICR. Key secondary endpoints include PFS based on BICR in all randomised patients (HR-positive and HR-negative disease), OS in patients with HR-positive disease and OS in all randomised patients (HR-positive and HR-negative disease). Other secondary endpoints include PFS based on investigator assessment, objective response rate based on BICR and on investigator assessment, duration of response based on BICR and safety.
DESTINY-Breast04 enrolled 557 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a (or one or more) prior anti-HER2-based regimen, either in the metastatic setting or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting, and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ ISH-) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy based on the results of the DESTINY-Breast04 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved under accelerated approval in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose tumours have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung02 trial. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial and/or DESTINY-Gastric02 trials.
Enhertu development programme
A comprehensive global development programme is underway evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu monotherapy across multiple HER2-targetable cancers including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, are also underway.
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
AstraZeneca in breast cancer
Driven by a growing understanding of breast cancer biology, AstraZeneca is starting to challenge, and redefine, the current clinical paradigm for how breast cancer is classified and treated to deliver even more effective treatments to patients in need – with the bold ambition to one day eliminate breast cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca has a comprehensive portfolio of approved and promising compounds in development that leverage different mechanisms of action to address the biologically diverse breast cancer tumour environment.
With Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-directed ADC, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo are aiming to improve outcomes in previously treated HER2-positive and HER2-low metastatic breast cancer and are exploring its potential in earlier lines of treatment and in new breast cancer settings.
In HR-positive breast cancer, AstraZeneca continues to improve outcomes with foundational medicines Faslodex (fulvestrant) and Zoladex (goserelin) and aims to reshape the HR-positive space with next-generation SERD and potential new medicine camizestrant as well as a potential first-in-class AKT kinase inhibitor, capivasertib. AstraZeneca is also collaborating with Daiichi Sankyo to explore the potential of TROP2-directed ADC, datopotamab deruxtecan, in this setting.
PARP inhibitor Lynparza (olaparib) is a targeted treatment option that has been studied in early and metastatic breast cancer with an inherited BRCA mutation. AstraZeneca with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. in the US and Canada) continue to research Lynparza in these settings and to explore its potential in earlier disease.
To bring much-needed treatment options to patients with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer, AstraZeneca is evaluating the potential of datopotamab deruxtecan alone and in combination with immunotherapy Imfinzi (durvalumab), capivasertib in combination with chemotherapy, and Imfinzi in combination with other oncology medicines, including Lynparza and Enhertu.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu gets approval in EU for breast cancer subtype
Jan. 26, 2023 4:36 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSKYF, DSNKY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The European Commission (EC) approved AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo's (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) drug Enhertu to treat certain patients with a type of breast cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3928225-astrazeneca-daiichi-sankyos-enhertu-gets-approval-in-eu-for-breast-cancer-subtype
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSKYF, DSNKY
- https://enhertu.com/en
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy Significantly Improved Overall Survival Versus Chemotherapy in First-Line Advanced or Unresectable Biliary Tract Cancer in KEYNOTE-966 Trial
January 25, 2023 6:45 am ET
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced positive results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-966 trial. In the final analysis of this trial, KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with standard of care chemotherapy (gemcitabine and cisplatin) demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy alone for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced or unresectable biliary tract cancer (BTC). The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and will be submitted to regulatory authorities.
“Biliary tract cancer is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage, and these patients face a poor prognosis, with five-year survival rates estimated to be approximately 5% to 15%,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are very encouraged by these overall survival results that show the potential benefit of KEYTRUDA in addition to chemotherapy for biliary cancer patients who are in urgent need of new treatment options.”
Merck has an extensive clinical development program evaluating KEYTRUDA in gastrointestinal cancers and is continuing to study KEYTRUDA for multiple uses in gastric, hepatobiliary, esophageal, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
About KEYNOTE-966
KEYNOTE-966 is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04003636) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin compared to placebo plus gemcitabine and cisplatin for the first-line treatment of advanced and/or unresectable BTC. The primary endpoint was OS, and the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival, objective response rate, duration of response and safety. The trial enrolled 1,069 patients who were randomized to receive KEYTRUDA (200 mg every three weeks for up to approximately two years) plus gemcitabine and cisplatin, or placebo plus gemcitabine and cisplatin.
About Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC)
Biliary tract cancer is a group of rare and highly aggressive cancers in the gallbladder and bile ducts. Biliary tract cancer is the second most common type of primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma, accounting for 15% of all liver cancers. It is estimated there are approximately 211,000 new cases of BTC diagnosed and 174,000 deaths from the disease each year globally. Biliary tract cancer is most frequently diagnosed in patients between 50 to 70 years old, and 70% of BTC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Patients diagnosed with BTC face a very poor prognosis, as the five-year survival rate is estimated to be between 5% and 15%.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck's Keytruda shows survival benefit in biliary tract cancer, meeting phase 3 study goal
Jan. 25, 2023 7:50 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Keytruda, with standard of care chemotherapy, met the main goal of overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced or unresectable biliary tract cancer (BTC) in a phase 3 trial.
FDA Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Treatment Following Surgical Resection and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Patients With Stage IB (T2a ≥4 Centimeters), II, or IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
January 27, 2023 6:45 am ET
Approval based on KEYNOTE-091 trial, which demonstrated a clinically meaningful improvement in disease-free survival with KEYTRUDA in these patients following surgical resection and platinum-based chemotherapy versus placebo
Approval marks fifth indication for KEYTRUDA-based regimens in NSCLC and 34th indication for KEYTRUDA in the US
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, as a single agent, for adjuvant treatment following surgical resection and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with stage IB (T2a ≥4 centimeters [cm]), II, or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
JARDIANCE® (empagliflozin tablets)
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
US FDA accepts supplemental New Drug Application for Jardiance® for adults with chronic kidney disease
January 20, 2023
The supplemental New Drug Application is based on results from the landmark EMPA-KIDNEY phase III trial, which showed Jardiance® (empagliflozin) tablets significantly reduced the risk of kidney disease progression* or cardiovascular death in adults with CKD by 28% (absolute risk reduction [ARR]: 3.8%) compared with placebo, both on top of standard of care.
RIDGEFIELD, Conn. and INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Jardiance® (empagliflozin) tablets, which is being investigated as a potential treatment to reduce the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced.
"There is a significant need for additional therapies that reduce the risk of kidney disease progression and hospitalizations in adults with CKD," said Mohamed Eid, M.D., M.P.H., M.H.A., vice president, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Cardio-Renal-Metabolism & Respiratory Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "This application acceptance is an important step forward for the approximately 37 million people in the U.S. living with CKD."
The sNDA is based on results from the landmark EMPA-KIDNEY phase III trial, in which Jardiance significantly reduced the risk of kidney disease progression* or cardiovascular death in adults with CKD by 28% (ARR: 3.8%) compared with placebo, both on top of standard of care. Results were presented during the American Society of Nephrology (ASN)'s Kidney Week 2022 and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine. EMPA-KIDNEY is the first SGLT2 inhibitor CKD trial to show a significant reduction in risk of hospitalization for any cause, with a 14% relative risk reduction with Jardiance versus placebo (24.8 vs. 29.2 events/100 patient-years, respectively), both on top of standard of care, in a pre-specified key secondary endpoint. Reductions in other key secondary endpoints of hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death or all-cause death were not statistically significant. Hospitalizations account for 35% to 55% of total healthcare costs for people with CKD in the U.S.
EMPA-KIDNEY, the largest and broadest dedicated SGLT2 inhibitor trial in CKD to date, provides additional data for patients commonly seen in clinical practice. The trial enrolled 6,609 participants, including people without diabetes (56%), those with various underlying causes of CKD and those across the spectrum of eGFR and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (measures of kidney function and excess albumin in the urine, respectively). Overall, the safety data in EMPA-KIDNEY were consistent with the previously known safety profile of Jardiance.
Initially approved in 2014, Jardiance is a once-daily tablet used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes; and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known cardiovascular disease. Jardiance is also indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure. Jardiance is not for patients with type 1 diabetes, or to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes with an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Jardiance is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to empagliflozin or any of the excipients in Jardiance, and in patients on dialysis. Please see additional Important Safety Information below.
"This marks another exciting milestone for Jardiance, potentially extending its ability to positively impact the approximately one billion people diagnosed with a cardio, renal or metabolic condition," said Jeff Emmick, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, Product Development, Lilly. "We look forward to working with the FDA during the review process and eagerly await a decision later this year on the indication for CKD, which doubles a person's risk for hospitalization."
In March 2020, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to the clinical investigation of Jardiance to reduce the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in adults with CKD. According to the FDA, Fast Track designation is designed to facilitate the development of drugs and expedite treatments that may address serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. Jardiance is not indicated for the treatment of CKD.
*Kidney disease progression: Defined as end-stage kidney disease (the initiation of maintenance dialysis or receipt of a kidney transplant), a sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to below 10 mL/min/1.73 m2, kidney death or a sustained decline of at least 40% in eGFR from randomization).
About EMPA-KIDNEY: The study of heart and kidney protection with Jardiance
EMPA-KIDNEY (NCT03594110) is a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, designed to evaluate the effect of Jardiance on kidney disease progression and cardiovascular mortality risk. The primary outcome is defined as time to a first event of either cardiovascular death or kidney disease progression, defined as end-stage kidney disease (the need for kidney replacement therapy such as dialysis or kidney transplantation), a sustained decline in eGFR to <10 mL/min/1.73 m2, kidney death or a sustained decline of ≥40 percent in eGFR from randomization. Key secondary outcomes include cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, all-cause hospitalization and all-cause mortality. EMPA-KIDNEY includes 6,609 adults randomized from eight countries with established CKD both with and without diabetes, as well as with and without albuminuria, receiving either Jardiance 10 mg or placebo, on top of current standard of care.
What is JARDIANCE?
JARDIANCE is a prescription medicine used to:
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have known cardiovascular disease
- lower blood sugar along with diet and exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes
JARDIANCE is not for people with type 1 diabetes. It may increase their risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).
JARDIANCE is not for use to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes who have severe kidney problems, because it may not work.
https://www.jardiance.com/type-2-diabetes/
For more information, please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an Alliance that centers on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes. Depending on geographies, the companies either co-promote or separately promote the respective molecules each contributing to the Alliance. The Alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies to focus on patient needs. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate their commitment, not only to the care of people with diabetes, but also to investigating the potential to address areas of unmet medical need.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Around 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.us.
About Lilly
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 47 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about Jardiance® as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known cardiovascular disease, and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, and as a potential treatment for adults with cardio-kidney-metabolic conditions and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, as with any pharmaceutical product, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of drug research, development and commercialization. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that planned or ongoing studies will be completed as planned, that future study results will be consistent with the results to date or that Jardiance® will receive additional regulatory approvals. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, please see Lilly's most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.
Jardiance®, EMPEROR-Reduced®, EMPEROR-Preserved®, EMPA-REG OUTCOME® and EMPACT-MI® are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-fda-accepts-supplemental-new-drug-application-for-jardiance-for-adults-with-chronic-kidney-disease-301726873.html
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly's diabetes drug Jardiance to get FDA review for chronic kidney disease indication
Jan. 20, 2023 10:02 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The US FDA has accepted a supplemental New Drug Application for Eli Lilly's Jardiance (empagliflozin) as a treatment to cut the risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3926360-lillys-diabetes-drug-jardiance-to-get-fda-review-for-chronic-kidney-disease-indication
- Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)
- https://www.jardiance.com/type-2-diabetes/
- https://www.lilly.com/
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
Seagen Announces FDA Accelerated Approval of TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab for People with Previously Treated RAS Wild-Type, HER2-Positive Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
01/19/2023
– First FDA-approved treatment in HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer –
– Combination regimen is approved for use in the second-line treatment setting and beyond –
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in combination with trastuzumab for adult patients with RASwild-type, HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy. TUKYSA is approved under the FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program based on tumor response rate and durability of response from the phase 2 MOUNTAINEER clinical trial. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. This is the first FDA-approved treatment in HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer. The FDA previously granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Priority Review for TUKYSA in this setting.
“Historically, patients with HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer who have progressed following frontline therapy have had poor outcomes,” said John Strickler, M.D., associate professor of medicine, Duke University Medical Center, and lead investigator for the MOUNTAINEER trial. “The FDA approval of a chemotherapy-free combination regimen that specifically targets HER2 is great news for these patients.”
“Biomarker testing is bringing new hope to people living with some types of colorectal cancer by opening the door to targeted treatments like TUKYSA for those who have RAS wild-type, HER2-positive disease,” said Michael Sapienza, CEO, Colorectal Cancer Alliance. “It is critical that physicians and patients understand the importance of comprehensive biomarker testing at diagnosis because it can inform treatment decisions and help improve outcomes.”
Results from the MOUNTAINEER trial showed a 38% overall response rate (ORR) (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 28, 49) per blinded independent central review (BICR) in the patients who received TUKYSA in combination with trastuzumab (N=84 with a median age of 55.0 years [range: 24 to 77]). Complete responses were observed in 3.6% of patients (n=3), and partial responses were observed in 35% of patients (n=29). The median duration of response (DOR) per BICR was 12.4 months (95% CI: 8.5, 20.5). At study entry, 64% and 70% of these patients had liver or lung metastases, respectively.
The Prescribing Information for TUKYSA includes warnings and precautions for diarrhea, hepatotoxicity and embryo-fetal toxicity, some of which may be severe or fatal. In MOUNTAINEER, serious adverse reactions occurred in 22% of patients; the most common (in ≥2% of patients) were intestinal obstruction (7%), urinary tract infection (3.5%), pneumonia, abdominal pain and rectal perforation (2.3% each). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients treated with TUKYSA and trastuzumab were diarrhea, fatigue, rash, nausea, abdominal pain, infusion-related reactions and pyrexia. Adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation of TUKYSA occurred in 6% of patients; the most common (in ≥2% of patients) was increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (2.3%). Please see additional Important Safety Information below.
“The accelerated approval of TUKYSA for RAS wild-type, HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer expands TUKYSA-based therapy to patients across two distinct types of cancer,” said Marjorie Green, M.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Late-Stage Development, Seagen. “We believe the efficacy and safety profile of the TUKYSA and trastuzumab-based regimen further establishes its role as an important backbone of dual HER2 inhibition in the treatment of adult patients with certain HER2-expressing breast and colorectal cancers.”
The FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program allows for approval of a medicine based on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit if the medicine fills an unmet medical need for a serious condition. A global, randomized phase 3 clinical trial (MOUNTAINEER-03) is ongoing and will compare TUKYSA in combination with trastuzumab and mFOLFOX6 with standard of care, which is intended to serve as a confirmatory trial and potentially support future global regulatory submissions. Merck, known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada, is commercializing TUKYSA in regions outside of the U.S., Canada and Europe and plans to discuss results from the MOUNTAINEER trial with certain health authorities as it continues to accelerate the filing of TUKYSA in its territories.
About Colorectal Cancer
In the U.S., approximately 153,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023, and the rate of the disease is increasing in younger adults.1 Approximately 22% of U.S. patients with colorectal cancer are diagnosed at the advanced stage.2 Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 3-5% of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and approximately 10% of patients with RASwild-type metastatic colorectal cancer.3 In 2023, colorectal cancer is anticipated to lead to about 52,550 deaths in the U.S., where it is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths.1
About MOUNTAINEER
MOUNTAINEER is a U.S. and European open-label, multicenter phase 2 clinical trial of TUKYSA in combination with trastuzumab that evaluated 84 patients with HER2-positive, RASwild-type, unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer following previous standard-of-care therapies. Patients evaluated in MOUNTAINEER had not received prior anti-HER2 therapy. Patients received TUKYSA (300 mg) twice per day orally in combination with trastuzumab intravenously (8 mg/kg loading dose, then 6 mg/kg every three weeks thereafter) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The major efficacy outcome measures were overall response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) according to RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) version 1.1.
About TUKYSA (tucatinib)
TUKYSA (tucatinib) tablets (50 | 150 mg tablets) is an oral medicine that is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the HER2 protein. In vitro (in lab studies), TUKYSA inhibited phosphorylation of HER2 and HER3, resulting in inhibition of downstream MAPK and AKT signaling and cell growth (proliferation), and showed anti-tumor activity in HER2-expressing tumor cells. In vivo (in living organisms), TUKYSA inhibited the growth of HER2-expressing tumors. The combination of TUKYSA and the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab showed increased anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo compared to either medicine alone.
TUKYSA was approved by the U.S. FDA in April 2020 in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine for treatment of adult patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breastcancer, including patients with brain metastases, who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting. In January 2023, TUKYSA received accelerated approval by the U.S. FDA in combination with trastuzumab for adult patients with RASwild-type, HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, has exclusive rights to commercialize TUKYSA in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America and other regions outside of the U.S., Canada and Europe.
About Seagen
Seagen is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes transformative cancer medicines to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Seagen is headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area, and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and the European Union. For more information on the company’s marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter.
Seagen wins FDA accelerated approval for colorectal cancer therapy
Jan. 19, 2023 2:37 PM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) announced Thursday that the FDA granted accelerated approval for its tyrosine kinase inhibitor Tukysa, in combination with Roche’s (OTCQX:RHHBY) (OTCQX:RHHBF) trastuzumab for the treatment of certain adults with colorectal cancer as a second-line option.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3926075-sgen-stock-gains-fda-clears-colorectal-cancer-therapy
- Seagen Inc. (SGEN), MRK
- https://www.herceptin.com/hcp.html
- https://www.tukysa.com/
- https://www.seagen.com/
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) injection plus AVASTIN® (bevacizumab) injection
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) injection plus AVASTIN® (bevacizumab) injection
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) injection plus AVASTIN® (bevacizumab) injection
[Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR] Roche’s Tecentriq plus Avastin is the first treatment combination to reduce the risk of cancer returning in people with certain types of early-stage liver cancer in a Phase III trial January 19, 2023
- Pivotal Phase III IMbrave050 study investigating Tecentriq plus Avastin in people with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at high risk of recurrence following surgery met primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival
- New adjuvant treatments are urgently needed as an estimated 70-80% of people with early-stage HCC experience disease recurrence following surgery1
- Data will be discussed with health authorities globally, including the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency to inform the next regulatory steps, and presented at an upcoming medical meeting
Basel, 19 January 2023 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced that the Phase III IMbrave050 study met its primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival (RFS) at the prespecified interim analysis. The study is evaluating Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) in combination with Avastin® (bevacizumab) as adjuvant treatment following surgery for people with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at high risk of disease recurrence. The Tecentriq combination showed a statistically significant improvement in RFS in the intention-to-treat population of HCC patients who have an increased risk of recurrence following resection or ablation with curative intent, compared with active surveillance.
Overall survival data were immature at the time of interim analysis and follow-up will continue to the next analysis. Safety for Tecentriq and Avastin was consistent with the known safety profile of each therapeutic agent and with the underlying disease. Results from the IMbrave050 study will be discussed with health authorities, including the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency, and presented at an upcoming medical meeting.
“Today, more than 70% of people with early-stage HCC may have their cancer return after surgery, which is associated with poorer prognosis and shorter survival. IMbrave050 is the first Phase III study to show that a cancer immunotherapy combination reduced the risk of disease returning in people with this type of HCC,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. “We are excited by the clinical benefit that this adjuvant Tecentriq combination may bring to people with early liver cancer and look forward to seeing more mature data to further confirm the benefit.”
With liver cancer incidence increasing and mortality rates rising globally, effective treatments are urgently required.1-4 Roche is working in partnership with the community and leveraging its diagnostic and pharmaceutical expertise to develop solutions for patients that address unmet needs at each stage of liver cancer. IMbrave050 is part of Roche’s overall commitment to drive fundamental treatment change and improve outcomes for people living with liver cancer. In unresectable HCC (uHCC), for example, Tecentriq plus Avastin was the first treatment in over a decade to significantly improve overall survival over the existing standard of care, based on data from the IMbrave150 study. The Tecentriq combination quickly became a standard of care in uHCC and is clearly defined as a preferred front-line treatment in multiple international clinical guidelines.
Roche has an extensive development programme for Tecentriq, including multiple ongoing and planned Phase III studies across different lung, genitourinary, skin, breast, gastrointestinal, gynaecological, and head and neck cancers. This includes studies evaluating Tecentriq both alone and in combination with other medicines, as well as studies in metastatic, adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings across various tumour types.
About the IMbrave050 study
IMbrave050 is a Phase III global, multicentre, open-label, randomised study evaluating the efficacy and safety of adjuvant Tecentriq plus Avastin, compared with active surveillance, in people with HCC at high risk of recurrence (determined by the size and number of cancerous lesions and the histopathology results, if available) after surgical resection or ablation with curative intent.
The study randomised 662 people with a ratio of 1:1 to receive either Tecentriq (1,200 mg every three weeks) plus Avastin (15 mg/kg every three weeks) for a maximum of 12 months, or no intervention with active surveillance. The primary endpoint is independent review facility-assessed RFS. Key secondary endpoints include overall survival, RFS as determined by the investigator and RFS in patients with PD-L1-positive disease.
About Tecentriq
Tecentriq is a cancer immunotherapy approved for some of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of cancer. Tecentriq was the first cancer immunotherapy approved for the treatment of a certain type of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and HCC. Tecentriq is also approved in countries around the world, either alone or in combination with targeted therapies and/or chemotherapies, for various forms of metastatic NSCLC, certain types of metastatic urothelial cancer, PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and BRAF V600 mutation-positive advanced melanoma.
Tecentriq is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), which is expressed on tumour cells and tumour-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, Tecentriq may enable the activation of T-cells. Tecentriq is a cancer immunotherapy that has the potential to be used as a foundational combination partner with other immunotherapies, targeted medicines and various chemotherapies across a broad range of cancers. In addition to intravenous infusion, the formulation of Tecentriq is also being investigated as a subcutaneous injection to help address the growing burden of cancer treatment for patients and healthcare systems.
https://www.avastin.com/hcp.html
https://www.avastin.com/patient/mcrc.html
About Roche
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.
In recognising our endeavor to pursue a long-term perspective in all we do, Roche has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceuticals industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the thirteenth consecutive year. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in every country we work.
Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.
For more information, please visit www.roche.com.
All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.
Roche's Tecentriq, Avastin combo cuts risk of liver cancer returning, in phase 3 trial
Jan. 19, 2023 4:55 AM ET
Roche Holding AG (RHHBY), RHHBF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY) (OTCQX:RHHBF) said Tecentriq in combination with Avastin met the main goal of recurrence-free survival (RFS) in a phase 3 trial in patients with a type of liver cancer.
Roche Holding AG (RHHBY), RHHBF
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) injection plus AVASTIN® (bevacizumab) injection
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) injection plus AVASTIN® (bevacizumab) injection
January 03, 2023
European Medicines Agency Validates Marketing Authorization Application For Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) For Pre-treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
– Application Based on Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival Results from the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 Study –
– Supplemental Biologics License Application Already Under Priority Review by the U.S. FDA –
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated a Type II variation Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting.
“At Gilead Oncology our ambition is to transform care for people with cancer,” said Bill Grossman, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. “Trodelvy is already moving us towards this ambition and changing the standard of care in second-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer across the EU. The validation of our Marketing Authorization Application in pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer marks an important step forward to potentially making Trodelvy available to even more patients with severely limited treatment options.”
This Marketing Authorization Application is based on data from the registrational Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study, which met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) and key secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS) versus comparator chemotherapies (treatment of physician’s choice (TPC) of chemotherapy). PFS data were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology,and OS data were recently presented at ESMO Congress 2022.
The safety profile for Trodelvy in TROPiCS-02 was consistent with prior studies, and no new safety signals were identified in this population.
In October 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted for priority review the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Trodelvy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic HR+/HER2-negative (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is currently set for February 2023.
Trodelvy has not been approved by any regulatory agency for the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Its safety and efficacy have not been established for this indication.
Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About the TROPiCS-02 Study
The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, clinical benefit rate and duration of response, as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. In the study, HER2 negativity was defined per American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria as immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridization (ISH) test. More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901339.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in more than 40 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease. Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. under the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
- https://www.trodelvy.com/bladder-cancer
- Please see full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNING.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230102005076/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
EMA approves change to marketing authorization for Gilead's breast cancer drug Trodelvy
Jan. 03, 2023 10:38 AM ET
By: Anuron Mitra, SA News Editor
Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) on Tuesday said Europe's drug regulator had approved a change to its marketing authorization application for breast cancer treatment Trodelvy.
Calquence (acalabrutinib)
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) injection plus AVASTIN® (bevacizumab) injection
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
Calquence approved in Japan for adults with treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
PUBLISHED28 December 2022
28 December 2022 07:05 GMT
Calquence significantly increased the time patients lived without disease progression or death vs. chemoimmunotherapy
AstraZeneca’s Calquence (acalabrutinib), a selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, has been approved in Japan for the treatment of adult patients with treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) (including small lymphocytic lymphoma [SLL]). Calquence was previously approved in Japan for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory CLL.
The approval by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) was based on positive results from two clinical trials, including the ELEVATE-TN Phase III trial in adults with treatment-naïve CLL. This trial showed that Calquence combined with obinutuzumab or as monotherapy demonstrated a significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) when compared with the chemotherapy-based combination of chlorambucil and obinutuzumab.1,2 Data from the interim analysis of ELEVATE-TN was published in The Lancet in 2020.2 Additionally, a Phase I trial in treatment-naïve Japanese patients with CLL was also submitted to MHLW supporting the approval, with the trial showing an overall response rate of 88.9% (95% CI: 63.2, 98.8%) for Calquence alone and 100% (95% CI: 66.4, 100%) for Calquence combined with obinutuzumab.
CLL is the most prevalent type of adult leukaemia across the globe but is considered a rare disease in Japan and East Asia, with fewer than one person newly diagnosed per 100,000 persons per year across Japan.3-5
Koji Izutsu, MD, PhD, Department Head, Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, said: “Results from ELEVATE-TN and our local Japanese trial confirm that Calquence provides a significant improvement in progression-free survival compared with chemotherapy-based combination of chlorambucil and obinutuzumab for patients with treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Today’s approval marks great progress for physicians and patients in Japan, as they can now be treated with Calquence earlier in their treatment journey.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “The approval of Calquence in Japan for those with treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukaemia now offers more patients a next-generation Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has proven longer-term efficacy and tolerability compared to standards of care. With this approval, people living with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in Japan can now potentially benefit from our medicine in an earlier setting.”
Updated results of the ELEVATE-TN Phase III trial after a median follow-up of approximately five years were presented earlier this year. These results showed that Calquence maintained a statistically significant PFS benefit versus chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab, and a safety and tolerability profile consistent with the known profile for Calquence. At a median follow-up of 58.2 months, Calquence plus obinutuzumab reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 89% (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07-0.16) and as a monotherapy by 79% (based on a HR of 0.21, 95% CI 0.15-0.30), compared with chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab.1
Calquence is approved for the treatment of CLL and SLL in the US and is approved for the treatment of CLL in the EU and in several other countries worldwide in the treatment-naïve and relapsed or refractory settings. Calquence is also approved in the US and several other countries for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. Calquence is not currently approved for the treatment of MCL in Japan or the EU.
Notes
CLL
CLL is the most prevalent type of leukaemia in adults, with over 100,000 new cases globally in 2019, but is considered a rare disease in Japan and East Asia, with fewer than one person newly diagnosed per 100,000 persons per year across Japan.3-5 Although some people with CLL may not experience any symptoms at diagnosis, others may experience symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue, weight loss, chills, fever, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes and abdominal pain.6
In CLL, there is an accumulation of abnormal lymphocytes within the bone marrow. As the number of abnormal cells increases, there is less room within the marrow for the production of normal white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.7 This could result in anaemia, infection and bleeding. B-cell receptor signalling through BTK is one of the essential growth pathways for CLL.
ELEVATE-TN
ELEVATE-TN (ACE-CL-007) is a randomised, multicentre, open-label Phase III trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Calquence alone or in combination with obinutuzumab versus chlorambucil in combination with obinutuzumab in previously untreated patients with CLL. In the trial, 535 patients were randomised (1:1:1) into three arms. Patients in the first arm received chlorambucil in combination with obinutuzumab. Patients in the second arm received Calquence (100mg twice daily until disease progression) in combination with obinutuzumab. Patients in the third arm received Calquence monotherapy (100mg twice daily until disease progression).8
The primary endpoint was PFS in the Calquence and obinutuzumab arm compared to the chlorambucil and obinutuzumab arm, assessed by an independent review committee (IRC), and a key secondary endpoint was IRC-assessed PFS in the Calquence monotherapy arm compared to the chlorambucil and obinutuzumab arm. Other secondary endpoints included overall response rate, time to next treatment, overall survival and investigator assessed PFS. After interim analysis, assessments were by investigator only.8
Initial results from the ELEVATE-TN Phase III trial were presented in December 2019 at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exhibition. The trial met its primary endpoint (IRC-assessed PFS with Calquence plus obinutuzumab versus chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab) at the data cut-off for the interim analysis after a median follow-up of 28.3 months. The findings, along with previously reported data from the ASCEND Phase III trial in relapsed or refractory CLL, supported the approvals of Calquence by the US FDA and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration for the treatment of adult patients with CLL or SLL and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Health Canada for CLL.
Calquence
Calquence (acalabrutinib) is a next-generation, selective inhibitor of BTK. Calquence binds covalently to BTK, thereby inhibiting its activity.9 In B cells, BTK signalling results in activation of pathways necessary for B-cell proliferation, trafficking, chemotaxis and adhesion.
Calquence is approved for the treatment of CLL and SLL in the US, approved for CLL in the EU and many other countries worldwide and approved in Japan for relapsed or refractory CLL and SLL.
In the US and several other countries, Calquence is also approved for the treatment of adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy. The US MCL indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. Calquence is not currently approved for the treatment of MCL in Europe or Japan.
As part of an extensive clinical development programme, AstraZeneca and Acerta Pharma are currently evaluating Calquence in more than 20 company-sponsored clinical trials. Calquence is being evaluated for the treatment of multiple B-cell blood cancers, including CLL, MCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia, marginal zone lymphoma and other haematologic malignancies.
https://www.calquencehcp.com/mcl.html
AstraZeneca in haematology
AstraZeneca is pushing the boundaries of science to redefine care in haematology. We have expanded our commitment to patients with haematologic conditions, not only in oncology but also in rare diseases with the acquisition of Alexion, allowing us to reach more patients with high unmet needs. By applying our deep understanding of blood cancers, leveraging our strength in solid tumour oncology and delivering on Alexion’s pioneering legacy in complement science to provide innovative medicines for rare diseases, we are pursuing the end-to-end development of novel therapies designed to target underlying drivers of disease.
By targeting haematologic conditions with high unmet medical needs, we aim to deliver innovative medicines and approaches to improve patient outcomes. Our goal is to help transform the lives of patients living with malignant, rare and other related haematologic diseases, shaped by insights from patients, caregivers and physicians to have the most meaningful impact.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company’s focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
Japan approves AstraZeneca's blood cancer drug Calquence
Dec. 28, 2022 4:57 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approved AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Calquence (acalabrutinib) to treat adult patients with treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3920862-japan-approves-astrazenecas-blood-cancer-drug-calquence
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
- https://www.calquence.com/
- https://www.calquencehcp.com/mcl.html
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
Imfinzi plus Imjudo approved in Japan for advanced liver and non-small cell lung cancers, and Imfinzi approved for unresectable biliary tract and liver cancers
PUBLISHED28 December 2022 28 December 2022 07:00 GMT
Approvals based on significant survival benefits in
HIMALAYA, POSEIDON and TOPAZ-1 Phase III trials
AstraZeneca’s immunotherapies Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab) have been approved in Japan for the treatment of three cancer types: advanced liver, biliary tract and lung.
The approvals authorise Imfinzi in combination with Imjudo for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable, advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with chemotherapy. Imfinzi was also authorised for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable HCC as monotherapy and for the treatment of adult patients with curatively unresectable biliary tract cancer (BTC) in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin).
The concurrent approvals by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare are based on positive results from the HIMALAYA and TOPAZ-1 Phase III trials, each published in the New England Journal of Medicine Evidence and the POSEIDON Phase III trial, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “Japan has one of the highest rates of diagnosis for liver and biliary tract cancers in the world, and lung cancer remains the country’s leading cause of cancer death. With these approvals for Imfinzi and Imjudo, patients in Japan can now be treated with novel immunotherapy-based treatment regimens that have demonstrated significant survival benefits across three complex cancers with poor prognoses.”
Imfinzi and Imjudo approved in liver cancer
The approval of Imfinzi in combination with Imjudo for the treatment of unresectable HCC brings the first dual immunotherapy treatment regimen to patients in Japan. The approval is based on results from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial, in which a single dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody Imjudo 300mg added to the anti-PD-L1 antibody Imfinzi 1500mg followed by Imfinzi every four weeks (STRIDE regimen: Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab) significantly reduced the risk of death versus sorafenib. The addition of Imjudo to Imfinzi did not increase severe liver toxicity, and no bleeding risk was observed.
HIMALAYA also served as the basis for the approval of Imfinzi monotherapy in the same disease setting. In HIMALAYA, Imfinzi demonstrated non-inferior overall survival (OS) compared to sorafenib, and an improved tolerability profile versus sorafenib.
The safety profiles of the combination of Imjudo added to Imfinzi and for Imfinzi alone were consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, and no new safety signals were identified.
Liver cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death in Japan and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.1,2 HCC is the most common type of liver cancer with 80% of cases occurring in the Asia-Pacific region.3,4 In Japan, approximately 45,000 people are diagnosed with HCC and 32,000 die of the disease each year.5,6
Imfinzi and Imjudo approved in NSCLC
The approval of Imfinzi and Imjudo plus chemotherapy for the treatment of unresectable, advanced or recurrent NSCLC is based on results from the POSEIDON Phase III trial, which showed a limited course of five cycles of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody Imjudo added to Imfinzi plus four cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy significantly reduced the risk of death versus a range of chemotherapy options.
The safety profile for Imjudo plus Imfinzi and chemotherapy was consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, and no new safety signals were identified.
In Japan, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with more than 138,000 patients diagnosed in 2020.1 The prognosis for patients with metastatic NSCLC in Japan is particularly poor, as less than 20% will live beyond three years after diagnosis without treatment.7
Regulatory applications for Imfinzi and Imjudo are currently under review in the EU and several other countries based on the HIMALAYA, TOPAZ-1 and POSEIDON results.
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy approved in biliary tract cancer
The approval of Imfinzi plus chemotherapy brings the first immunotherapy regimen to patients with curatively unresectable BTC in Japan after more than a decade of limited innovation. The approval is based on results from an interim analysis of the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial, which showed that Imfinzi plus chemotherapy significantly reduced the risk of death compared to chemotherapy alone. Imfinzi plus chemotherapy was generally well tolerated and did not increase the discontinuation rate due to adverse events compared to chemotherapy alone.
BTC is a group of rare and aggressive cancers that occur in the bile ducts and gallbladder.8,9 In 2021, approximately 23,300 people in Japan were diagnosed with BTC, which is the sixth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women and seventh-leading cause of cancer-related death for men in Japan.7 Patients face a poor prognosis, with approximately 19% to 31% of patients with BTC surviving five years.7
Notes
HIMALAYA
HIMALAYA was a randomised, open-label, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi monotherapy and the STRIDE regimen comprising a single priming dose of Imjudo 300mg added to Imfinzi 1500mg followed by Imfinzi every four weeks versus sorafenib, a standard-of-care multi-kinase inhibitor.
The trial included a total of 1,324 patients with unresectable, advanced HCC who had not been treated with prior systemic therapy and were not eligible for locoregional therapy (treatment localised to the liver and surrounding tissue).
The trial was conducted in 181 centres across 16 countries, including in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. The primary endpoint was OS for the combination versus sorafenib and key secondary endpoints included OS for Imfinzi versus sorafenib, objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) for the combination and for Imfinzi alone.
In HIMALAYA, the STRIDE regimen reduced the risk of death by 22% versus sorafenib (hazard ratio [HR] 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.92; p= 0.0035). An estimated 31% of patients treated with the combination were still alive after three years, with 20% of patients treated with sorafenib still alive at the same duration of follow-up. The safety profiles of the combination of Imjudo added to Imfinzi and for Imfinzi alone were consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, and no new safety signals were identified.
POSEIDON
The POSEIDON trial was a randomised, open-label, multi-centre, global, Phase III trial of Imfinzi plus platinum-based chemotherapy, or Imfinzi, Imjudo and chemotherapy, versus chemotherapy alone in the 1st-line treatment of 1,013 patients with metastatic NSCLC. The trial population included patients with either non-squamous or squamous disease, and the full range of PD-L1 expression levels. POSEIDON excluded patients with certain epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusions.
In the experimental arms, patients were treated with a flat dose of either Imfinzi (1,500mg) or Imfinzi plus Imjudo (75mg) with up to four cycles of chemotherapy every three weeks before either Imfinzi maintenance once every four weeks or Imfinzi and a fifth dose of Imjudo given at week 16. In comparison, the control arm allowed up to six cycles of chemotherapy. Pemetrexed maintenance treatment was allowed in all arms in patients with non-squamous disease if given during the induction phase. Nearly all patients with non-squamous disease (95.5%) had pemetrexed and platinum, while the majority of patients with squamous disease receiving chemotherapy (88.3%) received gemcitabine and platinum.
Primary endpoints included PFS and OS for the Imfinzi plus chemotherapy arm. Key secondary endpoints included PFS and OS in the Imfinzi plus Imjudo and chemotherapy arm. As both PFS endpoints were met for Imfinzi plus chemotherapy and Imfinzi, Imjudo and chemotherapy, the prespecified statistical analysis plan allowed for testing OS in the Imfinzi plus Imjudo and chemotherapy arm. The trial was conducted in more than 150 centres across 18 countries, including the US, Europe, South America, Asia and South Africa.
Patients treated with a limited course of five cycles of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody Imjudo added to Imfinzi plus four cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy experienced a 23% reduction in the risk of death versus a range of chemotherapy options (HR 0.77; 95% CI, 0.65-0.92; p=0.00304). An estimated 33% of patients were alive at two years versus 22% for chemotherapy. This treatment combination also reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 28% compared to chemotherapy alone (HR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60-0.86; p=0.00031).
Updated results after approximately four years of follow-up presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2022 demonstrated sustained survival benefit, improving overall survival (OS) by 25% compared to chemotherapy alone (HR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.88). An estimated 25% of patients treated with the combination were alive at three years versus 13.6% for those treated with chemotherapy alone. The safety profile for Imjudo plus Imfinzi and chemotherapy was consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, and no new safety signals were identified.
TOPAZ-1
TOPAZ-1 was a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) versus placebo in combination with chemotherapy as a 1st-line treatment in 685 patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic BTC including intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and gallbladder cancer. Patients with ampullary carcinoma were excluded.
The primary endpoint was OS and key secondary endpoints included PFS, ORR and safety. The trial was conducted in 105 centres across 17 countries including in the US, Europe, South America and several countries in Asia including South Korea, Thailand, Japan and China.
At the interim analysis, Imfinzi plus chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 20% versus chemotherapy alone (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.97; p=0.021). Updated results from TOPAZ-1 after an additional 6.5 months of follow-up showed a 24% reduction in the risk of death versus chemotherapy alone (HR 0.76; 95% CI, 0.64-0.91), with more than two times as many patients treated with Imfinzi plus chemotherapy estimated to be alive at two years versus chemotherapy alone (23.6% versus 11.5%). Updated median overall survival (OS) was 12.9 months versus 11.3 with chemotherapy. Imfinzi plus chemotherapy was generally well tolerated, with no new safety signals observed, and did not increase the discontinuation rate due to adverse events (AEs) compared to chemotherapy alone.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III NSCLC in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiotherapy and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. In 2021, updated results from the CASPIAN trial showed Imfinzi plus chemotherapy tripled patient survival at three years versus chemotherapy alone.
Imfinzi is also approved in combination with Imjudo and chemotherapy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in the US and Japan; in combination with chemotherapy in locally advanced or metastatic BTC in the US, Japan and several other countries; in combination with Imjudo in unresectable HCC in the US and Japan; as monotherapy in unresectable HCC in Japan; and in previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours.
Imjudo
Imjudo (tremelimumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Imjudo blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T-cell activation, priming the immune response to cancer and fostering cancer cell death.
In addition to its approved indications in liver and lung cancers, Imjudo is being tested in combination with Imfinzi across multiple tumour types including locoregional HCC (EMERALD-3), SCLC (ADRIATIC) and bladder cancer (VOLGA and NILE).
AstraZeneca in GI cancers
AstraZeneca has a broad development programme for the treatment of GI cancers across several medicines and a variety of tumour types and stages of disease. In 2020, GI cancers collectively represented approximately 5.1 million new cancer cases leading to approximately 3.6 million deaths.10
Within this programme, the Company is committed to improving outcomes in gastric, liver, BTC, oesophageal, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
Imfinzi is approved in the US and several other countries in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) for advanced biliary tract cancer and in the US and Japan in combination with Imjudo in unresectable HCC. Imfinzi is also approved as a monotherapy in unresectable HCC in Japan. Imfinzi is being assessed in combinations, including with Imjudo, in liver, oesophageal and gastric cancers in an extensive development programme spanning early to late-stage disease across settings.
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate, is approved in the US and several other countries for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer and is being assessed in colorectal cancer. Enhertu is jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
Lynparza (olaparib), a first-in-class PARP inhibitor, is approved in the US and several other countries for the treatment of BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. Lynparza is developed and commercialised in collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. inside the US and Canada).
AstraZeneca in lung cancer
AstraZeneca is working to bring patients with lung cancer closer to cure through the detection and treatment of early-stage disease, while also pushing the boundaries of science to improve outcomes in the resistant and advanced settings. By defining new therapeutic targets and investigating innovative approaches, the Company aims to match medicines to the patients who can benefit most.
The Company's comprehensive portfolio includes leading lung cancer medicines and the next wave of innovations, including Tagrisso (osimertinib) and Iressa (gefitinib); Imfinzi and Imjudo; Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo; Orpathys (savolitinib) in collaboration with HUTCHMED; as well as a pipeline of potential new medicines and combinations across diverse mechanisms of action.
AstraZeneca is a founding member of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition working to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful improvements for people with lung cancer, including and beyond treatment.
AstraZeneca in immuno-oncology (IO)
AstraZeneca is a pioneer in introducing the concept of immunotherapy into dedicated clinical areas of high unmet medical need. The Company has a comprehensive and diverse IO portfolio and pipeline anchored in immunotherapies designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response and stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours.
AstraZeneca aims to reimagine cancer care and help transform outcomes for patients with Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with Imjudo as well as other novel immunotherapies and modalities. The Company is also exploring next-generation immunotherapies like bispecific antibodies and therapeutics that harness different aspects of immunity to target cancer.
AstraZeneca is boldly pursuing an innovative clinical strategy to bring IO-based therapies that deliver long-term survival to new settings across a wide range of cancer types. With an extensive clinical programme, the Company also champions the use of IO treatment in earlier disease stages, where there is the greatest potential for cure.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca's Imjudo/Imfinzi combo gets approval in Japan for liver, lung cancers
Dec. 28, 2022 4:40 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare approved AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) immunotherapies Imfinzi and Imjudo to treat certain types of liver and lung cancers and Imfinzi to treat biliary tract and liver cancers.
LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
December 23, 2022 at 8:30 AM EST
LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB) APPROVED IN JAPAN FOR ADVANCED OR RECURRENT CERVICAL CANCER
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Dec. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced that the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan has granted marketing and manufacturing authorization for Libtayo® (cemiplimab) as monotherapy to treat patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer whose disease progressed after chemotherapy.
"In recent years, the incidence of cervical cancer has increased in Japan, with the prognosis for advanced stage disease remaining poor and treatment options limited," said Israel Lowy, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Translational and Clinical Sciences, Oncology at Regeneron. "With this approval, Libtayo becomes the first single-agent immunotherapy approved in Japan for the treatment of advanced cervical cancer."
The MHLW approval is based on positive data from the international, multicenter Phase 3 EMPOWER-Cervical 1 trial, conducted in collaboration with NRG Oncology-Japan, the GOG Foundation, Inc., and the European Network for Gynaecological Oncological Trial (ENGOT) groups. The trial evaluated Libtayo compared to an investigator's choice of chemotherapy and enrolled 608 patients across 14 countries, including Japan, irrespective of PD-L1 expression status or histology. In March 2021, the trial was stopped early based on the highly significant effect of Libtayo on overall survival among squamous cell carcinoma patients following a unanimous recommendation by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee.
"With Libtayo, Japan now has an approved treatment option that has demonstrated significant survival benefits in this cervical cancer patient population compared to chemotherapy irrespective of PD-L1 expression – a milestone no other PD-1 inhibitor has achieved in a Phase 3 trial," said Prof. Kosei Hasegawa, Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International medical Center, a trial investigator and a member of NRG Oncology-Japan. "We are proud to have contributed to bringing this new treatment option to women living with this difficult-to-treat cancer in Japan.
Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. It is estimated that approximately 600,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed and 350,000 deaths from cervical cancer occur worldwide each year.
In November 2022, Libtayo was approved by the European Commission for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer and disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation. In the U.S. and other countries Libtayo is indicated in certain patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), advanced CSCC and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as in advanced cervical cancer in Japan, the European Union, Canada and Brazil.
Libtayo was jointly developed by Sanofi and Regeneron under a global collaboration agreement. As of July 1, 2022, Regeneron is responsible for the development and marketing of Libtayo globally. In Japan, Libtayo is currently marketed by Sanofi on Regeneron's behalf over the course of a defined transition period.
The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Libtayo is currently being investigated in trials as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. FDA-approved Indications
Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat:
-- People with a type of skin cancer called CSCC that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.
-- People with a type of skin cancer called BCC:
- That cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced BCC) and have received treatment with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI), or cannot receive treatment with an HHI.
- That has spread (metastatic BCC) and have received treatment with an HHI, or cannot receive treatment with an HHI. This use is approved based on how many patients responded to treatment and how long they responded. Studies are ongoing to provide additional information about clinical benefit.
-- Adults with a type of lung cancer called NSCLC:
- Libtayo may be used in combination with chemotherapy that contains a platinum medicine as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, OR your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), AND your tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR", "ALK" or "ROS1" gene.
- Libtayo may be used alone as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, OR your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), AND your tumor tests positive for high "PD-L1", AND your tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR", "ALK "or "ROS1" gene.
It is not known if Libtayo is safe and effective in children.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
About Regeneron in Oncology
At Regeneron, we're applying more than three decades of scientific innovation with the goal of developing paradigm-changing therapies for patients with cancer. Our oncology portfolio is built around two foundational approaches – our approved PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo and investigational bispecific antibodies – which are being evaluated both as monotherapies and in combination with emerging therapeutic modalities. Together, they provide us with unique combinatorial flexibility to develop potentially synergistic treatments for a wide range of solid tumors and blood cancers.
If you are interested in learning more about our clinical trials, please contact us (clinicaltrials@regeneron.com or 844-734-6643) or visit our clinical trials website.
About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create approximately one in five of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent® (dupilumab), Libtayo, Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb™ (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for nearly 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite technologies, such as VelocImmune, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/libtayo-cemiplimab-approved-in-japan-for-advanced-or-recurrent-cervical-cancer-301709636.html
SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron's Libtayo approved in Japan for cervical cancer
Dec. 23, 2022 9:01 AM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN)
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- Japanese regulators have granted marketing authorization to Regeneron's (NASDAQ:REGN) Libtayo (cemiplimab) for advanced or recurrent cervical cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3920272-regeneron-libtayo-approved-in-japan-for-cervical-cancer
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN)
- https://www.libtayo.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
December 22, 2022
Yescarta® Now Approved in Japan for Initial Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma
– Based on Landmark ZUMA-7 Study, Patients with LBCL Treated with Yescarta in Second-Line Achieved Four-Fold Greater Improvement in Event-Free Survival of 8.3 Months vs. Two Months for Standard of Care (SOC)
– In ZUMA-7, Patients Treated with Yescarta Were 2.5 Times More Likely than SOC to be Alive at Two Years Without Disease Progression or Need for Additional Treatments –
SANTA MONICA, Calif. & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite Pharma, Inc., a Gilead Company, (hereafter, Kite) (NASDAQ: GILD) and Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) (TSE: 4568) today jointly announced that the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, for the initial treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma ( R/R LBCL): diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, transformed follicular lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Yescarta should be used only in patients who have not received prior transfusion of CAR T-cells targeted at CD19 antigen.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221222005384/en/
The Standard of Care (SOC) to treat LBCL patients has historically been a multi-step process that starts with chemoimmunotherapy, followed by high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) and then ends with a stem cell transplant (ASCT). Although approximately 60% of newly diagnosed LBCL patients will respond to the initial treatment with chemotherapy, 40% will relapse or will not respond and need second-line treatment. Yescarta is now approved for the initial treatment of R/R LBCL patients in Japan.
“We are very proud of this additional Yescarta approval in Japan,” said Christi Shaw, CEO of Kite. “As Japan has the second-largest number of people diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma globally, this approval marks an important step in bringing this innovative therapy earlier to more patients.”
“We are glad to have achieved this important milestone in order to provide an innovative treatment option to more patients with large B-cell lymphoma in Japan,” said Wataru Takasaki, PhD, Executive Officer, Head of R&D Division in Japan, Daiichi Sankyo. “It also further demonstrates the expertise of our Daiichi Sankyo R&D organization as we had successfully expanded the indication for this CAR-T modality.”
The approval of Yescarta for the initial treatment of R/R LBCL patients in Japan is based on clinical data, including the results of the global pivotal trial conducted by Kite (ZUMA-7). ZUMA-7 is the largest and longest trial of a CAR T-cell therapy versus SOC in this patient population. Results from the study demonstrated that at a median follow-up of two years, Yescarta-treated patients had a four-fold greater improvement in the primary endpoint of event-free survival (EFS; hazard ratio 0.40; 95% CI: 0.31-0.51, P<0.0001) over the current SOC (8.3 months vs 2.0 months). Additionally, Yescarta demonstrated a 2.5 fold increase in patients who were alive at two years without disease progression or need for additional cancer treatment vs SOC (41% v 16%).
This indication was first approved by the U.S. FDA in April 2022 followed by the European Commission in October 2022.
On December 7, 2022, Daiichi Sankyo and Kite jointly announced that the Marketing Authorization for Yescarta will be transferred to Gilead Sciences K.K., the Japan subsidiary of Gilead Sciences, Inc., in 2023. The Kite Cell Therapy Business Unit at Gilead Sciences K.K. will manage the sales and promotion activities of the product in Japan after the Marketing Authorization transfer.
Kite’s manufacturing facility in El Segundo, California, U.S., has been approved by Japanese regulatory authorities to commence manufacturing Yescarta for the Japan market in 2023.
About Zuma-7
ZUMA-7 is an ongoing, randomized, open-label, global, multicenter (US, Australia, Canada, Europe, Israel) Phase 3 study of 359 patients at 77 centers, evaluating the safety and efficacy of a single-infusion of Yescarta versus current SOC for second-line therapy (platinum-based salvage combination chemotherapy regimen followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant in those who respond to salvage chemotherapy) in adult patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL within 12 months of first-line therapy. The primary endpoint is event free survival (EFS). Key secondary endpoints include objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS). Additional secondary endpoints include patient reported outcomes and safety.
About YESCARTA®
Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) is a CAR T-cell therapy directed against CD19 (a cell membrane protein), which harnesses a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. Axicabtagene ciloleucel is made by removing a patient’s T cells from their blood and engineering them in the lab to express chimeric antigen receptors so that they can recognize and destroy cancer cells when they are infused back to the patient’s body. The CAR T-cell therapy is manufactured specifically for each patient and administered only once. Axicabtagene ciloleucel received Orphan Drug Designation from the Japan MHLW in 2018 for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, transformed follicular lymphoma and high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Yescarta was approved in Japan for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in January 2021.
https://www.yescarta.com/lbcl/
Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
Yescarta® is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy. (1.1)
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.
Limitations of Use: Yescarta is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma. (1.1)
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s). (1.2)
For the full European Prescribing Information, please visit: : https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/yescarta.
About Daiichi Sankyo
Daiichi Sankyo is dedicated to creating new modalities and innovative medicines by leveraging our world-class science and technology for our purpose “to contribute to the enrichment of quality of life around the world.” In addition to our current portfolio of medicines for cancer and cardiovascular disease, Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on developing novel therapies for people with cancer as well as other diseases with high unmet medical needs. With more than 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 16,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation to realize our 2030 Vision to become an “Innovative Global Healthcare Company Contributing to the Sustainable Development of Society.” For more information, please visit: www.daiichisankyo.com.
About Kite
Kite, a Gilead Company, is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California, focused on cell therapy to treat and potentially cure cancer. As the global cell therapy leader, Kite has treated more patients with CAR T-cell therapy than any other company. Kite has the largest in-house cell therapy manufacturing network in the world, spanning process development, vector manufacturing, clinical trial production and commercial product manufacturing. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. Gilead Sciences acquired Kite in 2017.
U.S. Prescribing Information for Yescarta including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.kitepharma.com and www.gilead.com .
Kite, the Kite logo, Yescarta, and GILEAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc. or its related companies.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221222005384/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead's Yescarta approved in Japan for initial treatment of B-cell lymphomas
Dec. 22, 2022 4:59 PM ET
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), DSKYF, DSNKY
By: Anuron Mitra, SA News Editor
- Gilead Sciences' (NASDAQ:GILD) Kite Pharma and Japanese pharmaceutical giant Daiichi Sankyo (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) on Thursday said that cancer drug Yescarta had received approval from the country's health ministry for initial treatment of various types of B-cell lymphoma.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3920108-gileads-yescarta-approved-in-japan-for-initial-treatment-of-b-cell-lymphomas
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), DSKYF, DSNKY
- https://www.yescarta.com/lbcl/
- https://www.gilead.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy approved in the EU as first immunotherapy regimen for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer
PUBLISHED21 December 2022
21 December 2022 07:00 GMT
Approval based on TOPAZ-1 updated survival results showing Imfinzi
combination reduced risk of death by 24% vs. chemotherapy alone
AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) has been approved in the European Union (EU) for the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC) in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin).
The approval by the European Commission was based on the primary results from the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine Evidence, and on the updated results presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2022. The approval follows the recommendation by The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency in November 2022.
At the interim analysis, Imfinzi plus chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 20% versus chemotherapy alone (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.97; p=0.021). Updated results from TOPAZ-1 after an additional 6.5 months of follow-up showed a 24% reduction in the risk of death versus chemotherapy alone (HR 0.76; 95% CI, 0.64-0.91), with more than two times as many patients treated with Imfinzi plus chemotherapy estimated to be alive at two years versus chemotherapy alone (23.6% versus 11.5%). Updated median overall survival (OS) was 12.9 months versus 11.3 with chemotherapy.
BTC is a group of rare and aggressive cancers that occur in the bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma) and gallbladder.1,2 There are approximately 211,000 new patients diagnosed with gallbladder and biliary tract cancer each year, and about 40,000 of these occur across Europe.3 These patients have a poor prognosis, with approximately 5% to 15% of patients with BTC surviving five years.4
Juan W. Valle, MD, Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, UK, and a lead investigator in the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial, said: “Today’s approval marks an important shift in the treatment of this aggressive and often overlooked disease and a significant improvement compared to standard of care for these patients. After waiting over a decade for new therapeutic options, biliary tract cancer patients in the EU will now have the opportunity to benefit from an immunotherapy-based treatment for the first time.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “With this approval, Imfinzi plus chemotherapy becomes the only immunotherapy-based treatment option available to patients in the EU with advanced biliary tract cancer. This approval underscores our commitment to transform survival outcomes while addressing the high unmet need for new and improved treatments for patients with hepatobiliary cancers.”
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy was generally well tolerated, with no new safety signals observed, and did not increase the discontinuation rate due to adverse events (AEs) compared to chemotherapy alone. Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related AEs were experienced by 60.9% of patients treated with Imfinzi plus chemotherapy, and by 63.5% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone.
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy is approved in the US and other countries for the treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic BTC. Regulatory applications are also currently under review in Japan and several other countries based on the TOPAZ-1 results.
Notes
Biliary tract cancer
BTC is a group of rare and aggressive gastrointestinal (GI) cancers that form in the cells of the bile ducts (cholangiocarcinoma), gallbladder or ampulla of Vater (where the bile duct and pancreatic duct connect to the small intestine).1,2
Early-stage BTC affecting the bile ducts and gallbladder often presents without clear symptoms and most new cases of BTC are therefore diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment options are limited and the prognosis is poor.4-6 Cholangiocarcinoma is more common in China and Southeast Asia and is on the rise in Western countries.1,4
TOPAZ-1
TOPAZ-1 was a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) versus placebo in combination with chemotherapy as a 1st-line treatment in 685 patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic BTC including intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and gallbladder cancer. Patients with ampullary carcinoma were excluded.
The primary endpoint was overall survival and key secondary endpoints included progression-free survival, objective response rate and safety. The trial was conducted in 105 centres across 17 countries including in the US, Europe, South America and several countries in Asia including South Korea, Thailand, Japan and China.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy in unresectable or metastatic BTC, unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma [in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab)], and the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiotherapy. It is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. In 2021, updated results from the CASPIAN trial showed Imfinzi plus chemotherapy tripled patient survival at three years versus chemotherapy alone.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with Stage IV (metastatic) NSCLC in combination with Imjudo and chemotherapy.
Imfinzi is also approved for previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several GI cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and other solid tumours.
AstraZeneca in GI cancers
AstraZeneca has a broad development programme for the treatment of GI cancers across several medicines and a variety of tumour types and stages of disease. In 2020, GI cancers collectively represented approximately 5.1 million new cancer cases leading to approximately 3.6 million deaths.7
Within this programme, the Company is committed to improving outcomes in gastric, liver, biliary tract, oesophageal, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
Imfinzi is approved in the US in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) for advanced BTC and in combination with Imjudo in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Imfinzi is being assessed in combinations, including with Imjudo in liver, oesophageal and gastric cancers in an extensive development programme spanning early to late-stage disease across settings.
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate, is approved in HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer and is being assessed in colorectal cancer. Enhertu is jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
Lynparza (olaparib), a first-in-class PARP inhibitor, is approved in BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. Lynparza is developed and commercialised in collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. inside the US and Canada).
AstraZeneca in immuno-oncology (IO)
AstraZeneca is a pioneer in introducing the concept of immunotherapy into dedicated clinical areas of high unmet medical need. The Company has a comprehensive and diverse IO portfolio and pipeline anchored in immunotherapies designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response and stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours.
AstraZeneca aims to reimagine cancer care and help transform outcomes for patients with Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with Imjudo as well as other novel immunotherapies and modalities. The Company is also exploring next-generation immunotherapies like bispecific antibodies and therapeutics that harness different aspects of immunity to target cancer.
AstraZeneca is boldly pursuing an innovative clinical strategy to bring IO-based therapies that deliver long-term survival to new settings across a wide range of cancer types. With an extensive clinical programme, the Company also champions the use of IO treatment in earlier disease stages, where there is the greatest potential for cure.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca Imfinzi combo for biliary tract cancer gets approval in EU
Dec. 21, 2022 4:50 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The European Commission (EC) approved AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Imfinzi in combination with chemotherapies gemcitabine and cisplatin, as a first‑line treatment for adults with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3919300-astrazenecas-imfinzi-combo-for-biliary-tract-cancer-gets-approval-in-eu
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
- https://www.imfinzi.com/
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone Approved in the EU as Treatment for Certain Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
December 21, 2022 6:45 am ET
First PARP inhibitor and new hormonal agent combination approved for these patients in Europe
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstraZeneca and Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that LYNPARZA has been approved in the European Union (EU) in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated.
This approval by the European Commission follows the positive recommendation from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use received in November this year and was based on the Phase 3 PROpel trial, results of which were published in NEJM Evidence in June 2022.
In PROpel, LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 34% (HR=0.66 [95% CI, 0.54-0.81]; p<0.0001) versus placebo plus abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone, based on investigator assessment. Median radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) was 24.8 months for the LYNPARZA plus abiraterone arm (95% CI, 20.5, 27.6) versus 16.6 months for the placebo plus abiraterone arm (95% CI, 13.9, 19.2). A planned sensitivity analysis by blinded independent central review was consistent with the investigator-based analysis, with a median rPFS of 27.6 months for the LYNPARZA plus abiraterone arm compared to 16.4 months for the placebo plus abiraterone arm.
Interim results for the key secondary efficacy endpoint of overall survival (OS) did not reach statistical significance, with an event rate of 37.1% in the LYNPARZA plus abiraterone arm versus 43.1% in the placebo plus abiraterone arm at the time of the analysis (HR=0.83 [95% CI, 0.66-1.03]).
The safety and tolerability of LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone was generally consistent with that of the individual medicines. Approximately 16% of patients who received LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone discontinued treatment due to an adverse event (AE). As previously reported, based on an analysis from the PROpel trial presented earlier this year at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, the most common AEs (≥20%) were anemia (46%), fatigue (37%) and nausea (28%). Grade ≥3 AEs were anemia (15%), hypertension (4%), urinary tract infection (2%), fatigue (2%), decreased appetite (1%), vomiting (1%), back pain (1%), diarrhea (1%) and nausea (0.3%).
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Europe, with an estimated 473,000 cases and 108,000 deaths in 2020. Approximately 10-20% of patients with prostate cancer are estimated to develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) within five years, with at least 84% of these patients presenting with metastases at the time of CRPC diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer have a particularly poor prognosis, with a five-year relative survival rate of about 30%, compared to patients diagnosed with earlier stages of the disease, with a five-year relative survival rate of more than 99%.
Noel Clarke, urological surgeon and professor of urological oncology at Manchester’s Christie/Salford Royal Hospitals and Manchester University, a senior investigator of the PROpel trial, said, “The results of the PROpel Phase 3 trial of olaparib in combination with abiraterone as a first-line treatment show that this therapeutic combination can provide significant clinical benefit to patients with mCRPC. Patients with this condition in the EU will now, for the first time, have the opportunity to benefit from this new treatment combination.”
Dave Fredrickson, executive vice president, oncology business unit, AstraZeneca, said, “Many patients with mCRPC are only able to receive one line of active therapy, as the disease can progress quickly. LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone has been shown to reduce the risk of disease progression by 34% versus the standard of care treatment in the PROpel trial. Moreover, the combination of LYNPARZA with abiraterone as a first-line treatment expands the use of LYNPARZA to a broader group of mCRPC patients than those treated with LYNPARZA alone in the second-line setting in the PROfound trial. Today’s approval marks a significant advance toward addressing the unmet need of patients with mCRPC in the EU.”
Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories, said, “Merck is committed to developing new treatment options for patients with mCRPC, a complex disease that urgently needs more therapies. This approval by the European Commission marks another step toward delivering on that commitment, and we look forward to extending the benefits of LYNPARZA to more patients with mCRPC in the EU.”
Use of LYNPARZAin combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone is currently under review by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of adult patients with mCRPC. LYNPARZA is approved in the U.S. as monotherapy for patients with homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-mutated mCRPC (BRCA-mutated and other HRR gene mutations) who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone and in the EU, Japan and China for patients with BRCA-mutated mCRPC who have progressed following prior therapy that included a new hormonal agent (NHA). These approvals were based on the data from the Phase 3 PROfound trial.
About PROpel
PROpel is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial testing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of LYNPARZA versus placebo when given in addition to abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone in patients with mCRPC who had not received prior chemotherapy or NHAs in the mCRPC setting. The major efficacy outcome was rPFS as assessed by investigator per RECIST v1.1 and Prostate Cancer Working Group (bone) criteria. OS was an additional efficacy outcome measure.
INDICATIONS
LYNPARZA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated:
First-Line Maintenance BRCAm Advanced Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm or sBRCAm) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
First-Line Maintenance HRD-Positive Advanced Ovarian Cancer in Combination with Bevacizumab
In combination with bevacizumab for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and whose cancer is associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive status defined by either:
- a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA mutation, and/or
- genomic instability
Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Maintenance Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Adjuvant Treatment of gBRCAm, HER2-Negative, High-Risk Early Breast Cancer
For the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have been treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
gBRCAm, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or metastatic setting. Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with a prior endocrine therapy or be considered inappropriate for endocrine therapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
First-Line Maintenance gBRCAm Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma whose disease has not progressed on at least 16 weeks of a first-line platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
HRR Gene-mutated Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Please see complete Prescribing Information , including Medication Guide .
Financial considerations
Under the oncology collaboration with AstraZeneca and following this new approval for LYNPARZA, AstraZeneca will receive a $105 million payment from Merck.
About LYNPARZA® (olaparib)
LYNPARZAis a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to potentially exploit DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies, such as BRCA mutations, to preferentially kill cancer cells. Inhibition of PARP with LYNPARZA leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death. LYNPARZA is being tested in a range of tumor types with defects and dependencies in the DDR.
LYNPARZA, which is being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Merck, has a broad clinical trial development program, and AstraZeneca and Merck are working together to understand how it may affect multiple PARP-dependent tumors as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple cancer types.
About the AstraZeneca and Merck strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize certain oncology products including LYNPARZA, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, for multiple cancer types. Working together, the companies will develop these products in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. Independently, the companies will develop these oncology productsin combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
AstraZeneca, Merck's Lynparza gets approval in EU for expanded use in prostate cancer
Dec. 21, 2022 4:29 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The European Commission (EC) approved AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Lynparza in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone, to treat adult men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer for whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3919299-astrazeneca-mercks-lynparza-gets-approval-in-eu-for-expanded-use-in-prostate-cancer
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), MRK
- https://www.lynparza.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Seagen, Astellas and Merck Announce FDA Acceptance of sBLAs for PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for the First-Line Treatment of Certain Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer
12/20/2022
– This combination has the potential to be the first treatment option combining an antibody-drug conjugate plus an immunotherapy in this treatment setting –
– FDA granted the applications Priority Review with a PDUFA date of April 21, 2023 –
BOTHELL, Wash. & TOKYO & RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN),Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE:4503) and Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for Priority Review supplemental Biologics License Applications (sBLAs) for PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for use of these two agents in combination for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) who are not eligible to receive cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. The respective applications are intended to expand both labels for PADCEV and KEYTRUDA. The agency set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date for each application of April 21, 2023.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221220005198/en/
“We look forward to working closely with the FDA as we seek potential accelerated approval for this combination in the hopes that it can be another treatment option for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy,” said Ahsan Arozullah, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Vice President and Head of Development Therapeutic Areas, Astellas.
The combination therapy was granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA in February 2020. The respective sBLAs are supported by efficacy and safety data from the phase 1b/2 EV-103 trial (NCT03288545, also known as KEYNOTE-869) Dose Escalation/Cohort A and Cohort K. Results from Dose Escalation/Cohort A were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.1 Results from Cohort K were presented in a late-breaking session at the 2022 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress.2
“Urothelial cancer, the most common type of bladder cancer, is associated with poor survival in the advanced stage,” said Marjorie Green, M.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Late-Stage Development, Seagen. “The investigational results from our clinical development program support the combination of PADCEV and KEYTRUDA as a potential treatment for this patient population.”
Please see Important Safety Information at the end of this press release for both drugs, including a warning and precaution for immune-mediated adverse reactions for pembrolizumab and BOXED WARNING for PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) for serious skin reactions.
“Despite advancements in treatment options, approximately half of advanced bladder cancer patients in the U.S. are ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy, and these patients need new options. We are encouraged by the investigational results of the combination of PADCEV and KEYTRUDA for this patient population and are fully committed to work to bring this new approach forward to patients,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer, Merck Research Laboratories.
Seagen, Astellas and Merck are further investigating enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab in the ongoing phase 3 EV-302 study (NCT04223856, also known as KEYNOTE-A39), evaluating the clinical benefit for the investigational treatment combination in patients with previously untreated advanced urothelial cancer. The trial is intended to serve as the confirmatory trial for the potential accelerated approval in the U.S. and serve as the basis for global registration.
The studies are part of an extensive program evaluating this combination in multiple stages of urothelial cancer, including two phase 3 clinical trials in muscle-invasive bladder cancer in EV-304 (NCT04700124, also known as KEYNOTE-B15) and EV-303 (NCT03924895, also known as KEYNOTE-905).
About the EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 Trial
The EV-103 trial (NCT03288545) is an ongoing, multi-cohort, open-label, multicenter phase 1b/2 study of enfortumab vedotin alone or in combination with pembrolizumab and/or chemotherapy in first- or second-line settings in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) and in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
About PADCEV
PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed against Nectin-4, a protein located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer.7 Nonclinical data suggest the anticancer activity of PADCEV is due to its binding to Nectin-4-expressing cells followed by the internalization and release of the anti-tumor agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into the cell, which result in the cell not reproducing (cell cycle arrest) and in programmed cell death (apoptosis).8
Indication
PADCEV® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who:
- have previously received a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor and platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and have previously received one or more prior lines of therapy.8
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf.
About Seagen
Seagen Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes transformative cancer medicines to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Seagen is headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area, and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and the European Union. For more information on the company’s marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter.
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
About the Seagen, Astellas and Merck Collaboration
Seagen and Astellas entered a clinical collaboration agreement with Merck to evaluate the combination of Seagen’s and Astellas’ PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with previously untreated metastatic urothelial cancer. KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221220005198/en/
Source: Seagen Inc.
Merck, Seagen, Astellas combo bladder cancer treatment sBLAs accepted by FDA
Dec. 20, 2022 8:41 AM ET
Astellas Pharma Inc. (ALPMF), ALPMY, SGEN, MRK
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The US FDA has accepted supplemental Biologics License Applications from Merck (NYSE:MRK), Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN), and Astellas (OTCPK:ALPMF)(OTCPK:ALPMY) for a combination of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Padcev (enfortumab vedotin) for urothelial cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3918891-merck-seagen-astellas-combo-bladder-cancer-treatment-sblas-accepted-by-fda
- Astellas Pharma Inc. (ALPMF), ALPMY, SGEN, MRK
- https://www.padcev.com/
- https://www.keytruda.com/
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
IMJUDO® (tremelimumab) in combination with IMFINZI® (durvalumab)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Enhertu recommended for approval in the EU by CHMP for patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer
PUBLISHED19 December 2022 19 December 2022 07:20 GMT
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu is the first HER2-directed therapy to
demonstrate a significant survival benefit vs. chemotherapy in this patient population
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) has been recommended for approval in the European Union (EU) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy.
Enhertu is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency based its positive opinion on results from the DESTINY-Breast04 Phase III trial, which were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2022 Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.1
In the trial, Enhertu reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 50% versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40-0.63; p<0.001) in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer with HR-positive or HR-negative disease. A median progression-free survival (PFS) of 9.9 months was seen with Enhertu versus 5.1 months in those treated with chemotherapy, as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). A 36% reduction in the risk of death (HR 0.64; 95% CI: 0.49-0.84; p=0.001) was seen with Enhertu compared to chemotherapy with a median overall survival (OS) of 23.4 months versus 16.8 months.
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “Enhertu is the first-ever HER2-directed medicine to show a survival benefit in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer, confirming the importance of targeting lower levels of HER2 expression in patients previously classified as HER2-negative. The CHMP’s recommendation is encouraging and supports our ambition to evolve the way breast cancer is classified and treated to ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
Ken Takeshita, Global Head, R&D Daiichi Sankyo, said: “This positive CHMP opinion recognises the unmet need in the European Union for patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. Currently, once patients with HR-positive disease progress on hormone therapy there are limited effective treatments, and few targeted options are available for patients with HR-negative disease. We look forward to the European Commission decision and aim to bring Enhertu to eligible patients as soon as possible.”
The safety profile observed in patients treated with Enhertu in the DESTINY-Breast04 trial was consistent with that seen in other trials of Enhertu in breast cancer with no new safety signals identified.
Notes
Breast cancer and HER2 expression
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.2 More than two million patients with breast cancer were diagnosed in 2020 with nearly 685,000 deaths globally.2 In Europe, approximately 531,000 breast cancer patients are diagnosed annually with nearly 141,000 deaths.3
HER2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor growth-promoting protein expressed on the surface of many types of tumours including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers, and is one of many biomarkers expressed in breast cancer tumours.4
HER2 expression is currently determined by an immunohistochemistry (IHC) test which estimates the amount of HER2 protein on a cancer cell, and/or an in situ hybridisation (ISH) test, which counts the copies of the HER2 gene in cancer cells.4,5 HER2 tests provide IHC and ISH scores across the full HER2 spectrum and are routinely used to determine appropriate treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
HER2-positive cancers are currently defined as HER2 expression measured as IHC 3+ or IHC 2+/ISH+, and HER2-negative cancers are defined as HER2 expression measured as IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-.4 However, approximately half of all breast cancers are HER2-low, defined as a HER2 score of IHC1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-.6-8 HER2-low occurs in both HR-positive and HR-negative disease.9
Currently, patients with HR-positive metastatic breast cancer and HER2-low disease have limited effective treatment options following progression on endocrine (hormone) therapy.10 Additionally, few targeted options are available for those with HR-negative disease.11
DESTINY-Breast04
DESTINY-Breast04 is a global, randomised, open-label, Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) in patients with HR-positive or HR-negative, HER2-low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with one or two prior lines of chemotherapy. Patients were randomised 2:1 to receive either Enhertu or chemotherapy.
The primary endpoint of DESTINY-Breast04 is PFS in patients with HR-positive disease based on BICR. Key secondary endpoints include PFS based on BICR in all randomised patients (HR-positive and HR-negative disease), OS in patients with HR-positive disease and OS in all randomised patients (HR-positive and HR-negative disease). Other secondary endpoints include PFS based on investigator assessment, objective response rate based on BICR and on investigator assessment, duration of response based on BICR and safety.
DESTINY-Breast04 enrolled 557 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a (or one or more) prior anti-HER2-based regimen, either in the metastatic setting or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy, based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial. Enhertu also is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in Brazil and the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ ISH-) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy, based on the results of the DESTINY-Breast04 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved under accelerated approval in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose tumours have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung02 trial. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 and/or the DESTINY-Gastric02 trial.
Enhertu development programme
A comprehensive global development programme is underway evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu monotherapy across multiple HER2-targetable cancers including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, are also underway.
Regulatory applications for Enhertu in breast, non-small cell lung and gastric cancer are currently under review in several countries.
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
AstraZeneca in breast cancer
Driven by a growing understanding of breast cancer biology, AstraZeneca is starting to challenge, and redefine, the current clinical paradigm for how breast cancer is classified and treated to deliver even more effective treatments to patients in need – with the bold ambition to one day eliminate breast cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca has a comprehensive portfolio of approved and promising compounds in development that leverage different mechanisms of action to address the biologically diverse breast cancer tumour environment.
With Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-directed ADC, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo are aiming to improve outcomes in previously treated HER2-positive and HER2-low metastatic breast cancer and are exploring its potential in earlier lines of treatment and in new breast cancer settings.
In HR-positive breast cancer, AstraZeneca continues to improve outcomes with foundational medicines Faslodex (fulvestrant) and Zoladex (goserelin) and aims to reshape the HR-positive space with ngSERD and potential new medicine camizestrant as well as a potential first-in-class AKT kinase inhibitor, capivasertib. AstraZeneca is also collaborating with Daiichi Sankyo to explore the potential of TROP2-directed ADC, datopotamab deruxtecan, in this setting.
PARP inhibitor Lynparza (olaparib) is a targeted treatment option that has been studied in early and metastatic breast cancer with an inherited BRCA mutation. AstraZeneca with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. in the US and Canada) continue to research Lynparza in these settings and to explore its potential in earlier disease.
To bring much-needed treatment options to patients with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer, AstraZeneca is evaluating the potential of datopotamab deruxtecan alone and in combination with immunotherapy Imfinzi (durvalumab), capivasertib in combination with chemotherapy, and Imfinzi in combination with other oncology medicines, including Lynparza and Enhertu.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca's Enhertu wins EU approval for advanced gastric cancer
Dec. 19, 2022 3:43 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The European Commission has approved AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) as a monotherapy for HER2 positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3918701-astrazeneca-enhertu-wins-eu-approval-for-advanced-gastric-cancer
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
- https://enhertu.com/en
- Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide.
IMJUDO® (tremelimumab) in combination with IMFINZI® (durvalumab)
IMJUDO® (tremelimumab) in combination with IMFINZI® (durvalumab)
IMJUDO® (tremelimumab) in combination with IMFINZI® (durvalumab)
Imjudo
tremelimumab
Opinion
On 15 December 2022, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorisation for the medicinal product Imjudo, intended for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The applicant for this medicinal product is AstraZeneca AB.
Imjudo will be available as a 20 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion. The active substance of Imjudo is tremelimumab, a monoclonal antibody (ATC code: L01FX20). It binds to CTLA-4, which is primarily expressed on the surface of activated T lymphocytes, and thus enhances T-cell activation and proliferation, resulting in increased T-cell diversity and enhanced anti-tumour activity.
The benefit of Imjudo in combination with durvalumab is a significant improvement in overall survival compared with the standard of care, sorafenib, as observed in a randomised, open-label, multicentre Phase III study in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The most common side effects are rash, pruritus, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, AST increased, pyrexia, hypothyroidism, cough/productive cough, oedema peripheral and lipase increased.
The full indication is:
Imjudo in combination with durvalumab is indicated for the first line treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Imjudo should be prescribed by physicians experienced in the treatment of cancer.
Detailed recommendations for the use of this product will be described in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC), which will be published in the European public assessment report (EPAR) and made available in all official European Union languages after the marketing authorisation has been granted by the European Commission.
- List itemCHMP summary of positive opinion for Imjudo (PDF/128.42 KB) (new)
Adopted
First published: 16/12/2022
EMA/904398/2022
AstraZeneca's Imjudo combo gets EMA panel nod to treat liver, lung cancers in EU
Dec. 16, 2022 7:01 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- A panel of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the approval of AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Imjudo for treating certain types of liver and lung cancers.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3917925-astrazenecas-imjudo-combo-gets-ema-panel-nod-to-treat-liver-lung-cancers-in-eu
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
- https://www.imfinzi.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
IMJUDO® (tremelimumab) in combination with IMFINZI® (durvalumab)
IMJUDO® (tremelimumab) in combination with IMFINZI® (durvalumab)
December 15, 2022 at 12:59 AM EST
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) APPROVED BY EUROPEAN COMMISSION AS THE FIRST AND ONLY TARGETED MEDICINE INDICATED FOR PRURIGO NODULARIS
Approval based on direct-to-Phase 3 program showing more than three times as many Dupixent patients (60% and 58%) experienced clinically meaningful itch reduction at 24 weeks compared to placebo (18% and 20%)
Dupixent also significantly reduced skin lesions and improved health-related quality of life compared to placebo
In Europe, about 70,000 adults living with prurigo nodularis are most in need of new treatment options
Dupixent now approved to treat four chronic inflammatory diseases in the EU
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, Dec. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced that the European Commission (EC) has expanded the marketing authorization for Dupixent® (dupilumab) in the European Union to treat adults with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis who are candidates for systemic therapy. Prurigo nodularis is a chronic, debilitating skin disease with underlying type 2 inflammation and its impact on quality of life is one of the highest among inflammatory skin diseases. With this approval, Dupixent is the first and only targeted medicine specifically indicated to treat prurigo nodularis in Europe and the U.S.
"For the first time, patients with prurigo nodularis in Europe have a medicine that can help relieve the burden of itchy and painful nodules covering their skin, which can have a devastating impact on their day-to-day lives, both physically and mentally," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron, and a principal inventor of Dupixent. "Dupixent is now approved for its second dermatological disease and fourth disease overall. We remain committed to further investigating this innovative medicine for diseases – such as chronic urticarias and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – in which type 2 inflammation may play a role."
"As the first and only targeted medicine approved to treat people living with prurigo nodularis, Dupixent has the potential to transform the standard-of-care for people in Europe living with this debilitating skin disease. In the pivotal trials, patients treated with Dupixent experienced significant improvements in key hallmarks of the disease, such as reduction in itch and achieving clearer skin, as well as broader impacts on their daily lives," Naimish Patel, M.D. Head of Global Development, Immunology and Inflammation at Sanofi. "This approval of Dupixent underscores our continued commitment to bringing Dupixent to patients suffering from chronic skin diseases with underlying type 2 inflammation as quickly as possible."
The EC decision is based on data from two Phase 3 trials, PRIME and PRIME2, evaluating the efficacy and safety of Dupixent (PRIME n=75; PRIME2 n=78) in adults with uncontrolled prurigo nodularis compared to placebo (PRIME n=76; PRIME2 n=82). In these trials, 44% and 37% of Dupixent patients experienced a clinically meaningful reduction in itch at 12 weeks, compared to 16% and 22% for placebo, respectively. The improvement further increased at 24 weeks, with approximately three times as many Dupixent patients (60% and 58%) experiencing a clinically meaningful reduction in itch from baseline, compared to placebo (18% and 20%).
In PRIME and PRIME2, more than twice as many Dupixent patients (48% and 45%) also achieved clear or almost clear skin at 24 weeks, compared to placebo (18% and 16%). Dupixent also significantly improved health-related quality of life, while reducing measures of skin pain and symptoms of anxiety/depression from baseline at 24 weeks compared to placebo.
The safety results of the trial were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved indications, with the most common side effects across indications including injection site reactions, conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis allergic, arthralgia, oral herpes and eosinophilia. Adverse events more commonly observed in prurigo nodularis with Dupixent compared to placebo included conjunctivitis (4% Dupixent and 1% placebo).
About Prurigo Nodularis
Prurigo nodularis is a chronic, debilitating skin disease with underlying type 2 inflammation and has one of the highest impacts on a patient's quality of life among inflammatory skin diseases due to the extreme itch it causes. Those with prurigo nodularis experience intense, persistent itch with thick skin lesions (called nodules) that can cover most of the body. The disease is often painful – with burning, stinging and tingling of the skin – and can negatively affect mental health, activities of daily living and social interactions. High-potency topical steroids are commonly prescribed but are associated with safety risks if used long-term. In Europe, about 70,000 adults living with prurigo nodularis are most in need of new treatment options.
About the Dupixent Prurigo Nodularis Trials
The PRIME and PRIME2 Phase 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in 311 adults with uncontrolled prurigo nodularis. In PRIME and PRIME2, the primary endpoint evaluated the proportion of patients with clinically meaningful improvement in itch from baseline (measured by a ≥4-point reduction in Worst-Itch Numeric Rating Scale [WI-NRS] on a 0-10 scale) at 24 and 12 weeks, respectively.
Additional endpoints included the proportion of patients with clear or almost clear skin of nodules at 24 weeks (measured by a score of 0 or 1 on the Investigator's Global Assessment PN-Stage [IGA PN-S] on a 0-4 scale), the proportion of patients who achieved a clinically meaningful response in both WI-NRS and IGA PN-S, improvement from baseline in health-related quality of life (measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] on a 0-30 scale), improvement from baseline in skin pain (measured by a Numerical Rating Scale from 0-10), and improvement from baseline in symptoms of anxiety and depression (measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] from 0-42).
About Dupixent
Dupixent is an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) at different injection sites. In the EU for adults with prurigo nodularis, Dupixent is administered at 300 mg every two weeks, following a loading dose. It is available as both a pre-filled pen and pre-filled syringe at the 300 mg dose. Dupixent is intended for use under the guidance of a healthcare professional and can be given in a clinic or at home by self-administration after training by a healthcare professional.
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) and prurigo nodularis, as well as investigational disease eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in the EU.
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP, EoE or prurigo nodularis in different age populations. Dupixent is currently approved for one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries, including in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. More than 500,000 patients have been treated with Dupixent globally.
About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create approximately one in five of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent, Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc), Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb® (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more than 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.
In addition to the currently approved indications, Regeneron and Sanofi are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in Phase 3 trials, including pediatric EoE, hand and foot atopic dermatitis, chronic inducible urticaria-cold, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic pruritus of unknown origin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with evidence of type 2 inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and bullous pemphigoid. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. INDICATIONS
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
- to treat adults with prurigo nodularis (PN). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with prurigo nodularis under 18 years of age.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for nearly 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune®, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dupixent-dupilumab-approved-by-european-commission-as-the-first-and-only-targeted-medicine-indicated-for-prurigo-nodularis-301703698.html
SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sanofi, Regeneron Dupixent gets approval in EU for expanded use in skin disorder
Dec. 15, 2022 5:02 AM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The European Commission (EC) approved the expanded use of Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ:REGN) Dupixent (dupilumab) to treat adults with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis (PN) who are candidates for systemic therapy.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3917422-sanofiregeneron-dupixent-gets-approval-in-eu-for-expanded-use-in-skin-disorder
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
- https://www.dupixent.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
AstraZeneca and Merck Provide Update on US Regulatory Review of LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone as Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
December 15, 2022 6:45 am ET
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstraZeneca and Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed AstraZeneca that the agency will extend by three months the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date for the pending supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The purpose of the extension is to provide further time for the full review of the submission. The companies will continue to work with the FDA to facilitate the completion of the agency’s review.
The sNDA for LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone is based on the Phase 3 PROpel trial, results of which were published in NEJM Evidence in June 2022. The application was granted priority review, and AstraZeneca and Merck are committed to working with the FDA to bring this treatment option to patients with mCRPC.
In November, the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone in the European Union (EU) for the treatment of adult patients with mCRPC for whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated. This combination is also undergoing regulatory reviews in other countries.
Approved indications for LYNPARZA are not impacted by this review period extension. Among these, LYNPARZA is approved in the U.S. for patients with homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-mutated mCRPC (BRCA-mutated and other HRR gene mutations) who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone and in the EU, Japan and China for patients with BRCA-mutated mCRPC who have progressed following prior therapy that included a new hormonal agent (NHA). These approvals were based on the data from the Phase 3 PROfound trial.
About PROpel
PROpel is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial testing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of LYNPARZA versus placebo when given in addition to abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone in patients with mCRPC who had not received prior chemotherapy or NHAs in the mCRPC setting. The major efficacy outcome was radiographic progression-free survival as assessed by investigator per RECIST v1.1 and Prostate Cancer Working Group (bone) criteria. Overall survival was an additional efficacy outcome measure.
INDICATIONS for LYNPARZA in the United States
LYNPARZA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated:
First-Line Maintenance BRCAm Advanced Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm or sBRCAm) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
First-Line Maintenance HRD-Positive Advanced Ovarian Cancer in Combination with Bevacizumab
In combination with bevacizumab for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and whose cancer is associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive status defined by either:
- a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA mutation, and/or
- genomic instability
Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Maintenance Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Adjuvant Treatment of gBRCAm, HER2-Negative, High-Risk Early Breast Cancer
For the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have been treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
gBRCAm, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or metastatic setting. Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with a prior endocrine therapy or be considered inappropriate for endocrine therapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
First-Line Maintenance gBRCAm Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma whose disease has not progressed on at least 16 weeks of a first-line platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
HRR Gene-mutated Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Please see complete Prescribing Information , including Medication Guide .
About LYNPARZA® (olaparib)
LYNPARZAis a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to potentially exploit DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies, such as BRCA mutations, to preferentially kill cancer cells. Inhibition of PARP with LYNPARZA leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death. LYNPARZA is being tested in a range of tumor types with defects and dependencies in the DDR.
LYNPARZA, which is being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Merck, has a broad clinical trial development program, and AstraZeneca and Merck are working together to understand how it may affect multiple PARP-dependent tumors as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple cancer types.
About the AstraZeneca and Merck strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize certain oncology products including LYNPARZA, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, for multiple cancer types. Working together, the companies will developthese products in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. Independently, the companies will develop these oncology products in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
FDA extends review of AstraZeneca/Merck's Lynparza's expanded use in prostate cancer
Dec. 15, 2022 4:34 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), MRK, JNJ
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will extend the review period by three months of AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Lynparza to treat a type of prostate cancer to have more time to review the companies' application.
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) with Novel Immunotherapy Combination
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
Seagen Announces Results from Phase 2 Clinical Trial of ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) with Novel Immunotherapy Combination in Patients with Advanced- and Early-Stage Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
12/12/2022
– ADCETRIS in Combination with Nivolumab, Doxorubicin and Dacarbazine Delivers 88% Complete Response (CR) Rate in Advanced-Stage cHL and 92% CR Rate in Early-Stage cHL –
– 95% of Advanced-Stage Patients Remain Progression Free at 12 Months with 17 Months Median Follow-Up –
– Regimen Was Well-Tolerated in Both Cohorts with No Treatment-Related Deaths and Less Than Half of Patients in Either Group Developed Any Grade Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy –
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) today announced results from two parts of a phase 2 trial (SGN35-027) evaluating ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab and standard chemotherapy agents doxorubicin and dacarbazine (AN+AD) for the frontline treatment of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Part B of the trial evaluated patients with advanced-stage disease and was presented as an oral presentation, and Part C evaluated patients with early-stage disease and was presented as a poster at the 64th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans.
Results demonstrated a complete response (CR) rate of 88% and an overall response rate (ORR) of 93% in patients with advanced-stage disease (Part B), and a CR rate of 92% and an ORR of 95% in patients with early-stage disease (Part C). The data showed that the combination was well-tolerated, with no new safety signals observed.
“We are encouraged that ADCETRIS in combination with the immunotherapy nivolumab and standard chemotherapy agents showed promising efficacy and safety as a first-line treatment in patients with early- and advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma,” said Marjorie Green, M.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Late-Stage Development at Seagen. “These agents with complementary mechanisms of action warrant further investigation as a potential frontline treatment option for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.”
Part B Phase 2 Study of Brentuximab Vedotin, Nivolumab, Doxorubicin, and Dacarbazine (AN+AD) for Advanced Stage Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma (Abstract #314)
Part B of SGN35-027 is evaluating the novel ADCETRIS combination in 57 patients with advanced-stage cHL (Stage II with bulky disease, Stage III or IV). Results showed:
- An 88% CR rate (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 76.3, 94.9) and 93% ORR (95% CI: 83.0, 98.1) at the end of treatment.
- The estimated 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 95% (median follow-up 17.2 months [95% CI: 15.5, 17.5]).
- The most frequently reported treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurring in more than 40% of patients were nausea at 65% (37/57), fatigue at 47% (27/57) and peripheral sensory neuropathy at 44% (25/57).
- Peripheral sensory neuropathy was primarily low grade (4% Grade ≥3), and no patients discontinued due to peripheral sensory neuropathy.
Part C Phase 2 Study of Brentuximab Vedotin, Nivolumab, Doxorubicin, and Dacarbazine (AN+AD) for Early-Stage Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma (Abstract #4230)
Part C of SGN35-027 is evaluating the novel ADCETRIS combination in 125 patients with early-stage (non-bulky Stage I or II) cHL. Of 125 patients in the study, 76 were included at the time of efficacy assessment. Results showed:
- A 92% CR rate (95% CI: 83.6, 97.0) and a 95% ORR (95% CI: 87.1, 98.5) at end of treatment (N=76).
- Follow up is ongoing and PFS results are not yet available.
- The most frequently reported treatment-related TEAEs occurring in more than 30% of patients were nausea at 68% (85/125), peripheral sensory neuropathy at 42% (53/125), and fatigue at 38% (47/125).
- Peripheral sensory neuropathy was primarily low grade (2% Grade ≥3), and no patients discontinued due to peripheral sensory neuropathy.
About the SGN35-027 Clinical Study
SGN35-027 is an ongoing open-label, multiple part, multicenter, phase 2 clinical trial evaluating two brentuximab vedotin treatment combinations in patients with advanced and early-stage cHL. The trial includes three parts (Parts A, B, and C). Part A includes a combination of brentuximab vedotin and doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (A+AVD), while Parts B and C include brentuximab vedotin in combination with nivolumab, doxorubicin, and dacarbazine (AN+AD). The primary endpoint for Part A is the proportion of patients with treatment-emergent febrile neutropenia. The primary endpoint for Parts B and C is the proportion of participants with complete response at end of treatment according to the Lymphoma Response to Immunomodulatory Therapy Criteria (LYRIC). Incidence of adverse events is a secondary endpoint for Parts B and C.
About ADCETRIS
ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30, a defining marker of cHL and expressed on the surface of several types of lymphomas. It is approved in seven indications in the U.S.:
- Adult patients with previously untreated Stage III/IV cHL, in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine.
- Pediatric patients 2 years and older with previously untreated high risk cHL, in combination with doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone and cyclophosphamide.
- Adult patients with cHL at high risk of relapse or progression as post-autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) consolidation.
- Adult patients with cHL after failure of auto-HSCT or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not auto-HSCT candidates.
- Adult patients with previously untreated systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) or other CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and PTCL not otherwise specified, in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone.
- Adult patients with sALCL after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen.
- Adult patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) or CD30-expressing mycosis fungoides (MF) who have received prior systemic therapy.
Seagen and Takeda jointly develop ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seagen has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights, and Takeda has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seagen recognizes royalty revenues from Takeda based on a percentage of Takeda's net sales of ADCETRIS in its licensed territories based on annual net sales tiers. Seagen and Takeda are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where Takeda is solely responsible for development costs.
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) for injection U.S. Important Safety Information
BOXED WARNING
PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY (PML): JC virus infection resulting in PML and death can occur in ADCETRIS-treated patients.
CONTRAINDICATION
Contraindicated with concomitant bleomycin due to pulmonary toxicity (e.g., interstitial infiltration and/or inflammation)
Please see full Prescribing information, including BOXED WARNING, for ADCETRIS here.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221212005222/en/
Source: Seagen Inc.
Seagen buoyed by Adcetris combo data for classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Dec. 12, 2022 1:50 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- Phase 2 data of Seagen's (NASDAQ:SGEN) Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb's (BMY) Opdivo (nivolumab) and standard chemotherapy agents in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma led to improved complete response.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3916234-seagen-buoyed-by-adcetris-combo-data-for-classical-hodgkin-lymphoma
- Seagen Inc. (SGEN)
- https://www.adcetris.com/
- https://www.seagen.com/
Jardiance® (empagliflozin)
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in Combination With Abiraterone and Prednisone or Prednisolone
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) combined with chemotherapy
Phase III trial demonstrated Jardiance® is the first SGLT2 inhibitor to show statistically significant reduction in blood sugar levels in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes
December 7, 2022
- Jardiance® (empagliflozin) is the first SGLT2 inhibitor to demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in the primary outcome of HbA1c (a marker of average blood sugar) in participants aged 10-17 living with type 2 diabetes compared to placebo
- Safety data in this vulnerable population was similar to that in adults with type 2 diabetes, confirming the well-established safety profile of Jardiance
INGELHEIM, Germany and RIDGEFIELD, Conn. and INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The DINAMO phase III clinical trial met its primary endpoint by demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c (a marker of average blood sugar) with Jardiance® (empagliflozin) compared with placebo for children and adolescents aged 10-17 years living with type 2 diabetes. When Jardiance was added to other baseline treatments (diet, exercise, metformin and/or insulin) HbA1c was reduced by 0.84% compared with placebo at week 26 (95% CI –1.50 to –0.19; P=0.012). The results were presented today at the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) World Diabetes congress 2022, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced.
The DINAMO (DIabetes study of liNAgliptin and eMpagliflozin in children and adOlescents) trial included youth aged 10-17 years with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c ≥6.5% and ≤10.5%. Participants were randomly assigned treatment with Jardiance (10 or 25 mg) (n=52), Tradjenta® (linagliptin) (5 mg) (n=53) or placebo (n=53) once daily. All participants were treated with diet and exercise plus, when appropriate, metformin and/or insulin.
The overall safety data was generally consistent with previous findings in adults with type 2 diabetes, confirming the well-established safety profile of both Jardiance and Tradjenta.
"Across the lifespan, we know that people living with type 2 diabetes have a high risk for many diabetes complications, so it's important to recognize and treat diabetes early in its course," said Lori Laffel, M.D., principal investigator of the DINAMO study and chief of the Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Section at the Joslin Diabetes Center and professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. "Today's results from the DINAMO global clinical trial demonstrated that the SGLT2 inhibitor Jardiance compared with placebo significantly improved overall blood sugar control in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes. These findings are particularly important given the need for more therapeutic options, especially oral agents, to manage type 2 diabetes in young people as, to date, metformin is the only globally available oral treatment for youth."
A secondary endpoint from the trial showed that at week 26, Jardiance reduced fasting plasma glucose (–35.2 mg/dL; P=0.0035).
"With more than 41,000 new cases worldwide annually, type 2 diabetes in today's young people is a global public health issue, especially in light of the rise of risk factors such as obesity," said Lykke Hinsch Gylvin, M.D., chief medical officer at Boehringer Ingelheim. "The clinically meaningful benefit and consistent safety profile demonstrated with Jardiance in the DINAMO trial is an encouraging outcome for the vulnerable population of children and adolescents."
"The rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the pediatric population highlights a clear unmet need," said Jeff Emmick, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, Product Development, Eli Lilly & Company. "Having overcome the challenges in recruitment and design that pediatric trials tend to face, the outcomes of DINAMO represent another positive step forward in Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly's commitment to improve the lives of people living with cardio-renal and metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes."
Reduction in HbA1c in participants treated with Tradjenta was not statistically significant when compared with placebo. A numerical reduction of 0.34% (P=0.2935) was observed.
The findings have been submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
About DINAMO: DIabetes study of liNAgliptin and eMpagliflozin in children and adOlescents
DINAMO (NCT03429543) enrolled children and adolescents aged 10-17 years with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c ≥6.5% and ≤10.5%). Of the 262 participants screened, 158 were randomly assigned to treatment with Jardiance (10 or 25 mg) (n=52), Tradjenta (5 mg) (n=53) or placebo (n=53) once daily. All participants were treated with diet and exercise plus metformin and/or insulin (or no background if metformin intolerant). The trial compared efficacy and safety of a Jardiance dosing regimen compared with placebo and Tradjenta compared with placebo on durable glycemic control in youth with type 2 diabetes.
What is JARDIANCE?
JARDIANCE is a prescription medicine used to:
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have known cardiovascular disease
- lower blood sugar along with diet and exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes
JARDIANCE is not for people with type 1 diabetes. It may increase their risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).
JARDIANCE is not for use to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes who have severe kidney problems, because it may not work.
https://www.jardiance.com/type-2-diabetes/
For more information, please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
CL-JAR-100131 10.17.2022
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an Alliance that centers on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes. Depending on geographies, the companies either co-promote or separately promote the respective molecules each contributing to the Alliance. The Alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies to focus on patient needs. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate their commitment, not only to the care of people with diabetes, but also to investigating the potential to address areas of unmet medical need.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Around 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.us.
About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 47 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about Jardiance® as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known cardiovascular disease, and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, and as a potential treatment for adults with cardio-kidney-metabolic conditions and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, as with any pharmaceutical product, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of drug research, development and commercialization. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that planned or ongoing studies will be completed as planned, that future study results will be consistent with the results to date or that Jardiance® will receive additional regulatory approvals. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, please see Lilly's most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.
Jardiance®, EMPEROR-Reduced®, EMPEROR-Preserved®, EMPA-REG OUTCOME® and EMPACT-MI® are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phase-iii-trial-demonstrated-jardiance-is-the-first-sglt2-inhibitor-to-show-statistically-significant-reduction-in-blood-sugar-levels-in-children-and-adolescents-with-type-2-diabetes-301697025.html
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly, Boehringer diabetes drug meets main goal in patients aged 10-17
Dec. 07, 2022 8:48 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and its German partner Boehringer Ingelheim announced Wednesday that the Phase 3 trial for SGLT2 inhibitor Jardiance met the primary endpoint in patients aged 10-17 years with type 2 diabetes.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3914862-lly-stock-on-watch-as-diabetes-drug-meets-main-goal-in-young-patients
- Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)
- https://www.jardiance.com/type-2-diabetes/
- https://www.lilly.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) combined with chemotherapy
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) combined with chemotherapy
Merck Announces Phase 3 KEYNOTE-859 Trial Met Primary Endpoint of Overall Survival in Patients With HER2-Negative Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction (GEJ) Adenocarcinoma
November 22, 2022 6:45 am ET
In KEYNOTE-859, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) combined with chemotherapy demonstrated statistically significant overall survival, progression-free survival, and overall response rate for patients regardless of PD-L1 expression
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced positive topline results from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-859 trial investigating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the trial’s primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy alone in the all-randomized patient population at a pre-specified interim analysis conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate (ORR) were also observed in the all-randomized patient population.
The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and will be submitted to regulatory authorities.
“Despite improvements in cancer care, advanced gastric cancer continues to have one of the lowest five-year survival rates, and new interventions are urgently needed. The results from KEYNOTE-859 show the potential of KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy to improve survival beyond chemotherapy alone for patients with HER2-negative locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, regardless of PD-L1 expression,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president and head of global clinical development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are excited by these new results that demonstrate our commitment to exploring new treatment options for patients fighting gastrointestinal cancers with KEYTRUDA and thank all investigators and patients who participated in this trial.”
Merck has an extensive clinical development program evaluating KEYTRUDA in gastrointestinal cancers, which includes KEYNOTE-811 in first-line advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer, KEYNOTE-585 in early-stage gastric cancer, and further exploration in advanced/metastatic gastric cancer in LEAP-015. Merck is continuing to study KEYTRUDA for multiple uses in hepatobiliary, esophageal, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
About KEYNOTE-859
KEYNOTE-859 is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03675737) evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy compared to placebo in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with HER2-negative locally advanced unresectable or metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma. The primary endpoint is OS, and secondary endpoints include PFS, ORR, duration of response and safety. The trial enrolled 1,579 patients who were randomized to receive KEYTRUDA (200 mg every three weeks for up to approximately two years) in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, or placebo in combination with chemotherapy.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck's Keytruda shows survival benefit, meets main goal of gastric cancer trial
Nov. 22, 2022 7:18 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor2 Comments
Merck's (NYSE:MRK) blockbuster drug Keytruda, in combination with chemotherapy, met the main goal of overall survival (OS) in patients with a type of gastric cancer in a phase 3 trial.
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Enhertu
trastuzumab deruxtecan
Table of contents
Opinion
On 10 November 2022, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending a change to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product Enhertu. The marketing authorisation holder for this medicinal product is Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH.
The CHMP adopted a new indication for the treatment of gastric cancer. For information, the full indications for Enhertu will therefore be as follows:1
Breast cancer
Enhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens.
Gastric cancer
Enhertu as monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen.
Detailed recommendations for the use of this product will be described in the updated summary of product characteristics (SmPC), which will be published in the revised European public assessment report (EPAR), and will be available in all official European Union languages after a decision on this change to the marketing authorisation has been granted by the European Commission.
1 New text in bold.
- List itemCHMP post-authorisation summary of positive opinion for Enhertu (II-12) (PDF/125.65 KB) (new)
Adopted
First published: 11/11/2022
Daiichi Sankyo wins EU backing for Enhertu in gastric cancer
Nov. 11, 2022 8:50 AM ET
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (DSKYF), DSNKY, AZN
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- An expert panel of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended issuing marketing authorization for Daiichi Sankyo (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) to include gastric cancer as an indication for Enhertu, an antibody-drug conjugate the company develops with AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3906414-daiichi-sankyo-wins-eu-backing-for-enhertu-in-gastric-cancer
- Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (DSKYF), DSNKY, AZN
- https://enhertu.com/en
- https://www.daiichisankyo.com/
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) tablets
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) tablets
Lynparza
olaparib
Table of contents
Opinion
On 10 November 2022, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending a change to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product Lynparza. The marketing authorisation holder for this medicinal product is AstraZeneca AB.
The CHMP adopted a new indication as follows:
Lynparza is indicated in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of adult patients with mCRPC in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated (see section 5.1).
For information, the full indications for Lynparza tablets will therefore be as follows:1
Ovarian cancer
Lynparza is indicated as monotherapy for the:
- maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced (FIGO stages III and IV) BRCA1/2-mutated (germline and/or somatic) high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in response (complete or partial) following completion of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.
- maintenance treatment of adult patients with platinum‑sensitive relapsed high‑grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in response (complete or partial) to platinum‑based chemotherapy.
Lynparza in combination with bevacizumab is indicated for the:
- maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced (FIGO stages III and IV) high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in response (complete or partial) following completion of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab and whose cancer is associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) positive status defined by either a BRCA1/2 mutation and/or genomic instability (see section 5.1).
Breast cancer
Lynparza is indicated as:
- monotherapy or in combination with endocrine therapy for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with germline BRCA1/2-mutations who have HER2-negative, high risk early breast cancer previously treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).
- monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with germline BRCA1/2-mutations, who have HER2 negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Patients should have previously been treated with an anthracycline and a taxane in the (neo)adjuvant or metastatic setting unless patients were not suitable for these treatments (see section 5.1). Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should also have progressed on or after prior endocrine therapy, or be considered unsuitable for endocrine therapy.
Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas
Lynparza is indicated as monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with germline BRCA1/2-mutations who have metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and have not progressed after a minimum of 16 weeks of platinum treatment within a first-line chemotherapy regimen.
Prostate cancer
Lynparza is indicated:
- as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and BRCA1/2-mutations (germline and/or somatic) who have progressed following prior therapy that included a new hormonal agent.
- in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of adult patients with mCRPC in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated (see section 5.1).
Detailed recommendations for the use of this product will be described in the updated summary of product characteristics (SmPC), which will be published in the revised European public assessment report (EPAR), and will be available in all official European Union languages after a decision on this change to the marketing authorisation has been granted by the European Commission.
1New text in bold
- List itemCHMP post-authorisation summary of positive opinion for Lynparza (II-53) (PDF/151.54 KB) (new)
First published: 11/11/2022 EMA/CHMP/822269/2022
AstraZeneca/Merck's Lynparza gets EMA panel's greenlight for expanded use in prostate cancer
Nov. 11, 2022 8:35 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- A panel of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the expanded approval of AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Merck's (NYSE:MRK) blockbuster cancer drug Lynparza.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3906396-astrazenecamercks-lynparza-gets-ema-panels-greenlight-for-expanded-use-in-prostate-cancer
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), MRK
- https://www.lynparza.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
Imfinzi(durvalumab) and Imjudo(tremelimumab) with chemotherapy
Imfinzi(durvalumab) and Imjudo(tremelimumab) with chemotherapy
Imfinzi(durvalumab) and Imjudo(tremelimumab) with chemotherapy
Imfinzi and Imjudo with chemotherapy approved in the US for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
PUBLISHED11 November 2022 11 November 2022 07:00 GMT
Approval based on POSEIDON Phase III trial results, which showed significant survival benefit with a limited course of Imjudo added to Imfinzi and chemotherapy
AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab) plus platinum-based chemotherapy has been approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with Stage IV (metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
The approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was based on the results from the POSEIDON Phase III trial. Patients treated with a limited course of five cycles of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody Imjudo added to Imfinzi plus four cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy experienced a 23% reduction in the risk of death versus a range of chemotherapy options (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.77; 95% CI 0.65-0.92; p=0.00304). An estimated 33% of patients were alive at two years versus 22% for chemotherapy. This treatment combination also reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 28% compared to chemotherapy alone (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.60-0.86; p=0.00031).
Updated results from the POSEIDON Phase III trial after approximately four years of follow-up presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology demonstrated sustained survival benefit, improving overall survival (OS) by 25% compared to chemotherapy alone (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.63-0.88). An estimated 25% of patients treated with the combination were alive at three years versus 13.6% for those treated with chemotherapy alone. The safety profile for Imjudo plus Imfinzi and chemotherapy was consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, and no new safety signals were identified.
In the US, lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer, with more than 236,000 patients expected to be diagnosed in 2022.1 For patients with metastatic NSCLC, prognosis is particularly poor, as only approximately 8% will live beyond five years after diagnosis.2
Melissa Johnson, MD, Director of Lung Cancer Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology in Nashville, Tennessee, and a lead investigator in the POSEIDON Phase III trial, said: “Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer remains a significant treatment challenge because many patients’ tumours do not respond well to standard therapies, including checkpoint inhibitors. The approval of this dual immunotherapy regimen with chemotherapy introduces a new, generally well-tolerated treatment option for patients with this devastating disease and gives them the chance to benefit from the long-term survival advantage seen with CTLA-4 inhibition.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “This approval underscores the importance of delivering novel treatment combinations that extend survival in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, a complex setting where many patients still face a dismal prognosis. This marks the second indication for Imjudo added to Imfinzi in just a few weeks following its approval in unresectable liver cancer, reinforcing the benefits of this new medicine and our commitment to improving patient outcomes in cancer settings with continued unmet need.”
Regulatory applications are also currently under review in Europe, Japan and several other countries for this indication based on the POSEIDON results.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy and the global standard of care in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III NSCLC in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial. Imfinzi is also approved in the US, the EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. Imfinzi is approved in the US and several other countries in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer based on the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial, and it is approved with Imjudo in the US for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma based on the HIMALAYA Phase III trial.
Notes
Stage IV NSCLC
Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer globally, with more than two million patients diagnosed in 2020.3 Lung cancer is broadly split into NSCLC and SCLC, with 80-85% classified as NSCLC. Within NSCLC, patients are classified as squamous, representing 25-30% of patients, or non-squamous, in approximately 70-75% of patients.4-6
POSEIDON
The POSEIDON trial was a randomised, open-label, multi-centre, global, Phase III trial of Imfinzi plus platinum-based chemotherapy, or Imfinzi, Imjudo and chemotherapy, versus chemotherapy alone in the 1st-line treatment of 1,013 patients with metastatic NSCLC. The trial population included patients with either non-squamous or squamous disease, and the full range of PD-L1 expression levels. POSEIDON excluded patients with certain epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusions.
In the experimental arms, patients were treated with a flat dose of 1,500mg of Imfinzi, or Imfinzi and 75mg of Imjudo with up to four cycles of chemotherapy every three weeks, followed by maintenance treatment with Imfinzi once every four weeks, or Imfinzi and a fifth dose of 75mg of Imjudo given at week 16. In comparison, the control arm allowed up to six cycles of chemotherapy. Pemetrexed maintenance treatment was allowed in all arms in patients with non-squamous disease if given during the induction phase. Nearly all patients with non-squamous disease (95.5%) had pemetrexed and platinum, while the majority of patients with squamous disease receiving chemotherapy (88.3%) received gemcitabine and platinum.
Primary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and OS for the Imfinzi plus chemotherapy arm. Key secondary endpoints included PFS and OS in the Imfinzi plus Imjudo and chemotherapy arm. As both PFS endpoints were met for Imfinzi plus chemotherapy and Imfinzi, Imjudo and chemotherapy, the prespecified statistical analysis plan allowed for testing OS in the Imfinzi plus Imjudo and chemotherapy arm. The trial was conducted in more than 150 centres across 18 countries, including the US, Europe, South America, Asia and South Africa.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
In addition to its approved indications in lung cancer, Imfinzi is also the only approved immunotherapy in unresectable or metastatic biliary tract cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (in combination with Imjudo), and is also approved for previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours.
Imjudo
Imjudo (tremelimumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Imjudo blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T-cell activation, priming the immune response to cancer and fostering cancer cell death.
Imjudo is also approved in combination with Imfinzi for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is being tested in combination with Imfinzi across multiple tumour types including locoregional HCC (EMERALD-3), SCLC (ADRIATIC) and bladder cancer (VOLGA and NILE).
AstraZeneca in lung cancer
AstraZeneca is working to bring patients with lung cancer closer to cure through the detection and treatment of early-stage disease, while also pushing the boundaries of science to improve outcomes in the resistant and advanced settings. By defining new therapeutic targets and investigating innovative approaches, the Company aims to match medicines to the patients who can benefit most.
The Company's comprehensive portfolio includes leading lung cancer medicines and the next wave of innovations, including Tagrisso (osimertinib) and Iressa (gefitinib); Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab); Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) and datopotamab deruxtecan in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo; Orpathys (savolitinib) in collaboration with HUTCHMED; as well as a pipeline of potential new medicines and combinations across diverse mechanisms of action.
AstraZeneca is a founding member of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition working to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful improvements for people with lung cancer, including and beyond treatment.
AstraZeneca in immuno-oncology (IO)
AstraZeneca has a comprehensive and diverse IO portfolio and pipeline anchored in immunotherapies designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response and stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours.
AstraZeneca aims to reimagine cancer care and help transform outcomes for patients with Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with Imjudo as well as other novel immunotherapies and modalities. The Company is also exploring next-generation immunotherapies like bispecific antibodies and therapeutics that harness different aspects of immunity to target cancer.
AstraZeneca is boldly pursuing an innovative clinical strategy to bring IO-based therapies that deliver long-term survival to new settings across a wide range of cancer types. With an extensive clinical programme, the Company also champions the use of IO treatment in earlier disease stages, where there is the greatest potential for cure.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca Imjudo, Imfinzi combo approved for non–small cell lung cancer
Nov. 10, 2022 6:17 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The US FDA has approved a combination of AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Imjudo (tremelimumab) + Imfinzi (durvalumab) and platinum-based chemotherapy for metastatic non–small cell lung cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3906194-astrazeneca-imjudo-imfinzi-combo-approved-for-nonsmall-cell-lung-cancer
- AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
- https://www.imfinzi.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB-RWLC) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
Imfinzi(durvalumab) and Imjudo(tremelimumab) with chemotherapy
Imfinzi(durvalumab) and Imjudo(tremelimumab) with chemotherapy
November 8, 2022 at 4:41 PM EST
LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB-RWLC) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY APPROVED BY THE FDA AS FIRST-LINE TREATMENT FOR ADVANCED NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER (NSCLC)
Approval based on superior survival outcomes of Libtayo plus chemotherapy, compared to chemotherapy alone, in a patient population with a wide range of disease characteristics
Second advanced NSCLC indication expands patient population eligible for a Libtayo-based regimen to include combination treatment with chemotherapy irrespective of PD-L1 expression levels
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Nov. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations. Patients must either have metastatic or locally advanced tumors that are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation. Patients may be treated with this combination irrespective of PD-L1 expression or histology.
"This second FDA approval for cemiplimab-rwlc in advanced non-small cell lung cancer greatly broadens the scope in which a cemiplimab-rwlc-based regimen can be prescribed to encompass a wide range of patients, either as single agent in those with PD-L1 ≥50% or now in combination with chemotherapy irrespective of PD-L1 expression or tumor histology," said David R. Gandara, M.D., Professor Emeritus and Senior Advisor of the Thoracic Oncology Program at the University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. "The approval is based on a Phase 3 trial designed to closely resemble a patient population with varied disease presentations that physicians manage in everyday clinical practice. Even with these diverse disease presentations, cemiplimab-rwlc combined with chemotherapy demonstrated a marked increase in overall survival, at a median of 22 months versus 13 months with chemotherapy alone. Clearly, this is an advance which is clinically meaningful for our patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer."
The FDA approval is based on data from the global Phase 3 trial, EMPOWER-Lung 3, that investigated Libtayo in combination with a physician's choice of platinum-doublet chemotherapy (Libtayo combination), compared to platinum-doublet chemotherapy alone. The trial enrolled 466 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression or tumor histology, and with no ALK, EGFR or ROS1 aberrations. Among those enrolled, 43% had tumors with squamous histology, 67% had tumors with <50% PD-L1 expression, 15% had inoperable locally advanced disease not eligible for definitive chemoradiation, and 7% had pretreated and clinically stable brain metastases.
"Libtayo is now approved for extending the survival of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer as both a monotherapy in high PD-L1 expressors and in combination with chemotherapy irrespective of PD-L1 expression levels, achieving a high bar that has only been met by one other PD-1 targeting agent," said Israel Lowy, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Translational and Clinical Sciences, Oncology at Regeneron. "With this FDA approval, Libtayo can expand its role as a key treatment option for advanced non-small lung cancer, in addition to serving as a standard-of-care for two advanced non-melanoma skin cancers. We are committed to investigating Libtayo through ongoing trials as a monotherapy and as a backbone of combination treatments in multiple cancers. We thank the many investigators, patients and their families who have participated in our pivotal trials."
Efficacy in EMPOWER-Lung 3 was assessed in 466 patients who were randomized 2:1 to receive either Libtayo 350 mg (n=312) or placebo (n=154) intravenously every 3 weeks, plus histology-specific platinum-doublet chemotherapy. The trial was stopped early based on a recommendation by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee after the Libtayo combination demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival (OS), the primary endpoint. Efficacy results comparing the Libtayo combination to chemotherapy alone showed a:
- 22-month median OS versus 13 months, representing a 29% relative reduction in the risk of death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53 to 0.93; p=0.014). The 12-month probability of survival was 66% for the Libtayo combination versus 56% for chemotherapy, per Kaplan-Meier estimates.
- 8-month median PFS versus 5 months, representing a 44% reduction in the risk of disease progression (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.70; p<0.0001). The 12-month probability of PFS for the Libtayo combination was 38% versus 16% for chemotherapy.
- 43% overall response rate versus 23%.
- 16-month median DOR (range: 2 to 19+) versus 7 months (range: 2 to 19+).
Safety was assessed in 312 patients in the Libtayo combination group (median duration of exposure: 38 weeks) and 153 patients in the chemotherapy group (median duration of exposure: 21 weeks). The most common adverse reactions occurring in >15% of patients were alopecia (37% Libtayo combination, 43% placebo), musculoskeletal pain (30% Libtayo combination, 36% placebo), nausea (25% Libtayo combination, 16% placebo), fatigue (23% Libtayo combination, 18% placebo), peripheral neuropathy (23% Libtayo combination, 19% placebo) and decreased appetite (17% Libtayo combination, 12% placebo). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 25% of patients, with treatment discontinuations due to adverse reactions in 5% and fatal adverse reactions in 6%. No new Libtayo safety signals were observed.
"The approval of Libtayo in the combination setting builds on the monotherapy indication in advanced non-small cell lung cancer and furthers our excitement for what's to come as we continue our potentially transformative oncology research," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron. "Libtayo is the backbone of our oncology strategy, designed to synergistically combine multiple modalities to provide more options for more patients. We look forward to delivering on the promise of our research in other meaningful combinations that leverage Libtayo and our homegrown pipeline of investigational bispecific antibodies."
"We welcome this latest approval for Libtayo as a first-line combination treatment for appropriate patients with advanced lung cancer," said Andrea Ferris, President and CEO at the LUNGevity Foundation. "Lung cancer remains one of the most common cancers worldwide, and every new treatment option is an important step forward against this deadly cancer."
About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T-cells and was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation. In the U.S. and other countries Libtayo is indicated in certain patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and advanced NSCLC, as well as in advanced cervical cancer in Canada and Brazil. As of July 1, 2022, Libayo is developed and marketed globally by Regeneron.
In the U.S., the generic name for Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab-rwlc, with rwlc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the FDA. Outside of the U.S., the generic name of Libtayo in its approved indication is cemiplimab.
The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Libtayo is currently being investigated in trials as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. FDA-approved Indications
Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat:
- People with a type of skin cancer called advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.
- People with a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC):
- That cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced BCC) and have received treatment with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI), or cannot receive treatment with an HHI.
- That has spread (metastatic BCC) and have received treatment with an HHI, or cannot receive treatment with an HHI. This use is approved based on how many patients responded to treatment and how long they responded. Studies are ongoing to provide additional information about clinical benefit.
- Adults with a type of lung cancer called NSCLC:
- Libtayo may be used in combination with chemotherapy that contains a platinum medicine as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, OR your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), AND your tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR", "ALK" or "ROS1" gene.
- Libtayo may be used alone as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, OR your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), AND your tumor tests positive for high "PD-L1", AND your tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR", "ALK "or "ROS1" gene.
It is not known if Libtayo is safe and effective in children.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create approximately one in five of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent® (dupilumab), Libtayo, Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb™ (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for nearly 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite technologies, such as VelocImmune, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/libtayo-cemiplimab-rwlc-in-combination-with-chemotherapy-approved-by-the-fda-as-first-line-treatment-for-advanced-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-nsclc-301672231.html
SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron's Libtayo approved as first-line advanced NSCLC treatment with chemotherapy
Nov. 08, 2022 5:52 PM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN)
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The US FDA has approved an additional indication for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ:REGN) Libtayo, this time as a first-line treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3904187-regeneron-libtayo-approved-as-first-line-advanced-nsclc-treatment-with-chemotherapy
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
- https://www.libtayo.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
JARDIANCE® (empagliflozin tablets)
Imfinzi(durvalumab) and Imjudo(tremelimumab) with chemotherapy
Imjudo (tremelimumab) in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Landmark EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed significant benefit of Jardiance® in reducing kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death by 28% vs. placebo in people with chronic kidney disease
November 4, 2022
- EMPA-KIDNEY, the largest and broadest dedicated SGLT2 inhibitor trial in chronic kidney disease, provides new evidence for patients commonly seen in clinical practice
- Phase III trial also demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (14%) in hospitalization for any cause, bringing potential relief for patients and reducing burden on healthcare systems
OXFORD, United Kingdom and INGELHEIM, Germany and RIDGEFIELD, Conn. and INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EMPA-KIDNEY phase III clinical trial met its primary endpoint by demonstrating a significant kidney and cardiovascular benefit for adults living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). When treated with Jardiance® (empagliflozin), the risk of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death was significantly reduced by 28% vs. placebo (HR; 0.72; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.82; P<0.0001). The results were announced today during the American Society of Nephrology (ASN)'s Kidney Week 2022 by the Medical Research Council Population Health Research Unit (MRC PHRU) at the University of Oxford, which designed, conducted and analyzed EMPA-KIDNEY in a scientific collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY). The results were also published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine.
EMPA-KIDNEY is the first SGLT2 inhibitor CKD trial to demonstrate a significant reduction in all-cause hospitalizations (14%) (HR; 0.86; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.95; p=0.0025) vs. placebo, one of the pre-specified key secondary confirmatory endpoints. CKD doubles a person's risk for hospitalization and is a leading cause of death globally. Hospitalizations account for 35%-55% of total healthcare costs for people with CKD in the U.S.
The overall safety data was generally consistent with previous findings, confirming the well-established safety profile of Jardiance.
"We know that there is an urgent need for new therapies proven to delay CKD progression which can lead to the need for dialysis or transplantation. Today's results demonstrate that Jardiance may benefit adults at risk of progression, including those with or without diabetes, and across a wide range of kidney function," said William Herrington, associate professor at MRC PHRU (part of Oxford Population Health), and honorary consultant nephrologist, and EMPA-KIDNEY co-principal investigator. "By reducing the risk of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death, Jardiance has the potential to positively impact healthcare systems worldwide."
"The design of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial included a wider range of patients than ever before," said Professor Richard Haynes, co-principal investigator. "Previous SGLT2 inhibitor trials focused on certain groups of people living with CKD, such as those with diabetes or high levels of protein in their urine. Today's positive trial results across a broad CKD population reflect an opportunity to improve the treatment of this disease and prevent people from needing dialysis."
EMPA-KIDNEY is the largest and broadest dedicated SGLT2 inhibitor trial to date. It included 6,609 participants across a wide range of underlying causes, many with co-morbidities across the spectrum of cardiovascular, kidney or metabolic conditions. The trial assessed both kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in people across the spectrum of CKD severity.
"The Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Alliance is incredibly proud that EMPA-KIDNEY has provided another pivotal moment for Jardiance," said Carinne Brouillon, head of Human Pharma and member of the Board of Managing Directors, Boehringer Ingelheim. "Today's data adds to the body of evidence from our clinical program which includes more than 700,000 adults with cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic conditions. EMPA-KIDNEY reinforces the potential role of Jardiance in changing the way these interconnected conditions may be managed."
Reductions in other key secondary endpoints of hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death or all-cause death were not statistically significant, however the power to detect this was limited by the number of events observed. Reduction in the risk of these endpoints is consistent with the totality of the evidence from other trials which have shown statistical significance of these outcomes.
"Today's EMPA-KIDNEY trial results will be welcomed by people living with CKD and the medical community. We are also encouraged by the risk reduction for hospitalization after just two years, as this finding is in line with the significant reductions seen in prior Jardiance cardiovascular outcomes trials," said Jeff Emmick, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, Product Development, Lilly. "The Alliance looks forward to discussing plans for marketing authorization for CKD with regulators worldwide in due course."
Notes to editors
Kidney disease progression: Defined as end-stage kidney disease (the initiation of maintenance dialysis or receipt of a kidney transplant), a sustained decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to below 10 mL/min/1.73 m2, kidney death or a sustained decline of at least 40% in eGFR from randomization).
End stage kidney disease: Includes initiation of maintenance dialysis or receipt of a kidney transplant
About EMPA-KIDNEY: The study of heart and kidney protection with Jardiance
EMPA-KIDNEY (NCT03594110) is a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, designed to evaluate the effect of Jardiance on kidney disease progression and cardiovascular mortality risk. The primary outcome is defined as time to a first event of either cardiovascular death or kidney disease progression, defined as end-stage kidney disease (the need for kidney replacement therapy such as dialysis or kidney transplantation), a sustained decline in eGFR to <10 mL/min/1.73 m2, kidney death, or a sustained decline of ≥40 percent in eGFR from randomization. Key secondary outcomes include cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, all-cause hospitalization and all-cause mortality. EMPA-KIDNEY includes 6,609 adults randomized from eight countries with established CKD both with and without diabetes, as well as with and without albuminuria, receiving either Jardiance 10 mg or placebo, on top of current standard of care.
About the EMPOWER program
The Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Alliance has developed the EMPOWER program to explore the impact of Jardiance on major clinical cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in a spectrum of cardio-kidney-metabolic conditions. Cardio-renal-metabolic conditions are the leading cause of mortality worldwide and account for up to 20 million deaths annually. Through the EMPOWER program, Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly are working to advance knowledge of these interconnected systems and create care which offers integrated, multi-organ benefits. Comprised of nine clinical trials and two real-world evidence studies, EMPOWER reinforces the long-term commitment of the Alliance to improve outcomes for people living with cardio-kidney-metabolic conditions. With more than 700,000 adults enrolled worldwide in clinical trials, it is the broadest and most comprehensive clinical program for an SGLT2 inhibitor to date.
What is JARDIANCE?
JARDIANCE is a prescription medicine used to:
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have known cardiovascular disease
- lower blood sugar along with diet and exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes
JARDIANCE is not for people with type 1 diabetes. It may increase their risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).
JARDIANCE is not for use to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes who have severe kidney problems, because it may not work.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not take JARDIANCE if you are allergic to empagliflozin or any of the ingredients in JARDIANCE.
Do not take JARDIANCE if you are on dialysis.
For more information, please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an Alliance that centers on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes. Depending on geographies, the companies either co-promote or separately promote the respective molecules each contributing to the Alliance. The Alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies to focus on patient needs. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate their commitment, not only to the care of people with diabetes, but also to investigating the potential to address areas of unmet medical need.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Around 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.us
About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 47 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at lilly.com and lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/landmark-empa-kidney-trial-showed-significant-benefit-of-jardiance-in-reducing-kidney-disease-progression-or-cardiovascular-death-by-28-vs-placebo-in-people-with-chronic-kidney-disease-301669038.html
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly heart disease therapy meets main goal in Phase 3 kidney disease trial
Nov. 04, 2022 1:26 PM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
Jardiance, a cardiovascular therapy developed by Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) in partnership with German pharma company Boehringer Ingelheim has met the main goal in a late-stage trial for adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to data presented on Friday.
Imjudo (tremelimumab) in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Imjudo (tremelimumab) in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Imjudo (tremelimumab) in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Imjudo (tremelimumab) in combination with Imfinzi approved in the US for patients with unresectable liver cancer
PUBLISHED24 October 2022 24 October 2022 07:00 BST
Approval based on HIMALAYA Phase III trial results which showed single priming dose of Imjudo added to Imfinzi reduced risk of death by 22% vs. sorafenib
AstraZeneca’s Imjudo (tremelimumab) in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab) has been approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer. The novel dose and schedule of the combination, which includes a single dose of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody Imjudo 300mg added to the anti-PD-L1 antibody Imfinzi 1500mg followed by Imfinzi every four weeks, is called the STRIDE regimen (Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab).
The approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was based on positive results from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial. In this trial, patients treated with the combination of Imjudo and Imfinzi experienced a 22% reduction in the risk of death versus sorafenib (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.92 p=0.0035).1 Results were also published in the New England Journal of Medicine Evidence showing that an estimated 31% of patients treated with the combination were still alive after three years, with 20% of patients treated with sorafenib still alive at the same duration of follow-up.2
Liver cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.3,4 It is the fastest rising cause of cancer-related deaths in the US, with approximately 36,000 new diagnoses each year.5,6
Ghassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA, Attending Physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), and principal investigator in the HIMALAYA Phase III trial, said: “Patients with unresectable liver cancer are in need of well-tolerated treatments that can meaningfully extend overall survival. In addition to this regimen demonstrating a favourable three-year survival rate in the HIMALAYA trial, safety data showed no increase in severe liver toxicity or bleeding risk for the combination, important factors for patients with liver cancer who also have advanced liver disease.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “With this first regulatory approval for Imjudo, patients with unresectable liver cancer in the US now have an approved dual immunotherapy treatment regimen that harnesses the potential of CTLA-4 inhibition in a unique combination with a PD-L1 inhibitor to enhance the immune response against their cancer.”
Andrea Wilson Woods, President & Founder, Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Foundation, said: “In the past, patients living with liver cancer had few treatment options and faced poor prognoses. With today's approval, we are grateful and optimistic for new, innovative, therapeutic options. These new treatments can improve long-term survival for those living with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer. We appreciate the patients, their families, and the broader liver cancer community who continue to fight for new treatments and advocate for others.”
The safety profiles of the combination of Imjudo added to Imfinzi and for Imfinzi alone were consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, and no new safety signals were identified.
Regulatory applications for Imjudo in combination with Imfinzi are currently under review in Europe, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of patients with advanced liver cancer based on the HIMALAYA results.
HIMALAYA
HIMALAYA was a randomised, open-label, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi monotherapy and a regimen comprising a single priming dose of Imjudo 300mg added to Imfinzi 1500mg followed by Imfinzi every four weeks versus sorafenib, a standard-of-care multi-kinase inhibitor.
The trial included a total of 1,324 patients with unresectable, advanced HCC who had not been treated with prior systemic therapy and were not eligible for locoregional therapy (treatment localised to the liver and surrounding tissue).
The trial was conducted in 181 centres across 16 countries, including in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) for the combination versus sorafenib and key secondary endpoints included OS for Imfinzi versus sorafenib, objective response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) for the combination and for Imfinzi alone.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi was recently approved to treat patients with advanced biliary tract cancer in the US based on results from the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial. It is the only approved immunotherapy in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiotherapy and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. In 2021, updated results from the CASPIAN trial showed Imfinzi plus chemotherapy tripled patient survival at three years versus chemotherapy alone.
Imfinzi is also approved for previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and other solid tumours.
Imfinzi combinations have also demonstrated clinical benefit in metastatic NSCLC in the POSEIDON Phase III trial.
Imjudo
Imjudo (tremelimumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Imjudo blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T-cell activation, priming the immune response to cancer and fostering cancer cell death.
Beyond HIMALAYA, Imjudo is being tested in combination with Imfinzi across multiple tumour types including locoregional HCC (EMERALD-3), SCLC (ADRIATIC) and bladder cancer (VOLGA and NILE).
Imjudo is also under review by global regulatory authorities in combination with Imfinzi and chemotherapy in 1st-line metastatic NSCLC based on the results of the POSEIDON Phase III trial, which showed the addition of a short course of Imjudo to Imfinzi plus chemotherapy improved both overall and progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone.
AstraZeneca in immuno-oncology (IO)
Immunotherapy is a therapeutic approach designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours. The Company’s immuno-oncology (IO) portfolio is anchored in immunotherapies that have been designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response. AstraZeneca is invested in using IO approaches that deliver long-term survival for new groups of patients across tumour types.
The Company is pursuing a comprehensive clinical trial programme that includes Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab) and other novel antibodies in multiple tumour types, stages of disease, and lines of treatment, and where relevant using the PD-L1 biomarker as a decision-making tool to define the best potential treatment path for a patient.
In addition, the ability to combine the IO portfolio with radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted small molecules from across AstraZeneca’s oncology pipeline, and from research partners, may provide new treatment options across a broad range of tumours.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca's Imjudo/Imfinzi combo for liver cancer gets FDA approval
Oct. 24, 2022 4:26 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Imjudo in combination with Imfinzi to treat adult patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3893960-astrazeneca-imjudoimfinzi-combo-for-liver-cancer-gets-fda-approval
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.imfinzi.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
Opdivo (nivolumab)
Imjudo (tremelimumab) in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) suspension
Bristol Myers Squibb Presents Data from CheckMate -76K Showing Opdivo (nivolumab) Reduced the Risk of Recurrence or Death by 58% Versus Placebo in Patients with Completely Resected Stage IIB or IIC Melanoma
10/19/2022
CATEGORY:
Results from CheckMate -76K Demonstrate Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Improvement in Recurrence-Free Survival
Data reinforce the benefits of Opdivo in earlier stages of melanoma
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -76K trial, in which Opdivo (nivolumab) as an adjuvant therapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in recurrence-free survival (RFS) versus placebo in patients with completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma. At a pre-specified interim analysis, the trial met its primary endpoint of recurrence-free survival (RFS); Opdivo reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 58% versus placebo (hazard ratio [HR] 0.42; 95% CI 0.30-0.59; p < 0.0001). Twelve-month RFS rates for Opdivo were 89% (95% CI: 86-92) versus 79% (95% CI: 74-84) for placebo. The RFS benefit was observed across predefined subgroups in the trial, including T category and disease stage. These results are being presented as late-breaking data at the 2022 Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) Annual Meeting taking place October 17-20, 2022, during a plenary session on October 19 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Twelve-month RFS rates by stage for patients who received Opdivo were 93% in stage IIB (versus 84% in placebo) and 84% in stage IIC (versus 72% with placebo).
The safety profile of Opdivo was consistent with that seen in previously reported studies and no new safety signals were observed at the time of the analysis. Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were 10% in the Opdivo arm and 2% in the placebo arm. TRAE-related discontinuation was 15% for those in the Opdivo arm and 3% for those in the placebo arm.
“Within five years after surgery, one third of stage IIB and one half of IIC patients see their cancer return. Helping reduce that risk remains a need to be addressed when it comes to treating melanoma,” said Professor Georgina Long, AO, MD, PhD, Co-Medical Director of Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and chair of melanoma medical oncology and translational research at MIA, The University of Sydney, and Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals. “The data from CheckMate -76K show that treating with nivolumab in the adjuvant setting for stage IIB and IIC melanoma patients has yielded significant recurrence-free survival benefits and could be an important treatment option for this patient population.”
CheckMate -76K is part of Bristol Myers Squibb’s development program studying Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in earlier stages of cancer. The program currently spans seven different tumor types.
“These data add to our growing body of evidence supporting the clinical benefit of Opdivo for the treatment of melanoma, from the metastatic setting to earlier stages of cancer,” said Gina Fusaro, PhD, development program lead, melanoma, Bristol Myers Squibb. “We are continually seeking to advance our science to develop medicines that can help improve outcomes for people living with cancer.”
About CheckMate -76K
CheckMate -76K is a randomized Phase 3, double-blind study evaluating adjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) 480 mg Q4W for up to 12 months versus placebo in 790 patients with completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma.
The primary endpoint of the trial is recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary endpoints of the trial include overall survival (OS), distant metastases-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival on next-line therapy (PFS2), and safety endpoints.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
U.S. INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient
(dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration
In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies’ strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies – as single agents and combination regimens – for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers' Opdivo cancer drug reduces risk of death in resected stage II melanoma
Oct. 19, 2022 5:36 PM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Anuron Mitra, SA News Editor4 Comments
- Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) on Wednesday said a phase 3 trial showed that its cancer drug Opdivo reduced the risk of death by 58% as an adjuvant therapy in patients with completely resected stage two melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3892931-bristol-myers-opdivo-cancer-drug-reduces-risk-of-death-in-resected-stage-ii-melanoma
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
- https://www.opdivo.com/
- https://www.bms.com/
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) suspension
Imjudo (tremelimumab) in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) suspension
October 17, 2022
Kite’s Yescarta First CAR T-cell Therapy to Receive European Marketing Authorization for Use in Second-Line Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma and High-grade B-cell Lymphoma
-- First Treatment in 30 Years to Improve Upon Standard of Care (SOC) for Second-Line Treatment of DLBCL –
- - Based on Landmark ZUMA-7 Study, Patients with DLBCL Treated Second-Line with Yescarta Had Event-Free Survival of 8.3 Months versus Two Months for SOC [4-fold greater improvement] --
-- In ZUMA-7, Yescarta Patients with DLBCL were 2.5 Times More Likely than SOC to be Alive at Two Years Without Cancer Progression or Need for Additional Treatments --
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), today announces that the European Commission (EC) has granted approval for the use of Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) for the treatment of adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) who relapse within 12 months from completion of, or are refractory to, first-line chemoimmunotherapy. The approval is based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 ZUMA-7 study, the largest and longest trial of a CAR T-cell therapy versus SOC in this patient population. Yescarta is now the first Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy approved for patients in Europe who do not respond to first-line treatment. This provides an important additional treatment option for the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although 60% of newly diagnosed LBCL patients, including those with DLBCL, will respond to their initial treatment, 40% will relapse or will not respond and need second-line treatment.
“We are very proud to announce Kite’s fifth approved indication in Europe in our continued commitment to the research and delivery of cell therapies with curative potential to patients who might benefit around the world,” said Christi Shaw, CEO, Kite. “Today’s approval marks an important step by providing patients in Europe this option of CAR T-cell therapy earlier in their treatment journey.”
SOC therapy for this patient population has historically been a multi-step process expected to end with a stem cell transplant. The process starts with chemoimmunotherapy, and if a patient responds to and can tolerate further treatment, they move on to high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) followed by a stem cell transplant (ASCT).
“This approval marks a major shift in the treatment of LBCL when initial treatment has failed. In ZUMA-7, treatment with axicabtagene ciloleucel resulted in an overall better outcome for patients than standard of care, especially in terms of event-free survival, marking a new era for treatment earlier in the disease pathway for more patients,” said Professor John Gribben, Professor of Medical Oncology at the Cancer Research UK Barts Centre, London. “The ZUMA-7 data has also broadened our understanding of this CAR T-cell therapy, allowing us to better manage or prevent side-effects, which is important as it moves earlier in the treatment pathway and for older patients and those with medical conditions for whom the standard of care might have been difficult.”
The ZUMA-7 study demonstrated that at a median follow-up of two years, Yescarta-treated patients had a four-fold greater improvement in the primary endpoint of event-free survival (EFS; hazard ratio 0.40; 95% CI: 0.31-0.51, P<0.001) over the current SOC (8.3 months vs 2.0 months). Additionally, Yescarta demonstrated a 2.5 fold increase in patients who were alive at two years without disease progression or need for additional cancer treatment vs SOC (41% v 16%). Improvements in EFS with Yescarta were consistent across key patient subgroups, including elderly patients (HR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.16-0.46]), primary refractory patients (HR: 0.43 [95% CI: 0.32- 0.57]), high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.14-0.59]), and double-expressor lymphoma patients (HR: 0.42 [95% CI: 0.27-0.67]).
In the ZUMA-7 trial, Yescarta had a safety profile that was consistent with previous studies. Among the 170 Yescarta-treated patients evaluable for safety, Grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events were observed in 6% and 21% of patients, respectively. No Grade 5 CRS or neurologic events occurred. In the SOC arm, 83% of patients had Grade ≥3 events, mostly cytopenias (low blood counts).
About ZUMA-7
ZUMA-7 is an ongoing, randomized, open-label, global, multicenter (US, Australia, Canada, Europe, Israel) Phase 3 study of 359 patients at 77 centers, evaluating the safety and efficacy of a single-infusion of Yescarta versus current SOC for second-line therapy (platinum-based salvage combination chemotherapy regimen followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant in those who respond to salvage chemotherapy) in adult patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL within 12 months of first-line therapy. The primary endpoint is event free survival (EFS). Key secondary endpoints include objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS). Additional secondary endpoints include patient reported outcomes and safety.
In the analysis of patient reported outcomes (PROs), patients receiving Yescarta and eligible for the PROs portion of the study (n=165), showed statistically significant improvements in Quality of Life (QoL) at Day 100 compared with those who received SOC (n=131), using a pre-specified analysis for three PRO-domains (EORTC QLQ-C30 Physical Functioning, EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Health Status/QOL, and EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale [VAS]). There was also a trend toward faster recovery to baseline QoL in the Yescarta arm versus SOC.
About Yescarta
Yescarta was first approved in Europe in 2018 and is currently indicated for five types of blood cancer: Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL); Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL); High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma (HGBL); Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma (PMBCL); and Follicular Lymphoma (FL). For the full European Prescribing Information, please visit: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/yescarta.
Please see full US Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
YESCARTA is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.
- Limitations of Use: YESCARTA is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
- https://www.yescarta.com/
About Kite
Kite, a Gilead Company, is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California, with manufacturing operations in North America and Europe. Kite’s singular focus is cell therapy to treat and potentially cure cancer. As the cell therapy leader, Kite has more approved CAR T indications to help more patients than any other company. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com. Follow Kite on social media on Twitter (@KitePharma) and LinkedIn.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
Gilead's CAR-T therapy Yescarta gets European approval for second-line treatment of lymphoma
Oct. 17, 2022 5:29 PM ET
By: Dania Nadeem, SA News Editor
- Gilead's (NASDAQ:GILD) firm Kite said on Monday the European Commission had approved its (CAR) T-cell therapy, Yescarta, to treat adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and high-grade B-cell lymphoma, who relapsed within 12 months from completion of first-line chemoimmunotherapy.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3892029-gileads-car-t-therapy-yescarta-gets-european-approval-for-second-line-treatment-of-lymphoma
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://www.yescarta.com/
- https://www.gilead.com/
LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB)
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
October 14, 2022 at 7:04 AM EDT
LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB) RECEIVES POSITIVE CHMP OPINION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL TO TREAT ADVANCED CERVICAL CANCER
Recommendation based on a Phase 3 Libtayo trial that was first and only to demonstrate significantly improved survival compared to chemotherapy in the second-line setting irrespective of PD-L1 expression status or tumor histology
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Oct. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion for Libtayo® (cemiplimab) as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer and disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. The European Commission is expected to make a final decision on the application in the coming months.
The positive opinion is supported by results from the Phase 3 EMPOWER-Cervical 1 trial. In the trial (n=608), the primary endpoint of overall survival was met, with Libtayo reducing the risk of death by 31% (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56-0.84; one-sided p<0.001) in the total population and 27% in the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) population (HR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.58-0.91; one-sided p=0.003), compared to an investigator's choice of chemotherapy. No new Libtayo safety signals were observed. Among adverse events (AE) in 10% or more patients in either group, Grade 3 or higher AEs that occurred more often in the Libtayo group (n=300) than chemotherapy (n=290) included urinary tract infection (5% Libtayo, 3% chemotherapy), back pain (1% Libtayo, less than 1% chemotherapy), asthenia (2% Libtayo, 1% chemotherapy), arthralgia (less than 1% Libtayo, 0% chemotherapy) and pyrexia (less than 1% Libtayo, 0% chemotherapy). Detailed data were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in February 2022.
Libtayo is currently approved in the European Union and other countries for the treatment of certain patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
About the Phase 3 Trial
EMPOWER-Cervical 1 was an open-label, multi-center Phase 3 trial that investigated Libtayo monotherapy versus an investigator's choice of commonly used chemotherapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer who had progressed on platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients (median age: 51 years) were randomized to receive Libtayo (350 mg every three weeks) or chemotherapy (pemetrexed, vinorelbine, topotecan, irinotecan or gemcitabine). The primary endpoint for the trial was overall survival analyzed first among patients with SCC, then in the total population.
Patients were allowed to enroll regardless of PD-L1 expression status, with 78% of patients having SCC and 22% having adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma. The trial included women from 14 countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Greece, Italy, Japan, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the UK and the U.S.
In March 2021, the trial was stopped early based on the highly significant effect of Libtayo on overall survival among SCC patients and following a unanimous recommendation by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee.
About Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and is most frequently diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 44. Approximately 600,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 350,000 deaths from cervical cancer occur worldwide each year. Almost all cases are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, with approximately 80% classified as SCC (arising from cells lining the bottom of the cervix) and the remainder largely adenocarcinomas (arising from glandular cells in the upper cervix). Cervical cancer is often curable when detected early and effectively managed, but treatment options are more limited in advanced stages.
About Regeneron in Oncology
At Regeneron, we're applying more than three decades of scientific innovation with the goal of developing paradigm-changing therapies for patients with cancer. Our oncology portfolio is built around two foundational approaches – our approved PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo and investigational bispecific antibodies – which are being evaluated both as monotherapies and in combination with emerging therapeutic modalities. Together, they provide us with unique combinatorial flexibility to develop potentially synergistic treatments for a wide range of solid tumors and blood cancers.
If you are interested in learning more about our clinical trials, please contact us (clinicaltrials@regeneron.com or 844-734-6643) or visit our clinical trials website.
About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation. In the U.S. and other countries Libtayo is indicated in certain patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as in advanced cervical cancer in Canada and Brazil. As of July 1, 2022, Libtayo is developed and marketed globally by Regeneron.
In the U.S., the generic name for Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab-rwlc, with rwlc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the FDA. Outside of the U.S. the generic name of Libtayo in its approved indication is cemiplimab.
The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Libtayo is currently being investigated in trials as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. FDA-approved Indications
Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat people with:
- A type of skin cancer called advanced CSCC that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.
- A type of skin cancer called BCC:
- That cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced BCC) and have received treatment with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI), or cannot receive treatment with an HHI.
- That has spread (metastatic BCC) and have received treatment with an HHI, or cannot receive treatment with an HHI. This use is approved based on how many patients responded to treatment and how long they responded. Studies are ongoing to provide additional information about clinical benefit.
- A type of lung cancer called NSCLC. Libtayo may be used as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor tests positive for high "PD-L1" and your tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR", "ALK "or "ROS1" gene.
It is not known if Libtayo is safe and effective in children.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for nearly 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite technologies, such as VelocImmune, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/libtayo-cemiplimab-receives-positive-chmp-opinion-recommending-approval-to-treat-advanced-cervical-cancer-301649532.html
SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
EMA committee recommends expanded approval of Regeneron's Libtayo for cervical cancer
Oct. 14, 2022 9:07 AM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) on Friday said that a panel of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the expanded approval of Libtayo (cemiplimab) as a monotherapy to treat adult patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer and disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
- In June, Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) said it was selling worldwide exclusive license rights to Libtayo to Regeneron for $900M upfront, plus royalties and other potential payments.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3891410-ema-committee-recommends-expanded-approval-of-regenerons-libtayo-for-cervical-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
- https://www.libtayo.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Health Canada Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adults with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions
Oct. 12, 2022 7:05 AM ET
Approval Based on Data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 Trial
KIRKLAND, QC, Oct. 12, 2022 /CNW/ - Merck (MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced that Health Canada has granted approval for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, as monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adults with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions. This approval is based on the results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial, which demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in disease-free survival.1
"It is estimated that in 2022 over eight thousand Canadians will be diagnosed with kidney and renal pelvis cancer, of which renal cell carcinoma is the most common type,2" said Christine Collins, Executive Director, Kidney Cancer Canada. "For people who are impacted by RCC, having a new treatment option following surgery, can offer patients and their loved ones support in managing the disease."
RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer, making up for more than 90% of cases of kidney cancer.3 It occurs most often in people over 50, and is more common in men than in women. Some of the risk factors include smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure.4 Given the impact on patients, there is active research in understanding the molecular biology of the disease and improvements in prevention, diagnosis, and availability of treatment options.5
"We are proud to be bringing another innovation in the management of renal cell carcinoma to Canadians, because this is our mission – to help improve the lives of those impacted by cancer by providing additional treatment options," said Marwan Akar, President and Managing Director of Merck Canada. "This is another great example of how scientific research, coupled with a passionate team, can help improve patient journeys and we hope to build on this momentum to continue making progress in the fight against cancer."
About KEYNOTE-564 Trial
Health Canada's approval is based on findings from KEYNOTE-564, a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind clinical trial that enrolled 994 patients.6 The eligibility criteria for this study were adult patients who have undergone nephrectomy and have intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence, or M1 no evidence of disease (M1 NED) renal cell carcinoma. Patients who had received prior systemic therapy for advanced RCC were excluded from the trial
The primary efficacy outcome measure was investigator-assessed disease-free survival (DFS). DFS was defined as the time from randomization to the first recurrence (local, regional, or distant metastasis), or death, whichever occurs first. The results of KEYNOTE-564 demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in DFS for patients randomized to receive KEYTRUDA® monotherapy compared with patients randomized to placebo.7
About KEYTRUDA®
KEYTRUDA® is an anti-PD-1 therapy that works by helping increase the ability of the body's immune system to help detect and fight tumour cells.1 KEYTRUDA® is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumour cells and healthy cells.11
KEYTRUDA® was first approved in Canada in 2015 and currently has indications in several disease areas, including advanced renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, endometrial carcinoma, esophageal cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, melanoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.12
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit www.merck.ca and connect with us on YouTube and Twitter @MerckCanada.
® Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC.Used under license
Copyright © 2022 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
SOURCE Merck Canada
Merck Keytruda gets approval in Canada for post-surgery use in certain kidney cancer patients
Oct. 12, 2022 9:14 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
U.S. FDA Accepts For Priority Review The Supplemental Biologics License Application For Gilead’s Trodelvy® For Pre-Treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
10/11/2022
-- Supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) Based on Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival Results from the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 Study --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for priority review the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic hormone receptor (HR) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative (IHC 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) breast cancer who have received endocrine-based therapy and at least two additional systemic therapies in the metastatic setting. The FDA grants priority review for therapies that, if approved, would be significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of serious conditions when compared to standard applications. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is currently set for February 2023.
“Trodelvy has already changed the treatment landscape in second-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and pre-treated metastatic urothelial cancer, and today’s news marks our third supplemental application acceptance within the last two years,” said Bill Grossman, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. “People with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who have progressed on endocrine-based therapies and chemotherapy have limited treatment options, and we look forward to working with the FDA to potentially make Trodelvy available to patients who need it most.”
This sBLA is based on data from the registrational Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study, which met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) and key secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS) over comparator chemotherapy (treatment of physician’s choice (TPC) of chemotherapy). PFS data were presented at the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology,and OS data were recently presented at ESMO Congress 2022. In the study, Trodelvy demonstrated a 34% reduction in risk of disease progression or death (median PFS: 5.5 versus 4 months; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.53-0.83; p=0.0003) and a 21% decrease in the risk of death compared to TPC (median OS: 14.4 months vs. 11.2 months; HR=0.789; 95% CI: 0.646-0.964; p=0.02).
The safety profile for Trodelvy in TROPiCS-02 was consistent with prior studies, with no new safety concerns identified in this population.
Trodelvy has not been approved by any regulatory agency for the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Its safety and efficacy have not been established for this indication.
Sacituzumab govitecan-hziy is currently included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®)i. This includes a Category 1 recommendation for use in adult patients with second-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (defined as those who received at least two prior therapies, with at least one line for metastatic disease) and a Category 2A preferred recommendation based on PFS data from TROPiCS-02 for investigational use in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer after prior treatment including endocrine therapy, a CDK4/6 inhibitor and at least two lines of chemotherapy. It also has a Category 2A recommendation for use in locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer after prior treatment with platinum and a checkpoint inhibitor.ii
Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About the TROPiCS-02 Study
The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, clinical benefit rate and duration of response, as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. In the study, HER2 negativity was defined per American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria as immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridization (ISH) test. More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901339.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in more than 35 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease. Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. under the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
Please see full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNING.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221010005766/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead's Trodelvy gets FDA priority review for expanded use in breast cancer subtype
Oct. 11, 2022 8:55 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted priority review to Gilead Sciences' (NASDAQ:GILD) application seeking expanded approval of Trodelvy to treat certain patients with a type of breast cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
GILD Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/gild/dividend-history
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
October 11, 2022 at 12:59 AM EDT
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) LATE-BREAKING PHASE 3 DATA PRESENTED AT UEG WEEK 2022 SHOWED SIGNIFICANT HISTOLOGICAL REMISSION OF EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS (EOE) IN CHILDREN 1 TO 11 YEARS OLD
A majority of children on Dupixent (up to 68% on a higher dose) achieved histological disease remission at week 16
First and only Phase 3 trial to show positive results in this patient population; there are currently no approved treatments specifically indicated for children under 12 years of age with EoE
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today presented late-breaking positive results from a Phase 3 trial evaluating the investigational use of Dupixent® (dupilumab) in children aged 1 to 11 years with active eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The data will be shared at United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2022 and submitted to regulatory authorities around the world, starting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) next year. In May 2022, Dupixent 300 mg weekly was approved by the FDA to treat EoE in people aged 12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg.
"Eosinophilic esophagitis impacts a child's fundamental ability to eat, which is especially critical in early childhood when healthy weight gain is vital to long-term health and development," said Mirna Chehade, M.D., Mount Sinai Center for Eosinophilic Disorders, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York and principal investigator of the trial. "These Phase 3 data support the potential of dupilumab to reduce esophageal damage – caused in part by underlying type 2 inflammation – and showed histological disease remission and signs of weight gain impacting the growth percentile for those children on higher dose Dupixent."
As presented at UEG Week 2022, Dupixent led to significant improvements in the primary efficacy measure for higher (n=37) and lower (n=31) dose groups at 16 weeks in the randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial. Among children treated with Dupixent, 68% of patients on higher dose and 58% of patients on lower dose achieved the primary endpoint of significant histological disease remission, compared to 3% for placebo (both p<0.0001). Children on the higher dose regimen also experienced significant improvements in abnormal endoscopic findings of their esophagus, with a reduction of 3.5 points compared to an increase of 0.3 points for placebo (p<0.0001). Symptomatically, higher dose Dupixent led to a numerical improvement in the proportion of days children experienced disease symptoms from baseline as reported by their caregivers compared to placebo, though not statistically significant. Additionally, a prespecified exploratory analysis was presented which found higher dose Dupixent led to a 3.09 percentile increase in body weight for age percentile from baseline, compared to 0.29 for placebo.
Safety results were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved EoE indication for children and adults aged 12 years and older who weigh at least 40 kg. For the 16-week treatment period, the overall rates of adverse events (AEs) were 79% (higher dose n=27/37, lower dose n=26/30) for Dupixent and 91% (n=31/34) for placebo. AEs most commonly observed with Dupixent (≥5%) compared to placebo included COVID-19 (higher dose n=5/37, lower dose n=9/30, placebo n=0/34; all cases were mild or moderate and did not lead to study discontinuation), rash (higher dose n=3/37, lower dose n=3/30, placebo n=2/34), headache (higher dose n=1/37, lower dose n=4/30, placebo n=1/34), viral gastroenteritis (higher dose n=4/37, lower dose n=0/30, placebo n=1/34), diarrhea (higher dose n=2/37, lower dose n=2/30, placebo n=1/34) and nausea (higher dose n=1/37, lower dose n=3/30, placebo n=0/34). Rates of treatment discontinuation due to AEs prior to week 16 were 0% (higher dose n=0/37, lower dose n=0/30) for Dupixent and 6% (n=2/34) for placebo.
The potential use of Dupixent in children with EoE aged 1 to 11 years is currently under clinical development, and the safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Eosinophilic Esophagitis
EoE is a chronic inflammatory disease that damages the esophagus and prevents it from working properly. The results seen with Dupixent in adults and children with EoE demonstrate that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation underlying this disease.
In children, common symptoms of EoE include acid reflux, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, trouble swallowing, and a failure to thrive. These symptoms can impact growth, weight gain and development, and can cause food-related fear and anxiety which can persist through adulthood. Diet adjustments, which oftentimes include the elimination of many foods, are the standard treatment for EoE, as well as the use of treatments not approved for the disease in children. These include proton pump inhibitors, swallowed topical corticosteroids, or in severe cases, a feeding tube, which may be used to ensure proper caloric intake and weight gain.
Of the approximately 21,000 children under the age of 12 in the U.S. currently being treated for EoE, about 9,000 do not satisfactorily respond to their current treatment regimen and potentially require advanced therapy.
About the Dupixent Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Trial
The Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in young children aged 1 to 11 years with EoE, as determined by histological, endoscopic and patient- or caregiver-reported measures. At baseline, 98% of these patients had at least one co-existing type 2 inflammatory disease such as food allergy, allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis.
Patients received Dupixent subcutaneously at either a higher dose or lower dose regimen based on their weight (ranging from ≥5 kg to <60 kg) over a 16-week period, at which point all endpoints were assessed. The dosing frequency ranged between every two weeks and every four weeks, based on weight.
The primary endpoint was histological disease remission, which was defined as peak esophageal intraepithelial eosinophil count of ≤6 eosinophils (eos)/high power field (hpf). Secondary endpoints included abnormal endoscopic findings (EoE Endoscopic Reference Score [EoE-EREFS] on a 0-18 scale), as well as changes in caregiver-reported symptoms (proportion of days with one or more EoE signs [e.g., stomach pain, vomiting, food refusal] by the Pediatric EoE Sign/Symptom Questionnaire-caregiver version [PESQ-C]). The PESQ-C is a novel endpoint developed by Regeneron and Sanofi used for the first time in this trial, designed to assess symptoms in young children through their caregivers (as signs), as children may have difficulty verbalizing their symptoms themselves. An exploratory endpoint assessed change from baseline in body weight for age percentile.
The trial is ongoing with a 36-week extended active treatment period, followed by a 108-week open-label extension to evaluate long-term outcomes. These results, as well as more detailed lower dose results, will be presented or published in the future.
About Dupixent
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), EoE and prurigo nodularis (PN).
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP, EoE or PN in different age populations. Dupixent is currently approved across these indications in the U.S. and for one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries, including in the European Union and Japan. More than 500,000 patients have been treated with Dupixent globally.
About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create approximately one in five of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent, Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc), Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb™ (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
U.S. INDICATIONS
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
- to treat adults with prurigo nodularis (PN). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with prurigo nodularis under 18 years of age.
- https://www.dupixent.com/
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for nearly 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune®, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.
Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dupixent-dupilumab-late-breaking-phase-3-data-presented-at-ueg-week-2022-showed-significant-histological-remission-of-eosinophilic-esophagitis-eoe-in-children-1-to-11-years-old-301645381.html
SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sanofi/Regeneron Dupixent shows efficacy in kids with esophagus inflammation in phase 3 trial
Oct. 11, 2022 5:34 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) said their medicine Dupixent showed positive results in a phase 3 trial to treat children aged one to 11 years with active eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SNY
Rubraca® (Rucaparib)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
TRITON3 Phase 3 Trial Of Rubraca® (Rucaparib) Achieves Primary Endpoint In Men With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer With BRCA Or ATM Mutations
October 03, 2022 Download this Press ReleasePDF Format (opens in new window)
- TRITON3 study evaluating Rubraca monotherapy versus chemotherapy or second-line androgen deprivation therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with mutations in BRCA or ATM achieved the primary endpoint of improved radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) by independent radiology review (IRR)
– Median rPFS of 11.2 months for Rubraca vs 6.4 months for control group in the BRCA subgroup
– Median rPFS of 10.2 months for Rubraca vs 6.4 months for control group in the ITT population (inclusive of all patients with a BRCA or ATM mutation enrolled in TRITON3)
- Safety profile of Rubraca observed in TRITON3 was consistent with Rubraca labelling
- TRITON3 is the confirmatory study for Rubraca’s current US accelerated approval in mCRPC and will also serve as the basis of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for US label expansion to be submitted during Q1 2023
- TRITON3 data have been submitted for presentation at the Prostate Cancer Foundation Annual Scientific Retreat later this month and will also be submitted for presentation at a 2023 medical meeting
BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLVS) today announced positive top-line data from the Phase 3, open-label, multicenter, randomized TRITON3 trial demonstrating that Rubraca monotherapy treatment achieved the primary endpoint of significantly improved radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) by independent radiology review (IRR) compared with the control group, which consisted of physician’s choice of docetaxel, abiraterone acetate, or enzalutamide. Benefit was observed in both primary efficacy analyses of patients with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): first, those who had mutations in BRCA, as well as all patients randomized in the trial, inclusive of mutations in BRCA or ATM (the overall intent-to-treat population (ITT)). The safety profile of Rubraca observed in the TRITON3 study was consistent with Rubraca labelling.
During the first quarter of 2023, the Company plans to submit a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the FDA for the BRCA subgroup of patients and intends to discuss with the FDA submitting for the broader ITT population.
“We believe that the positive results from TRITON3 further demonstrate the important role that Rubraca can play as a treatment option for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer associated with homologous recombination deficiency, and we look forward to submitting these data to the regulatory authorities in the US during Q1 2023. Not only does this provide a potential treatment option for eligible men with earlier stage disease, but it is the first and only PARP inhibitor that has demonstrated superior radiographic PFS compared to chemotherapy, which is today the standard of care for these patients,” said Patrick J. Mahaffy, President and CEO of Clovis Oncology. “Most importantly, I would like to thank the patients, physicians, and our colleagues whose commitment to this trial made these results possible, which now offer the potential to make a difference in the lives of many men with advanced prostate cancer.”
“Men with this type of metastatic prostate cancer want to get their genetically targeted therapy as early as possible, and this trial clearly shows the value of rucaparib as a treatment for these men,” said Alan H. Bryce, MD, chair of the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Mayo Clinic and principal investigator of the TRITON3 trial. “A key point is that rucaparib can replace chemotherapy in this setting. The current standard of care for these men is chemotherapy with docetaxel, and rucaparib is the only PARP inhibitor which has beaten a docetaxel-containing control arm in a clinical trial.”
“This trial demonstrates the potential for rucaparib to treat men with early-stage metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer,” said Karim Fizazi, MD, PhD, medical oncologist at Gustave Roussy, and a full professor in Oncology at the University of Paris-Saclay and principal investigator of the TRITON3 trial. “To my knowledge, this is the first time in two decades that a potential new treatment, rucaparib, has shown in a randomized controlled trial radiographic PFS efficacy over an investigator’s choice control arm that included docetaxel chemotherapy, a long-standing standard of care for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and this is excellent news for patients.”
TRITON3 is a Phase 3, multicenter, open-label, randomized trial of Rubraca in patients with chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC. The study enrolled 405 patients with a mutation in BRCA or ATM who were randomized to Rubraca or the control group, which consisted of physician’s choice of docetaxel, abiraterone acetate, or enzalutamide. Approximately 55% of the patients in the control arm received docetaxel. The primary endpoint was rPFS by IRR, in patients with mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2or ATM. TRITON3 was designed as a Phase 3 trial to confirm and expand the efficacy data from TRITON2 in an earlier treatment setting against a relevant control arm.
Patients were required to have disease progression after treatment with one prior next-generation AR-targeted therapy (abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, apalutamide or investigational agent), as well as a deleterious mutation in BRCA or ATM. Following a protocol amendment, patients were permitted to have received a qualifying AR-targeted therapy in either the hormone-sensitive or castration-resistant setting, and as a result, approximately 18% of patients in TRITON3 had received prior AR-targeted therapy in the metastatic hormone-sensitive setting only.
The primary efficacy analysis evaluated two prospectively defined molecular sub-groups in a step-down manner: 1) the BRCA subgroup, and 2) all patients randomized (ITT) in TRITON3, inclusive of those with BRCA or ATM mutations.
Following is a summary of the primary efficacy analyses of rPFS by independent radiologic review (IRR), the primary analysis of TRITON3.
Significant Improvement in rPFS in the BRCA Patient Population
The Rubraca arm (n=201) achieved statistical significance over the control arm (n=101) for the primary endpoint of rPFS with a hazard ratio of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.36-0.69). The median PFS for the population of patients with BRCA mutations treated with Rubraca was 11.2 months vs 6.4 months among those who received physician’s choice (p<0.0001).
Significant Improvement in rPFS in the ITT population, inclusive of those with BRCA or ATM mutations
Rubraca also showed statistical significance in all 405 patients randomized in TRITON3. The Rubraca arm (n=270) successfully achieved statistical significance over the control arm (n=135) for the primary endpoint of rPFS with a hazard ratio of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.47-0.80). The median PFS for all patients enrolled in TRITON3 and treated with Rubraca was 10.2 months vs 6.4 months among those who received physician’s choice (p=0.0003).
rPFS in Exploratory ATM Mutation Subgroup
In the exploratory subgroup of men with tumor ATM mutations (n=103), the hazard ratio for rPFS was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.59-1.52). Median rPFS in the Rubraca arm (n=69) was 8.1 months vs 6.8 months in the control arm (n=34) with a nominal p-value (p=0.8421).
Secondary Endpoint of Overall Survival Summary
The hazard ratio for the interim analysis of the secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS) in the BRCA subgroup and ITT population, which are not yet mature, favored Rubraca. The hazard ratio for OS in the exploratory subgroup of ATM, which is mature, favored the control arm. The 95% confidence intervals for these OS analyses included less than one for the exploratory endpoint ATM, signifying no statistical difference in outcomes between Rubraca and control.
Summary of TRITON3 Safety
The safety profile of Rubraca observed in TRITON3 was consistent with Rubraca labelling.The most common (≥5%) treatment-emergent grade 3 or higher adverse events (TEAEs) among all patients treated with Rubraca in the TRITON3 study were anemia/decreased hemoglobin (23.7%), neutropenia/decreased neutrophil count (7.4%), asthenia/fatigue (7.0%), thrombocytopenia/decreased platelet count (5.9%) and increased ALT/AST (5.2%). The discontinuation rate for TEAEs was 14.8% for Rubraca-treated patients and 21.5% for the control arm.
Clovis Oncology will submit an expanded description of the TRITON3 results for presentation in a scientific session at the Prostate Cancer Foundation Annual Scientific Retreat later this month and plans to submit additional data to a medical meeting in early 2023.
Rubraca is not currently approved in the chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC setting.
About the TRITON3 Clinical Trial
TRITON3 (NCT02975934) is a Phase 3, multicenter, open-label, randomized trial of Rubraca in patients with chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC. Patients with a mutation in BRCA or ATM were randomized to Rubraca or the control group, which consisted of physician’s choice of docetaxel, abiraterone acetate, or enzalutamide. The primary objective was efficacy, as analysed by independent radiology review (IRR) of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) in patients with mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2 or ATM. TRITON3 was designed as a Phase 3 trial to confirm and expand the efficacy data from TRITON2 in an earlier treatment setting against a relevant control arm.
About Rubraca (rucaparib)
Rubraca is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 being developed in multiple tumor types, including ovarian and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancers, as monotherapy, and in combination with other anti-cancer agents. Exploratory studies in other tumor types are also underway.
Rubraca is an unlicensed medical product outside of the US and Europe.
Rubraca US FDA Approved Indications
About Clovis Oncology
Clovis Oncology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing innovative anti-cancer agents in the US, Europe, and additional international markets. Clovis Oncology targets development programs at specific subsets of cancer populations, and simultaneously develops, with partners, for those indications that require them, diagnostic tools intended to direct a compound in development to the population that is most likely to benefit from its use. Clovis Oncology is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with additional office locations in the US and Europe. Please visit www.clovisoncology.com for more information.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221003005303/en/
Source: Clovis
Clovis stock rises 10% as Rubraca shows survival benefit in prostate cancer in confirmatory trial
Oct. 03, 2022 8:33 AM ET
Clovis Oncology, Inc. (CLVS)JNJ, PFE, ALPMF, ALPMY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
Clovis Oncology (NASDAQ:CLVS) said its medicine Rubraca helped extend the lives of patients with a type of prostate cancer without their disease getting worse, achieving the main goal of a phase 3 trial.
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
September 28, 2022 at 5:44 PM EDT
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) APPROVED BY FDA AS THE FIRST AND ONLY TREATMENT INDICATED FOR PRURIGO NODULARIS
Dupixent significantly reduced itch and skin lesions compared to placebo in direct-to-Phase 3 program consisting of two pivotal trials
About 75,000 adults in the U.S. living with prurigo nodularis are most in need of new treatment options
Approval represents the second dermatology indication for Dupixent and fifth disease indication overall in the U.S.
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, Sept. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Dupixent® (dupilumab) for the treatment of adult patients with prurigo nodularis. With this approval, Dupixent becomes the first and only medicine specifically indicated to treat prurigo nodularis in the U.S. Prurigo nodularis is a chronic, debilitating skin disease with underlying type 2 inflammation and its impact on quality of life is one of the highest among inflammatory skin diseases. The FDA evaluated the Dupixent application for prurigo nodularis under Priority Review, which is granted to therapies that have the potential to provide significant improvements in the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of serious conditions.
"Patients living with prurigo nodularis must often contend with dozens, if not hundreds, of itchy and painful nodules covering their body and have not had an approved treatment option for their disease," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron, and a principal inventor of Dupixent. "Dupixent has already transformed the treatment landscape of several diseases driven by type 2 inflammation – including atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and eosinophilic esophagitis – and been prescribed to more than half a million patients around the world for its approved indications. With this approval, those suffering with prurigo nodularis finally have a medicine to address the debilitating signs and symptoms of the disease."
"Until today, there were limited treatment options to manage the relentless itch and associated sensations of burning and stinging skin that can negatively impact the lives of patients struggling with prurigo nodularis," said Naimish Patel, M.D, Head of Global Development, Immunology and Inflammation at Sanofi. "Dupixent has the potential to transform the standard-of-care for prurigo nodularis patients by alleviating the key hallmarks of the disease, such as reducing itch and achieving clearer skin. With Dupixent now approved in two diseases in dermatology where type 2 inflammation is a central driver, we look forward to further evaluating the potential of inhibiting IL-4 and IL-13 in other chronic skin diseases."
The FDA approval is based on data from two Phase 3 trials, PRIME and PRIME2, evaluating the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in adults with prurigo nodularis. Efficacy in these trials assessed the proportion of subjects with clinically meaningful reduction in itch, clearing of skin, or both:
- About three times as many Dupixent patients (60% and 58%) experienced a clinically meaningful reduction in itch from baseline at 24 weeks, compared to 18% and 20% for placebo, the primary endpoint in PRIME
- 44% and 37% of Dupixent patients experienced a clinically meaningful reduction in itch from baseline at 12 weeks, compared to 16% and 22% for placebo, the primary endpoint in PRIME2
- More than twice as many Dupixent patients (48% and 45%) achieved clear or almost clear skin at 24 weeks, compared to 18% and 16% for placebo
- More than three times as many Dupixent patients (39% and 32%) experienced both a clinically meaningful reduction in itch and clear or almost clear skin, compared to 9% and 9% of placebo patients at 24 weeks
The safety results of the trial were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved dermatology indication. The most common adverse events (≥2%) from pooled PRIME and PRIME2 data more frequently observed with Dupixent than placebo were nasopharyngitis (5% Dupixent, 2% placebo), conjunctivitis (4% Dupixent, 1% placebo), herpes infection (3% Dupixent, 0% placebo), dizziness (3% Dupixent, 1% placebo), muscle pain (3% Dupixent, 1% placebo), and diarrhea (3% Dupixent, 1% placebo).
A regulatory filing for prurigo nodularis is under review by the European Medicines Agency, and submissions to regulatory authorities in additional countries are also planned in 2022.
About the Dupixent Prurigo Nodularis Trials
The PRIME and PRIME2 Phase 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in 311 adults with uncontrolled prurigo nodularis.
In PRIME and PRIME2, the primary endpoint evaluated the proportion of patients with clinically meaningful improvement in itch from baseline (measured by a ≥4-point reduction in Worst-Itch Numeric Rating Scale [WI-NRS] on a 0-10 scale) at 24 and 12 weeks, respectively. Additional endpoints included the proportion of patients with clear or almost clear skin of nodules at 24 weeks (measured by a score of 0 or 1 on the Investigator's Global Assessment PN-Stage [IGA PN-S] on a 0-4 scale), and the proportion of patients who achieved a clinically meaningful response in both WI-NRS and IGA PN-S.
About Dupixent
Dupixent is administered as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) at different injection sites. In patients aged 18 years and older with prurigo nodularis, Dupixent 300 mg is administered with a pre-filled syringe or pre-filled pen every two weeks following an initial loading dose. Dupixent is intended for use under the guidance of a healthcare professional and can be given in a clinic or at home by self-administration after training by a healthcare professional.
Regeneron and Sanofi are committed to helping patients in the U.S. who are prescribed Dupixent gain access to the medicine and receive the support they may need with the DUPIXENT MyWay® program. For more information, please call 1-844-DUPIXENT (1-844-387-4936) or visit www.DUPIXENT.com.
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) or prurigo nodularis in different age populations. Dupixent is currently approved across these indications in the U.S. and for one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries, including in the European Union and Japan. More than 500,000 patients have been treated with Dupixent globally.
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent such as prurigo nodularis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP and EoE.
About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create approximately one in five of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent, Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc), Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb™ (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more than 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.
In addition to the currently approved indications, Regeneron and Sanofi are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in Phase 3 trials, including pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis, hand and foot atopic dermatitis, chronic inducible urticaria-cold, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic pruritis of unknown origin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with evidence of type 2 inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and bullous pemphigoid. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
INDICATIONS
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
- to treat adults with prurigo nodularis (PN). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with prurigo nodularis under 18 years of age.
About Regeneron Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for nearly 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune®, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dupixent-dupilumab-approved-by-fda-as-the-first-and-only-treatment-indicated-for-prurigo-nodularis-301636139.html
SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sanofi, Regeneron win FDA label expansion for Dupixent in chronic, skin condition
Sep. 29, 2022 6:51 AM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNYSNYNF, GCVRX
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- The FDA has approved Dupixent, developed by Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) (OTCPK:SNYNF) (GCVRX), for adults with prurigo nodularis, a chronic, inflammatory skin condition.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3887050-sanofi-regeneron-win-fda-label-expansion-for-dupixent-in-chronic-skin-condition
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SNY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
- https://www.regeneron.com/
- https://www.dupixent.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) tablets
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) tablets
Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Receives Four New Approvals in Japan, Including in High-Risk Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
September 27, 2022 6:45 am ET
KEYTRUDA now approved for 23 uses in 13 different types of cancer in Japan
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced that KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, received four new approvals from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW):
- KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment after surgery for patients with hormone receptor-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer at high risk of recurrence, based on data from the KEYNOTE-522 trial;
- KEYTRUDA as monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of certain patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at increased risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions, based on data from the KEYNOTE-564 trial;
- KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, for the treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer with no prior chemotherapy who are not amenable to curative treatment, based on data from the KEYNOTE-826 trial, and;
- KEYTRUDA as monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma after complete resection, based on data from the KEYNOTE-716 trial.
“Based on compelling data from our clinical trial program, KEYTRUDA has become an important treatment option in Japan and now has 23 approved uses across 13 different types of cancer,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “These four new approvals provide certain patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer, high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma and completely resected stage IIB and IIC melanoma the opportunity to be treated with KEYTRUDA.”
“In Japan, the cancer mortality rate continues to rise annually, and patients are in need of new treatment options – particularly those with breast cancer, which is the most prevalent cancer among women in the country,” said Kyle Tattle, Representative Director and President, MSD Japan. “These new approvals for KEYTRUDA are the result of strong collaboration with the MHLW and provide additional treatment options for appropriate patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.”
Approval as neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment regimen for triple-negative breast cancer
The approval of KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment after surgery for patients with hormone receptor-negative and HER2-negative breast cancer at high risk of recurrence is based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial, in which KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy before surgery and continued as a single agent after surgery resulted in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in event-free survival (EFS), reducing the risk of disease progression that precludes curative surgery, local or distant recurrence, second primary malignancy or death by 37% (HR=0.63 [95% CI, 0.48-0.82]; p=0.00031) compared to neoadjuvant placebo in combination with chemotherapy and adjuvant placebo alone after surgery in these patients.
The Japanese package insert states that in KEYNOTE-522, adverse reactions were observed in 774 patients (98.9%) out of the safety analysis set of 783 patients (including 45/45 Japanese patients) receiving KEYTRUDA at a dose of 200 mg every three weeks in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment after surgery. The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were nausea (63.2%), alopecia (60.2%), anemia (54.8%), neutropenia (46.9%), fatigue (42.1%), diarrhea (30.4%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (26.1%), vomiting (25.5%), asthenia (25.3%), rash (25.0%), constipation (24.0%), decreased neutrophil count (23.6%) and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (20.1%).
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer, which has the highest risk of recurrence within the first five years after diagnosis and is associated with worse outcomes compared to other forms of breast cancer. While some breast cancers may test positive for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors or overexpression of HER2, TNBC tests negative for all three. Triple-negative breast cancer is known to be prevalent in Japan, as approximately 15% of patients with breast cancer in Japan are diagnosed with TNBC. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Japan, with more than 94,000 people diagnosed in 2020.
Approval in renal cell carcinoma
The approval of KEYTRUDA for the adjuvant treatment of certain patients with RCC at increased risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions is based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial, in which KEYTRUDA as adjuvant treatment demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in disease-free survival, reducing the risk of disease recurrence or death by 32% (HR=0.68 [95% CI, 0.53-0.87]; p=0.0010) compared to placebo.
The Japanese package insert states that in KEYNOTE-564, adverse reactions were observed in 386 patients (79.1%) out of the safety analysis set of 488 patients receiving KEYTRUDA at a dose of 200 mg every three weeks or 400 mg every six weeks for up to 12 months. The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) were fatigue (20.3%), pruritus (18.6%), hypothyroidism (17.6%), diarrhea (15.8%), rash (15.0%) and hyperthyroidism (10.2%).
Renal cell carcinoma is by far the most common type of kidney cancer; about nine out of 10 kidney cancer diagnoses are RCCs. Renal cell carcinoma is about twice as common in men than in women. In Japan, it is estimated there were more than 25,000 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed and more than 8,000 deaths from the disease in 2020.
Approval in advanced cervical cancer
The approval for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, for the treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer with no prior chemotherapy who are not amenable to curative treatment is based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-826 trial, in which KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival, reducing the risk of death by 33% (HR=0.67 [95% CI, 0.54-0.84]; p=0.0003), and progression-free survival, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 35% (HR=0.65 [95% CI, 0.53-0.79]; p<0.0001), compared to chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in these patients.
The Japanese package insert states that in KEYNOTE-826, adverse reactions were observed in 298 patients (97.1%) out of the safety analysis set of 307 patients (including 35/35 Japanese patients) receiving KEYTRUDA at a dose of 200 mg every three weeks in combination with investigator’s choice of anti-cancer regimens. The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were alopecia (55.7%), anemia (48.5%), nausea (33.9%), diarrhea (24.8%), peripheral neuropathy (24.4%), fatigue (22.8%), peripheral sensory neuropathy (22.5%), neutropenia (22.1%) and vomiting (20.5%).
Cervical cancer forms in the lower part of the uterus and in the cells lining the cervix. All women are at risk for cervical cancer, and the disease is most frequently diagnosed between the ages of 35 to 44. In Japan, it is estimated there were more than 12,700 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed and nearly 4,200 deaths from the disease in 2020.
Expanded indication in the adjuvant treatment of melanoma
The expanded indication for KEYTRUDA as monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma after complete resection is based on results of the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-716 trial, in which KEYTRUDA as adjuvant treatment significantly prolonged recurrence-free survival, reducing the risk of disease recurrence or death by 35% (HR=0.65 [95% CI, 0.46-0.92]; p=0.00658) compared to placebo in these patients. With this expansion, Keytruda is now approved for the adjuvant treatment of resected stage IIB, IIC and stage III melanoma.
The Japanese package insert states that in KEYNOTE-716, adverse reactions were observed in 400 patients (82.8%) out of the safety analysis set of 483 patients (including 2/2 Japanese patients) receiving KEYTRUDA at a dose of 200 mg every three weeks. The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) were pruritus (24.2%), fatigue (21.1%), diarrhea (18.6%), arthralgia (16.1%), rash (15.7%) and hypothyroidism (15.5%).
Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells. In Japan, the rates of skin cancer have been rapidly increasing, and it is estimated there were more than 1,500 new cases of melanoma diagnosed and nearly 700 deaths from the disease in Japan in 2020.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck wins four new approvals for Keytruda in Japan
Sep. 27, 2022 7:16 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor3 Comments
- Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced Wednesday that Japan's Ministry of Health approved its blockbuster for four new indications, increasing the treatment's licensure in the country to 23 approved uses across 13 cancer types.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3886260-merck-wins-four-new-approvals-for-keytruda-in-japan
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) tablets
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) tablets
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) tablets
Lynparza approved in China as 1st-line maintenance treatment with bevacizumab for HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer
PUBLISHED22 September 2022 22 September 2022 07:00 BST
One in two women with advanced ovarian cancer has an HRD-positive tumour
AstraZeneca and MSD’s Lynparza (olaparib) has been approved in China for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to 1st-line platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab, and whose cancer is associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive status.
In China, ovarian cancer is the third most common gynaecologic cancer, with a five-year survival rate of approximately 39%, largely because more than 70% of women are diagnosed with advanced disease (Stage III or IV).1,2 In 2020, there were over 55,000 new cases of ovarian cancer in China.3
The approval by China's National Medical Products Administration was based on an HRD-positive subgroup exploratory analysis of the PAOLA-1 Phase III trial which showed Lynparza plus bevacizumab demonstrated a substantial progression-free survival (PFS) improvement versus bevacizumab alone for patients with HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer. During European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO) 2022, the final overall survival (OS) results were presented from the PAOLA-1 Phase III trial demonstrating that Lynparza plus bevacizumab provided a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival in HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer.
Professor Ding Ma, Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said: “Ovarian cancer has the highest fatality rate among gynaecologic cancers in China. The emergence of PARP inhibitors and their application in the 1st-line treatment of ovarian cancer could help patients delay disease progression and achieve long-term remission. In the PAOLA-1 trial, the combination of olaparib and bevacizumab demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in overall survival. This approval provides HRD-positive patients with a new option for 1st-line maintenance therapy.”
Professor Beihua Kong, Chairman of the Gynaecological Oncology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, said: "Ovarian cancer has entered the era of precision medicine, and HRD detection (including BRCA1/2 mutations) has important clinical value for newly diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer, to help guide first-line treatment decisions. The approval of the combination of olaparib and bevacizumab brings a clinically meaningful survival benefit to HRD-positive patients, and further reflects the importance of a precision approach to help guide treatment decisions in ovarian cancer."
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “The maintenance treatment of Lynparza in combination with bevacizumab has shown to both improve progression-free survival and provide a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival in patients with HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer following response to platinum-based chemotherapy. I am thrilled we can now bring this targeted treatment option to these patients in China.”
Dr Eliav Barr, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer, MSD Research Laboratories, said: “This approval is an important milestone for patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer in China and underscores the critical importance of HRD testing for all women with advanced ovarian cancer at the point of diagnosis.”
The initial results from the PAOLA-1 Phase III trial showed that Lynparza plus bevacizumab reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 67% in the subgroup of patients with HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-0.45 from the pre-specified exploratory analysis). The primary endpoint in the intent-to-treat population was a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS. The data from the PAOLA-1 trial was published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2019.
Further results from the five-year analysis of the PAOLA-1 trial recently presented at the ESMO 2022 showed Lynparza plus bevacizumab increased median overall survival to 56.5 months versus 51.6 months with bevacizumab alone, in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer irrespective of HRD status. This increase was not statistically significant. In HRD-positive patients, Lynparza plus bevacizumab provided a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival, reducing the risk of death by 38% versus bevacizumab (based on a HR of 0.62; 95% CI 0.45-0.85 from the pre-specified exploratory sub-group analysis) despite PAOLA-1 having 30% Stage IV patients. The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza in this trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials, with no new safety signals.
Lynparza in combination with bevacizumab is approved in the US, and several other countries as a 1st-line maintenance treatment for patients with HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer and is currently under regulatory review in other countries around the world. In China, Lynparza is approved for the treatment of BRCA-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer as well as a 1st-line maintenance therapy in BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer.
PAOLA-1
PAOLA-1 is a double-blinded Phase III trial testing the efficacy and safety of Lynparza added to standard of care bevacizumab versus bevacizumab alone, as a 1st-line maintenance treatment for newly diagnosed advanced FIGO Stage III-IV high-grade serous or endometroid ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer patients who had a complete or partial response to 1st-line treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy and bevacizumab. AstraZeneca and MSD announced in August 2019 that the trial met its primary endpoint of PFS in the overall trial population.
The primary analysis of the PAOLA-1 Phase III trial showed that Lynparza, in combination with bevacizumab maintenance treatment, reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 67% (based on a HR of 0.33; 95% CI 0.25-0.45) in the subgroup of patients with HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer. The addition of Lynparza improved PFS to a median of 46.8 months versus 17.6 with bevacizumab alone in this patient population.
Updated results from the five-year analysis of the PAOLA-1 Phase III trial demonstrate that in a pre-specified exploratory subgroup analysis of HRD-positive patients, Lynparza plus bevacizumab provided a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival, reducing the risk of death by 38% versus bevacizumab (based on a HR of 0.62; 95% CI 0.45-0.85). In addition, 65.5% of patients treated with Lynparza plus bevacizumab were still alive at five years versus 48.4% of those treated with bevacizumab alone. Lynparza plus bevacizumab also improved median PFS to almost four years (46.8 months) versus 17.6 months with bevacizumab plus placebo, and 46.1% of patients treated with Lynparza plus bevacizumab remain progression free at five years versus 19.2% of patients treated with bevacizumab alone.
PAOLA-1 is an ENGOT (European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups) trial, sponsored by ARCAGY Research (Association de Recherche sur les CAncers dont GYnécologiques) on behalf of GINECO (Groupe d’Investigateurs National des Etudes des Cancers Ovariens et du sein), lead group for the PAOLA-1 trial. ARCAGY-GINECO is an academic group specialising in clinical and translational research in patients’ gynaecological cancers, labelled by the French National Cancer Institute (INCa), and a member of the GCIG (Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup).
Homologous recombination deficiency
HRD, which defines a subgroup of ovarian cancer, encompasses a wide range of genetic abnormalities, including BRCA mutations and beyond. As with BRCA gene mutations, HRD interferes with normal cell DNA repair mechanisms and confers sensitivity to PARP inhibitors including Lynparza.13
Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) is a 1st-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to block DNA damage response (DDR) in cells/tumours harbouring a deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), such as mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2. Inhibition of PARP with Lynparza leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death. Lynparza is being tested in a range of PARP-dependent tumour types with defects and dependencies in the DDR pathway.
Lynparza is currently approved in a number of countries across multiple tumour types including maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer and as both monotherapy and in combination with bevacizumab for the 1st-line maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) and HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer, respectively; for gBRCAm, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (in the EU and Japan this includes locally advanced breast cancer); for gBRCAm, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer (in Japan this includes all BRCAm HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer); for gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer; and HRR gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (BRCAm only in the EU and Japan). In China, Lynparza is approved for the treatment of BRCA-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer as well as a 1st-line maintenance therapy in BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer.
Lynparza, which is being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD, has been used to treat over 75,000 patients worldwide. Lynparza has a broad clinical trial development programme, and AstraZeneca and MSD are working together to understand how it may affect multiple PARP-dependent tumours as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple cancer types. Lynparza is the foundation of AstraZeneca's industry-leading portfolio of potential new medicines targeting DDR mechanisms in cancer cells.
The AstraZeneca and MSD strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, US, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialise Lynparza, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, and Koselugo (selumetinib), a MEK inhibitor, for multiple cancer types. Working together, the companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. Independently, the companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
By harnessing the power of six scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response, Antibody Drug Conjugates, Epigenetics, and Cell Therapies – and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca/Merck's Lynparza gets approval in China for ovarian cancer subtype
Sep. 22, 2022 4:23 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
- AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Lynparza was approved in China as a maintenance therapy for certain patients with a type of ovarian cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3885135-astrazenecamercks-lynparza-gets-approval-in-china-for-ovarian-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.lynparza.com/
ZEJULA (niraparib) capsules
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) tablets
ZEJULA (niraparib) capsules
22 September 2022
Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee to review Zejula overall survival data from the NOVA phase III trial in recurrent ovarian cancer
Issued: London UK
For media and investors only
GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will convene a meeting of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) to discuss overall survival (OS) data from the ENGOT-OV16/NOVA phase III clinical trial. NOVA is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial of Zejula (niraparib), an oral, once-daily poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor for the maintenance treatment of women with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.
The phase III NOVA trial met the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) in both the gBRCAm and non-gBRCAm cohorts, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful treatment effect of Zejula in this patient population, regardless of biomarker status. These PFS results served as the primary basis for the US FDA approval for the maintenance treatment of women with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Overall survival was a secondary endpoint. Updated final overall survival data was recently shared with the FDA.
Hesham Abdullah, SVP, Global Head of Oncology Development, GSK said: “We believe PARP inhibitors, including Zejula, are important options for the maintenance treatment of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, across all biomarker subgroups, who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. We look forward to continuing our ongoing discussions with the FDA.”
The ODAC meeting is scheduled for 22 November 2022. This is not related to the niraparib indication in the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.
About ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer in women worldwide. [1] Despite high response rates to platinum-based chemotherapy in the front-line setting, approximately 85% of patients will experience disease recurrence.[2] Once the disease recurs, it is rarely curable, with decreasing time intervals to each subsequent recurrence.
About Zejula (niraparib)
Zejula is an oral, once-daily PARP inhibitor currently being evaluated in multiple pivotal trials. GSK is building a robust clinical development programme by assessing activity across multiple tumour types and evaluating several potential combinations of Zejula with other therapeutics. The ongoing development programme includes several combination studies.
ZEJULA is indicated:
- for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy
- for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy
- https://zejula.com/
- https://www.zejulahcp.com/
Please see accompanying US Prescribing Information.
About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com/company.
FDA panel to review GSK Zejula's overall survival data in recurrent ovarian cancer
Sep. 23, 2022 5:04 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
GSK (NYSE:GSK) said on Sept. 22 that a panel of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is scheduled to hold a meeting on Nov. 22 to discuss overall survival (OS) data from a phase 3 trial of Zejula (niraparib) for recurrent ovarian cancer.
Retevmo® (selpercatinib)
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
ZEJULA (niraparib) capsules
FDA Approves Lilly's Retevmo® (selpercatinib), the First and Only RET Inhibitor for Adults with Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors with a RET Gene Fusion, Regardless of Type
September 21, 2022Download PDF
Tumor-agnostic data supporting approval demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 44% across multiple tumor types
FDA simultaneously grants traditional approval in adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a RET gene fusion, as detected by an FDA-approved test
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to Retevmo® (selpercatinib, 40 mg & 80 mg capsules) for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors with a rearranged during transfection (RET) gene fusion that have progressed on or following prior systemic treatment or who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on ORR and duration of response (DOR). Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trial.
"In the LIBRETTO-001 trial, selpercatinib demonstrated clinically meaningful and durable responses across a variety of tumor types in patients with RET-driven cancers, including pancreatic, colon and other cancers in need of new treatment options," said Vivek Subbiah, M.D., associate professor of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and co-investigator for LIBRETTO-001. "These data and FDA approval of the tumor-agnostic indication underscore the importance of routine, comprehensive genomic testing for patients across a wide variety of tumor types."
In addition to the tumor-agnostic approval, the FDA has granted traditional approval for Retevmo in adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a RET gene fusion, as detected by an FDA-approved test. This FDA action broadens the Retevmo label to include patients with locally advanced disease and converts the May 2020 accelerated approval for NSCLC to a traditional approval.
The labeling for Retevmo contains warnings and precautions for hepatotoxicity (evidence of liver dysfunction), interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis, hypertension, QT interval prolongation, hemorrhagic events, hypersensitivity, tumor lysis syndrome, risk of impaired wound healing, hypothyroidism, and embryo-fetal toxicity.
"Since its initial accelerated approval, Retevmo has shifted the treatment paradigm for patients with RET-altered cancers," said David Hyman, M.D., chief medical officer, Loxo@Lilly. "Retevmo is the first and only RET inhibitor to receive both tumor-agnostic accelerated approval and traditional approval in NSCLC, further supporting its ability to deliver meaningful clinical benefit for patients across diverse tumor types."
The two approvals are supported by data from the pivotal LIBRETTO-001 trial, which is the largest clinical trial of patients with RET-driven cancers treated with a RET inhibitor. The multicenter, open-label, multi-cohort study enrolled patients with locally advanced or metastatic RET-driven solid tumors, including NSCLC. Major efficacy outcomes were ORR and DOR, assessed by a blinded independent review committee (BIRC). Prespecified secondary endpoints included central nervous system (CNS) ORR and CNS DOR.
RET Fusion-Positive Solid Tumors
Among the 41 patients in the tumor-agnostic data set, the most common cancers were pancreatic adenocarcinoma (27%), colorectal (24%), salivary (10%), and unknown primary (7%). Thirty-seven patients (90%) received prior systemic therapy (median 2 [range 0 – 9]; 32% received 3 or more). Efficacy results are summarized below:
The activity of Retevmo in patients with CNS metastases was also evaluated. Among the 247 patients with previously treated RET fusion-positive NSCLC, 16 had measurable CNS metastases at baseline as assessed by BIRC. One patient received radiation therapy (RT) to the brain within two months prior to study entry. Responses in intracranial lesions were observed in 87.5% (14 of 16) of patients; 39% of responders had an intracranial DOR of 12 months or greater. Among the 69 patients with treatment-naïve RET fusion-positive NSCLC, five had measurable CNS metastases at baseline as assessed by BIRC. Two patients received RT to the brain within two months prior to study entry. Responses in intracranial lesions were observed in four of these five patients; 38% of responders had an intracranial DOR of 12 months or greater.
"Retevmo's accelerated approval played an important role in providing earlier access for patients who needed new treatment options. We are now pleased to see the conversion from an accelerated approval to a traditional approval," said Andrea Ferris, president and chief executive officer, LUNGevity Foundation. "As a targeted treatment, this traditional approval further reinforces the need for comprehensive biomarker testing for lung cancer patients, with the hope that as many patients as possible can benefit from receiving treatments tailored to their specific tumor mutations."
In the full LIBRETTO-001 safety population (n=796) with advanced solid tumors, the most common adverse reactions (≥25%) were edema, diarrhea, fatigue, dry mouth, hypertension, abdominal pain, constipation, rash, nausea, and headache. The most common Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥5%) were decreased lymphocytes, increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), decreased sodium, and decreased calcium. For more information, see "IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR RETEVMO® (selpercatinib)" below.
About LIBRETTO-001
The Phase 1/2 LIBRETTO-001 trial is the largest clinical trial of patients with RET-driven cancers treated with a RET inhibitor. The trial, which spans 16 countries and 85 sites, included a dose escalation phase (Phase 1) and a dose expansion phase (Phase 2). The primary objective was to determine ORR by blinded independent review committee (BIRC) and other objectives included DOR, CNS ORR & DOR, safety and PFS.
About Retevmo® (selpercatinib, 40 mg & 80 mg capsules)
Retevmo (selpercatinib, formerly known as LOXO-292) (pronounced ret-tév-mo) is a selective and potent RET kinase inhibitor. Retevmo may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells, which can result in side effects. RET-driver alterations are predominantly mutually exclusive from other oncogenic drivers. Retevmo is a U.S. FDA-approved oral prescription medicine, 120 mg or 160 mg dependent on weight (<50 kg or ≥50 kg, respectively), taken twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Please see full Prescribing Information for Retevmo.
About Lilly
Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 47 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. P-LLY
Retevmo® is a registered trademark owned by or licensed to Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
PP-SE-US-1166 09/2022
©Lilly USA, LLC 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-approves-lillys-retevmo-selpercatinib-the-first-and-only-ret-inhibitor-for-adults-with-advanced-or-metastatic-solid-tumors-with-a-ret-gene-fusion-regardless-of-type-301630358.html
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly wins FDA approval for solid tumor therapy
Sep. 22, 2022 6:58 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) announced that the FDA greenlighted its oral lung cancer medication Retevmo under the agency’s accelerated approval for certain adult patients with solid tumors with a specific genetic makeup.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3885170-lly-stock-gains-after-fda-approval-for-solid-tumor-therapy
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
Seagen Announces TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab Granted Priority Review by FDA for Previously Treated HER2-Positive Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
09/19/2022
- FDA Has Set Action Date of January 19, 2023 -
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for Priority Review the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) seeking accelerated approval for TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in combination with trastuzumab for adult patients with HER2-positive colorectal cancer who have received at least one prior treatment regimen for unresectable or metastatic disease.
The sNDA submission is based on the results of the pivotal phase 2 MOUNTAINEER trial. These data were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer in July 2022.
“There are currently no FDA-approved therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer that specifically target HER2,” said Marjorie Green, M.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Late-Stage Development, Seagen. “The FDA’s prioritization of our application for tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab supports our belief in its significant potential to benefit people with previously treated HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer.”
The FDA grants Priority Review to applications for medicines that, if approved, would provide significant improvements in safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of serious diseases. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), the FDA has set a target action date of January 19, 2023. In July 2022, the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive colorectal cancer who have previously received fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-containing chemotherapy based on results from the MOUNTAINEER trial.
In February 2022, Seagen initiated the randomized, global phase 3 MOUNTAINEER-03 clinical trial, which is evaluating tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab and standard chemotherapy versus chemotherapy given with or without cetuximab or bevacizumab in first-line HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer. MOUNTAINEER-03 is intended to serve as a confirmatory trial in the U.S. and to support global filings. Merck, known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada, is commercializing TUKYSA in regions outside of the U.S., Canada and Europe.
About MOUNTAINEER
MOUNTAINEER is a U.S. and European open-label, multicenter phase 2 clinical trial of tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab or as a single agent that enrolled 117 patients with HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer following previous standard-of-care therapies. Patients evaluated in MOUNTAINEER had not received prior anti-HER2 therapy. Patients received tucatinib (300 mg) twice per day orally in combination with trastuzumab intravenously (8 mg/kg loading dose, then 6 mg/kg every three weeks thereafter). The primary endpoint of the trial is confirmed objective response rate by RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) version 1.1 criteria per blinded independent central review. Duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival and safety and tolerability of the combination regimen are secondary objectives.
About TUKYSA (tucatinib)
TUKYSA is an oral medicine that is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the HER2 protein. In vitro (in lab studies), TUKYSA inhibited phosphorylation of HER2 and HER3, resulting in inhibition of downstream MAPK and AKT signaling and cell growth (proliferation), and showed anti-tumor activity in HER2-expressing tumor cells. In vivo (in living organisms), TUKYSA inhibited the growth of HER2-expressing tumors. The combination of TUKYSA and the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab showed increased anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo compared to either medicine alone.
TUKYSA is approved in 38 countries. It was approved by the U.S. FDA in April 2020 and by the European Medicines Agency and the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in February 2021.
U.S. Indication and Important Safety Information
TUKYSA is indicated in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine for treatment of adult patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including patients with brain metastases, who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting.
About Seagen
Seagen is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes transformative cancer medicines to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Seagen is headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area, and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and the European Union. For more information on the company’s marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220919005223/en/
Source: Seagen Inc.
Seagen's application seeking nod for colon cancer combo treatment gets FDA priority review
Sep. 19, 2022 9:01 AM ET
By: Anuron Mitra, SA News Editor
- Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) on Monday said its supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for the accelerated approval of its inhibitor Tukysa in combination with monoclonal antibody trastuzumab to treat colon cancer had been accepted for priority review by the U.S. FDA.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3883742-seagens-application-seeking-nod-for-colon-cancer-combo-treatment-gets-fda-priority-review
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SGEN
- https://www.seagen.com/
Veklury® (Remdesivir)
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination with Trastuzumab
September 16, 2022
CHMP Adopts Positive Opinion to Extend Indication of Veklury® (Remdesivir) for the Treatment of Pediatric Patients with COVID-19
-- If Granted by the European Commission, Veklury Will Become the First and Only Authorized Antiviral Treatment for Pediatric Patients Under 12 Years of Age in the European Union --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion to extend the indication of Veklury® (remdesivir) for the treatment of pediatric patients (weighing at least 40 kg) who do not require supplemental oxygen and are at increased risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 and pediatric patients (4 weeks of age and older and weighing at least 3 kg) with SARS-CoV-2 with pneumonia who require supplemental oxygen (low- or high-flow oxygen or other non-invasive ventilation at the start of treatment). The European Commission (EC) will review the CHMP recommendation, and if adopted, Veklury will be the only authorized COVID-19 treatment for adolescents at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 and pediatric patients with COVID-19 requiring supplemental oxygen.
“As the pandemic persists, there remains a critical need for proven and effective antiviral therapies like Veklury that can treat some of the most vulnerable in our society,” said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. “We are proud of today’s CHMP opinion that represents a positive step toward bridging the treatment gap for children and helping them recover from COVID-19 more quickly.”
This positive opinion was based on results from the ongoing CARAVAN Phase 2/3 study, which demonstrated Veklury was generally well-tolerated among pediatric patients hospitalized with COVID-19, with a high proportion of participants showing clinical improvement and recovery, as well as data from trials in adults. Of the 53 pediatric patients enrolled in the CARAVAN study, no new safety signals were apparent for patients treated with Veklury. Overall, 75% and 85% showed clinical improvement (≥2 point increase on an ordinal scale) at Day 10 and last assessment, respectively, while 60% and 83% were discharged by Day 10 and Day 30, respectively. In the study, 38 patients (72%) experienced adverse events (AEs), with 11 patients (21%) experiencing serious adverse events (SAEs) that were determined not to be study-drug related, including three participant deaths, which were consistent with the patients’ underlying medical conditions prior to study entry or with COVID-19 during hospitalization.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, it’s important to have effective treatments with well-established safety profiles, including for the vulnerable groups like children to help them recover faster from COVID-19,” said Pablo Rojo, MD, PhD, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist of Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain and Associate Professor of Complutense University, Madrid, Spain. “Therefore, the medical community welcomes this CHMP positive opinion for Veklury in pediatric patients and looks forward to the EC decision.”
In the European Economic Area (EEA), Veklury is the only antiviral indicated for both the treatment of COVID-19 in adult patients who do not require supplemental oxygen and are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, as well as adults and adolescents (aged 12 to less than 18 years and weighing at least 40 kg) with pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen (low- or high-flow oxygen or other non-invasive ventilation at start of treatment).
About Veklury
Veklury (remdesivir) is a nucleotide analog invented by Gilead, building on more than a decade of the company’s antiviral research. Veklury is a foundation for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and is a recommended treatment for reducing disease progression in non-hospitalized patients at high risk of disease progression. Veklury has an established safety profile and minimal known drug interactions in diverse populations. It can help reduce disease progression across a spectrum of disease severity and enable patients to recover faster, freeing up limited hospital resources and saving healthcare systems money.
Veklury directly inhibits viral replication inside of the cell by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA polymerase. Based on in vitro analyses, Veklury retains antiviral activity against Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.2, BA.4 and BA.5, which are currently the most common circulating variants. Data continue to confirm that Veklury retains antiviral activity against all Omicron subvariants analyzed to date. Gilead continuously evaluates the activity of Veklury against new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern as they emerge around the world.
Veklury is approved in more than 50 countries worldwide. To date, Veklury and generic remdesivir have been made available to more than 11 million patients around the world, including more than 7 million people in 127 middle- and low-income countries through Gilead’s voluntary licensing program. These licenses currently remain royalty-free, reflecting Gilead’s existing commitment to enabling broad patient access to remdesivir.
U.S. Indication for Veklury
Veklury® (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (≥28 days old and weighing ≥3 kg) with positive results of SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, who are:
- Hospitalized, or
- Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information available at www.gilead.com.
U.S. Important Safety Information for Veklury
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220915006144/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
September 15, 2022
WHO Expands Recommendation for Veklury® (Remdesivir) to Patients With Severe Disease in Latest Update to COVID-19 Guideline
Gilead's COVID drug Veklury, cancer therapy Yescarta get EMA panel backing for expanded use
Sep. 16, 2022 7:38 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the approval of expanded use of Gilead Sciences' (NASDAQ:GILD) Veklury (remdesivir) to treat pediatric patients who do not require supplemental oxygen and are at increased risk of progressing to severe COVID-19.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
September 16, 2022
Kite’s CAR T-cell Therapy Yescarta® First in Europe to Receive Positive CHMP Opinion for Use in Second-line Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma and High-grade B-cell Lymphoma
– Positive Opinion Based on Landmark ZUMA-7 Study in Which 41% of Patients Demonstrated Event-Free Survival at Two Years versus 16% for Standard of Care -
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), today announces that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion for Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) for adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) that relapses within 12 months from completion of, or is refractory to, first-line chemoimmunotherapy. If approved, Yescarta will be the first Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy approved for patients in Europe who do not respond to first-line treatment. Although 60% of newly diagnosed LBCL patients will respond to their initial treatment, 40% will relapse or will not respond and need 2nd line treatment.
“At Kite, we are committed to bringing the curative potential of cell therapy to the world, and changing the way cancer is treated,” said Christi Shaw, CEO, Kite. “Today’s positive CHMP opinion brings us a step closer to utilizing cell therapy earlier in the treatment journey, potentially transforming the standard of care for the most common and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.”
The European Commission will review the CHMP opinion, and a final decision on the marketing authorization is expected in the coming months.
“For people with DLBCL and HGBL who do not respond to first-line treatment or have an early relapse, outcomes are often poor and there are limited curative treatment options for these patients,” said Marie José Kersten, Professor of Hematology at Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam. “If approved, axicabtagene ciloleucel may offer a new standard of care for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL and HGBL. Importantly, in a randomized trial of axicabtagene ciloleucel versus the current standard of care, quality of life also showed greater improvement in the experimental arm.”
The positive opinion for Yescarta is based on the primary results of the landmark Phase 3 ZUMA-7 study, the largest and longest trial of a CAR T-cell therapy versus standard of care (SOC) in second-line LBCL. Results demonstrated that at a median follow-up of two years, Yescarta-treated patients had a four-fold greater improvement in the primary endpoint of event-free survival (EFS; hazard ratio 0.40; 95% CI: 0.31-0.51, P<0.001) over the current SOC (8.3 months v 2.0 months). Additionally, Yescarta demonstrated a 2.5 fold increase in patients who were alive at two years without disease progression or need for additional cancer treatment vs SOC (41% v 16%). Improvements in EFS with Yescarta were consistent across key patient subgroups, including elderly patients (HR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.16-0.46]), primary refractory patients (HR: 0.43 [95% CI: 0.32- 0.57]), high-grade B cell lymphoma including double-hit and triple-hit lymphoma patients (HGBL; HR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.14-0.59]), and double expressor lymphoma patients (HR: 0.42 [95% CI: 0.27-0.67]).
In a separate, secondary analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) published in Blood patients receiving Yescarta and eligible for the PROs portion of the study (n=165) showed statistically significant improvements in Quality of Life (QoL) at Day 100 compared with those who received SOC (n=131), using a pre-specified analysis for three PRO-domains (EORTC QLQ-C30 Physical Functioning, EORTC QLQ-C30 Global Health Status/QOL, and EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale [VAS]). There was also a trend toward faster recovery to baseline QoL in the Yescarta arm versus SOC.
In the ZUMA-7 trial, Yescarta had a manageable safety profile that was consistent with previous studies. Among the 170 Yescarta-treated patients evaluable for safety, Grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events were observed in 6% and 21% of patients, respectively. No Grade 5 CRS or neurologic events occurred. In the SOC arm, 83% of patients had high-grade events, mostly cytopenias (low blood counts).
About ZUMA-7
ZUMA-7 is an ongoing, randomized, open-label, global, multicenter (US, Australia, Canada, Europe, Israel) Phase 3 study of 359 patients at 77 centers, evaluating the safety and efficacy of a single-infusion of Yescarta versus current SOC for second-line therapy (platinum-based salvage combination chemotherapy regimen followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant in those who respond to salvage chemotherapy) in adult patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL within 12 months of first-line therapy. The primary endpoint is event free survival (EFS) as determined by blinded central review, and defined as the time from randomization to the earliest date of disease progression per Lugano Classification, commencement of new lymphoma therapy, or death from any cause. Key secondary endpoints include objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS). Additional secondary endpoints include patient reported outcomes (PROs) and safety.
About Yescarta
Yescarta was first approved in Europe in 2018 and is currently indicated for three types of blood cancer: Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL); Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma (PMBCL); and Follicular Lymphoma (FL). For the full European Prescribing Information, please visit: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/yescarta
Please see full US Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
YESCARTA is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.
Limitations of Use: YESCARTA is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma. - Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on the response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trial(s).
- https://www.yescarta.com/
About Kite
Kite, a Gilead Company, is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California, with manufacturing operations in North America and Europe. Kite’s singular focus is cell therapy to treat and potentially cure cancer. As the cell therapy leader, Kite has more approved CAR T indications to help more patients than any other company. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com. Follow Kite on social media on Twitter (@KitePharma) and LinkedIn.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220916005209/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead's COVID drug Veklury, cancer therapy Yescarta get EMA panel backing for expanded use
Sep. 16, 2022 7:38 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
OPDIVO® (nivolumab)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Adjuvant Treatment with Opdivo (nivolumab) Demonstrated Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Improvement in Recurrence-Free Survival (RFS) in Patients with Stage IIB/C Melanoma in the CheckMate -76K Trial
09/15/2022CATEGORY:
Positive results from CheckMate -76K reinforce the potential benefit of Opdivo in earlier stages of melanoma
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the Phase 3 CheckMate -76K trial evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) as a single agent in the adjuvant settingin patients with completely resected stage IIB/C melanoma met its primary endpoint and demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in recurrence-free survival (RFS) versus placebo at a pre-specified interim analysis. No new safety signals were observed at the time of the analysis.
CheckMate -76K is part of BMS’ development program studying Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in earlier stages of cancer, which currently spans seven tumor types.
“Stage IIB/C melanoma patients are at high risk of disease recurrence, with approximately one third of stage IIB and half of stage IIC patients experiencing recurrence within five years after surgery. The results of the CheckMate -76K study represent a significant advancement for patients with stage IIB/C melanoma and an extension of our legacy in the treatment of melanoma,” said Gina Fusaro, PhD, development program lead, melanoma, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Recurrence represents a life-altering event for people living with cancer. Treating with Opdivo in earlier stages of cancer, when the immune system may be more responsive, has the potential to help prevent recurrence – a critical goal of improving patient outcomes.”
The company will complete a full evaluation of the CheckMate -76K data and looks forward to sharing the results at an upcoming medical conference, as well as with health authorities. Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators who were involved in the CheckMate -76K clinical trial.
About CheckMate -76K
CheckMate -76K is a randomized Phase 3, double-blind study evaluating adjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) 480 mg Q4W for up to 12 months versus placebo in patients with completely resected stage IIB/C melanoma.
The primary endpoint of the trial is recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary endpoints of the trial include overall survival (OS), distant metastases-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival on next-line therapy (PFS2), and safety endpoints.
About Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) located in the skin. Metastatic melanoma is the deadliest form of the disease and occurs when cancer spreads beyond the surface of the skin to other organs. The incidence of melanoma has been increasing steadily for the last 30 years. In the United States, 99,780 new diagnoses of melanoma and about 7,650 related deaths are estimated for 2022. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that by 2035, melanoma incidence will reach 424,102, with 94,308 related deaths. Melanomas can be mostly treatable when caught in very early stages; however, survival rates can decrease as the disease progresses.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer
Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision — transforming patients’ lives through science. The goal of the company’s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient’s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
OPDIVO U.S. INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Opdivo shows survival benefit as adjuvant therapy for skin cancer in trial
Sep. 15, 2022 8:10 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) said Opdivo as an adjuvant therapy met the main goal of a phase 3 trial called CheckMate -76K in patients with completely resected stage IIB/C melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3882972-bristol-myers-opdivo-shows-survival-benefit-as-adjuvant-therapy-for-skin-cancer-in-trial
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
- https://www.opdivo.com/
- https://www.bms.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Health Canada Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Treatment for Adults and Children with Stage IIB or IIC Melanoma Following Complete Resection
Sep. 13, 2022 7:05 AM ETMerck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
Approval is based on the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-716 Trial
Melanoma is the most serious of all skin cancers, with over 5,000 Canadians diagnosed each year.1,2
KIRKLAND, QC, Sept. 13, 2022 /CNW/ - Merck (MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced that Health Canada has granted approval for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma following complete resection.3 This approval is based on the results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-716 trial, which demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in recurrence-free survival (RFS).3
In 2022, an estimated 9,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma,4 a form of cancer that takes place when melanocytes, the cells responsible for melanin production, start to grow uncontrollably and develop into a tumour.5 Although it is the least common of all skin cancers, melanoma is the most serious type and early diagnosis and treatment are critical.1,5
"We welcome the news of a new treatment option for Canadians living with this disease as the incidence of melanoma continues to rise across the country,"6,8 said Kathy Barnard, Founder/President of Save Your Skin Foundation. "Having options available right after surgery can help take action against a disease that moves quickly if not caught."
"Melanoma can affect anyone, including children, for whom, although rare, this is the most common amongst pediatric skin cancer types,"7 said Falyn Katz, Executive Director, Melanoma Canada. "Having options available, like this one, can help to make a difference for Canadians facing this particular type of skin cancer, helping them navigate the disease."
About KEYNOTE-716 Trial
Health Canada's approval is based on findings from KEYNOTE-716, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in patients (n=976) with completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma.3 Only patients that had not been previously treated for melanoma beyond complete surgical resection for their melanoma prior to study entry were included in the trial.3 Patients were randomized to KEYTRUDA® 200 mg or the pediatric (≥12 years old) dose of KEYTRUDA® 2 mg/kg intravenously (up to a maximum of 200 mg) every three weeks (n=487) or placebo (n=489) for up to one year until disease recurrence or unacceptable toxicity.3 The primary efficacy outcome was investigator-assessed recurrence-free survival (RFS). RFS was defined as the time between the date of randomization and the date of first recurrence (local, regional, or distant metastasis) or death, whichever occurs first.3
The results of KEYNOTE-716 demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in RFS for patients randomized to receive KEYTRUDA® compared with patients randomized to placebo at the first pre-specified interim analysis.3 At the time of median follow-up (14.3 months), 11% (n=54/487) of patients who received KEYTRUDA® had a recurrence or died compared to 17% (n=82/489) of patients who received placebo.
In the study, the safety profile of KEYTRUDA® was consistent with previously reported studies in patients with solid tumors. The most common treatment-related adverse events (reported in at least 15% of patients) were pruritis, fatigue, diarrhea, and rash. KEYTRUDA® was discontinued for treatment-related adverse events in 15% of patients in KEYNOTE-716. Refer to the product monograph for complete information.3
"This approval is important for people living with melanoma and for all of us at Merck," said Marwan Akar, President, and Managing Director, Merck Canada. "With this new indication, KEYTRUDA® is the first checkpoint inhibitor approved in Canada in the adjuvant space in Stage IIB or IIC melanoma, meaning it can be considered for patients earlier in their journey. We are proud to continue to pursue our passion to save and improve lives as well as reinforce our commitment to finding innovative and effective options for more patients with melanoma."
About KEYTRUDA®
KEYTRUDA® is an anti-PD-1 therapy that works by helping increase the ability of the body's immune system to help detect and fight tumour cells.3 KEYTRUDA® is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumour cells and healthy cells.3
KEYTRUDA® was first approved in Canada in 2015 and currently has indications in several disease areas, including advanced renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, endometrial carcinoma, esophageal cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, melanoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.3
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit www.merck.ca and connect with us on YouTube and Twitter @MerckCanada.
SOURCE Merck Canada
Merck's Keytruda gets approval in Canada for certain skin cancer patients following surgery
Sep. 13, 2022 8:10 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor2 Comments
- Health Canada approved Merck's (NYSE:MRK) blockbuster drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as an adjuvant therapy for patients 12 years and older with stage IIB or IIC melanoma following complete resection.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3882274-mercks-keytruda-gets-approval-in-canada-for-certain-skin-cancer-patients-following-surgery
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Seagen, Astellas and Merck Announce Results of Clinical Trial Investigating PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and PADCEV as Monotherapy in First-Line Advanced Urothelial Cancer
September 12, 2022 8:55 am ET
Results demonstrated a 64.5% confirmed objective response rate in patients treated with investigational combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab
Data highlighted in late-breaking presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2022
BOTHELL, W.A., TOKYO and RAHWAY, N.J., Sept.12, 2022 – Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN), Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE:4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas”) and Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced results from the Phase 1b/2 EV-103 clinical trial (also known as KEYNOTE-869) Cohort K investigating PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and PADCEV alone as first-line treatment in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) who are ineligible to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The findings were presented today at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress as part of a late-breaking abstract presentation (Abstract #LBA73).
In patients treated with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab (n=76), results demonstrated a 64.5% confirmed objective response rate (ORR) (95% CI, 52.7-75.1) per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR), the primary endpoint of Cohort K, with 10.5% of patients experiencing a complete response and 53.9% of patients experiencing a partial response. The median duration of response (DOR) per BICR was not reached (95% CI, 10.25-NR). All-grade treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of special interest for enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab were skin reactions (67.1%), peripheral neuropathy (60.5%), ocular disorders (dry eye, blurred vision and corneal disorders) (26.3%), hyperglycemia (14.5%) and infusion-related reactions (3.9%). Pembrolizumab adverse events of special interest were consistent with previously observed safety data from monotherapy with the exception of severe skin reactions. Overall, the results were generally consistent with previously reported efficacy and safety results of the EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 dose-escalation cohort and expansion Cohort A.
Please see Important Safety Information at the end of this press release for both drugs, including BOXED WARNING for enfortumab vedotin and immune mediated adverse reactions for pembrolizumab.
Cohort K also included a monotherapy arm in which patients were treated with enfortumab vedotin alone (n=73), though this study was not designed to support a formal comparison between the two arms. Results showed a 45.2% confirmed ORR (95% CI, 33.5-57.3) per RECIST v1.1 by BICR, with 4.1% of patients experiencing a complete response and 41.1% of patients experiencing a partial response. The median DOR was 13.2 months (95% CI, 6.14-15.97) per RECIST v1.1 by BICR. All-grade TRAEs of special interest for enfortumab vedotin were peripheral neuropathy (54.8%), skin reactions (45.2%), ocular disorders (dry eye, blurred vision and corneal disorders) (28.8%), hyperglycemia (11.0%) and infusion-related reactions (5.5%).
Additional secondary endpoints in the EV-103 Cohort K trial included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Among patients treated with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab, median PFS was not reached (95% CI, 8.31-NR). Median OS was 22.3 months (95% CI, 19.09-NR). Among patients treated with enfortumab vedotin, median PFS was 8.0 months (95% CI, 6.05-10.35), and median OS was 21.7 months (95% CI, 15.21-NR).
The TRAEs of any grade that occurred in more than 20% of patients treated with enfortumab vedotin alone or in combination with pembrolizumab were fatigue, peripheral sensory neuropathy, alopecia, rash maculo-papular, pruritus, dysgeusia, weight decreased, diarrhea, decreased appetite, nausea and dry eye.
“Results from EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 Cohort K support the ongoing investigation of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab in cisplatin-ineligible patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who are in need of treatment options, and this combination may be an important therapeutic option for these patients,” said Dr. Jonathan E. Rosenberg, M.D., chief, genitourinary medical oncology service, division of solid tumor oncology and Enno W. Ercklentz chair, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 Cohort K primary investigator. Dr. Rosenberg has consulting relationships with Seagen, Astellas and Merck.
“Nearly 65% of patients who were treated with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab responded to this combination, with almost 11% showing no detectable cancer following treatment. These study results represent an encouraging finding for people with advanced urothelial cancer who are not eligible for cisplatin treatment,” said Margorie Green, senior vice president and head of late stage development, Seagen.
“We’re encouraged by these positive findings from the combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab in people with advanced urothelial cancer who historically have had limited treatment options in the first-line setting, and we intend to discuss these results with regulatory authorities,” said Ahsan Arozullah, M.D., M.P.H., senior vice president and head of development therapeutic areas, Astellas.
“We’re pleased that this combination provided a meaningful benefit to this group of advanced bladder cancer patients in this study, and we will continue to investigate enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab through our collaboration,” said Eliav Barr, M.D., senior vice president and head of global clinical development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories.
In February 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab for patients with unresectable la/mUC who are ineligible to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the first-line setting. The designation is based on results from the dose-escalation cohort and expansion Cohort A of the phase 1b/2 trial, EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 (NCT03288545), evaluating patients with la/mUC who are ineligible to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy treated in the first-line setting with enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab.
Seagen, Astellas and Merck are further investigating enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab in Phase 3 studies, including EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 (NCT04223856), which is intended to confirm these results for the investigational treatment combination in previously untreated la/mUC, and in muscle-invasive bladder cancer in EV-304/KEYNOTE-B15 (NCT04700124) and EV-303/KEYNOTE-905 (NCT03924895).
About the EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 trial (Cohort K)
The EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 trial (NCT03288545) is an ongoing, multi-cohort, open-label, multicenter Phase 1b/2 trial of enfortumab vedotin alone or in combination with pembrolizumab and/or chemotherapy in first- or second-line settings in patients with la/mUC and in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Cohort K of the EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 trial is a randomized 1:1 cohort investigating enfortumab vedotin alone (n=73) or in combination with pembrolizumab (n=76) in adult patients with unresectable la/mUC who are ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy and have received no prior treatment for la/mUC. The enfortumab vedotin monotherapy study arm is intended to characterize the activity of enfortumab vedotin alone in this patient population. The key outcome measure of EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 Cohort K is ORR per BICR using RECIST 1.1. Secondary endpoints include ORR per investigator assessment; DOR, disease control rate and progression-free survival per BICR and investigator assessment; overall survival; and assessment of safety.
About PADCEV
PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed against Nectin-4, a protein located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer. Nonclinical data suggest the anticancer activity of PADCEV is due to its binding to Nectin-4 expressing cells followed by the internalization and release of the anti-tumor agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into the cell, which result in the cell not reproducing (cell cycle arrest) and in programmed cell death (apoptosis).
PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) U.S. Indication & Important Safety Information
Indication
PADCEV® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who:
- have previously received a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor and platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and have previously received one or more prior lines of therapy.
- https://www.padcev.com/
- For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information including BOXED WARNING for PADCEV here.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf.
About the Seagen, Astellas and Merck collaboration
Seagen and Astellas entered a clinical collaboration agreement with Merck to evaluate the combination of Seagen’s and Astellas’ PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with previously untreated metastatic urothelial cancer. KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA.
About Seagen
Seagen Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes transformative cancer medicines to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Seagen is headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area, and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and the European Union. For more information on the company’s marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter.
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.
Merck’s focus on cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Seagen, Astellas and Merck Announce Results of Clinical Trial Investigating PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and PADCEV as Monotherapy in First-Line Advanced Urothelial Cancer
09/12/2022
– Results demonstrated a 64.5% confirmed objective response rate in patients treated with investigational combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab –
– Data highlighted in late-breaking presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 –
BOTHELL, Wash. & TOKYO & RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN), Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE:4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas”) and Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced results from the phase 1b/2 EV-103 clinical trial (also known as KEYNOTE-869) Cohort K investigating PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) and PADCEV alone as first-line treatment in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) who are ineligible to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The findings were presented today at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress as part of a late-breaking abstract presentation (Abstract #LBA73).
Astellas/Seagen, Merck Padcev/Keytruda combo shows promise in urothelial cancer in trial
Sep. 12, 2022 9:51 AM ET
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), SGEN, ALPMY, ALPMF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
Astellas Pharma (OTCPK:ALPMF) (OTCPK:ALPMY), Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) and Merck (NYSE:MRK) said Padcev and Keytruda showed a 64.5% confirmed objective response rate (ORR) in patients with a type of urothelial cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ALPMF
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ALPMY
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SGEN
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
RUBRACA® (rucaparib) tablets
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Clovis Oncology’s Rubraca® (Rucaparib) As First-Line Maintenance Treatment Improves Progression-Free Survival In Women With Advanced Ovarian Cancer Across Disease Risk Subgroups
September 11, 2022 Download this Press ReleasePDF Format (opens in new window)
- Subgroup analysis from the Phase 3 ATHENA trial evaluating Rubraca monotherapy versus placebo (ATHENA-MONO) presented in a Mini Oral session at the ESMO Congress 2022
- Results reinforce potential of Rubraca as a first-line maintenance treatment option in a broad population of patients with ovarian cancer irrespective of molecular characteristics, with or without high risk factors for progression
BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLVS), today announced results from a subgroup analysis of data from the monotherapy comparison of the randomized, Phase 3 ATHENA (GOG-3020/ENGOT-ov45) trial (ATHENA-MONO). These data showed that Rubraca as first-line maintenance treatment improved progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo across disease risk subgroups including surgical outcome, response to first-line chemotherapy, and additional analyses in other subgroups. The data were presented by Rebecca S. Kristeleit, MD, PhD, of Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London and lead ENGOT/NCRI National Cancer Research Institute (https://www.ncri.org.uk/) investigator of the ATHENA trial as a Mini Oral abstract at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 in Paris.
“These additional results from the ATHENA-MONO analysis of the Phase 3 ATHENA trial demonstrate that rucaparib should be considered a new first-line maintenance treatment option for women with advanced ovarian cancer,” Dr. Kristeleit said. “In this analysis, rucaparib prolonged progression-free survival for patients with or without high risk factors for progression, irrespective of molecular characteristics, adding to our understanding of the efficacy of rucaparib in the broadest population of patients assessed in a clinical trial for first-line PARP inhibitor monotherapy.”
ATHENA is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trial of Rubraca in first-line ovarian cancer maintenance treatment. It has two parts which are statistically independent. The results presented at ESMO are from the ATHENA-MONO part (Rubraca versus placebo), with results from the ATHENA-COMBO part (Rubraca plus nivolumab versus Rubraca) expected in Q1 2023.
“As further demonstrated by the additional data presented at ESMO, the ATHENO-MONO analysis continues to reinforce the potential of Rubraca as a first-line maintenance therapy for women with advanced ovarian cancer,” said Patrick J. Mahaffy, President and CEO of Clovis Oncology. “We remain grateful to the patients who participated in the trial and for the support of the clinical community familiar with these results.”
ATHENA-MONO enrolled 538 women with high-grade ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. The primary efficacy analysis evaluated two prospectively defined molecular subgroups in a step-down manner: 1) homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive (inclusive of BRCAm tumors and BRCAwt/LOH high tumors), and 2) all patients randomized (overall intent-to-treat population [ITT]) in ATHENA-MONO. The following exploratory subgroup analyses are included in the ESMO presentation:
PFS by Surgical Outcome
Patients who received Rubraca as maintenance therapy showed benefit regardless of surgical outcome, whether there was complete resection (R0) during cytoreductive surgery or not.
In HRD-positive patients:
- Patients who had a complete resection following cytoreductive surgery (R0):
- Rubraca (n=107), median PFS not yet reached (NR); placebo (n=33), median PFS of 22.1 months
- Hazard ratio of 0.52 (95% [Confidence Interval] CI: 0.30-0.92)
- Patients who did not have a complete resection following cytoreductive surgery (non-R0):
- Rubraca (n=78), median PFS of 20.3 months; placebo (n=16), median PFS of 9.1 months
- Hazard ratio of 0.29 (95% CI: 0.15-0.56)
Among the ITT population:
- Patients who had a complete resection following cytoreductive surgery (R0):
- Rubraca (n=263), median PFS of 25.1 months; placebo (n=73), median PFS of 12.0 months
- Hazard ratio of 0.60 (95% CI: 0.43-0.84)
- Patients who did not have a complete resection following cytoreductive surgery (non-R0):
- Rubraca (n=164), median PFS of 13.9 months; placebo (n=38), median PFS of 6.4 months
- Hazard ratio of 0.41 (95% CI: 0.27-0.62)
PFS by First-Line Chemotherapy Response
Similarly, patients treated with Rubraca as maintenance therapy showed benefit among all subgroups when evaluated against response per RECIST v1.1 at any time during first-line chemotherapy.
Among HRD-positive patients:
- Patients who demonstrated a partial response to first-line chemotherapy:
- Rubraca (n=33), median PFS of 14.8 months; placebo (n=9), median PFS of 9.1 months
- Hazard ratio of 0.43 (95% CI: 0.18-1.02)
- Patients who demonstrated a complete response to first-line chemotherapy:
- Rubraca (n=38), median PFS of 25.8 months; placebo (n=4), median PFS NR
- Hazard ratio of 0.41 (95% CI: 0.10-1.63)
Among the ITT population:
- Patients who demonstrated a partial response to first-line chemotherapy:
- Rubraca (n=76), median PFS of 12.2 months; placebo (n=22), median PFS of 6.4 months
- Hazard ratio of 0.37 (95% CI: 0.21-0.65)
- Patients who demonstrated a complete response to first-line chemotherapy:
- Rubraca (n=73), median PFS of 15.6 months; placebo (n=11), median PFS of 6.4 months
- Hazard ratio of 0.48 (95% CI: 0.23-1.03)
Additional Analyses in the ITT Population by Subgroup
Additional analyses in other subgroups based on baseline clinical characteristics, including FIGO stage, timing of surgery, and CA-125 levels, also demonstrated that patients treated with Rubraca experienced a progression-free survival benefit compared to those treated with placebo. Safety was similar between subgroups analyzed.
Dr. Kristeleit’s presentation, as well as other company-sponsored Rubraca data presented at ESMO, can be viewed at the time of presentation at https://www.clovisoncology.com/pipeline/scientific-presentations/.
Rubraca is not currently approved in the first-line ovarian cancer maintenance setting.
About Rubraca (rucaparib)
Rucaparib is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 being developed in multiple tumor types, including ovarian and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancers, as monotherapy, and in combination with other anti-cancer agents. Exploratory studies in other tumor types are also underway.
Rubraca is an unlicensed medical product outside of the US and Europe.
Rubraca Ovarian Cancer US FDA Approved Indication
Rubraca is indicated for the maintenance treatment of adult women with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Please Click here for full Prescribing Information for Rubraca.
About Clovis Oncology
Clovis Oncology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing innovative anti-cancer agents in the US, Europe, and additional international markets. Clovis Oncology targets development programs at specific subsets of cancer populations, and simultaneously develops, with partners, for those indications that require them, diagnostic tools intended to direct a compound in development to the population that is most likely to benefit from its use. Clovis Oncology is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with additional office locations in the US and Europe. Please visit www.clovisoncology.com for more information.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220911005019/en/
Source: Clovis Oncology, Inc.
Clovis stock rises 15% as Rubraca shows survival benefit as maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer in trial
Sep. 12, 2022 6:48 AM ET Clovis Oncology, Inc. (CLVS)
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- Clovis Oncology (NASDAQ:CLVS) said Rubraca as initial maintenance therapy improved progression-free survival (PFS), compared to placebo across disease risk subgroups in patients with ovarian cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3881900-clovis-stock-rises-as-rubraca-shows-survival-benefit-as-maintenance-therapy-for-ovarian-cancer-in-trial
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/CLVS
- https://clovisoncology.com/
- https://www.rubraca.com/
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Enhertu continues to demonstrate clinically meaningful tumour response in patients with HER2-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
PUBLISHED11 September 2022
11 September 2022 09:15 BST
DESTINY-Lung02 Phase II trial shows clinically meaningful efficacy and favourable safety at 5.4mg/kg vs. 6.4mg/kg dose of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu in HER2-mutant disease
Updated results from DESTINY-Lung01 Phase II trial demonstrate continued durable activity across patient subtypes
Detailed positive results from an interim analysis of the DESTINY-Lung02 Phase II trial showed Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) demonstrated clinically meaningful tumour responses in previously-treated patients with HER2-mutant (HER2m) unresectable and/or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results will be presented today as a late-breaking presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022.
Enhertu is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
At a pre-specified interim analysis of DESTINY-Lung02, patients receiving Enhertu at a dose of 5.4mg/kg or 6.4mg/kg demonstrated clinically meaningful activity. The safety profile for both doses was also consistent with the overall safety profile of Enhertu, with the 5.4mg/kg dose demonstrating a favourable safety profile in this patient population. A confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 53.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 39.5-67.8) and 42.9% (95% CI 24.5-62.8) was seen in the 5.4mg/kg and 6.4mg/kg arms respectively, as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). One complete response (CR) was observed in each arm (5.4mg/kg: 1.9%, 6.4mg/kg: 3.6%), with 27 (51.9%) partial responses (PR) observed in the 5.4mg/kg arm and 11 (39.3%) PRs observed in the 6.4mg/kg arm.
Koichi Goto, MD, Medical Oncologist and Investigator at National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan, said: “DESTINY-Lung02 reinforces HER2 as an actionable mutation in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and further demonstrates that Enhertu provides a clinically meaningful tumour response for these patients who have historically had limited treatment options. The response seen in this trial, along with the disease control observed support Enhertu as a potential treatment option in this type of non-small cell lung cancer.”
Cristian Massacesi, Chief Medical Officer & Oncology Chief Development Officer, AstraZeneca, said: “The clinically meaningful activity, together with the favourable safety profile seen in the DESTINY-Lung02 trial helps establish the optimal dose of Enhertu at 5.4 milligrams per kilogram in previously-treated HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. As we continue to explore the potential of this important medicine across multiple HER2-targetable tumour types, these data reaffirm the need to undertake HER2 testing in patients diagnosed with lung cancer.”
Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo, said: “The DESTINY-Lung02 results are consistent with the data previously seen with Enhertu in non-small cell lung cancer and the efficacy demonstrated in this interim analysis, which supported the recent US FDA accelerated approval of Enhertu in patients with HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, reinforces the potential to establish this medicine as a treatment option for these patients. These data will help inform future regulatory submissions worldwide with the goal of continuing to offer this innovative medicine to as many patients as possible.”
DESTINY-Lung01 updated results
Updated results from the DESTINY-Lung01 Phase II trial, which evaluated Enhertu in HER2m (cohort 2) or HER2-over-expressing (cohort 1 and cohort 1a) NSCLC, were also presented at ESMO and showed that Enhertu continues to demonstrate consistent efficacy, safety and survival with longer follow-up.
After a median follow-up of 16.7 months, results of previously treated patients with HER2m NSCLC (cohort 2) showed the median DoR for Enhertu in the overall patient population increased to 10.6 months (95% CI 5.6-18.3), with median overall survival (OS) increasing to 18.6 months (95% CI 13.8-25.8). Subgroup analyses of patients with or without a presence of baseline asymptomatic brain metastases showed that treatment with Enhertu resulted in a median PFS of 7.1 months (95% CI 5.5-9.8) and 9.7 months (95% CI 4.5-16.9) respectively, and a median OS of 14.0 months (95% CI: 9.8-19.5) and 27.0 months (95% CI: 15.3-NE), respectively. The subgroup analysis of patients who had received either two or fewer prior therapies or more than two prior therapies showed a median PFS of 8.3 months (95% CI: 5.8-15.2) and 6.8 months (95% CI: 4.4-9.8) respectively, and a median OS of 22.1 months (95% CI: 14.0-31.3) and 13.8 months (95% CI: 7.1-18.6), respectively.
Additionally, updated results from cohort 1 (Enhertu 6.4mg/kg) and cohort 1a (Enhertu 5.4mg/kg), which evaluated patients with previously-treated metastatic HER2-overexpressing NSCLC, highlight encouraging anti-tumour activity. In cohort 1, a confirmed ORR of 26.5% (95% CI 15.0-41.1) was seen in patients receiving Enhertu 6.4mg/kg, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.7 months (95% CI 2.8-7.2) and a median OS of 12.4 months (95% CI 7.8-17.2). In cohort 1a, a confirmed ORR of 34.1% (95% CI 20.1-50.6) was seen in patients receiving Enhertu 5.4mg/kg, with a median PFS of 6.7 months (95% CI 4.2-8.4), and a median OS of 11.2 months (95% CI 8.4-NE).
The overall safety profile of Enhertu in DESTINY-Lung01 was consistent with previous data, with no new safety signals identified with the longer follow-up. In the HER2m NSCLC patient cohort, there was one additional case of treatment-related ILD or pneumonitis observed, as determined by an independent adjudication committee. ILD has been observed in 27.5% of patients treated with Enhertu 6.4mg/kg in the HER2m cohort, with the majority identified as low Grade, and two Grade 5 events reported. In the HER2-overexpressing NSCLC patient cohorts, there were two additional cases of treatment-related ILD or pneumonitis observed in the 6.4mg/kg dose cohort, and two cases observed in the 5.4mg/kg dose cohort, as determined by an independent adjudication committee. ILD has been observed in 20.4% and 4.9% of patients treated with Enhertu at the 6.4mg/kg and 5.4mg/kg doses respectively in the HER2-overexpressing cohort, with the majority identified as low Grade, and four Grade 5 events (three in the 6.4mg/kg dose cohort and one in the 5.4mg/kg dose cohort) reported. Data from the DESTINY-Lung01 Phase II trial were previously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.1
DESTINY-Lung02
DESTINY-Lung02 is a global, randomised, Phase II trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Enhertu in patients with HER2m metastatic NSCLC with disease recurrence or progression during or after at least one regimen of prior anticancer therapy that must have contained a platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients were randomised 2:1 to receive Enhertu 5.4mg/kg (n=102) or Enhertu 6.4mg/kg (n=50).The primary endpoint of the trial is confirmed ORR as assessed by BICR. Secondary endpoints include confirmed disease control rate (DCR), DoR and PFS assessed by investigator and BICR, investigator-assessed OS and safety. DESTINY-Lung02 enrolled 152 patients at multiple sites, including Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
DESTINY-Lung01
DESTINY-Lung01 is a global Phase II, open-label, two-cohort trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu (5.4mg/kg or 6.4mg/kg) in patients with HER2m (cohort 2, n=91) or HER2-overexpressing (defined as IHC 3+ or IHC 2+) [cohort 1 and 1a, n=90] unresectable or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who had progressed after one or more systemic therapies. The primary endpoint is confirmed ORR by independent central review. Key secondary endpoints include DoR, DCR, PFS, OS and safety. DESTINY-Lung01 enrolled 181 patients at multiple sites, including Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a (or one or more) prior anti-HER2-based regimen either in the metastatic setting, or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who have received a prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast04 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved under accelerated approval in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic NSCLC whose tumours have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by a FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung02 trial. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.
Enhertu development programme
A comprehensive development programme is underway globally, evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu monotherapy across multiple HER2-targetable cancers, including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, are also underway.
Regulatory applications for Enhertu in breast and gastric cancer are currently under review in several countries based on the DESTINY-Breast01, DESTINY-Breast03, DESTINY-Breast04, DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-Gastric02 trials, respectively.
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019 and datopotamab deruxtecan (a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
AstraZeneca in lung cancer
AstraZeneca is working to bring patients with lung cancer closer to cure through the detection and treatment of early-stage disease, while also pushing the boundaries of science to improve outcomes in the resistant and advanced settings. By defining new therapeutic targets and investigating innovative approaches, the Company aims to match medicines to the patients who can benefit most.
The Company’s comprehensive portfolio includes leading lung cancer medicines and the next wave of innovations, including Tagrisso (osimertinib) and Iressa (gefitinib); Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab; Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) and datopotamab deruxtecan in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo; Orpathys (savolitinib) in collaboration with HUTCHMED; as well as a pipeline of potential new medicines and combinations across diverse mechanisms of action.
AstraZeneca is a founding member of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition working to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful improvements for people with lung cancer, including and beyond treatment.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu shows response in lung cancer patients in trial
Sep. 12, 2022 7:49 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSKYF, DSNKY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) said their drug Enhertu showed clinically meaningful tumor responses in previously-treated patients with HER2-mutant (HER2m) unresectable and/or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a phase 2 trial.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSKYF
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSNKY
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
BIOTECNOVA™
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab with chemotherapy
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab with chemotherapy
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab with chemotherapy
Imfinzi and tremelimumab with chemotherapy demonstrated sustained survival benefit in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, nearly doubling the number of patients alive after three years vs. chemotherapy
PUBLISHED11 September 2022 11 September 2022 9:20 BST
Exploratory analysis from POSEIDON Phase III trial also showed trends for overall survival benefit with a limited course of tremelimumab added to Imfinzi and chemotherapy in subgroups with high unmet need
Updated results after approximately four years of follow-up of the POSEIDON Phase III trial showed a limited course of tremelimumab when added to AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus four cycles of chemotherapy demonstrated a sustained improvement in overall survival (OS) compared to chemotherapy alone in the 1st-line treatment of patients with Stage IV (metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Additional post-hoc, exploratory analyses continued to show a trend for OS improvement with this combination in patients with STK11, KEAP1 and KRAS-mutated NSCLC, as well as in patients whose tumours were PD-L1-negative (less than 1% tumour cell expression).
These late-breaking results were presented today at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 (Abstract #LBA59).
KRAS mutations are the most common tumour growth driver in NSCLC, occurring in approximately 25% of patients. NSCLC tumours with STK11 and KEAP1 mutations are often associated with poor outcomes and classified as immunologically “cold.” KRAS-mutated NSCLC can be responsive to immunotherapy but also can have poor outcomes, particularly when associated with STK11 or KEAP1 co-mutations.1-6
Melissa Johnson, MD, Director of Lung Cancer Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology in Nashville, Tennessee, and a lead investigator in the POSEIDON Phase III trial, said: "Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer is a devastating diagnosis, particularly for patients whose cancers are less responsive to standard treatments such as chemotherapy and immune therapy. These results support the addition of a limited course of tremelimumab to durvalumab plus chemotherapy as a potential new treatment option for patients with these harder-to-treat forms of lung cancer.”
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "These updated POSEIDON results at nearly four years of follow-up show further evidence that the addition of a limited course of tremelimumab to Imfinzi plus chemotherapy improves outcomes for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients, including those with specific tumour mutations where a high unmet need for effective, well tolerated treatments remains. We look forward to bringing this potential new treatment option to patients as quickly as possible."
These latest data show that a limited course of five cycles of tremelimumab added to Imfinzi plus platinum-based chemotherapy improved overall survival by 25% compared to chemotherapy alone (hazard ratio [HR] 0.75; 95% CI 0.63-0.88). Updated median OS was 14 months for the combination versus 11.7 for chemotherapy alone. An estimated 25% of patients treated with the combination were alive at three years versus 13.6% for those treated with chemotherapy alone.
A trend for OS improvement continued to be observed in patients with STK11, KEAP1, and KRAS-mutated mNSCLC when treated with the combination, which reduced the risk of death by 38% (based on a HR of 0.62; 95% CI 0.34-1.12), 57% (based on a HR of 0.43; 95% CI 0.16-1.25), and 45% (based on a HR of 0.55; 95% CI 0.36-0.85), respectively. The combination also extended sustained OS benefit to patients with less than 1% PD-L1 tumour cell expression. These post hoc, exploratory subgroup analyses should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample sizes.
Consistent with previous POSEIDON Phase III trial readouts, OS benefit in these updated results appeared more pronounced with tremelimumab plus Imfinzi and chemotherapy in patients with non-squamous NSCLC histology. A 32% improvement in OS compared to chemotherapy alone (HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.55–0.85) was reported for patients with non-squamous histology, with an updated median OS of 17.2 months for the combination versus 13.1 months for chemotherapy. An estimated 31.4% of patients with non-squamous NSCLC treated with the combination were alive at three years versus 17.3% for those receiving chemotherapy alone.
Tremelimumab plus Imfinzi and chemotherapy continued to be well-tolerated, with no new safety signals identified based on the collection of serious adverse events (AEs) during the approximately four years of follow-up. Serious treatment-related AEs of any grade occurred in 27.6% of patients in the Imfinzi, tremelimumab and chemotherapy arm versus 17.7% in the chemotherapy alone arm as assessed by investigators. Treatment-related AEs leading to death occurred in 3.3% of patients in the combination arm versus 2.4% in the chemotherapy arm.
These updated results build on the primary progression-free survival (PFS) and OS results presented at the 2021 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) in September 2021 as well as post-hoc exploratory results in patients with STK11, KEAP1 or KRAS-mutated metastatic NSCLC recently presented at WCLC 2022 in August.
Tremelimumab is under review by global regulatory authorities in combination with Imfinzi and chemotherapy in 1st-line metastatic NSCLC based on the results of the POSEIDON trial.
POSEIDON
The POSEIDON trial was a randomised, open-label, multi-centre, global, Phase III trial of Imfinzi plus platinum-based chemotherapy or Imfinzi, tremelimumab and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in the 1st-line treatment of 1,013 patients with metastatic NSCLC. The trial population included patients with either non-squamous or squamous disease and the full range of PD-L1 expression levels. POSEIDON excluded patients with certain epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusions.
In the experimental arms, patients were treated with a flat dose of 1,500mg of Imfinzi, or Imfinzi and 75mg of tremelimumab with up to four cycles of chemotherapy every three weeks, followed by maintenance treatment with Imfinzi once every four weeks, or Imfinzi and a fifth dose of 75mg of tremelimumab given at week 16. In comparison, the control arm allowed up to six cycles of chemotherapy. Pemetrexed maintenance treatment was allowed in all arms in patients with non-squamous disease if given during the induction phase. Nearly all patients with non-squamous disease (95.5%) had pemetrexed and platinum, while the majority of patients with squamous disease receiving chemotherapy (88.3%) received gemcitabine and platinum.
Primary endpoints included PFS and OS for the Imfinzi plus chemotherapy arm. Key secondary endpoints included PFS and OS in the Imfinzi plus tremelimumab and chemotherapy arm. As both PFS endpoints were met for Imfinzi plus chemotherapy and Imfinzi, tremelimumab and chemotherapy, the prespecified statistical analysis plan allowed for testing OS in the Imfinzi plus tremelimumab and chemotherapy arm. The trial was conducted in more than 150 centres across 18 countries, including the US, Europe, South America, Asia and South Africa.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiotherapy, and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is currently approved in a number of countries in multiple tumour types including for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC); for previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer and for locally advanced or metastatic BTC in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin).
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
Imfinzi combinations have demonstrated clinical benefit in multiple additional cancer settings with positive Phase III trials in unresectable advanced liver cancer (HIMALAYA), metastatic NSCLC (POSEIDON) and resectable NSCLC (AEGEAN). The data from HIMALAYA and POSEIDON are under review with global health authorities.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several GI cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours.
Tremelimumab
Tremelimumab is a human monoclonal antibody and potential new medicine that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Tremelimumab blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T-cell activation, priming the immune response to cancer and fostering cancer cell death.
Beyond POSEIDON, tremelimumab is being tested in combination with Imfinzi across multiple tumour types including in bladder cancer (VOLGA and NILE), locoregional HCC (EMERALD-3) and SCLC (ADRIATIC).
Tremelimumab is also under review by global regulatory authorities in combination with Imfinzi in unresectable advanced liver cancer based on the results of the HIMALAYA Phase III trial.
AstraZeneca in lung cancer
AstraZeneca is working to bring patients with lung cancer closer to cure through the detection and treatment of early-stage disease, while also pushing the boundaries of science to improve outcomes in the resistant and advanced settings. By defining new therapeutic targets and investigating innovative approaches, the Company aims to match medicines to the patients who can benefit most.
The Company's comprehensive portfolio includes leading lung cancer medicines and the next wave of innovations, including Tagrisso (osimertinib) and Iressa (gefitinib); Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab; Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) and datopotamab deruxtecan in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo; Orpathys (savolitinib) in collaboration with HUTCHMED; as well as a pipeline of potential new medicines and combinations across diverse mechanisms of action.
AstraZeneca is a founding member of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition working to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful improvements for people with lung cancer, including and beyond treatment.
AstraZeneca in immuno-oncology (IO)
Immunotherapy is a therapeutic approach designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours. The Company’s Immuno-Oncology (IO) portfolio is anchored in immunotherapies that have been designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response. AstraZeneca is invested in using IO approaches that deliver long-term survival for new groups of patients across tumour types.
The Company is pursuing a comprehensive clinical-trial programme that includes Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with tremelimumab and other novel antibodies in multiple tumour types, stages of disease, and lines of treatment, and where relevant using the PD-L1 biomarker as a decision-making tool to define the best potential treatment path for a patient.
In addition, the ability to combine the IO portfolio with radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted small molecules from across AstraZeneca’s oncology pipeline, and from research partners, may provide new treatment options across a broad range of tumours.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca Imfinzi/tremelimumab combo shows survival benefit in lung cancer in 4-year data
Sep. 12, 2022 7:17 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) said ~4 years of follow-up data from a phase 3 trial suggested that a limited five cycles of tremelimumab added to Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus four cycles of chemotherapy improved overall survival (OS) by 25% compared to chemotherapy alone as initial treatment of patients with stage IV (metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy further improved overall survival benefit in advanced biliary tract cancer in the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial, reducing the risk of death by 24% in additional follow-up
PUBLISHED12 September 2022 12 September 2022 07:00 BST
HIMALAYA Phase III trial exploratory results support the benefit of tremelimumab
added to Imfinzi in unresectable liver cancer regardless of aetiology
Updated results from the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab), in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy demonstrated a clinically meaningful and durable overall survival (OS) benefit as a treatment for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC).
These results from TOPAZ-1, the first Phase III trial to show improved OS with an immunotherapy combination in this setting, will be presented today at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 in Paris (abstract #56P).
AstraZeneca Imfinzi combo cuts risk of death by 24% in biliary tract cancer patients in trial
Sep. 12, 2022 5:30 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) said Imfinzi, in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, showed a clinically meaningful and durable overall survival (OS) benefit for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) in a phase 3 trial called TOPAZ-1.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
Lynparza (olaparib) in combination with bevacizumab
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab with chemotherapy
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab with chemotherapy
Lynparza in combination with bevacizumab, and as a monotherapy, demonstrates clinically meaningful survival benefit in 1st-line advanced ovarian cancer across two Phase III trials
PUBLISHED9 September 2022 09 September 2022 13:10 BST
Landmark 5-year follow-up of PAOLA-1 Phase III trial demonstrated Lynparza plus bevacizumab meaningfully extended survival with 65.5% of HRD-positive patients surviving 5 years vs. 48.4% treated with bevacizumab and placebo
SOLO-1 Phase III trial demonstrated 67% of advanced ovarian cancer patients with BRCA mutations treated with Lynparza were alive at 7 years vs. 47% on placebo
Positive long-term follow-up results from the PAOLA-1 and SOLO-1 Phase III trials of AstraZeneca and MSD’s Lynparza (olaparib) with or without bevacizumab demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in overall survival (OS). Further results showed class-leading progression-free survival (PFS) in combination with bevacizumab for homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive patients, versus active comparator, bevacizumab, and as monotherapy for patients with BRCA mutations, versus placebo, respectively.
Both trials which were conducted in biomarker-selected, newly diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer in the 1st-line maintenance setting also demonstrated a consistent safety profile.1,2
The results for PAOLA-1 (Abstract #LBA29) and SOLO-1 (Abstract #517O) were presented on 9 September at the 2022 European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) and SOLO-1 results were published in Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecologic cancers, with a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate.3 Over two thirds of patients are diagnosed with advanced disease, and approximately 50-70% of these patients die within five years.4,5 Up to one in five women with advanced ovarian cancer have a BRCA mutation, and roughly half of women have HRD-positive tumours (which includes those with a BRCA mutation).6-8
Professor Isabelle Ray-Coquard, principal investigator from the PAOLA-1 trial and President of the Gineco group, said: “For women facing an advanced ovarian cancer diagnosis who are HRD-positive, a targeted treatment in the 1st-line maintenance setting is critical to helping them live longer. These latest results at the five-year landmark demonstrate that olaparib with bevacizumab reduces the risk of death by 38% in HRD-positive patients compared to bevacizumab alone, further reinforcing the clinically meaningful long-term survival benefit of this combination. This should be promising news for both clinicians and patients, as we see these additional data show that this combination may allow patients more time with family and loved ones. These results also highlight the importance of biomarker testing as part of a precision medicine approach to guide treatment decisions in ovarian cancer patients.”
Professor Paul DiSilvestro, investigator from the SOLO-1 trial and Director of the Program in Women’s Oncology at Women and Infants Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, said: “The long-term results from SOLO-1 confirm that olaparib continues to elicit a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival in the 1st-line maintenance setting for more than seven years. Achieving long-term survival for patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer is critical because the 1st-line setting offers the greatest potential to impact patient survival.”
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “Historically the five year survival rate of newly diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer is 30-50%. In that context, it is phenomenal to share the long term overall survival data from both PAOLA-1 and SOLO-1, with two out of three patients still alive in these trials. We continue to believe in Lynparza’s ability to help biomarker-selected patients with advanced ovarian cancer to achieve better outcomes.”
Dr Eliav Barr, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer, MSD Research Laboratories, said: “These latest data from the PAOLA-1 and SOLO-1 trials further highlight the importance of HRD testing, including for BRCA1/2 mutations, for all newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer patients at the point of diagnosis. Maintenance therapy with Lynparza may provide certain patients with HRD-positive and/or BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer the opportunity to live longer.”
Updated results from the PAOLA-1 Phase III trial
Updated results from the PAOLA-1 Phase III trial demonstrate that Lynparza plus bevacizumab increased median overall survival to 56.5 months versus 51.6 months with bevacizumab alone, in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer irrespective of HRD status. This increase was not statistically significant.
In HRD-positive patients, Lynparza plus bevacizumab provided a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival, reducing the risk of death by 38% versus bevacizumab (based on a HR of 0.62; 95% CI 0.45-0.85) despite PAOLA-1 having 30% Stage IV patients. 65.5% of patients treated with Lynparza plus bevacizumab were still alive at five years versus 48.4% of those treated with bevacizumab alone. Lynparza plus bevacizumab also improved median PFS to almost four years (46.8 months) versus 17.6 months with bevacizumab plus placebo and 46.1% of patients treated with Lynparza plus bevacizumab remain progression free at five years versus 19.2% of patients treated with bevacizumab alone. The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza in this trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials, with no new safety signals.
Updated results from the SOLO-1 Phase III trial
Updated results from the SOLO-1 Phase III trial demonstrate that Lynparza provided a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) versus placebo in patients with BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer, reducing the risk of death by 45% (based on an HR of 0.55; 95% CI 0.40-0.76; nominal p=0.0004 [not statistically significant]). Median OS was still not reached with Lynparza versus 75.2 months with placebo. At the seven-year descriptive OS analysis, 67% of Lynparza patients were alive versus 47% of placebo patients (44% of whom had a subsequent PARP inhibitor) and 45% of Lynparza patients versus 21% of placebo patients were alive and had not received a first subsequent treatment.
Additional data showed median time to first subsequent therapy was 64 months with Lynparza versus 15.1 months with placebo. The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza in this trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials, with no new safety signals.
PAOLA-1
PAOLA-1 is a double-blinded Phase III trial testing the efficacy and safety of Lynparza added to standard-of-care bevacizumab versus bevacizumab alone, as a 1st-line maintenance treatment for newly diagnosed advanced FIGO Stage III-IV high-grade serous or endometroid ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer patients who had a complete or partial response to 1st-line treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy and bevacizumab. AstraZeneca and MSD announced in August 2019 that the trial met its primary endpoint of PFS in the overall trial population.
PAOLA-1 is an ENGOT (European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups) trial, sponsored by ARCAGY Research (Association de Recherche sur les CAncers dont GYnécologiques) on behalf of GINECO (Groupe d’Investigateurs National des Etudes des Cancers Ovariens et du sein). ARCAGY-GINECO is an academic group specialising in clinical and translational research in patients’ cancers and a member of the GCIG (Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup).
SOLO-1
SOLO-1 is a Phase III randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lynparza tablets (300 mg twice daily) as maintenance monotherapy compared with placebo, in newly-diagnosed patients with advanced BRCAm ovarian cancer following platinum-based chemotherapy. The trial randomised 391 patients with a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who were in clinical complete or partial response following platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients were randomised (2:1) to receive Lynparza or placebo for up to two years or until disease progression (at the investigator’s discretion). The primary endpoint was PFS and key secondary endpoints included time to second disease progression or death, time to first subsequent treatment and overall survival. AstraZeneca and MSD announced in June 2018 that the trial met its primary endpoint of PFS in the overall trial population.
BRCA
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that produce proteins responsible for repairing damaged DNA and play an important role maintaining the genetic stability of cells.13 When either of these genes is mutated or altered such that its protein product either is not made or does not function correctly, DNA damage may not be repaired properly, and cells become unstable. As a result, cells are more likely to develop additional alterations that can lead to cancer. Cancers with BRCA mutations are more likely to be sensitive to PARP inhibitors including Lynparza.13-16
Homologous recombination deficiency
HRD, which defines a subgroup of ovarian cancer, encompasses a wide range of genetic abnormalities, including BRCA mutations and beyond. As with BRCA gene mutations, HRD interferes with normal cell DNA repair mechanisms and confers sensitivity to PARP inhibitors including Lynparza.2
Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to block DNA damage response (DDR) in cells/tumours harbouring a deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), such as those with mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2, or those where deficiency is induced by other agents (such as new hormonal agents – NHAs).
Inhibition of PARP proteins with Lynparza leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death.
Lynparza is currently approved in a number of countries across multiple tumour types including maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer and as both monotherapy and in combination with bevacizumab for the 1st-line maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) and homologous recombination repair deficient (HRD)-positive advanced ovarian cancer, respectively; for gBRCAm, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (in the EU and Japan this includes locally advanced breast cancer); for gBRCAm, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer (in Japan this includes all BRCAm HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer); for gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer; and HRR gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (BRCAm only in the EU and Japan).
Lynparza, which is being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD, is the foundation of AstraZeneca's industry-leading portfolio of potential new medicines targeting DDR mechanisms in cancer cells.
The AstraZeneca and MSD strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, US, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialise Lynparza, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, and Koselugo (selumetinib), a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor, for multiple cancer types.
Working together, the companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. The companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines independently.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca/Merck's Lynparza shows survival benefit in ovarian cancer patients in long-term data
Sep. 09, 2022 9:25 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), MRKRHHBY, RHHBF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Lynparza showed clinically meaningful survival benefit as first line therapy in certain patients with ovarian cancer as per long-term data from two phase 3 trials.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab with chemotherapy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
September 07, 2022
Trodelvy® Significantly Improved Overall Survival in Pre-Treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients in TROPiCS-02 Study
-- 3.2 Month Survival Benefit Demonstrated in Patients who had Already Received Prior Endocrine-based Therapy and at Least Two Prior Chemotherapies --
-- Trodelvy Now Shows a Survival Benefit in both Pre-treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer and Second-Line Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced the positive overall survival (OS) results from the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study evaluating Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) versus comparator chemotherapy (physicians’ choice of chemotherapy, TPC) in patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who received endocrine-based therapies and at least two chemotherapies. In the study, Trodelvy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement of 3.2 months in OS compared to TPC (median OS: 14.4 months vs. 11.2 months; hazard ratio [HR]=0.79; [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65-0.96]; p=0.02). OS was a key secondary endpoint of the trial.
These findings will be presented on Friday, September 9 at 4:20pm CEST during the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 as a late-breaking oral presentation (#LBA76) in the Brest Auditorium, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
Other key secondary endpoints including objective response rate (ORR) demonstrated statistically significant improvement in favoring Trodelvy versus TPC. Time to deterioration (TTD) of Global Health Status/Quality of Life (QoL) and Fatigue scale per EORTC-QLQ-C30 also favored Trodelvy versus TPC (QoL: 4.3 months vs. 3.0 months, p=0.006; Fatigue: 2.2 months vs. 1.4 months, p=0.002). No statistically significant difference in TTD on the Pain Scale was observed.
“It is outstanding to see a clinically meaningful survival benefit of over three months for patients with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer,” said Hope S. Rugo, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director, Breast Oncology and Clinical Trials Education at the University of California San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center, U.S. “Nearly all patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer will develop resistance to endocrine-based therapies even in combination with targeted agents, so these data are welcome news for the breast cancer community. The results of TROPiCS-02 highlight the potential for sacituzumab govitecan in patients with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.”
The safety profile for Trodelvy was consistent with prior studies, with no new safety signals identified in this patient population.
“With these data from TROPiCS-02, Trodelvy has now demonstrated a survival benefit in both pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer and second-line metastatic TNBC – two difficult-to-treat forms of breast cancer,” said Bill Grossman, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. “Our Gilead Oncology ambition is to transform care for people with cancer, and the meaningful improvement in survival benefit seen in the TROPiCS-02 study with Trodelvy is another step forward in pursuing this ambition for patients.”
The TROPiCS-02 study met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival earlier this year; detailed results were presented during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.
Trodelvy has not been approved by any regulatory agency for the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Its safety and efficacy have not been established for this indication. Gilead has submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on data from TROPiCS-02; these data will also be shared with health authorities outside the U.S.
Sacituzumab govitecan-hziy is currently included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®)i. This includes a Category 1 recommendation for use in adult patients with second-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (defined as those who received at least two prior therapies, with at least one line for metastatic disease). It also has a Category 2A preferred recommendation for investigational use in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer after prior treatment including endocrine therapy, a CDK4/6 inhibitor and at least two lines of chemotherapy.
Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About the TROPiCS-02 Study
The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, clinical benefit rate and duration of response, as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. In the study, HER2 negativity was defined per American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria as immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridization (ISH) test. More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901339.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in more than 35 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease. Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. under the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
- Please see full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNING.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220906006036/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead Trodelvy shows 3.2-month benefit for new breast cancer indication
Sep. 08, 2022 6:53 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) announced that its antibody-drug conjugate Trodelvy indicated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement of 3.2 months in overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy in certain patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3881135-gild-stock-on-watch-after-new-breast-cancer-data-for-trodelvy
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) (known as Farxiga in the US)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
September 5, 2022 at 7:29 AM EDT
LATE-BREAKING DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) DATA AT ERS 2022 SHOW CONSISTENT EFFICACY AND SAFETY PROFILE FOR UP TO TWO YEARS IN CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 11 YEARS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE ASTHMA
Results from the longest global Phase 3 open-label extension trial in this age group in asthma show sustained improvement in lung function, low rate of asthma attacks and a consistent safety profile for up to two years
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, Sept. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced results from a Phase 3 open-label extension trial demonstrating the efficacy and safety profile of Dupixent® (dupilumab) as a maintenance therapy when added to other asthma medications was consistent for up to two years in children aged 6 to 11 years with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma with evidence of type 2 inflammation. These results were presented today in a late-breaking session at the 2022 European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress, which coincides with the milestone that more than 500,000 people around the world have been treated with Dupixent across all of its approved indications.
"Children with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma may experience long-term persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, unpredictable asthma attacks and impaired lung function, which can lead to complications later in life as they grow and develop," said Leonard B. Bacharier, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Center for Pediatric Asthma Research, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and principal investigator of the trial. "An established safety profile balanced with efficacy is always a priority when treating children with a chronic disease, such as those with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype or oral corticosteroid dependent asthma. These new data further support the consistent safety profile of long-term Dupixent - which is indicated for the treatment of uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype or oral corticosteroid dependent asthma - and its ability to provide sustained improvements in lung function and reductions in asthma exacerbations in children as young as 6 years old."
The results are from data in children who entered the extension trial after finishing active treatment or placebo in the Phase 3 trial (pivotal trial). Children in the extension trial were treated for up to an additional year with Dupixent, providing up to two years of data in total. Children treated with Dupixent in the extension trial experienced a:
- Low rate of severe asthma attacks with an average of 0.118-0.124 events per year, compared to 2.16-2.56 events per year at baseline in the pivotal trial.
- Sustained improvement in lung function at 52 weeks of 9.43-12.6 percentage points from baseline in the pivotal trial, measured by percent predicted FEV1 (FEV1pp). FEV1pp seeks to evaluate a patient's change in lung function compared to their predicted lung function based on age, height, sex and ethnicity to account for children's growing lung capacity at different stages of development.
- Children who switched from placebo in the pivotal trial to Dupixent in the extension trial demonstrated improvement of 8.71 percentage points in lung function at two weeks.
The safety results of the trial were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved respiratory indications. Over the 52-week treatment period, the overall rates of adverse events (AEs) were 61-68%. The most common AEs (≥5%) were nasopharyngitis (9-10%), pharyngitis (6-10%), upper respiratory tract infection (4-8%), influenza (5-6%), eosinophilia (3-6%), allergic rhinitis (3-7%), diarrhea (4-6%) and injection site reactions (3-7%).
About the LIBERTY ASTHMA EXCURSION Trial
The Phase 3, multicenter, open-label extension trial evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of Dupixent in 365 children with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma who had previously participated in the placebo-controlled VOYAGE trial (the pivotal trial) when they were 6 to 11 years of age. Based on body weight, patients in the open-label extension trial received Dupixent 100 mg or 200 mg every two weeks or Dupixent 300 mg every four weeks, for 52 weeks.
The primary endpoint assessed the number of patients experiencing any treatment emergent adverse event. Secondary endpoints included the annualized rate of severe asthma exacerbations over one year and change from pivotal trial baseline in FEV1pp.
About Dupixent
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), as well as investigational diseases such as prurigo nodularis.
In the EU, Dupixent is approved in children aged 6 to 11 years as an add-on maintenance treatment for severe asthma with type 2 inflammation characterized by raised blood eosinophils and/or raised FeNO, who are inadequately controlled with medium to high dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus another medicinal product for maintenance treatment. For adolescents and adults 12 years and older with severe asthma with type 2 inflammation, patients must be inadequately controlled with high dose ICS plus another medicinal product for maintenance treatment.
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals around the world for use in in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP or EoE in different age populations. Dupixent is currently approved across these indications in the U.S. and for one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries, including in the European Union and Japan.
Please see accompanying full
Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for nearly 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous FDA-approved treatments and product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite® technologies, such as VelocImmune®, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more than 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.
In addition to the currently approved indications, Regeneron and Sanofi are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in Phase 3 trials, including prurigo nodularis, pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis, hand and foot atopic dermatitis, chronic inducible urticaria-cold, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic pruritis of unknown origin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with evidence of type 2 inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and bullous pemphigoid. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. Indications
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sanofi/Regeneron Dupixent shows efficacy for up to 2 years in children with asthma
Sep. 05, 2022 6:18 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) said their medicine Dupixent showed efficacy and safety of up to two years in children aged six to 11 years with asthma.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SNY
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) (known as Farxiga in the US)
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) (known as Farxiga in the US)
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy approved in the US as the first immunotherapy regimen for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer
PUBLISHED5 September 2022
5 September 2022 07:00 BST
Approval based on TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial results, which showed Imfinzi
combination reduced risk of death by 20% vs. chemotherapy alone
AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) has been approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC) in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin).
The approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was based on the results from the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial. In an interim analysis of TOPAZ-1, Imfinzi plus chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 20% versus chemotherapy alone (hazard ratio [HR] 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.97; p=0.021). An estimated one in four (25%) patients treated with Imfinzi plus chemotherapy were still alive at two years compared to one in 10 (10%) treated with chemotherapy alone. Results were consistent across all prespecified subgroups, regardless of PD-L1 expression or tumour location.
BTC is a group of rare and aggressive cancers that occur in the bile ducts and gallbladder.1,2 Approximately 23,000 people in the US are diagnosed with BTC each year.1 These patients have a poor prognosis, with approximately 5% to 15% of patients with BTC surviving five years.3
Aiwu Ruth He, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Leader of the GI Cancer Program, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC, and a lead investigator in the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial, said: “This approval represents a major step forward for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer, who urgently need new, well-tolerated and effective treatment options after more than a decade of limited innovation. The combination of durvalumab and chemotherapy should become a new standard of care in this setting, having demonstrated significantly improved survival for these patients who have historically faced a poor prognosis.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “For the first time, patients in the US with advanced biliary tract cancer have an immunotherapy-based treatment option that meaningfully extends survival and is well-tolerated. This approval for Imfinzi and chemotherapy advances our ambition to challenge treatment expectations and transform care for patients with gastrointestinal cancers with high unmet need.”
Stacie Lindsey, CEO, Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, said: “Patients have been waiting a long time for a new, first-line treatment option for biliary tract cancer. The Foundation congratulates AstraZeneca for engaging in rare cancer research, which impacts patients and families nationwide. We are especially grateful to the patients who participated in this trial making it possible for the broader rare disease community to benefit from this treatment.”
The TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial results were presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers (ASCO GI) Symposium and published in the New England Journal of Medicine Evidence. Imfinzi plus chemotherapy was generally well tolerated and did not increase the discontinuation rate due to adverse events compared to chemotherapy alone.
In July 2022, Imfinzi plus chemotherapy was added to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) as a Category 1 preferred regimen as 1st-line therapy for locally advanced or metastatic BTC based on the data from TOPAZ-1.4
The US regulatory submission for TOPAZ-1 was reviewed under Project Orbis, which provides a framework for concurrent submission and review of oncology medicines among participating international partners. As part of Project Orbis, Imfinzi plus chemotherapy is also under regulatory review for the same indication by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA), Health Canada, Israel’s Ministry of Health Pharmaceutical Administration, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority, Switzerland’s Swissmedic and the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
The approval was granted after securing Priority Review and Orphan Drug Designation for Imfinzi in the US in this setting. Regulatory applications are also currently under review in Europe, Japan and several other countries based on the TOPAZ-1 results.
TOPAZ-1
TOPAZ-1 is a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) versus placebo in combination with chemotherapy as a 1st-line treatment in 685 patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic BTC including intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and gallbladder cancer. Patients with ampullary carcinoma were excluded.
The primary endpoint is overall survival and key secondary endpoints included progression-free survival, objective response rate and safety. The trial was conducted in 105 centres across 17 countries including in the US, Europe, South America and several countries in Asia including South Korea, Thailand, Japan and China.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
In addition to the approval in BTC, Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiotherapy and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. In 2021, updated results from the CASPIAN trial showed Imfinzi plus chemotherapy tripled patient survival at three years versus chemotherapy alone.
Imfinzi is also approved for previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several GI cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and other solid tumours.
Imfinzi combinations have demonstrated clinical benefit in multiple additional cancer settings with positive Phase III trials in unresectable advanced liver cancer (HIMALAYA) and metastatic NSCLC (POSEIDON).
AstraZeneca in GI cancers
AstraZeneca has a broad development programme for the treatment of GI cancers across several medicines and a variety of tumour types and stages of disease. In 2020, GI cancers collectively represented approximately 5.1 million new cancer cases leading to approximately 3.6 million deaths.6
Within this programme, the Company is committed to improving outcomes in gastric, liver, BTC, oesophageal, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
Imfinzi is being assessed in combinations in liver, BTC, oesophageal and gastric cancers in an extensive development programme spanning early to late-stage disease.
The Company aims to understand the potential of Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate, in the two most common GI cancers, colorectal and gastric cancers. Enhertu is jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
Lynparza (olaparib) is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor with a broad and advanced clinical trial programme across multiple GI tumour types including pancreatic and colorectal cancers. Lynparza is developed and commercialised in collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. inside the US and Canada).
AstraZeneca in immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a therapeutic approach designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours. The Company’s Immuno-Oncology (IO) portfolio is anchored in immunotherapies that have been designed to overcome evasion of the anti-tumour immune response. AstraZeneca is invested in using IO approaches that deliver long-term survival for new groups of patients across tumour types.
The Company is pursuing a comprehensive clinical-trial programme that includes Imfinzi as a single treatment and in combination with tremelimumab and other novel antibodies in multiple tumour types, stages of disease, and lines of treatment, and where relevant using the PD-L1 biomarker as a decision-making tool to define the best potential treatment path for a patient.
In addition, the ability to combine the IO portfolio with radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted small molecules from across AstraZeneca’s oncology pipeline, and from research partners, may provide new treatment options across a broad range of tumours.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca's Imfinzi combo gets FDA approval for advanced biliary tract cancer
Sep. 05, 2022 5:37 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Imfinzi (durvalumab), in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) to treat adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3880230-astrazenecas-imfinzi-combo-gets-fda-approval-for-advanced-biliary-tract-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
- https://www.imfinzi.com/
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) (known as Farxiga in the US)
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) (known as Farxiga in the US)
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) (known as Farxiga in the US)
Forxiga approved in China for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in patients at risk of progression with and without
type-2 diabetes
PUBLISHED5 September 2022 5 September 2022 07:05 BST
Approval marks the first SGLT2 inhibitor approved in China for chronic kidney
disease in adult patients with and without type-2 diabetes
AstraZeneca’s Forxiga (dapagliflozin), a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, has been approved in China to reduce the risk of sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cardiovascular (CV) death and hospitalisation for heart failure (hHF) in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at risk of progression with and without type-2 diabetes (T2D).
The approval by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) is based on positive results from the DAPA-CKD Phase III trial1.
CKD is a serious, progressive condition defined by decreased kidney function and is often associated with an increased risk of heart disease or stroke2-4. The condition affects 850 million people worldwide5. However, diagnosis rates remain low and up to 90% of patients are unaware they have the disease4.
Member of the DAPA-CKD Executive Committee, Fan Fan Hou, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China, said: “With unprecedented results of DAPA-CKD, dapagliflozin becomes the first SGLT2 inhibitor approved in China for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. This transformational milestone brings great hope to the 120 million subjects suffering from chronic kidney disease in China.”
Sir Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca said: “In addition to AstraZeneca’s commitment to drive increased awareness, prevention and earlier diagnoses, this approval marks another important step forward in our ambition to stop, reverse and ultimately cure chronic kidney disease globally. We are thrilled at the opportunity to bring Forxiga to millions of patients across the country and improve patient outcomes.”
The DAPA-CKD Phase III trial demonstrated that Forxiga, on top of standard-of-care (SoC) treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker, reduced the relative risk of worsening of renal function, onset of ESKD, or risk of CV or renal death by 39%, the primary composite endpoint, compared to placebo (absolute risk reduction [ARR]=5.3%, p<0.0001) in patients with CKD Stages 2-4 and elevated urinary albumin excretion. Forxiga also significantly reduced the relative risk of death from any cause by 31% (ARR=2.1%, p=0.0035) compared to placebo6. The safety and tolerability of Forxiga were consistent with the well-established safety profile of the medicine.
Forxiga (known as Farxiga in the US) is now approved in 100 countries around the world including the US, the European Union and Japan for the treatment of CKD in adults with and without T2D.
DAPA-CKD
DAPA-CKD was an international, multi-centre, randomised, double-blinded Phase III trial in 4,304 patients designed to evaluate the efficacy of Forxiga 10mg, compared with placebo, in patients with CKD Stage 2-4 and elevated urinary albumin excretion, with and without T2D. Forxiga was given once daily in addition to SoC. The primary composite endpoint was worsening of renal function or risk of death (defined as a composite of an eGFR decline ≥50%, onset of ESKD or death from CV or renal cause). The secondary endpoints included the time to first occurrence of the renal composite (sustained ≥50% eGFR decline, ESKD or renal death), the composite of CV death or hospitalisation for HF (hHF), and death from any cause. The trial was conducted in 21 countries1. Detailed results from the trial were published in The New England Journal of Medicine1.
Forxiga
Forxiga (dapagliflozin) is a first-in-class, oral, once-daily SGLT2 inhibitor. Research has shown Forxiga’s efficacy in preventing and delaying cardiorenal disease, while also protecting the organs – important findings given the underlying links between the heart, kidneys and pancreas1,10,11. Damage to one of these organs can cause the other organs to fail, contributing to leading causes of death worldwide, including T2D, HF and CKD12-15.
Forxiga is approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adults with T2D and in T2D to reduce the risk of hHF or CV death when added to SoC based on the findings of the DECLARE-TIMI 58 Phase III CV outcomes trial11. Forxiga is also approved for the treatment of HFrEF and the treatment of CKD based on the findings of the DAPA-HF and DAPA-CKD Phase III trials6,10.
DapaCare is a robust programme of clinical trials to evaluate the potential CV, renal and organ protection benefits of Forxiga. It includes more than 35 completed and ongoing Phase IIb/III trials in more than 35,000 patients, as well as more than 2.5 million patient-years’ experience. Forxiga is currently being tested in patients without T2D following an acute myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack in the DAPA-MI Phase III trial - a first of its kind, indication-seeking registry-based randomised controlled trial16.
AstraZeneca in CVRM
Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), part of BioPharmaceuticals, forms one of AstraZeneca’s main disease areas and is a key growth driver for the Company. By following the science to understand more clearly the underlying links between the heart, kidneys and pancreas, AstraZeneca is investing in a portfolio of medicines for organ protection and improving outcomes by slowing disease progression, reducing risks and tackling co-morbidities. The Company’s ambition is to modify or halt the natural course of CVRM diseases and potentially regenerate organs and restore function, by continuing to deliver transformative science that improves treatment practices and CV health for millions of patients worldwide.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca's Forxiga gets approval in China for kidney disease with/without type-2 diabetes
Sep. 05, 2022 6:28 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Forxiga was approved in China to reduce the risk of sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate ((eGFR)) decline, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cardiovascular (CV) death and hospitalization for heart failure (hHF) in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at risk of progression with and without type-2 diabetes (T2D).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3880236-astrazenecas-forxiga-gets-approval-in-china-for-kidney-disease-withwithout-type-2-diabetes
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.farxiga.com/
- https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/forxiga
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
September 04, 2022
New TROPiCS-02 Data in HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Demonstrates Progression-Free Survival Benefit of Trodelvy® Regardless of Their HER2 Status
-- Progression-Free Survival Efficacy of Trodelvy Consistent with That Observed in the TROPiCS-02 Intention-to-Treat Population --
-- Results Presented at ESMO 2022 Highlight Trodelvy as a Potential Treatment Option in HR+/HER2-Low and IHC0 Status Metastatic Breast Cancer --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced new data from a post hoc subgroup analysis from the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study evaluating Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) versus comparator chemotherapies (physicians’ choice of chemotherapy, TPC) in patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who progressed on endocrine-based therapies and at least two chemotherapies. The analysis examined progression-free survival (PFS) in the intention-to-treat population by HER2-immunohistochemistry (IHC) status, and the results demonstrated that Trodelvy improved median PFS vs. TPC in both HER2-low (IHC1+ and IHC2+/ISH-negative) and IHC0 groups.
Detailed findings will be presented at a mini-oral session (Abstract #1362) during the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 in the Évry Auditorium, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, on September 10.
“These data demonstrate Trodelvy’s efficacy across HER2-low and IHC0 status in pre-treated metastatic breast cancer patients in the TROPiCS-02 trial,” said Professor Peter Schmid, Professor of Cancer Medicine; Centre Lead, Centre of Experimental Cancer Medicine; Director, Barts Breast Cancer Centre. “Once patients have developed resistance to endocrine-based therapies, their prognosis is extremely poor. The results highlight the potential for Trodelvy as a treatment option for people living with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, regardless of their HER2-negative status.”
“These results show Trodelvy improved progression-free survival regardless of HER2 status in this pre-treated patient population and reinforce the strength of clinical activity in a population where need is highest,” said Bill Grossman, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. “Trodelvy is already transforming the standard of care in second-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, and we’re excited about its potential in other breast cancers where there is significant need for new treatment options.”
In the study, HER2 negativity was defined per American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria as immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridization (ISH) test.
Trodelvy has not been approved by any regulatory agency for the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Its safety and efficacy have not been established for this indication. Gilead has submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on data from TROPiCS-02; these data will also be shared with health authorities outside the U.S.
Sacituzumab govitecan is currently included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®)i. This includes a Category 1 recommendation for use in adult patients with second-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (defined as those who received at least two prior therapies, with at least one line for metastatic disease). It also has a Category 2A preferred recommendation for investigational use in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer after prior treatment including endocrine therapy, a CDK4/6 inhibitor and at least two lines of chemotherapy.
Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About the TROPiCS-02 Study
The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, clinical benefit rate and duration of response, as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901339.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in more than 35 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease. Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. under the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
Please see full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNING.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. Prescribing Information for Trodelvy including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.gilead.com.
Trodelvy, Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
i Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Breast Cancer Version 4.2022. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2022. All rights reserved. Accessed August 2022. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220902005309/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead Trodelvy shows benefit in breast cancer patients regardless of HER2 mutation in trial
Sep. 05, 2022 6:44 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor7 Comments
Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) said Trodelvy showed progression-free survival (PFS) benefit in patients with breast cancer patients regardless of the HER2 mutation status.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
FARXIGA® (dapagliflozin)
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
New data show FARXIGA significantly lowers the risk of cardiovascular death in patients with heart failure
PUBLISHED27 August 2022
Pre-specified pooled analysis from Phase III trials demonstrated reduction in CV death by 14% and reduction in death from any cause by 10% in patients with heart failure irrespective of ejection fraction
First heart failure medication to demonstrate mortality benefit across the full ejection fraction range
Results being presented at the European Society of Cardiology annual meeting and simultaneously published in Nature Medicine
Today, new results from a pre-specified, patient level, pooled analysis from the Phase III DAPA-HF and DELIVER trials demonstrated mortality benefit of FARXIGA® (dapagliflozin), compared to placebo, in patients with heart failure (HF). These results were presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2022 in Barcelona, Spain and simultaneously published in Nature Medicine.1 The reduction in risk of cardiovascular (CV) death was consistent across pre-specified subgroups and is the first analysis to demonstrate a mortality benefit with an HF medication in patients with HF across the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) range.
The analysis showed that FARXIGA reduced the risk of CV death by 14% (p=0.01, absolute risk reduction [ARR] 1.5%) over the median follow-up of 22 months, death from any cause by 10% (p=0.03, ARR 1.5%), total (first and repeat) hospitalization for HF (hHF) by 29% (p < 0.001, ARR 6%), and the composite of death from CV causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke by 10% (p=0.045, ARR 1.3%), in patients with HF irrespective of LVEF.1
Prof. John McMurray, Professor of Medical Cardiology and Deputy Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences at the University of Glasgow, UK, said: “In this patient-level meta-analysis including over 11,000 patients with heart failure across the full range of ejection fraction, dapagliflozin reduced the risk of both cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization. These results underpin the valuable role dapagliflozin can play in clinical practice, as we can initiate treatment right away while waiting for ejection fraction to be measured.”
Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said:
“Heart failure remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide with high unmet need for some 64 million people. This analysis demonstrates FARXIGA’s ability to treat patients across the full left ventricular ejection fraction spectrum and reduce the risk of cardiovascular death.”
The DAPA-HF and DELIVER Phase III trials were randomized and double-blind, comparing FARXIGA to placebo. Each trial enrolled patients with a diagnosis of HF, functional limitation, and elevated natriuretic peptides. The principal difference between the two trials was that patients with an LVEF of 40% or less were randomized in DAPA-HF and those with a LVEF greater than 40% in DELIVER.2,3 The studies included 11,007 individuals with HF across 20 countries in each trial.
INDICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF USE for FARXIGA® (dapagliflozin)
FARXIGA is indicated:
- as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- to reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and either established cardiovascular (CV) disease or multiple CV risk factors
- to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure (NYHA class II-IV) with reduced ejection fraction
- to reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end‑stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression
FARXIGA is not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. It may increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in these patients.
FARXIGA is not recommended for use to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with an eGFR less than 45 mL/min/1.73 m2. FARXIGA is likely to be ineffective in this setting based upon its mechanism of action.
FARXIGA is not recommended for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in patients with polycystic kidney disease or patients requiring or with a recent history of immunosuppressive therapy for kidney disease. FARXIGA is not expected to be effective in these populations.
DOSING
To improve glycemic control, the recommended starting dose is 5 mg orally once daily. Dose can be increased to 10 mg orally once daily for additional glycemic control.
For all other indications, the recommended dose is 10 mg orally once daily.
DAPA-HF
DAPA-HF (Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse-outcomes in Heart Failure) was an international, multi-centre, parallel-group, randomized, double-blinded Phase III trial in 4,744 patients with HFrEF, with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D), designed to evaluate the effect of FARXIGA 10mg, compared with placebo, given once daily in addition to standard of care (SoC) consisting of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). The primary composite endpoint was time to the first occurrence of a worsening HF event (hospitalization or equivalent event, i.e., an urgent HF visit), or CV death. The median duration of follow-up was 18.2 months.3
The secondary endpoint included the total number of hHF (including repeat admissions) and CV deaths, change from baseline to 8 months in the total symptom score on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ).3
DELIVER
DELIVER was an international, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, event-driven Phase III trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of FARXIGA, compared with placebo, in the treatment of HF patients with LVEF greater than 40%, with or without T2D. FARXIGA was given once daily in addition to background therapy (regional SoC for all comorbidities, including diabetes and hypertension, with the exception of concomitant use of a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor).2 DELIVER is the largest clinical trial to date in HF patients with LVEF above 40%, with 6,263 randomized patients.2
The primary endpoint was the time to first occurrence of CV death, hHF or an urgent HF visit. The secondary endpoint includes the total number of HF events (hHF or urgent HF visit) and CV death, change from baseline in the total symptom score of the KCCQ at eight months, time to the occurrence of CV death and time to the occurrence of death from any cause.2
AstraZeneca in CVRM
Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), part of BioPharmaceuticals, forms one of AstraZeneca’s main disease areas and is a key growth driver for the Company. By following the science to understand more clearly the underlying links between the heart, kidneys and pancreas, AstraZeneca is investing in a portfolio of medicines for organ protection and improving outcomes by slowing disease progression, reducing risks and tackling co-morbidities. The Company’s ambition is to modify or halt the natural course of CVRM diseases and potentially regenerate organs and restore function, by continuing to deliver transformative science that improves treatment practices and CV health for millions of patients worldwide.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS.
AstraZeneca posts late-stage data to show potential of diabetes drug in heart failure
Aug. 29, 2022 5:16 AM ET AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
Disclosing data from a Phase 3 trial, AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) announced that its blockbuster diabetes therapy Farxiga (dapagliflozin) improved clinical outcomes in certain patients with heart failure (HF). The data were presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2022 in Spain.
Lynparza (olaparib)
TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib)
Lynparza approved in Japan as adjuvant treatment for patients with BRCA-mutated HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer
PUBLISHED25 August 2022
25 August 2022 07:00 BST
First and only approved medicine targeting
BRCA mutations in early breast cancer
AstraZeneca and MSD’s Lynparza (olaparib) has been approved in Japan for the adjuvant treatment of patients with BRCA-mutated (BRCAm), HER2-negative early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.
This approval by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare was based on results from the OlympiA Phase III trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine in June 2021.1 In the trial, Lynparza demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), reducing the risk of invasive breast cancer recurrences, new cancers, or death by 42% versus placebo (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.58; 99.5% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.82; p<0.0001).
Lynparza also demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival, reducing the risk of death by 32% versus placebo (based on an HR of 0.68; 98.5% CI 0.47-0.97; p=0.009). The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza in this trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials.
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide with an estimated 2.3 million patients diagnosed in 2020.2 In Japan, an estimated 95,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, and over 15,000 will die from the disease.3,4 Out of the approximately 80% of patients with HER2-negative breast cancer, about 11% have BRCA mutations.5,6
Professor Andrew Tutt, Global Chair of the OlympiA Phase III trial and Professor of Oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and King’s College London, said: “Today’s approval marks a new era of care for patients in Japan. For patients with high-risk early-stage breast cancer, including those with germline BRCA mutations, recurrence rates remain unacceptably high, with more than one in four of these patients seeing their cancer return following surgery and systemic treatment. Today’s approval offers eligible patients in Japan an effective and targeted treatment that improves survival and helps to prevent cancer recurrence.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “Today’s approval marks a significant leap forward for breast cancer patients in Japan, where it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Patients with BRCA mutations have high rates of disease recurrence and lower survival, and Lynparza has been shown to significantly reduce both the risk of recurrence and death. We hope this approval sets a new, much-needed standard of care for these early breast cancer patients in Japan.”
Dr Eliav Barr, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer, MSD Research Laboratories, said: “With this approval, Lynparza becomes the first and only PARP inhibitor available for patients with BRCA-mutated HER2-negative early breast cancer in Japan. This further reinforces the critical need to conduct BRCA testing at the point of diagnosis so that all eligible patients can be identified.”
In March 2022, Lynparza was approved in the US for the treatment of germline BRCAm (gBRCAm), HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer, followed by approval in the EU in August 2022 based on the results of the OlympiA Phase III trial. Lynparza is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, and many other countries for the treatment of patients with gBRCAm, HER2-negative, metastatic breast cancer previously treated with chemotherapy based on results from the OlympiAD Phase III trial. In the EU, this indication also includes patients with locally advanced breast cancer.
OlympiA
OlympiA is a Phase III, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial testing the efficacy and safety of Lynparza tablets versus placebo as adjuvant treatment in patients with gBRCAm, high-risk HER2-negative early breast cancer, who have completed definitive local treatment and neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy.15
The primary endpoint of the trial was iDFS defined as time from randomisation to date of first locoregional or distant recurrence or new cancer or death from any cause.1
The OlympiA Phase III trial is led by the Breast International Group in partnership with the Frontier Science & Technology Research Foundation, NRG Oncology, the US National Cancer Institute, AstraZeneca and MSD. The trial is sponsored by NRG Oncology in the US and by AstraZeneca outside the US.
BRCA
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that produce proteins responsible for repairing damaged DNA and play an important role maintaining the genetic stability of cells.11 When either of these genes is mutated or altered such that its protein product either is not made or does not function correctly, DNA damage may not be repaired properly, and cells become unstable. As a result, cells are more likely to develop additional alterations that can lead to cancer. Cancers with BRCA mutations are more likely to be sensitive to PARP inhibitors including Lynparza.16-19
Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to block DNA damage response (DDR) in cells/tumours harbouring a deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), such as those with mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2, or those where deficiency is induced by other agents (such as new hormonal agents – NHAs).
Inhibition of PARP proteins with Lynparza leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death.
Lynparza is currently approved in a number of countries across PARP-dependent tumour types with defects and dependencies in the DDR pathway including maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer and as both monotherapy and in combination with bevacizumab for the 1st-line maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) and homologous recombination repair deficient (HRD)-positive advanced ovarian cancer, respectively; for gBRCAm, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (in the EU and Japan this includes locally advanced breast cancer); for gBRCAm, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer (in the EU and US); for gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer; and HRR gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (BRCAm only in the EU and Japan).
Lynparza, which is being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD, is the foundation of AstraZeneca's industry-leading portfolio of potential new medicines targeting DDR mechanisms in cancer cells.
The AstraZeneca and MSD strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, US, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialise Lynparza, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, and Koselugo (selumetinib), a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor, for multiple cancer types.
Working together, the companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. The companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines independently.
AstraZeneca in breast cancer
Driven by a growing understanding of breast cancer biology, AstraZeneca is starting to challenge and redefine the current clinical paradigm for how breast cancer is classified and treated, to deliver even more effective treatments to patients in need – with the bold ambition to one day eliminate breast cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca has a comprehensive portfolio of approved and promising compounds in development that leverage different mechanisms of action to address the biologically diverse breast cancer tumour environment.
AstraZeneca aims to continue to transform outcomes for HR-positive breast cancer with foundational medicines Faslodex and Zoladex and the next-generation oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader (SERD) and potential new medicine camizestrant.
The PARP inhibitor, Lynparza, is an approved targeted treatment option for early and metastatic breast cancer patients with an inherited BRCA mutation. AstraZeneca with MSD continue to research Lynparza in breast cancer patients with an inherited BRCA mutation.
Building on the initial approvals of Enhertu, a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC), in previously treated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo are exploring its potential in earlier lines of treatment and in new breast cancer settings. Enhertu has received approval in the US in previously treated HER2-low metastatic breast cancer.
To bring much needed treatment options to patients with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer, AstraZeneca is testing immunotherapy Imfinzi in combination with other oncology medicines, including Lynparza and Enhertu, evaluating the potential of AKT kinase inhibitor, capivasertib, in combination with chemotherapy, and collaborating with Daiichi Sankyo to explore the potential of TROP2-directed ADC, datopotamab deruxtecan.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca/Merck's Lynparza gets approval in Japan for early breast cancer subtype
Aug. 25, 2022 4:23 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare approved AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Lynparza as adjuvant therapy for patients with BRCA-mutated (BRCAm), HER2-negative early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3876446-astrazenecamercks-lynparza-gets-approval-in-japan-for-early-breast-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.lynparza.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib)
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in combination with abiraterone
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib)
U.S. FDA Approves IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) as First and Only BTKi Treatment for Pediatric Patients with Chronic Graft-Versus-Host DiseaseIMBRUVICA® is now the only BTKi with 12 FDA approvals across seven indications, including five hematologic cancers and cGVHD
August 24, 2022 (HORSHAM, PA) –
The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) for the treatment of pediatric patients one year and older with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy. This milestone marks the first pediatric indication for IMBRUVICA® and the introduction of a new oral suspension formulation for patients ages one to less than 12. IMBRUVICA® is now the first FDA-approved therapy for these younger patients who previously had no approved treatment options for this life-threatening disease.
Chronic graft-versus-host disease is a life-threatening complication that can occur after a stem cell or bone marrow transplant when newly transplanted donor cells attack the transplant recipient's body.[1] Symptoms may include skin rash, mouth sores, dry eyes, liver inflammation, development of scar tissue in the skin and joints, and damage to the lungs.[1] Among children who undergo allogeneic transplants, 52-65 percent will develop cGVHD.[2]
“Imagine going through a transplant and then being told you have a moderate to severe chronic disease that can sometimes also be life-threatening,” said Dr. Paul A. Carpenter, attending physician at Seattle Children's Hospital and a study principal investigator.† “If these children were between one and 12 and didn’t respond to steroid treatment, we didn’t have any rigorously studied treatment options — until now. The iMAGINE trial showed encouraging safety results and sustained response rates in children, and the new IMBRUVICA oral suspension formulation helps address challenges children may have with swallowing capsules or tablets.”
“It’s heartbreaking for parents to watch their child struggle with the debilitating effects of cGVHD, especially since there are so few treatment options,” said Susan Stewart, Executive Director of BMT InfoNet,^ a non-profit organization dedicated to providing patients and their loved ones with emotional support and high quality, easy-to-understand information about blood stem cell transplants. “The FDA approval of IMBRUVICA puts another weapon in their arsenal and has the potential to truly make a difference for those who are faced with this challenging disease.”
The new indication is based on results from the Phase 1/2 iMAGINE study, which showed an overall response rate (ORR) through week 25 of 60 percent (Confidence Interval [CI] 95 percent; 44-74) in patients median age 13 years (range, one to 19 years) (n=47) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) moderate to severe cGVHD. Safety was consistent with the established profile for IMBRUVICA®, with observed adverse events (AEs) in pediatric patients being consistent with those observed in adult patients with moderate to severe cGVHD. IMBRUVICA® was approved to treat adults with cGVHD after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy in 2017. Because of its unique kinase profile (e.g., inhibiting both BTK and interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase [ITK]), IMBRUVICA® has the potential to provide a clinical benefit for cGVHD.[3]
“The pediatric cGVHD community is a prime example of an underserved patient population with high unmet medical needs for whom Janssen is committed to developing life-saving therapies,” said Craig Tendler, M.D., Global Head of Late Development, Diagnostics & Medical Affairs, Hematology & Oncology Janssen Research & Development, LLC. “cGVHD has life-threatening implications for children, and we are deeply proud of the opportunity to make an impact for these young patients with IMBRUVICA and their families.”
About the iMAGINE Study
iMAGINE (PCYC-1146-IM) is an open-label, multi-center, single-arm trial of IMBRUVICA® for the treatment of pediatric and young adult patients aged one year to less than 22 years with moderate or severe cGVHD as defined by NIH Consensus Criteria. Primary endpoints included pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety, and secondary endpoints included ORR (complete response [CR]/partial response [PR]) per 2014 NIH criteria, overall survival, and duration of response (DOR). The study included 47 patients who required additional therapy after failure of one or more prior lines of systemic therapy. Patients aged 12 years and older were treated with IMBRUVICA® 420 mg orally once daily, and patients aged one year to less than 12 years were treated with IMBRUVICA® 240 mg/m2 orally once daily. The efficacy of IMBRUVICA® was established based on ORR through Week 25.
About IMBRUVICA®
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) is a once-daily oral medication that is jointly developed and commercialized by Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company. IMBRUVICA® blocks the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) protein, which is needed by normal and abnormal B cells, including specific cancer cells, to multiply and spread. By blocking BTK, IMBRUVICA® may help move abnormal B cells out of their nourishing environments and inhibits their proliferation.[4],[5],[6]
IMBRUVICA® is approved in more than 100 countries and has been used to treat more than 250,000 patients worldwide. There are more than 50 company-sponsored clinical trials, including 18 Phase 3 studies, more than 11 years evaluating the efficacy and safety of IMBRUVICA®.
IMBRUVICA® was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2013, and today is indicated for adult patients in six disease areas, including five hematologic cancers. These include indications to treat adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/ small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with or without 17p deletion (del17p), and adults with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM), and adult patients with previously treated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)*, as well as to treat adult patients with previously treated marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) who require systemic therapy and have received at least one prior anti-CD20-based therapy*, and adult and pediatric patients aged one year and older with previously treated chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy.[7]
*Accelerated approval was granted for MCL and MZL based on overall response rate. Continued approval for MCL and MZL may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
Since 2019, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), recommends ibrutinib (IMBRUVICA®) as a preferred regimen for the initial treatment of CLL/SLL and has Category 1 treatment status for treatment-naïve patients without deletion 17p/TP53 mutation and as a preferred treatment for treatment-naïve patients with deletion 17p/TP53 mutation. The NCCN Guidelines® also recommend IMBRUVICA®, with or without rituximab, as a preferred regimen for the treatment of relapsed/refractory MCL, as a Category 1 preferred regimen for both untreated and previously treated WM patients, and as a preferred regimen for relapsed/refractory MZL.[8]
For more information, visit www.IMBRUVICA.com.
Please see full Prescribing Information.
About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
At Janssen, we’re creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We’re the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular, Metabolism, & Retina; Immunology; Infectious Diseases & Vaccines; Neuroscience; Oncology; and Pulmonary Hypertension.
Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at www.twitter.com/JanssenGlobal and www.twitter.com/JanssenUS. Janssen Research and Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
AbbVie, J&J Imbruvica gets FDA nod to treat graft-versus-host disease in kids
Aug. 25, 2022 5:38 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the expanded use of AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) and Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) Imbruvica for treating patients one year and older with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3876504-abbvie-jj-imbruvica-gets-fda-nod-to-treat-graft-versus-host-disease-in-kids
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ABBV
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/JNJ
- https://www.imbruvica.com/
- https://www.jnj.com/
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in combination with abiraterone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in combination with abiraterone
Health Canada Approves OPDIVO® (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment for Adult Patients with Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Aug. 23, 2022 8:30 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
First and-only immunotherapy-based treatment for use before surgery for non-small cell lung cancer in Canada
Significant improvement in event-free survival and pathological complete response
MONTREAL, Aug. 23, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, Bristol Myers Squibb Canada (BMS) announced Health Canada's approval of OPDIVO® (nivolumab) 360 mg (injection for intravenous use) in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles for adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the neoadjuvant setting.i
"The approval of OPDIVO® plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting represents a pivotal transformation in the way we can help patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer," said Dr Jonathan Spicer, Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery (Thoracic and Upper GI Surgery), McGill University. "As thoracic surgeons, despite our best efforts to completely remove lung cancers, we see our patients experience recurrence of their disease all too often. My goal is to cure cancer and this new pre-operative treatment combination is now shown to prolong survival and increase the number of patients who have no signs of cancer in their tissues after surgery."
About Lung Cancer & Survival Rates
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both males and females in Canada, accounting for over 25 percent of cancer deaths.iii Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer making up more than 85 percent of all cases. iii
- In NSCLC, 30 to 40 percent are resectable cancers, including most stage I–IIIa and a small proportion of stage IIIb lung cancers.ii
- For resectable NSCLC patients who undergo standard of care surgery, 30 to 45 percent will develop recurrence and die of their disease, despite resection.iii
"With the high rates of disease recurrence in patients with resectable NSCLC, this unique pre-operative treatment approach is very welcome news to our patient population," said Shem Singh, Executive Director, Lung Cancer Canada. "This is an important step towards improving the lives of thousands of Canadians living with lung cancer today and in the future.
Clinical Data for Approval
The Health Canada NOC was based on CheckMate-816, which is a Phase 3, randomized, open label trial evaluating OPDIVO® plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant treatment in adult patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), regardless of PD-L1 expression. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), this study demonstrated that in patients with resectable NSCLC, treatment with neoadjuvant OPDIVO® plus chemotherapy resulted in significantly longer event-free survival (EFS) and a higher percentage of patients with a pathological complete response (pCR) than chemotherapy alone.iv
"At BMS, we are driven to understand the complexities of cancer and are leveraging the latest science and technology to develop immunotherapies and combination therapies that push beyond what is currently available. Today's approval is a demonstration to our multifaceted research approach," said Troy André, General Manager, BMS Canada. "We are committed to offering patients the possibility of a better life through treatment options that can make a difference earlier in the course of their disease."
About Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co.
Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb Company, a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. employs close to 300 people across the country. For more information, please visit https://www.bms.com/ca/en.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
SOURCE Bristol Myers Squibb
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in combination with abiraterone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in combination with abiraterone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in combination with abiraterone
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in combination with abiraterone granted Priority Review in the US for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
PUBLISHED16 August 2022
First PARP inhibitor to demonstrate clinical benefit in combination with a new hormonal
agent irrespective of homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene mutations
AstraZeneca’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone has been accepted and granted Priority Review in the US for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
LYNPARZA is being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., known as MSD outside the US and Canada.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants Priority Review to applications for medicines that offer significant advantages over available options by demonstrating safety or efficacy improvements, preventing serious conditions, or enhancing patient compliance.1 The Prescription Drug User Fee Act date, the FDA action date for their regulatory decision, is anticipated during the fourth quarter of 2022.
In the US, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in male patients and is projected to cause approximately 35,000 deaths in 2022.2 Overall survival for patients with mCRPC is approximately three years in clinical trial settings, and even shorter in the real world.3-6 Approximately half of patients with mCRPC may receive only one line of active treatment, with diminishing benefit of subsequent therapies.6-11
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “There remains a critical unmet need among patients diagnosed with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, where the prognosis remains poor and treatment options are limited. Today’s news is another step towards bringing forward a new, much-needed treatment option in this setting. If approved, LYNPARZA with abiraterone will become the first combination of a PARP inhibitor and a new hormonal agent for patients with this disease.”
Dr. Eliav Barr, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer, Merck Research Laboratories, said: “Merck is committed to developing new treatment options for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, a complex disease that urgently needs more therapies. We look forward to working with the FDA towards the goal of bringing a new option to patients with mCRPC with or without HRR gene mutations.”
The sNDA was based on results from the PROpel Phase III trial presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary Cancers Symposium and later published in NEJM Evidence.
These results showed LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 34% versus abiraterone alone (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-0.81; p<0.0001). Median radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) was 24.8 months for LYNPARZA plus abiraterone versus 16.6 for abiraterone alone. The safety and tolerability of LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials and the known profiles of the individual medicines.12
LYNPARZA is approved in the US for patients with HRR gene-mutated mCRPC (BRCA-mutated and other HRR gene mutations) who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone; and in the EU, Japan and China for patients with BRCA-mutated mCRPC who have progressed following prior therapy that included a new hormonal agent. These approvals were based on the data from the PROfound Phase III trial.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CONTRAINDICATIONS
There are no contraindications for LYNPARZA.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML): Occurred in approximately 1.5% of patients exposed to LYNPARZA monotherapy, and the majority of events had a fatal outcome. The median duration of therapy in patients who developed MDS/AML was 2 years (range: <6 months to >10 years). All of these patients had previous chemotherapy with platinum agents and/or other DNA-damaging agents, including radiotherapy.
Do not start LYNPARZA until patients have recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy (≤Grade 1). Monitor complete blood count for cytopenia at baseline and monthly thereafter for clinically significant changes during treatment. For prolonged hematological toxicities, interrupt LYNPARZA and monitor blood count weekly until recovery.
If the levels have not recovered to Grade 1 or less after 4 weeks, refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations, including bone marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics. Discontinue LYNPARZA if MDS/AML is confirmed.
INDICATIONS
LYNPARZA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated:
First-Line Maintenance BRCAm Advanced Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm or sBRCAm) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
First-Line Maintenance HRD-Positive Advanced Ovarian Cancer in Combination with Bevacizumab
In combination with bevacizumab for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and whose cancer is associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) positive status defined by either:
- a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA mutation, and/or
- genomic instability
Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Maintenance Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Advanced gBRCAm Ovarian Cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) advanced ovarian cancer who have been treated with 3 or more prior lines of chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Adjuvant Treatment of gBRCAm, HER2-Negative, High-Risk Early Breast Cancer
For the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have been treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
gBRCAm, HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or metastatic setting. Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with a prior endocrine therapy or be considered inappropriate for endocrine therapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
First-Line Maintenance gBRCAm Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma whose disease has not progressed on at least 16 weeks of a first-line platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
HRR Gene-mutated Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
Notes
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Metastatic prostate cancer is associated with a significant mortality rate.13 Development of prostate cancer is often driven by male sex hormones called androgens, including testosterone.14
In patients with mCRPC, their prostate cancer grows and spreads to other parts of the body despite the use of androgen-deprivation therapy to block the action of male sex hormones.7 Approximately 10-20% of men with advanced prostate cancer will develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) within five years, and at least 84% of these men will have metastases at the time of CRPC diagnosis.7 Of patients with no metastases at CRPC diagnosis, 33% are likely to develop metastases within two years.6
Despite the advances in mCRPC treatment in the past decade with taxane and new hormonal agent (NHA) treatment, there is high unmet need in this population.7,9,10,15
PROpel
PROpel is a randomized, double-blind, multi-center Phase III trial testing the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of LYNPARZA versus placebo when given in addition to abiraterone in men with mCRPC who had not received prior chemotherapy or NHAs in the mCRPC setting.
Men in both treatment groups will also receive either prednisone or prednisolone twice daily. The primary endpoint is rPFS and secondary endpoints include overall survival, time to secondary progression or death, and time to first subsequent therapy.
For more information about the trial please visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
LYNPARZA
LYNPARZA (olaparib) is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to block DNA damage response (DDR) in cells/tumors harboring a deficiency in HRR, such as those with mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2, or those where deficiency is induced by other agents (such as NHAs).
Inhibition of PARP with LYNPARZA leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death. In the PROpel Phase III trial, LYNPARZA is combined with abiraterone, an NHA which targets the androgen receptor (AR) pathway.
Androgen receptor signaling engages a transcriptional program that is critical for tumor cell growth & survival in prostate cancer.16,17 Preclinical models have identified interactions between PARP signaling and the AR pathway which support the observation of a combined anti-tumor effect of LYNPARZA and NHAs, like abiraterone, in both HRR deficient and HRR proficient prostate cancer.18,19,20
The PARP1 protein has been reported to be required for the transcriptional activity of androgen receptors; therefore inhibiting PARP with LYNPARZA may impair the expression of androgen receptor target genes and enhance the activity of NHAs.16,19,21 Additionally, it is thought that abiraterone may alter/inhibit the transcription of some HRR genes which may induce HRR deficiency and increase sensitivity to PARP inhibition.18,20,22,23
LYNPARZA is currently approved in a number of countries across PARP-dependent tumor types with defects and dependencies in the DDR pathway including maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer and as both monotherapy and in combination with bevacizumab for the 1st-line maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) and homologous recombination repair deficient (HRD)-positive advanced ovarian cancer, respectively; for germline BRCAm (gBRCAm) HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (in the EU and Japan this includes locally advanced breast cancer); for gBRCAm, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer; for gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer; and HRR gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (BRCAm only in the EU and Japan).
LYNPARZA, which is being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Merck, is the foundation of AstraZeneca's industry-leading portfolio of potential new medicines.
The AstraZeneca and Merck strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, US, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize LYNPARZA, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, and selumetinib, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor, for multiple cancer types.
Working together, the companies will develop LYNPARZA and selumetinib and other potential new medicines as monotherapies. The companies will also develop LYNPARZA and selumetinib in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines independently.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyze changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS.
AstraZeneca/Merck's Lynparza gets FDA priority review to treat prostate cancer subtype
Aug. 16, 2022 4:20 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), JNJ, MRK
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted priority review to AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Lynparza in combination with Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) Zytiga (abiraterone), and prednisone or prednisolone to treat adult patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3873395-astrazenecamercks-lynparza-gets-fda-priority-review-to-treat-prostate-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
BIOTECNOVA™
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
August 15, 2022
Trodelvy® Significantly Improves Overall Survival in Pre-Treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients in the TROPiCS-02 Study
–Trodelvy is the First TROP-2 Directed ADC to Show a Significant Improvement in Overall Survival in HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer –
– Planned SecondInterim Analysis Demonstrated a Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Benefit for Overall Survival –
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced statistically significant and clinically meaningful results from the second interim analysis of the key secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS) in the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study evaluating Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who received prior endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy. Detailed OS results will be presented at an upcoming medical conference. The safety profile for Trodelvy was consistent with prior studies, and no new safety signals emerged in this patient population.
“These survival results from the TROPiCS-02 study are important for the breast cancer community and we are encouraged by the potential this may have in helping patients who otherwise have limited alternatives,” said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. “We look forward to discussing these results with global health authorities, as pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic disease patients currently have limited treatment options and poor quality of life.”
Gilead has submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). These data will also be shared with health authorities outside the U.S.
In June 2022, based on the positive primary results from the TROPiCS-02 study presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®)i included a category 2A preferred recommendation for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for the investigational use in patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer after prior treatment including endocrine therapy, a CDK4/6 inhibitor and at least two lines of chemotherapy. The TROPiCS-02 study enrolled HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer patients, which included patients with HER2-low and IHC 0 status.
TROPiCS-02 is an event driven study with planned analyses based on a pre-specified number of events. This interim analysis was executed based on the pre-specified criteria.
Trodelvy has not been approved by any regulatory agency for the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Its safety and efficacy have not been established for this indication. Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About the TROPiCS-02 Study
The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, clinical benefit rate and duration of response, as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. In the study, HER2 negativity was defined per American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria as immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridization (ISH) test.
More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901339.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in more than 35 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease. Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. under the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
- Please see full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNING.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220814005018/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead says Trodelvy improved overall survival in HR+/HER2- breast cancer
Aug. 15, 2022 8:53 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor7 Comments
- Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) announced on Monday that its antibody-drug conjugate Trodelvy significantly improved overall survival in certain patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who took part in a Phase 3 trial.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3872885-gilead-says-trodelvy-improved-overall-survival-in-hrher2-breast-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
- https://www.gilead.com/
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Enhertu approved in the US as the first HER2-directed therapy for patients with previously treated HER2-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
PUBLISHED12 August 2022
12 August 2022 07:00 BST
Based on DESTINY-Lung02 results which showed AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu reported a confirmed objective response rate of 57.7% in patients with HER2-mutant disease
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) has been approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DoR). Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
Enhertu is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
The accelerated approval by the FDA was based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung02 Phase II trial. An interim efficacy analysis in a pre-specified patient cohort showed Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) demonstrated a confirmed ORR of 57.7% (n=52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 43.2-71.3), as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR), in patients with previously treated unresectable or metastatic non-squamous HER2-mutant (HER2m) NSCLC. Complete responses (CR) were seen in 1.9% of patients and partial responses (PR) in 55.8% of patients with a median DoR of 8.7 months (95% CI 7.1-NE). Results from the DESTINY-Lung02 trial will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.
Bob T. Li, MD, PhD, MPH, Medical Oncologist and Physician-Scientist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, US, said: “The approval of trastuzumab deruxtecan in non-small cell lung cancer is an important milestone for patients and the oncology community. After two decades of research into the role of targeting HER2 in lung cancer, the approval of the first HER2-directed treatment option validates HER2 as an actionable target in lung cancer and marks an important step forward for treating this patient population with unmet medical needs.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “HER2-mutant non-small cell lung cancer is an aggressive form of disease which commonly affects young patients who have faced limited treatment options and a poor prognosis to date. Today’s news provides these patients with the opportunity to benefit from a targeted therapy and highlights the importance of testing for predictive markers, including HER2 in lung cancer, at the time of diagnosis to ensure patients receive the most appropriate treatment for their specific disease.”
Ken Keller, Global Head of Oncology Business, and President and CEO, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc, said: “We are excited that the FDA has granted accelerated approval for Enhertu for patients with HER2-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Enhertu has now been approved in three different tumour types, underscoring its significant potential across several HER2-targetable tumours. We are continuing to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Enhertu versus standard chemotherapy in our DESTINY clinical trials in lung cancer.”
The safety of Enhertu was evaluated in an analysis of 101 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2m NSCLC who received at least one dose of Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) in the DESTINY-Lung02 trial. In the analysis, the safety profile of Enhertu was consistent with previous clinical trials with no new safety concerns identified.
Concurrently with this approval, the FDA also approved companion diagnostic tests to detect HER2 mutations in lung tumour tissue and plasma. This is the third tumour type approved by the FDA for Enhertu in three years, following approval in breast and gastric cancers. The approval follows the recently received Priority Review in the US as well as the Breakthrough Therapy Designation granted in 2020 by the FDA for this specific type of lung cancer based on the results of the DESTINY-Lung01 trial.
HER2m NSCLC
Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer globally, with more than two million patients diagnosed in 2020.1 In the US, lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer, with more than 236,000 patients expected to be diagnosed in 2022.2 For patients with metastatic NSCLC, prognosis is particularly poor, as only approximately 8% will live beyond five years after diagnosis.3
HER2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor growth-promoting protein expressed on the surface of many types of tumours, including lung, breast, gastric and colorectal cancers. Certain HER2 gene alterations (called HER2 mutations) have been identified in patients with non-squamous NSCLC as a distinct molecular target, and occur in approximately 2-4% of patients with this type of lung cancer.4,5 Next-generation sequencing is used to identify HER2 (ERBB2) mutations.6
While HER2 gene mutations can occur in a range of patients, they are more commonly found in patients with NSCLC who are younger, female and have never smoked.7 HER2 gene mutations have been independently associated with cancer cell growth and poor prognosis, with an increased incidence of brain metastases.8 Although the role of anti-HER2 treatment is well established in breast and gastric cancers, there were no approved HER2-directed therapies in NSCLC prior to the accelerated approval of Enhertu in unresectable or metastatic NSCLC.8,9
DESTINY-Lung02
DESTINY-Lung02 is a global Phase II trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of two doses (5.4mg/kg or 6.4mg/kg) of Enhertu in patients with HER2m metastatic NSCLC with disease recurrence or progression during or after at least one regimen of prior anticancer therapy that must have contained a platinum-based chemotherapy.
The primary endpoint of the trial is ORR as assessed by BICR. Secondary endpoints include disease control rate (DCR), DoR, progression-free survival (PFS), investigator-assessed ORR, overall survival (OS) and safety.
DESTINY-Lung02 enrolled 152 patients at multiple sites, including Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
DESTINY-Lung01
DESTINY-Lung01 is a global Phase II, open-label, two-cohort trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Enhertu in patients with HER2m (6.4mg/kg) or HER2-overexpressing (defined as IHC 3+ or IHC 2+) [6.4mg/kg and 5.4mg/kg] unresectable and/or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who had progressed after one or more systemic therapies. The primary endpoint is confirmed ORR by independent central review (ICR). Key secondary endpoints include DoR, DCR, PFS, OS and safety. DESTINY-Lung01 enrolled 181 patients at multiple sites, including Asia, Europe and North America.
Data from the DESTINY-Lung01 Phase II trial was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.10 Primary results from previously-treated patients with HER2-mutations (cohort 2) of DESTINY-Lung01 demonstrated an ORR of 54.9% (95% CI 44.2-65.4) in patients treated with Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) as assessed by ICR. One (1.1%) CR and 49 (53.8%) PRs were observed. A confirmed DCR of 92.3% was seen with a reduction in tumour size observed in most patients. After a median follow-up of 13.1 months, the median DoR for Enhertu was 9.3 months. The median PFS was 8.2 months and the median OS was 17.8 months.
The safety profile of the most common adverse events with Enhertu in DESTINY-Lung01 was consistent with previous clinical trials with no new safety concerns identified. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform.
Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a (or one or more) prior anti-HER2-based regimen either in the metastatic setting, or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) breast cancer who have received a prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast04 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic NSCLC whose tumours have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received a prior systemic therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung02 trial.
Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.
Enhertu development programme
A comprehensive development programme is underway globally, evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu monotherapy across multiple HER2-targetable cancers, including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, are also underway.
Regulatory applications for Enhertu in breast and gastric cancer are currently under review in several countries based on the DESTINY-Breast01, DESTINY-Breast03, DESTINY-Breast04, DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-Gastric02 trials, respectively.
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
AstraZeneca in lung cancer
AstraZeneca is working to bring patients with lung cancer closer to cure through the detection and treatment of early-stage disease, while also pushing the boundaries of science to improve outcomes in the resistant and advanced settings. By defining new therapeutic targets and investigating innovative approaches, the Company aims to match medicines to the patients who can benefit most.
The Company’s comprehensive portfolio includes leading lung cancer medicines and the next wave of innovations, including Tagrisso (osimertinib) and Iressa (gefitinib); Imfinzi (durvalumab) and tremelimumab; Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) and datopotamab deruxtecan in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo; Orpathys (savolitinib) in collaboration with HUTCHMED; as well as a pipeline of potential new medicines and combinations across diverse mechanisms of action.
AstraZeneca is a founding member of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition working to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful improvements for people with lung cancer, including and beyond treatment.
AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.
The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.
AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu gets FDA approval for lung cancer subtype
Aug. 12, 2022 7:17 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSKYF, DSNKY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo's (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) Enhertu to treat adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have activating HER2 (ERBB2) mutations.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3872247-astrazeneca-daiichi-sankyos-enhertu-gets-fda-approval-for-lung-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSKYF
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSNKY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.enhertu.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
Enhertu significantly delayed disease progression in DESTINY-Breast02 Phase III trial vs. physician’s choice of treatment in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer
PUBLISHED15 August 2022 15 August 2022 07:00 BST
Results consistent with previous trials, reinforcing benefit of AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu in previously treated patients
https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2022/enhertu-improved-pfs-in-mbc-in-destiny-breast02.html
https://www.enhertu.com/
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3872711-astrazeneca-daiichi-sankyos-enhertu-delays-breast-cancer-progression-meets-study-goals
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
Lynparza (olaparib)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib)
Lynparza receives Health Canada approval as adjuvant treatment for patients with germline BRCA-mutated HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer
Aug. 11, 2022 8:00 AM ET
First and only approved medicine targeting germline BRCA mutations in high-risk early breast cancer
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 11, 2022 /CNW/ - Health Canada has granted a Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c) for Lynparza® (olaparib) for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have been treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy.1 Patients must have confirmation of a germline BRCA mutation before Lynparza treatment is initiated.1
This approval was granted under Health Canada's accelerated review pathway and based on results from the OlympiA Phase III trial,1 presented during the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting and published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The OlympiA trial demonstrated a reduction in the risk of invasive breast cancer recurrences, second cancers or death by 42 per cent versus placebo (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.82; p<0.0001).1
"Although most HER2-negative early breast cancers now have excellent outcomes, the risk of disease recurrence for persons with high-risk breast cancers and BRCA mutations remains unacceptably high, with a significant potential to advance to advanced disease, where a cure is no longer an option," said Dr. Karen Gelmon, Professor of Medicine, University of British Columbia and Medical Oncologist, BC Cancer. "Today's approval of olaparib is an important step forward, offering these patients a much-needed option that can improve survival for persons with high-risk early breast cancer. It also stresses the importance of BRCA testing as soon as possible after diagnosis to identify eligible patients."
In Canada, it is estimated that 94 per cent of all breast cancers are detected at an early stage.2 Despite advances in the treatment of early breast cancer, up to 30 per cent of patients with high-risk clinical and/or pathologic features recur within the first few years.3 The risk is particularly high for patients with germline BRCA mutations, who are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age than those without these mutations.2
"This approval is fantastic news for the many women with high-risk early breast cancer who live with the ongoing fear of recurrence and what that means for their future," said Cathy Ammendolea, Chair of the Board, Canadian Breast Cancer Network. "New treatment options can provide hope for patients and their families, and we look forward to Canadian women having access to this treatment."
"Hereditary breast cancer is often diagnosed at a younger age and Rethink has supported and advocated for young people with breast cancer for more than 20 years. Facing their mortality at a young age, they want what all cancer patients want – care that will lead to the best possible outcome, including reducing their future cancer risk," said MJ DeCoteau, Founder and Executive Director of Rethink Breast Cancer. "They want to survive, and eventually thrive, and now patients with a BRCA-mutated breast cancer will have a treatment that is shown to help them do just that."
About the OlympiA Phase III Trial
OlympiA is a Phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial testing the efficacy and safety of Lynparza as adjuvant treatment in patients with gBRCAm HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer, who have completed definitive local treatment and neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy.1 The primary endpoint was invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), and key secondary outcome measures include distant disease-free survival (DDFS) and overall survival (OS).1
In the key secondary endpoint, results showed an improvement of distant disease-free survival (DDFS) in the intention to treat (ITT) population, where Lynparza reduced the risk of distant disease recurrence or death by 43 per cent (based on a HR of 0.57 (99.5% CI:0.39-0.83; P < 0.001).1 Interim overall survival (8% maturity, DCO 27 March 2020) did not meet statistical significance.1
The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza in this trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials.1
About Lynparza (olaparib)
Lynparza was the first oral (PARP) inhibitor approved in Canada. Lynparza exploits tumour DNA damage response (DDR) in cells/tumours harbouring a deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), such as mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2, to selectively kill cancer cells.1 Lynparza is the only PARP inhibitor currently approved in multiple tumour types in Canada including breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers.
Lynparza has been issued conditional marketing authorization for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have been treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy pending the results of studies to verify its clinical benefit. Patients should be advised of this conditional marketing authorization.
About AstraZeneca (AZN)
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and Biopharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism (CVRM), and Respiratory & Immunology. The company employs more than 1,200 people across Canada, including 700 employees at our head office and clinical research hub in Mississauga, Ontario. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.astrazeneca.ca.
SOURCE AstraZeneca Canada Inc.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib)
ENHERTU® (trastuzumab deruxtecan; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only)
CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib)
Calquence tablet formulation approved in the US across current indications
PUBLISHED5 August 2022
5 August 2022 12:00 BST
New formulation can be co-administered with gastric acid-reducing agents
Tablet offers equivalent efficacy, safety and consistent dosing compared to current capsule
AstraZeneca’s new tablet formulation of Calquence (acalabrutinib) has been approved in the US for all current indications, including adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and for patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), which is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate.
The approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was based on results from the ELEVATE-PLUS trials presented during the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition in December 2021.1
In the trials, results showed the Calquence capsule and tablet formulations are bioequivalent, indicating the same efficacy and safety profile can be expected with the same dosing strength and schedule.1 The tablet can be taken with gastric acid-reducing agents, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), antacids and H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs).1,2 The majority of observed adverse events (AEs) in these studies were mild with no new safety concerns identified.1
John C. Byrd, MD, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati, said: “Patients with blood cancers like chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and mantle cell lymphoma are often older and may face multiple medical conditions that may need intervention, including acid reflux or peptic ulcer disease. The US approval of acalabrutinib in a tablet form enables co-administration of the acalabrutinib tablet alongside a proton pump inhibitor. This provides another option for some patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma, enabling more patients to potentially benefit from this treatment.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “Today’s approval of the new Calquence tablet formulation will offer physicians and patients increased flexibility when devising treatment plans for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and mantle cell lymphoma. This new option is a result of our focus on understanding the wants and needs of this community and providing patient-focused solutions for their treatment.”
Calquence is also approved as a capsule formulation for the same indications as the tablet in the US and in many other countries worldwide.3 Indications may vary by market.
ELEVATE-PLUS
ELEVATE-PLUS is comprised of three Phase I, open-label, single-dose, cross-over studies conducted in 116 healthy subjects. The trials established bioequivalence between acalabrutinib tablets (100mg) and acalabrutinib (100mg) capsules, evaluated the PPI effect of acalabrutinib tablets administered in the presence versus absence of PPI rabeprazole and investigated the effect of food by comparing acalabrutinib tablets administered with a high-fat diet versus fasted.1
Calquence
Calquence (acalabrutinib) is a next-generation, selective inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). Calquence binds covalently to BTK, thereby inhibiting its activity.3,10 In B cells, BTK signalling results in activation of pathways necessary for B-cell proliferation, trafficking, chemotaxis and adhesion.3
Calquence is available for prescribing in capsule and tablet formulations in the US. Calquence tablets and capsules are approved in the US for the treatment of CLL and SLL, and for the treatment of adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy. Capsules have restrictions in relation to use with gastric acid reducing agents. The tablets are not licensed in the European Union.
Calquence capsules are approved for CLL in the EU and many other countries worldwide and approved in Japan for relapsed or refractory CLL and SLL. A Phase I trial is currently underway in Japan for the treatment of front-line CLL.
In the US and several other countries, Calquence capsules are also approved for the treatment of adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy. The US MCL indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. Calquence is not currently approved for the treatment of MCL in Europe or Japan.
As part of an extensive clinical development programme, AstraZeneca and Acerta Pharma are currently evaluating Calquence in more than 20 company-sponsored clinical trials. Calquence is being evaluated for the treatment of multiple B-cell blood cancers, including CLL, MCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia, follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca cancer drug Calquence's tablet form gets FDA approval
Aug. 08, 2022 5:13 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
- AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) said on Aug. 5 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new tablet formulation of Calquence (acalabrutinib) for all current uses.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3868602-astrazeneca-cancer-drug-calquences-tablet-form-gets-fda-approval
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.calquence.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca-us.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca-us.com/media/press-releases/2022/calquence-acalabrutinib-tablet-formulation-approved-in-the-us-across-current-indications-08052022.html
ENHERTU® (trastuzumab deruxtecan; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only)
ENHERTU® (trastuzumab deruxtecan; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only)
ENHERTU® (trastuzumab deruxtecan; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only)
ENHERTU® Granted Priority Review in the U.S. for Patients with HER2 Low Metastatic Breast Cancer • Based on DESTINY-Breast04 results which showed Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca’s ENHERTU is the first HER2 directed therapy to demonstrate a survival benefit in this population • Application being evaluated under FDA Real-Time Oncology Review and Project Orbis Tokyo and Basking Ridge, NJ – (July 25, 2022) – Daiichi Sankyo (TSE: 4568) and AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) have received notification of acceptance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) of ENHERTU® (famtrastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 low (immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or IHC 2+/in-situ hybridization (ISH)-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior therapy in the metastatic setting. The application has been granted Priority Review. ENHERTU is a specifically engineered HER2 directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialized by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca. The FDA grants Priority Review to applications for medicines that, if approved, would offer significant improvements over available options by demonstrating safety or efficacy improvements, preventing serious conditions or enhancing patient compliance. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act date (PDUFA), the FDA action date for their regulatory decision, is during the fourth quarter of the 2022 calendar year. The Priority Review follows receipt of Breakthrough Therapy Designation, granted by the FDA in April 2022 for ENHERTU in metastatic HER2 low breast cancer. The sBLA is being reviewed under the Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) program and Project Orbis, two initiatives of the FDA which are designed to bring safe and effective cancer treatments to patients as early as possible. RTOR allows the FDA to review components of an application before submission of the complete application. Project Orbis provides a framework for concurrent submission and review of oncology medicines among participating international partners. “The results seen in the DESTINY-Breast04 trial represent a significant advance and reinforce the potential for ENHERTU to become a new standard of care for patients with previously treated HER2 low metastatic breast cancer,” said Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo. “The prioritization of this 2 application by the FDA and inclusion in both the Real-Time Oncology Review and Project Orbis initiatives support the importance of these data, and we look forward to working with the FDA to potentially bring ENHERTU to patients with HER2 low metastatic breast cancer as quickly as possible.” “The data from DESTINY-Breast04 represent the first time a HER2 targeted therapy has shown a survival benefit in patients with HER2 low metastatic breast cancer,” said Susan Galbraith, MBBChir, PhD, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca. “For more than two decades, only patients with HER2 positive breast cancer have been able to benefit from HER2 targeted therapies. If approved, ENHERTU will redefine how we classify and treat metastatic breast cancer, enabling patients whose tumors have lower levels of HER2 expression the opportunity to benefit from a HER2 directed therapy.” The sBLA is based on data from the DESTINY-Breast04 phase 3 trial recently presented at the presidential plenary session of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (#ASCO22) Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine. In DESTINY-Breast04, ENHERTU demonstrated superior and clinically meaningful efficacy in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in previously treated patients with HER2 low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer with hormone receptor (HR) positive or HR negative disease versus standard of care physician’s choice of chemotherapy. The safety profile of ENHERTU was consistent with previous clinical trials with no new safety concerns identified. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis rates were consistent with those observed in other late-line HER2 positive breast cancer trials of ENHERTU, as determined by an independent adjudication committee. About DESTINY-Breast04 DESTINY-Breast04 is a global, randomized, open-label, pivotal phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of ENHERTU (5.4 mg/kg) versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) in patients with HR positive or HR negative, HER2 low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with one or two prior lines of chemotherapy. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either ENHERTU or chemotherapy. The primary endpoint of DESTINY-Breast04 is PFS in patients with HR positive disease based on blinded independent central review (BICR). Key secondary endpoints include PFS based on BICR in all randomized patients (HR positive and HR negative disease), OS in patients with HR positive disease and OS in all randomized patients (HR positive and HR negative disease). Other secondary endpoints include PFS based on investigator assessment, objective response rate based on BICR and on investigator assessment, duration of response based on BICR and safety. DESTINY-Breast04 enrolled 557 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
About ENHERTU ENHERTU® (trastuzumab deruxtecan; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only) is a HER2 directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, ENHERTU is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced program in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. ENHERTU consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker. ENHERTU (5.4 mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either in the metastatic setting, or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy, based on results from the DESTINY-Breast03 4 trial. ENHERTU also is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial. ENHERTU (6.4 mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial. ENHERTU is approved in the U.S. with Boxed WARNINGS for Interstitial Lung Disease and Embryo-Fetal Toxicity. For more information, please see the accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide. About the ENHERTU Clinical Development Program A comprehensive global development program is underway evaluating the efficacy and safety of ENHERTU monotherapy across multiple HER2 targetable cancers including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, also are underway. Regulatory applications for ENHERTU are currently under review in China, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of adult patients with HER2 positive unresectable or metastatic breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial. ENHERTU is under review in Europe and Japan for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy, based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast04 trial. Patients with HR positive breast cancer must additionally have received or be ineligible for endocrine therapy. ENHERTU also is currently under review in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have a HER2 (ERBB2) mutation and who have received a prior systemic therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung01 trial, and in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen based on the DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-Gastric02 trials. 5 About the Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca Collaboration Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (referred to as Daiichi Sankyo) and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialize ENHERTU in March 2019 and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights for each ADC. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of ENHERTU and datopotamab deruxtecan.
Indications ENHERTU is a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: • Unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either: – In the metastatic setting, or – In the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy • Locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide. About Daiichi Sankyo Daiichi Sankyo is dedicated to creating new modalities and innovative medicines by leveraging our world-class science and technology for our purpose “to contribute to the enrichment of quality of life around the world.” In addition to our current portfolio of medicines for cancer and cardiovascular disease, Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on developing novel therapies for people with cancer as well as other diseases with high unmet medical needs. With more than 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 16,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation to realize our 2030 Vision to become an “Innovative Global Healthcare Company Contributing to the Sustainable Development of Society.” For more information, please visit: www.daiichisankyo.com.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo win FDA label expansion for Enhertu in HER2-low breast cancer
Aug. 05, 2022 12:16 PM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)DSKYF, DSNKY
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved the cancer medication Enhertu, developed by AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and its Japanese partner Daiichi Sankyo (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY), for adult patients with HER2-low breast cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3868282-astrazeneca-daiichi-sankyo-win-fda-label-expansion-for-enhertu
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSKYF
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSNKY
- https://www.enhertu.com/en
LYNPARZA® (olaparib) tablets
ENHERTU® (trastuzumab deruxtecan; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only)
ENHERTU® (trastuzumab deruxtecan; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only)
Lynparza approved in the EU as adjuvant treatment for patients with germline BRCA-mutated HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer
PUBLISHED4 August 2022
4 August 2022 07:00 BST
First and only approved medicine targeting
BRCA mutations in early breast cancer
AstraZeneca and MSD’s Lynparza (olaparib) has been approved in the European Union (EU) as monotherapy or in combination with endocrine therapy for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with germline BRCA1/2 mutations (gBRCAm), who have human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative high-risk early breast cancer previously treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy.
This approval by the European Commission was based on results from the OlympiA Phase III trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine in June 2021 and follows the recommendation for approval in the EU by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of Lynparza in this setting.1 In the trial, Lynparza demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), reducing the risk of invasive breast cancer recurrences, new cancers, or death by 42% versus placebo (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.58; 99.5% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.82; p<0.0001).
Lynparza also demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS), reducing the risk of death by 32% versus placebo (based on a HR of 0.68; 98.5% CI 0.47-0.97; p=0.009). The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza in this trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials.
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide with an estimated 2.3 million patients diagnosed in 2020.2 Approximately 90% of all breast cancer patients worldwide are diagnosed with early breast cancer and BRCA mutations are found in approximately 10% of HER2-negative patients in Europe.3-5
Professor Andrew Tutt, Global Chair of the OlympiA Phase III trial and Professor of Oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London and King’s College London, said: “Today’s approval marks a new era of care in Europe for patients with an inherited form of breast cancer. For patients with high-risk early-stage breast cancer, including those with germline BRCA mutations, recurrence rates remain unacceptably high, with more than one in four of these patients seeing their cancer return following surgery and systemic treatment. Olaparib is the first PARP inhibitor to demonstrate improved overall survival for high-risk early-stage breast cancer patients with germline BRCA mutations and I am hopeful it will become a new standard of care.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said:
“With this approval, Lynparza is now the first and only PARP inhibitor available for patients with germline BRCA-mutated HER2-negative early breast cancer in Europe. We can now bring the benefits of Lynparza to this earlier setting to help reduce the risk of life-threatening recurrence.”
Dr Eliav Barr, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer, MSD Research Laboratories, said: “Today’s approval offers patients with germline BRCA-mutated HER2-negative early-stage breast cancer a new, much-needed treatment option. Lynparza as adjuvant treatment can significantly reduce the risk of disease recurrence and death, reinforcing the importance of conducting germline BRCA testing as soon as possible after diagnosis.”
In March 2022, Lynparza was approved in the US for the treatment of gBRCAm, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer. Lynparza is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, and many other countries for the treatment of patients with gBRCAm, HER2-negative, metastatic breast cancer previously treated with chemotherapy based on results from the OlympiAD Phase III trial. In the EU, this indication also includes patients with locally advanced breast cancer.
OlympiA
OlympiA is a Phase III, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial testing the efficacy and safety of Lynparza tablets versus placebo as adjuvant treatment in patients with gBRCAm high-risk HER2-negative early breast cancer, who have completed definitive local treatment and neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy.12
The primary endpoint of the trial was iDFS defined as time from randomisation to date of first locoregional or distant recurrence or new cancer or death from any cause.1
The OlympiA Phase III trial is led by the Breast International Group in partnership with the Frontier Science & Technology Research Foundation, NRG Oncology, the US National Cancer Institute, AstraZeneca and MSD. The trial is sponsored by NRG Oncology in the US and by AstraZeneca outside the US.
BRCA
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that produce proteins responsible for repairing damaged DNA and play an important role maintaining the genetic stability of cells.9 When either of these genes is mutated or altered such that its protein product either is not made or does not function correctly, DNA damage may not be repaired properly, and cells become unstable. As a result, cells are more likely to develop additional alterations that can lead to cancer. Cancers with BRCA mutations are more likely to be sensitive to PARP inhibitors including Lynparza.13-16
Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to block DNA damage response (DDR) in cells/tumours harbouring a deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), such as those with mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2, or those where deficiency is induced by other agents (such as new hormonal agents – NHAs).
Inhibition of PARP proteins with Lynparza leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death.
Lynparza is currently approved in a number of countries across PARP-dependent tumour types with defects and dependencies in the DDR pathway including maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer and as both monotherapy and in combination with bevacizumab for the 1st-line maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) and homologous recombination repair deficient (HRD)-positive advanced ovarian cancer, respectively; for gBRCAm, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (in the EU and Japan this includes locally advanced breast cancer); for gBRCAm, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer (in the EU and US); for gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer; and HRR gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (BRCAm only in the EU and Japan).
Lynparza, which is being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD, is the foundation of AstraZeneca's industry-leading portfolio of potential new medicines targeting DDR mechanisms in cancer cells.
The AstraZeneca and MSD strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, US, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialise Lynparza, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, and Koselugo (selumetinib), a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor, for multiple cancer types.
Working together, the companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. The companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines independently.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
The AstraZeneca and MSD strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, US, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialise Lynparza, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, and Koselugo (selumetinib), a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor, for multiple cancer types.
Working together, the companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. The companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines independently.
AstraZeneca/Merck's Lynparza gets approval in EU for expanded use in breast cancer subtype
Aug. 04, 2022 5:41 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Merck's (NYSE:MRK) medicine Lynparza was approved for expanded use in treating certain patients with breast cancer in the EU.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3866864-astrazenecamercks-lynparza-gets-approval-in-eu-for-expanded-use-in-breast-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.lynparza.com/
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Seagen and Astellas Announce Positive Topline Results For PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as First-Line Treatment for Advanced Urothelial Cancer
07/26/2022
– Companies plan to discuss results with regulatory authorities –
BOTHELL, Wash. & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE:4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas”) today announced positive topline results from the phase 1b/2 EV-103 clinical trial (also known as KEYNOTE-869) Cohort K evaluating PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as first-line treatment in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) who are ineligible to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220726005377/en/
In patients treated with enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab, results demonstrated a 64.5% confirmed objective response rate (ORR) (95% CI: 52.7 to 75.1) per blinded independent central review (BICR), the primary endpoint of Cohort K. The median duration of response (DOR) per BICR was not reached. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events Grade 3 or greater that occurred in more than 5% of patients were rash maculo-papular, anemia, lipase increased, urinary tract infection, hyperglycemia, fatigue, neutropenia, hematuria, diarrhea, acute kidney injury, hyponatremia, chronic kidney disease, weight decreased, syncope, hypophosphatemia, pneumonitis, sepsis, and alanine aminotransferase increased. Overall, the results are generally consistent with previously reported efficacy and safety results of the EV-103 dose-escalation cohort and expansion Cohort A.1 Additional Cohort K results will be reported at an upcoming scientific congress.
EV-103 Cohort K is a randomized cohort investigating enfortumab vedotin alone or in combination with pembrolizumab as first-line treatment in patients with unresectable la/mUC who are ineligible to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include ORR per investigator assessment; DOR, disease control rate and progression-free survival per BICR and investigator assessment; overall survival; and assessment of safety.
Please see Important Safety Information at the end of this press release, including BOXED WARNING for enfortumab vedotin.
“We are encouraged by the positive topline results of Cohort K for the combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab in first-line locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer, and we look forward to sharing results at an upcoming medical meeting,” said Roger Dansey, M.D., interim CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Seagen.
“Approximately half of patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma are ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy,” said Ahsan Arozullah, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Vice President and Head of Development Therapeutic Areas, Astellas. “We intend to discuss Cohort K results with regulatory authorities as we seek to develop a new first-line treatment combination for these patients.”
Seagen, Astellas and Merck are investigating enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab as part of an extensive collaboration, which also includes three Phase 3 studies: the EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 trial intended to confirm these results, as well as EV-304/KEYNOTE-B15 and EV-303/KEYNOTE-905 in muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
In February 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab for patients with unresectable la/mUC who are ineligible to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the first-line setting. The designation is based on results from the dose-escalation cohort and expansion Cohort A of the phase 1b/2 trial, EV-103 (NCT03288545), evaluating patients with la/mUC who are ineligible to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy treated in the first-line setting with enfortumab vedotin in combination with pembrolizumab.
About the EV-103 Trial (Cohort K)
The EV-103 trial (NCT03288545) is an ongoing, multi-cohort, open-label, multicenter phase 1b/2 trial of enfortumab vedotin alone or in combination with pembrolizumab and/or chemotherapy in first- or second-line settings in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC) and in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Cohort K of the EV-103 trial is investigating enfortumab vedotin alone (n=73) or in combination with pembrolizumab (n=76) in adult patients with unresectable la/mUC who are ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy and have received no prior treatment for la/mUC. The enfortumab vedotin monotherapy study arm is intended to characterize the activity of enfortumab vedotin alone in this patient population. Key outcome measures of EV-103 Cohort K are objective response rate (ORR) per blinded independent central review (BICR) using RECIST 1.1 and assessment of safety.
About PADCEV
PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed against Nectin-4, a protein located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer.5 Nonclinical data suggest the anticancer activity of PADCEV is due to its binding to Nectin-4 expressing cells followed by the internalization and release of the anti-tumor agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into the cell, which result in the cell not reproducing (cell cycle arrest) and in programmed cell death (apoptosis).6
Indication
PADCEV® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who:
- have previously received a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor and platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and have previously received one or more prior lines of therapy.5
- https://www.padcev.com/
About Seagen
Seagen Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes transformative cancer medicines to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Seagen is headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area, and has locations in California, Canada, Switzerland and the European Union. For more information on the company’s marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter.
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.
About the Seagen, Astellas and Merck Collaboration
Seagen and Astellas entered a clinical collaboration agreement with Merck to evaluate the combination of Seagen’s and Astellas’ PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with previously untreated metastatic urothelial cancer. KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220726005377/en/
Source: Seagen Inc.
Astellas/Seagen, Merck drug combo shows promise in bladder cancer subtype in trial
Jul. 26, 2022 5:14 AM ET
Seagen Inc. (SGEN), ALPMY, MRK, ALPMF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
Astellas Pharma (OTCPK:ALPMY) (OTCPK:ALPMF) and Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) said Cohort K of a phase 1b/2 trial of their drug Padcev in combination with Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Keytruda showed response in certain patients with a type of bladder cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ALPMY
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ALPMF
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SGEN
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
ENHERTU® Granted Priority Review in the U.S. for Patients with HER2 Low Metastatic Breast Cancer • Based on DESTINY-Breast04 results which showed Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca’s ENHERTU is the first HER2 directed therapy to demonstrate a survival benefit in this population • Application being evaluated under FDA Real-Time Oncology Review and Project Orbis Tokyo and Basking Ridge, NJ – (July 25, 2022) – Daiichi Sankyo (TSE: 4568) and AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) have received notification of acceptance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) of ENHERTU® (famtrastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 low (immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or IHC 2+/in-situ hybridization (ISH)-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior therapy in the metastatic setting. The application has been granted Priority Review. ENHERTU is a specifically engineered HER2 directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialized by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca. The FDA grants Priority Review to applications for medicines that, if approved, would offer significant improvements over available options by demonstrating safety or efficacy improvements, preventing serious conditions or enhancing patient compliance. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act date (PDUFA), the FDA action date for their regulatory decision, is during the fourth quarter of the 2022 calendar year. The Priority Review follows receipt of Breakthrough Therapy Designation, granted by the FDA in April 2022 for ENHERTU in metastatic HER2 low breast cancer. The sBLA is being reviewed under the Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) program and Project Orbis, two initiatives of the FDA which are designed to bring safe and effective cancer treatments to patients as early as possible. RTOR allows the FDA to review components of an application before submission of the complete application. Project Orbis provides a framework for concurrent submission and review of oncology medicines among participating international partners. “The results seen in the DESTINY-Breast04 trial represent a significant advance and reinforce the potential for ENHERTU to become a new standard of care for patients with previously treated HER2 low metastatic breast cancer,” said Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo. “The prioritization of this 2 application by the FDA and inclusion in both the Real-Time Oncology Review and Project Orbis initiatives support the importance of these data, and we look forward to working with the FDA to potentially bring ENHERTU to patients with HER2 low metastatic breast cancer as quickly as possible.” “The data from DESTINY-Breast04 represent the first time a HER2 targeted therapy has shown a survival benefit in patients with HER2 low metastatic breast cancer,” said Susan Galbraith, MBBChir, PhD, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca. “For more than two decades, only patients with HER2 positive breast cancer have been able to benefit from HER2 targeted therapies. If approved, ENHERTU will redefine how we classify and treat metastatic breast cancer, enabling patients whose tumors have lower levels of HER2 expression the opportunity to benefit from a HER2 directed therapy.” The sBLA is based on data from the DESTINY-Breast04 phase 3 trial recently presented at the presidential plenary session of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (#ASCO22) Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine. In DESTINY-Breast04, ENHERTU demonstrated superior and clinically meaningful efficacy in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in previously treated patients with HER2 low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer with hormone receptor (HR) positive or HR negative disease versus standard of care physician’s choice of chemotherapy. The safety profile of ENHERTU was consistent with previous clinical trials with no new safety concerns identified. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis rates were consistent with those observed in other late-line HER2 positive breast cancer trials of ENHERTU, as determined by an independent adjudication committee. About DESTINY-Breast04 DESTINY-Breast04 is a global, randomized, open-label, pivotal phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of ENHERTU (5.4 mg/kg) versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) in patients with HR positive or HR negative, HER2 low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with one or two prior lines of chemotherapy. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either ENHERTU or chemotherapy. The primary endpoint of DESTINY-Breast04 is PFS in patients with HR positive disease based on blinded independent central review (BICR). Key secondary endpoints include PFS based on BICR in all randomized patients (HR positive and HR negative disease), OS in patients with HR positive disease and OS in all randomized patients (HR positive and HR negative disease). Other secondary endpoints include PFS based on investigator assessment, objective response rate based on BICR and on investigator assessment, duration of response based on BICR and safety. DESTINY-Breast04 enrolled 557 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
About ENHERTU ENHERTU® (trastuzumab deruxtecan; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only) is a HER2 directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, ENHERTU is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced program in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. ENHERTU consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker. ENHERTU (5.4 mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either in the metastatic setting, or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy, based on results from the DESTINY-Breast03 4 trial. ENHERTU also is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial. ENHERTU (6.4 mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial. ENHERTU is approved in the U.S. with Boxed WARNINGS for Interstitial Lung Disease and Embryo-Fetal Toxicity. For more information, please see the accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide. About the ENHERTU Clinical Development Program A comprehensive global development program is underway evaluating the efficacy and safety of ENHERTU monotherapy across multiple HER2 targetable cancers including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, also are underway. Regulatory applications for ENHERTU are currently under review in China, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of adult patients with HER2 positive unresectable or metastatic breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial. ENHERTU is under review in Europe and Japan for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy, based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast04 trial. Patients with HR positive breast cancer must additionally have received or be ineligible for endocrine therapy. ENHERTU also is currently under review in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have a HER2 (ERBB2) mutation and who have received a prior systemic therapy based on the results from the DESTINY-Lung01 trial, and in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen based on the DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-Gastric02 trials. 5 About the Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca Collaboration Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (referred to as Daiichi Sankyo) and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialize ENHERTU in March 2019 and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights for each ADC. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of ENHERTU and datopotamab deruxtecan. Important Safety Information for ENHERTU Indications ENHERTU is a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: • Unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either: – In the metastatic setting, or – In the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy • Locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide. About Daiichi Sankyo Daiichi Sankyo is dedicated to creating new modalities and innovative medicines by leveraging our world-class science and technology for our purpose “to contribute to the enrichment of quality of life around the world.” In addition to our current portfolio of medicines for cancer and cardiovascular disease, Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on developing novel therapies for people with cancer as well as other diseases with high unmet medical needs. With more than 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 16,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation to realize our 2030 Vision to become an “Innovative Global Healthcare Company Contributing to the Sustainable Development of Society.” For more information, please visit: www.daiichisankyo.com.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu gets FDA priority review for breast cancer subtype
Jul. 25, 2022 5:10 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSKYF, DSNKY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted priority review to AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo's (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) Enhertu to treat adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or IHC 2+/in-situ hybridization (ISH)-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior therapy in the metastatic setting.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3859868-astrazeneca-daiichi-sankyos-enhertu-gets-fda-priority-review-for-breast-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSKYF
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSNKY
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
- https://www.enhertu.com/en
Opdualag™ (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw)
PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Opdualag™ (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw)
Bristol Myers Squibb Receives Positive CHMP Opinion Recommending Approval for LAG-3-Blocking Antibody Combination Opdualag (nivolumab and relatlimab) for Treatment of Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma
07/22/2022CATEGORY:
Approval recommended for first-line treatment of advanced melanoma patients with tumor cell PD-L1 expression < 1%
Recommendation based on results from the Phase 2/3 RELATIVITY-047 trial, in which the fixed-dose combination of the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab and novel LAG-3-blocking antibody relatlimab more than doubled median progression-free survival compared to nivolumab monotherapy
If approved, it would be the first LAG-3 blocking antibody combination in Europe
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval of the fixed-dose combination of nivolumab and relatlimab for the first-line treatment of advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with tumor cell PD-L1 expression < 1%. The European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU), will now review the CHMP opinion.
“We are very proud of the role we have played in progressing the treatment of advanced melanoma over the years. As part of our mission to deliver new medicines for patients, we have continued to develop new dual immunotherapy combinations,” said Paul Basciano, development lead, relatlimab, Bristol Myers Squibb. “This positive CHMP opinion marks the first step toward the potential approval of the first LAG-3 blocking antibody combination – and the third distinct checkpoint inhibitor for BMS – for advanced melanoma patients in the EU.”
The positive opinion is based upon efficacy and safety results from the Phase 2/3 RELATIVITY-047 trial. The trial showed that treatment with the fixed-dose combination of nivolumab and relatlimab more than doubled the median progression-free survival (PFS), including in patients with tumor cell PD-L1 expression < 1%, when compared to nivolumab monotherapy – an established standard of care. The proposed indication for the EU is based upon an exploratory analysis of the data in patients with tumor cell PD-L1 expression < 1%. No new safety events were identified with the combination when compared to nivolumab monotherapy.
On March 18, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the fixed-dose combination of nivolumab and relatlimab as Opdualag™ (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw) for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Please see important safety information from the U.S. prescribing information below.
Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the RELATIVITY-047 trial.
About RELATIVITY-047
RELATIVITY-047 is a global, randomized, double-blind Phase 2/3 study evaluating the fixed-dose combination of nivolumab and relatlimab versus nivolumab alone in patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable melanoma. Patients were enrolled regardless of tumor cell PD-L1 expression. The trial excluded patients with active autoimmune disease, medical conditions requiring systemic treatment with moderate or high dose corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications, uveal melanoma, and active or untreated brain or leptomeningeal metastases. The primary endpoint of the trial is progression-free survival (PFS) determined by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1) in the all-comer population. The secondary endpoints are overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR) in the all-comer population. A total of 714 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive a fixed-dose combination of nivolumab (480 mg) and relatlimab (160 mg) or nivolumab (480 mg) by intravenous infusion every four weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent.
About LAG-3
Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) is a cell-surface molecule expressed on effector T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) and functions to control T-cell response, activation and growth. Preclinical studies indicate that inhibition of LAG-3 may restore effector function of exhausted T cells and potentially promote an anti-tumor response. Early research demonstrates that targeting LAG-3 in combination with other potentially complementary immune checkpoints may be a key strategy to more effectively potentiate anti-tumor immune activity.
Bristol Myers Squibb is evaluating relatlimab, its LAG-3-blocking antibody, in clinical trials in combination with other agents in a variety of tumor types.
OPDUALAG U.S. INDICATION
Opdualag™ (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw) is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDUALAG.
OPDIVO U.S. INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Bristol-Myers new immunotherapy Opdualag gets EMA panel nod to treat skin cancer
Jul. 22, 2022 7:23 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended approval of Bristol-Myers Squibb's (NYSE:BMY) Opdualag to treat a type of skin cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3859540-bristol-myers-new-immunotherapy-opdualag-gets-ema-panel-nod-to-treat-skin-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
- https://www.opdualag.com/
- https://www.bms.com/
Veklury® (Remdesivir)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Opdualag™ (nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw)
July 22, 2022
CHMP Adopts Positive Opinion Recommending Veklury® (Remdesivir) Receive Full Marketing Authorization for the Treatment of Patients With COVID-19
-- If Granted by the European Commission, Veklury will Become the Only Direct-Acting Antiviral with Full Marketing Authorization in the EU --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Commission (EC) adopted a positive opinion on the fulfillment of the last specific obligation and recommended the granting of Marketing Authorization (MA) for Veklury® (remdesivir) that is no longer subject to specific obligations. Veklury was initially granted a conditional marketing authorization in July 2020 for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and adolescents (from 12 years of age and weighing at least 40 kilograms) with pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen (low- or high-flow oxygen or other non-invasive ventilation at the start of treatment). In December of 2021, the conditional authorization was expanded to include adults who do not require supplemental oxygen and are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19. The EC will review the CHMP recommendation and, pending adoption, Veklury will be fully authorized for these patients with COVID-19.
“We welcome the Committee’s positive opinion recommending a full marketing authorization for Veklury. Veklury continues to demonstrate durable activity against SARS-CoV-2 as it evolves, and it is the most used antiviral in hospitalized patients,” said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of Gilead. “More than two years into this pandemic, it’s critical to continue to secure access to effective treatments. We are proud of the role Veklury plays as the COVID-19 antiviral standard of care for hospitalized patients, and we remain committed to make it available to all patients that can benefit from it. We look forward to the EC’s decision.”
This positive opinion is based upon the fulfilment of the last specific obligation for Veklury, which included the review of virology data inclusive of in vitro data showing Veklury retains activity against variants of concern, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron (BA.1 and BA.2). In addition, an assessment of the current risk-benefit of Veklury, which considered the efficacy and safety data accumulated since the initial granting of the conditional marketing authorization, was reviewed by the CHMP to support the change to a full marketing authorization.
In the European Economic Area (EEA), Veklury is the only antiviral indicated for both the treatment of COVID-19 in adult and adolescent patients with pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen (low- or high-flow oxygen or other non-invasive ventilation) and adults who do not require supplemental oxygen and are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19.
About Veklury
Veklury (remdesivir) is a nucleotide analog invented by Gilead, building on more than a decade of the company’s antiviral research. Veklury is a foundation for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and is a recommended treatment for reducing disease progression in non-hospitalized patients at high risk of disease progression. Veklury has an established safety profile and minimal drug interactions in diverse populations. It can help reduce disease progression across a spectrum of disease severity and enable patients to recover faster, freeing up limited hospital resources and saving healthcare systems money.
Veklury directly inhibits viral replication inside of the cell by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA polymerase. Based on sequence analyses, Veklury should remain active against Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, as there are no new substitutions in the polymerase of BA.4 and BA.5. This suggests that Veklury will continue to be active against known Omicron variants. Gilead continuously evaluates the activity of Veklury against new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern as they emerge around the world.
Veklury is approved in 50 countries worldwide. To date, Veklury and generic remdesivir have been made available to more than 11 million patients around the world, including more than 7 million people in 127 middle- and low-income countries through Gilead’s voluntary licensing program. These licenses currently remain royalty-free, reflecting Gilead’s existing commitment to enabling broad patient access to remdesivir.
U.S. Indication for Veklury
Veklury® (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (≥28 days old and weighing ≥3 kg) with positive results of SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, who are:
- Hospitalized, or
- Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information available at www.gilead.com.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. full Prescribing Information for Veklury is available at www.gilead.com.
Veklury, Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220721005784/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead COVID-19 drug Veklury gets EMA panel nod for full approval in EU
Jul. 22, 2022 7:43 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
- A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended granting full marketing authorization to Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) Veklury (remdesivir) to treat patients with COVID-19.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3859553-gilead-covid-19-drug-veklury-gets-ema-panel-nod-for-full-approval-in-eu
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://www.veklury.com/
- https://www.gilead.com/
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Enhertu approved in the EU for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with one or more prior
anti-HER2-based regimens
PUBLISHED19 July 2022 19 July 2022 07:00 BST
Approval broadens indication for AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu across Europe to earlier use in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer
Based on ground-breaking DESTINY-Breast03 results in which Enhertu demonstrated a 72% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death vs. trastuzumab emtansine
(T-DM1)
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) has been approved in the European Union (EU) as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens.
Enhertu is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
The approval by the European Commission (EC) follows the positive opinion of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use and is based on results from the DESTINY-Breast03 Phase III trial, which were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.1 In the trial, Enhertu reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 72% versus trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22-0.37; p<0.000001) in patients with HER2-positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane.
In Europe, more than 530,000 patients are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.2 Approximately one in five patients with breast cancer are considered HER2-positive.3 Despite initial treatment with trastuzumab, pertuzumab and a taxane, patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer will often experience disease progression.4,5
Javier Cortés, MD, PhD, Head, International Breast Cancer Center (IBCC), Barcelona, Spain, said: “This approval is an important milestone for patients and clinicians in Europe, since previously treated patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer typically experience disease progression in less than a year with historical standard of care treatment. In the DESTINY-Breast03 trial, the time to progression was extended well beyond a year for patients receiving Enhertu, illustrating the potential for this medicine to set a new benchmark in the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “With this approval, patients across Europe with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer will have the opportunity to be treated with Enhertu even earlier in the treatment of their disease, improving their chance for better outcomes beyond what we can already offer patients treated in later-line settings. Today’s news is a further step in achieving our vision to continuously bring the transformative potential of Enhertu to patients as early as possible in their treatment to improve cancer outcomes.”
Ken Keller, Global Head of Oncology Business, and President and CEO, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., said: “We believe there is a significant need to transform outcomes for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in Europe. In DESTINY-Breast03, treatment with Enhertu demonstrated superior progression-free survival and a doubling of the response rate compared to another HER2-directed ADC. With this approval we are now able to offer patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer another option earlier in their treatment.”
Additional results from the DESTINY-Breast03 Phase III trial showed that in the secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS), there was a strong trend towards improved OS with Enhertu (HR 0.55; 95% CI 0.36-0.86), however this analysis is not yet mature and further follow-up is ongoing. Nearly all patients (96.1%) treated with Enhertu were alive at nine months compared to 91.3% of patients treated with T-DM1. Confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was more than doubled in the Enhertu arm versus the T-DM1 arm (79.7% vs. 34.2%).
The safety of Enhertu has been evaluated in a pooled analysis of 573 patients across multiple tumour types who had received at least one dose of Enhertu (5.4 mg/kg) in clinical trials. The most common adverse reactions were nausea (77.0%), fatigue (57.2%), vomiting (46.8%), alopecia (38.0%) and neutropenia (34.6%). Cases of interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis were reported in 12.0% of patients. Most ILD cases were Grade 1 (2.6%) and Grade 2 (7.3%). Grade 3 cases occurred in 0.7% of patients, no Grade 4 cases occurred, and Grade 5 cases occurred in 1.4% of patients.
Based on the results of DESTINY-Breast03, the European Society for Medical Oncology Clinical Practice Guidelines were updated in October 2021 to recommend Enhertu for use as the preferred second-line therapy for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer following progression with a taxane and trastuzumab.6
As part of this approval, the EC has also extended the market protection period for Enhertu in this setting by one extra year based on the significant clinical benefit compared to existing approved therapies.
DESTINY-Breast03
DESTINY-Breast03 is a global, head-to-head, randomised, open-label, registrational Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) versus T-DM1 in patients with HER2-positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane.
The primary efficacy endpoint of DESTINY-Breast03 is PFS based on blinded independent central review. OS is a key secondary efficacy outcome measure. Secondary efficacy endpoints include ORR, duration of response and PFS based on investigator assessment.
DESTINY-Breast03 enrolled 524 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America. Results from DESTINY-Breast03 have been published in The New England Journal of Medicine.1 For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a (or one or more) prior anti-HER2-based regimen either in the metastatic setting, or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy, based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is also approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.
Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.
Enhertu development programme
A comprehensive development programme is underway globally, evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu monotherapy across multiple HER2-targetable cancers, including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, are also underway.
Regulatory applications for Enhertu are currently under review in China, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.
Enhertu is under review in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or IHC 2+/ in-situ hybridisation (ISH)-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy, based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast04 trial. Patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer must additionally have received or be ineligible for endocrine therapy.
Enhertu is also currently under review in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours have a HER2 (ERBB2) mutation and who have received a prior systemic therapy based on the results of the DESTINY-Lung01 trial, and in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen based on the DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-Gastric02 trials.
Enhertu was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy, based on the results of the DESTINY-Breast04 trial. Patients with HR-positive breast cancer should additionally have received or be ineligible for endocrine therapy.
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE:4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
AstraZeneca in breast cancer
Driven by a growing understanding of breast cancer biology, AstraZeneca is starting to challenge, and redefine, the current clinical paradigm for how breast cancer is classified and treated to deliver even more effective treatments to patients in need – with the bold ambition to one day eliminate breast cancer as a cause of death.
AstraZeneca has a comprehensive portfolio of approved and promising compounds in development that leverage different mechanisms of action to address the biologically diverse breast cancer tumour environment.
AstraZeneca aims to continue to transform outcomes for HR-positive breast cancer with foundational medicines Faslodex (fulvestrant) and Zoladex (goserelin) and the next-generation oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader (SERD) and potential new medicine camizestrant.
PARP inhibitor Lynparza (olaparib) is a targeted treatment option that has been studied in HER2-negative early and metastatic breast cancer patients with an inherited BRCA mutation. AstraZeneca with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. in the US and Canada) continue to research Lynparza in metastatic breast cancer patients with an inherited BRCA mutation and are exploring new opportunities to treat these patients earlier in their disease.
Building on the initial approvals of Enhertu, a HER2-directed ADC, in previously treated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo are exploring its potential in earlier lines of treatment and in new breast cancer settings.
To bring much needed treatment options to patients with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer, AstraZeneca is testing immunotherapy Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with other oncology medicines, including Lynparza and Enhertu, evaluating the potential of AKT kinase inhibitor, capivasertib, in combination with chemotherapy, and collaborating with Daiichi Sankyo to explore the potential of TROP2-directed ADC, datopotamab deruxtecan.
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo Enhertu gets EU approval for earlier use in breast cancer subtype
Jul. 19, 2022 5:28 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSKYF, DSNKY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The European Commission (EC) approved AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo's (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) Enhertu to treat certain patients with breast cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3857895-astrazeneca-daiichi-sankyo-enhertu-gets-eu-approval-for-earlier-use-in-breast-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSKYF
- https://www.enhertu.com/en
Imfinzi (durvalumab)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy significantly improved pathologic complete response in AEGEAN Phase III trial in resectable non-small cell lung cancer
PUBLISHED30 June 2022
30 June 2022 07:00 BST
Trial will continue to assess additional primary endpoint of event-free survival
Positive high-level results from a planned interim analysis of the AEGEAN Phase III trial showed treatment with AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery demonstrated a statistically significant and meaningful improvement in pathologic complete response (pCR) compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone for patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
A statistically significant improvement in major pathologic response (MPR) was also observed. The trial will continue as planned to assess the additional primary endpoint of event-free survival (EFS) to which the Company, investigators and participants remain blinded.
The safety and tolerability of adding Imfinzi to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was consistent with the known profile for this combination and did not decrease the number of patients able to undergo successful surgery versus chemotherapy alone.
Up to 30% of all patients globally with NSCLC are diagnosed early enough to have surgery with curative intent.1-3 However, only around 56-65% of patients with Stage II disease will survive for five-years. This decreases to 24-41% for patients with Stage III disease.4
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, said: ‘‘Treating resectable lung cancer early provides the best chance for a cure, yet lung cancer will still recur within five years for the majority of patients despite chemotherapy and successful surgery. Engaging the immune response with Imfinzi both before and after surgery is an exciting new strategy, and we hope these early findings from AEGEAN will lead to improved survival for lung cancer patients in this potentially curative setting.”
These pCR data will be shared with global health authorities and presented at a forthcoming medical meeting when EFS results are available.
AstraZeneca has several ongoing registrational trials focused on testing Imfinzi in earlier stages of lung cancer, including in resectable NSCLC (ADJUVANT BR.31) and unresectable NSCLC (PACIFIC-2, 4, 5, 8 and 9), and in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (ADRIATIC).
Imfinzi is approved in the curative-intent setting of unresectable Stage III NSCLC in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiotherapy in the US, Japan, China, across the EU and many other countries, and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial. Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage SCLC based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial.
AEGEAN
AEGEAN is a randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, global Phase III trial evaluating Imfinzi as perioperative treatment for patients with resectable Stage IIA-IIIB (tumours greater than or equal to 4cm or node positive) NSCLC with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumour aberrations, irrespective of PD-L1 expression. Perioperative therapy includes treatment before and after surgery, also known as neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy. In the trial, 802 patients were randomised to receive a 1500mg fixed dose of Imfinzi every three weeks plus chemotherapy or placebo plus chemotherapy for four cycles prior to surgery, followed by Imfinzi or placebo every four weeks (for up to 12 cycles) after surgery.
In the AEGEAN trial, the primary endpoints are pCR, defined as no viable tumour following neoadjuvant therapy, and EFS, defined as the time from randomisation to an event like tumour recurrence or progression. At this interim analysis EFS was not assessed. Key secondary endpoints are MPR, defined as residual viable tumour of less than or equal to ten percent following neoadjuvant therapy, disease-free survival, overall survival, safety and quality of life. The trial is being conducted across 264 centres in more than 25 countries including in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
As well as global approvals in lung cancer, Imfinzi is approved for previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries.
Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several GI cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours.
In the past year, Imfinzi combinations have resulted in positive Phase III trials in multiple additional cancer settings including; unresectable advanced liver cancer (HIMALAYA), biliary tract cancer (TOPAZ-1) and metastatic NSCLC (POSEIDON) and the data are under review with global health authorities.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca Imfinzi/chemo combo shows efficacy in lung cancer patients before surgery in trial
Jun. 30, 2022 5:51 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) said interim data from a phase 3 trial of Imfinzi/chemo combo before surgery showed improvement in absence of detectable disease in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
BIOTECNOVA™
OPDIVO® (nivolumab
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Health Canada Approves OPDIVO® (nivolumab) as Monotherapy for the Adjuvant treatment of Adults with Urothelial Carcinoma (UC) at High Risk of Recurrence after Undergoing Radical Resection of UC
Jun. 28, 2022 11:25 AM ETBristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
First adjuvant Immunotherapy for patients at high risk of disease recurrence
MONTREAL, June 28, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, Bristol Myers Squibb Canada (BMS) announced Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c) for OPDIVO®, as a monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.i OPDIVO® is the first immuno-oncology treatment to bring benefit in the adjuvant setting of UC and represents a potential new standard of care for patients at high risk of disease recurrence.ii Unlike traditional cancer therapies that target the tumour directly, immuno-oncology activates the body's own immune system to help recognize and attack cancer cells.iii
"For years, patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) have lived with the unfortunate reality that, despite being diagnosed early enough to have their cancer removed, more than fifty percent face disease recurrence, with few safe and effective treatment options available to improve outcomes in these patients," said Dr. Wassim Kassouf, Professor, Department of Surgery (Urologic Oncology), McGill University. "The approval of OPDIVO® is particularly important because clinicians now have an immunotherapy option to offer certain patients after surgery, that may reduce the risk of disease recurrence. This approval has the potential to significantly impact the way we treat MIUC in Canada."
Clinical Data for Approval
The Health Canada NOC/c was based on CheckMate-274 which is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial evaluating OPDIVO® as an adjuvant treatment in patients who had undergone radical resection of urothelial carcinoma (UC) originating in the bladder or upper urinary tract and were at high risk of recurrence.
Treatment was provided up to one year, or until disease recurrence, toxicity, or withdrawal of consent occurred. The two primary endpoints of the trial were disease-free survival (DFS) among all the patients (intention-to-treat population) and among patients with a tumor programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression level of 1% or more. The key secondary endpoints include non-urothelial tract recurrence-free survival (NUTRFS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS).i The trial met its primary endpoint of disease-free survival demonstrating that adjuvant OPDIVO® offers patients a chance to delay or potentially prevent disease recurrence in all randomized patients (intention-to-treat population) and those with a tumor PD-L1 expression level of 1% or more. A positive association was observed between tumor PD-L1 expression and the magnitude of the treatment benefit. An improvement in overall survival has not yet been established.
About Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co.
Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb Company, a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. employs close to 300 people across the country. For more information, please visit https://www.bms.com/ca/en.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
June 28, 2022
Kite’s CAR T-cell Therapy Yescarta® Granted European Marketing Authorization for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma
– Pivotal ZUMA-5 Study Demonstrates Overall Response Rate of 91% and a Complete Response rate of 77% in Patients Who Received Yescarta After Three or More Lines of Therapy –
– Kite’s Third Approved Cell Therapy Indication in Europe –
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), today announces that the European Commission (EC) has approved its CAR T-cell therapy Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after three or more lines of systemic therapy. Yescarta has maintained orphan medicinal product designation in this indication.
“Patients with advanced relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma have a high need for new treatment options,” said Christi Shaw, CEO, Kite. “This is the third approved indication for a Kite cell therapy in Europe, and we are pleased to enable more patients with different lymphomas greater access to this treatment innovation.”
Follicular lymphoma is a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in which tumors grow slowly but can become more aggressive over time. FL is the second most common type of lymphoma globally and accounts for approximately 22% of all lymphomas diagnosed worldwide.In Europe, approximately 27,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
“Follicular lymphoma that has relapsed multiple times is a difficult-to-treat disease with an especially poor prognosis as only 20% of patients are still alive at five years after their second relapse,” said Ibrahim Yakoub-Agha, MD, PhD, Head of the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Unit, Lille University Hospital. “Ninety-one percent of patients in the ZUMA-5 study responded to axicabtagene ciloleucel after three or more prior lines of therapy, and more than half of these were still in response two years later. This sign of durable remission is critical for patients who need options that can deliver long-term benefit.”
“Follicular lymphoma is often misunderstood as easy to treat or non life-threatening, even when it has reached a significantly advanced stage,” said Nicola Mendelsohn, Founder and Chair of the Follicular Lymphoma Foundation (FLF). “For patients with later-line relapsed or refractory disease, it is often very aggressive. Axicabtagene ciloleucel represents an important advance for a patient population in Europe with limited treatment options.”
The approval is supported by data from the pivotal, single-arm Phase 2 ZUMA-5 international study in patients with relapsed or refractory FL who had received at least two prior lines of systemic therapy, including the combination of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and an alkylating agent. Among patients who had received three or more lines of prior therapy (n=75), the overall response rate (ORR) was 91%, and the complete response (CR) rate was 77% at the 24-month analysis. The median duration of response (DoR) was 38.6 months, and the proportion of responders still in response at Month 24 was 56%.
Among all evaluable patients within ZUMA-5 (n=119), safety observations were consistent with the known safety profile for Yescarta. Grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 6% of patients and neurologic events occurred 16% of patients. Most CRS cases (99%) of any grade resolved by the time of data cut-off and 60% of neurologic events were resolved within three weeks. The most significant and frequently occurring adverse events were CRS (77%), infections (59%) and encephalopathy (47%). For full details on the Special Warnings and Precautions for Use and Adverse Reactions (including appropriate management), please refer to the EU Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).
Additional data were shared separately during an oral presentation at the 2021 American Society of Hematology Meeting.
About ZUMA-5
ZUMA-5 is an ongoing, single-arm, open-label, international, multicentre trial evaluating 122 patients (≥18 years old) with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL), who received at least two prior lines of systemic therapy, including the combination of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and an alkylating agent. The primary endpoint was ORR, and secondary endpoints included CR rate, ORR and CR in patients who had received three or more lines of prior therapy, DoR, overall survival, progression-free survival and incidence of adverse events.
About Yescarta
Please see full US Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
YESCARTA is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.
Limitations of Use: YESCARTA is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma. - Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on the response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trial(s).
- https://www.yescarta.com/
About Kite
Kite, a Gilead Company, is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California, with manufacturing operations in North America and Europe. Kite’s singular focus is cell therapy to treat and potentially cure cancer. As the cell therapy leader, Kite has more approved CAR T indications to help more patients than any other company. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com. Follow Kite on social media on Twitter (@KitePharma) and LinkedIn.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
U.S. Prescribing Information for Yescarta including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.kitepharma.com and www.gilead.com .
Kite, the Kite logo, Yescarta, and GILEAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc. or its related companies.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220628005521/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead's Yescarta gets approval in EU for expanded use in blood cancer subtype
Jun. 28, 2022 6:43 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The European Commission (EC) approved the expanded use of Gilead's (NASDAQ:GILD) CAR T-cell therapy Yescarta to treat adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after three or more lines of systemic therapy.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3852319-gileads-yescarta-gets-approval-in-eu-for-expanded-use-in-blood-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://www.yescarta.com/
LYNPARZA® (olaparib)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Results From Phase 3 PROpel Trial of LYNPARZA® (olaparib) Plus Abiraterone in First-Line Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Published in NEJM Evidence
June 21, 2022 4:30 pm ET
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstraZeneca and Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the results from the Phase 3 PROpel trial have been published in NEJM Evidence. Results from the trial showed that LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone plus prednisone significantly improved radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) versus abiraterone plus prednisone, a standard of care, as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with or without homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene mutations.
Globally, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in patients assigned male at birth, with an estimated 1.4 million patients diagnosed worldwide in 2020. Approximately 10-20% of patients with advanced prostate cancer are estimated to develop CRPC within five years, and at least 84% of these patients may develop metastases at the time of CRPC diagnosis. Patients with advanced prostate cancer have a particularly poor prognosis, and the five-year survival rate remains low.
Dr. Noel Clarke, urological surgeon and professor of urological oncology at The Christie/Salford Royal Hospitals and University of Manchester, joint chief investigator of the PROpel trial and joint lead author of the NEJM Evidence manuscript, said, “It is critically important that we identify new first-line treatment options for patients with mCRPC. The data published in NEJM Evidence emphasize the therapeutic potential of combining olaparib with abiraterone and prednisone and demonstrate efficacy in a wider group of patients beyond those with documented DNA repair deficiency.”
Cristian Massacesi, chief medical officer and oncology chief development officer, AstraZeneca, said, “These data demonstrate that the combination of LYNPARZA with abiraterone and prednisone afforded patients a median radiographic progression-free survival of over two years, regardless of biomarker status. If approved, the combination will offer patients with and without HRR gene mutations a new treatment option.”
Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president and head of global clinical development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories, said, “Publication of the PROpel data in NEJM Evidence reflects the benefit seen with the combination of LYNPARZAplus abiraterone and prednisone in the first-line setting of mCRPC, and we are pleased that these data have been selected for one of the first issues of this new journal.”
In September 2021, at a planned interim analysis, the independent Data Monitoring Committee concluded that the PROpel trial met its primary endpoint of rPFS. The results were presented in February 2022 at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, and additional data on safety and tolerability as well as pharmacokinetics were presented at the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting on June 6.
As previously reported, in the Phase 3 PROpel trial, LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone plus prednisone (n=399) reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 34% (HR=0.66 [95% CI, 0.54-0.81]; p<0.0001) versus abiraterone plus prednisone and placebo (n=397). Median rPFS was 24.8 months for LYNPARZA plus abiraterone versus 16.6 months for abiraterone. The most common adverse events (AEs) (≥20%) for LYNPARZA plus abiraterone were anemia (46%), fatigue (37%) and nausea (28%). Grade ≥3 AEs were anemia (15%), hypertension (4%), urinary tract infection (2%), fatigue (2%), decreased appetite (1%), vomiting (1%), back pain (1%), diarrhea (1%) and nausea (0.3%). Approximately 14% of patients who received LYNPARZA in combination with abiraterone discontinued treatment due to an AE.
LYNPARZA is approved in the U.S. for patients with HRR gene-mutated mCRPC (BRCA-mutated and other HRR gene mutations) who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone and in the European Union, Japan and China for patients with BRCA-mutated mCRPC who have progressed following prior therapy that included a new hormonal agent (NHA).
About PROpel
PROpel (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03732820) is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial testing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of LYNPARZA versus placebo when given in addition to abiraterone and prednisone in patients with mCRPC who had not received prior chemotherapy or NHAs in the first-line setting. The primary endpoint is rPFS, and secondary endpoints include overall survival, time to disease progression or death, and time to first subsequent therapy.
Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide .
About LYNPARZA® (olaparib)
LYNPARZA is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to potentially exploit DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies, such as BRCA mutations, to preferentially kill cancer cells. Inhibition of PARP with LYNPARZA leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death. LYNPARZA is being tested in a range of tumor types with defects and dependencies in the DDR.
LYNPARZA, which is being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Merck, has a broad and advanced clinical trial development program, and AstraZeneca and Merck are working together to understand how it may affect multiple PARP-dependent tumors as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple cancer types.
About the AstraZeneca and Merck strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize certain oncology products including LYNPARZA, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, for multiple cancer types. Working together, the companies will develop these products in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. Independently, the companies will develop these oncology products in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
MRK Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/mrk/dividend-history
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Type II Variation Application Validated by EMA for Patients with HER2 Low Metastatic Breast Cancer with HR Positive and HR Negative Disease • Application based on DESTINY-Breast04 results that showed Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca’s trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated superior progression-free and overall survival versus chemotherapy
Tokyo and Munich – (June 22, 2022) – Daiichi Sankyo (TSE: 4568) today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated the Type II Variation application for trastuzumab deruxtecan as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 low (immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or IHC 2+/in-situ hybridization (ISH)-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer must additionally have received or be ineligible for endocrine therapy. Trastuzumab deruxtecan is a specifically engineered HER2 directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialized by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN). Validation confirms that the application is complete and commences the scientific review process by the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). This application is based on data from the DESTINY-Breast04 phase 3 trial recently presented at the plenary session of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (#ASCO22) Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine. “Trastuzumab deruxtecan is the first HER2 directed therapy to demonstrate a survival benefit in patients with HER2 low metastatic breast cancer. We now have the potential to redefine how we classify and treat approximately half of all metastatic breast cancers,” said Gilles Gallant, BPharm, PhD, FOPQ, Senior Vice President, Global Head, Oncology Clinical Development, Oncology R&D, Daiichi Sankyo. “In addition to the ongoing review of two other applications for the treatment of patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer or gastric cancer in Europe, we are pleased to have received this third validation for HER2 low metastatic breast cancer with the goal of bringing trastuzumab deruxtecan to as many eligible patients with HER2 targetable cancers as possible.” 2 In DESTINY-Breast04, trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated superior and clinically meaningful efficacy in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in previously treated patients with HER2 low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer with HR positive or HR negative disease versus standard of care physician’s choice of chemotherapy. The safety profile of trastuzumab deruxtecan was consistent with previous clinical trials with no new safety concerns identified. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis rates were consistent with that observed in late-line HER2 positive breast cancer trials of trastuzumab deruxtecan with a lower rate of grade 5 ILD observed, as determined by an independent adjudication committee. About DESTINY-Breast04 DESTINY-Breast04 is a global, randomized, open-label, pivotal phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan (5.4 mg/kg) versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) in patients with HR positive or HR negative, unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer with low HER2 expression previously treated with one or two prior lines of chemotherapy. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either trastuzumab deruxtecan or chemotherapy. The primary endpoint of DESTINY-Breast04 is PFS in patients with HR positive disease based on blinded independent central review (BICR). Key secondary endpoints include PFS based on BICR in all randomized patients (HR positive and HR negative disease), OS in patients with HR positive disease and OS in all randomized patients (HR positive and HR negative disease). Other secondary endpoints include PFS based on investigator assessment, objective response rate based on BICR and on investigator assessment, duration of response based on BICR and safety. DESTINY-Breast04 enrolled 557 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
About Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Trastuzumab deruxtecan (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only) is a HER2 directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, trastuzumab deruxtecan is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced program in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Trastuzumab deruxtecan consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (5.4 mg/kg) is approved in Canada, Israel and the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2- based regimen either in the metastatic setting, or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy, based on results from the DESTINYBreast03 trial. Trastuzumab deruxtecan also is approved in approximately 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (6.4 mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.
About the Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca Collaboration Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (referred to as Daiichi Sankyo) and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialize trastuzumab deruxtecan in March 2019 and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights for each ADC. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of trastuzumab deruxtecan and datopotamab deruxtecan.
For more information, please visit: www.daiichisankyo.com.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo Enhertu gets EMA review for breast cancer subtype
Jun. 22, 2022 7:08 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSNKY, DSKYF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) validated an application for AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo's (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) Enhertu to treat certain patients with breast cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSKYF
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSNKY
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
FDA Accepts Application for Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Therapy for Stage IB (≥4 centimeters)-IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Following Complete Surgical Resection
June 13, 2022 6:45 am ET
Acceptance based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-091 trial, the seventh positive pivotal study evaluating a KEYTRUDA-based regimen in earlier stages of cancerRAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review a new supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) seeking approval for KEYTRUDA for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage IB (≥4 centimeters), II or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following complete surgical resection. The sBLA is based on data from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-091 trial, also known as EORTC-1416-LCG/ETOP-8-15 – PEARLS, conducted in collaboration with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP). The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of January 29, 2023, however, further data may be provided during the review process that may delay this date.The study has dual primary endpoints of disease-free survival (DFS) regardless of PD-L1 expression and DFS in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (tumor proportion score [TPS] ≥50%). At the interim analysis of this study, adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA demonstrated a significant improvement in DFS for patients regardless of PD-L1 expression compared to placebo. Disease-free survival in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥50%) did not reach statistical significance per the pre-specified statistical plan. The trial will continue to analyze DFS in patients whose tumors express high levels of PD-L1 (TPS ≥50%) as well as other secondary endpoints. The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this study was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies. Results were recently presented at a European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Virtual Plenary.“KEYTRUDA is foundational in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The acceptance of our application demonstrates the progress we are making in earlier lines and earlier stages of certain cancers across our oncology portfolio,” said Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development and chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “If approved, KEYTRUDA would be the first adjuvant immunotherapy-based option in the U.S. for patients with stage IB (≥4 centimeters) to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer following surgical resection regardless of PD-L1 expression.”In addition to KEYNOTE-091, six other pivotal trials evaluating a KEYTRUDA-based regimen in patients with earlier stages of cancer met their primary endpoint(s). These trials included: KEYNOTE-716 in stage IIB and IIC melanoma; KEYNOTE-054 in stage III melanoma; KEYNOTE-564 in renal cell carcinoma; KEYNOTE-522 in triple-negative breast cancer; KEYNOTE-629 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; and KEYNOTE-057 in Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.Merck has an extensive clinical development program in lung cancer and is advancing multiple registration-enabling studies, with research directed at earlier stages of disease and novel combinations. Key studies in earlier stages of NSCLC include KEYNOTE-091, KEYNOTE-671, KEYNOTE-867, KEYLYNK-012 and KEYVIBE-006.
About KEYNOTE-091
KEYNOTE-091, also known as EORTC-1416-LCG/ETOP-8-15 – PEARLS, is a randomized, Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02504372) sponsored by Merck and conducted in collaboration with EORTC and ETOP evaluating KEYTRUDA compared to placebo for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage IB (≥4 centimeters) to IIIA NSCLC following surgical resection (lobectomy or pneumonectomy) and with adjuvant chemotherapy when indicated. The dual primary endpoints are DFS in the overall population and in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥50%). Disease-free survival is calculated as the time from randomization to the date of disease recurrence, occurrence of second primary lung cancer, occurrence of second malignancy or death from any cause, whichever occurs first.The study randomized 1,177 patients (1:1) to receive either KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously [IV] every three weeks [Q3W] for one year or maximum 18 doses; n=590); or placebo (IV Q3W for one year or maximum 18 doses; n=587). The median number of doses was 17 for KEYTRUDA and 18 for placebo.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,700 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Non-Small Cell Lung CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.See additional selected indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Informationhttps://www.keytruda.com/ For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Merck's Keytruda to get FDA review as adjuvant non-small cell lung cancer treatment
Jun. 13, 2022 7:58 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The FDA will review Merck's (NYSE:MRK) supplemental Biologics License Application for Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as an adjuvant treatment for stage IB, II or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer following complete surgical resection.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3847929-merck-keytruda-to-get-fda-review-as-adjuvant-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-treatment
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
VENCLYXTO®/VENCLEXTA®
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
June 10, 2022
New Data Demonstrates AbbVie's VENCLYXTO®/VENCLEXTA® Combination Sustained Progression-Free Survival in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients After Four Years Off Treatment
- Five-year follow-up analysis of the Phase 3 CLL14 trial (median follow-up of 65.4 months) continues to demonstrate longer progression-free survival (PFS) after fixed-duration venetoclax plus obinutuzumab compared to fixed-duration chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab in previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and coexisting conditions
- PFS was significantly superior for venetoclax plus obinutuzumab compared to chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab (median not reached [NR] vs. 36.4 months, p<0.0001)
- A majority of patients treated with venetoclax and obinutuzumab remain without relapse four years after completing the venetoclax-based combination treatment
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced five-year follow-up results from the Phase 3 CLL14 trial, finding that over 60 percent of patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who had received one-year fixed-duration combination treatment of VENCLYXTO®/VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) plus obinutuzumab (GAZYVA®) continued to show longer progression-free survival (PFS) and higher rates of undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD) after four years off treatment.1 The findings were presented at the 2022 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress (Abstract #S148).
"Long-term data from the CLL14 trial show that the one-year fixed-duration combination regimen of venetoclax and obinutuzumab offers patients the possibility of four years of CLL treatment-free response without disease progression," said Mohamed Zaki, M.D., Ph.D., vice president and global head of oncology clinical development, AbbVie. "Since its approval, this chemotherapy-free combination option has helped transform the therapeutic landscape for CLL."
Data shows that after more than five years of median follow-up (65.4 months), PFS remained significantly superior among patients treated with the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA and obinutuzumab combination compared to the chlorambucil and obinutuzumab chemotherapy regimen (n=432; median NR vs 36.4 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.35 [95% CI 0.26-0.46], p<0.0001). The therapies were administered for a fixed-duration of 12 months for VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA in combination with six cycles of obinutuzumab. At five years after randomization, the estimated PFS rate after one-year fixed-duration treatment was 62.6 percent for the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination compared to 27.0 percent for the chlorambucil combination 1 The improvement in PFS was maintained across all risk groups, including patients with TP53 mutation/deletion and unmutated IGHV status.1
Among the secondary endpoints, patients were assessed for MRD in peripheral blood and/or bone marrow, using next generation sequencing. Undetectable MRD (uMRD) was defined as less than one CLL cell being identified per 10,000 lymphocytes sampled. Four years after treatment completion, 18.1 percent of patients treated with the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination still had uMRD compared to 1.9 percent of patients in the chlorambucil combination study arm.1
The estimated overall survival (OS) rate was 81.9 percent in the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination and 77.0 percent in the chlorambucil combination group (HR 0.72 [0.48-1.09], p=0.12) at five years after randomization.1
No new safety signals were observed in the five-year follow-up analysis. The most frequently occurring serious adverse reactions (>=2%) in patients receiving the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination were pneumonia, sepsis, febrile neutropenia, and tumor lysis syndrome.1
"Four years following treatment completion, we are pleased to report that approximately three out of five patients who received the fixed-duration combination treatment with venetoclax have remained progression free," said Othman Al-Sawaf, M.D., investigator in the CLL14 study, hematologist-oncologist at the University Hospital Cologne in Germany, and study physician at the German CLL Study Group. "Additionally, it is notable that the population of patients who received chlorambucil combination was observed to have slightly more than twice the rate of progression events, compared to the patients who received the venetoclax combination."
VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S.
About the CLL14 Phase 3 Trial3,4,5
The prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized Phase 3 CLL14 trial, which was conducted in close collaboration with the German CLL Study Group (DCLLSG), evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combined regimen of VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA and obinutuzumab (n=216) versus obinutuzumab and chlorambucil (n=216) in previously untreated patients with CLL and coexisting medical conditions (total Cumulative Illness Rating Scale [CIRS] score >6 or creatinine clearance <70 mL/min). The therapies were administered for a fixed-duration of 12 months for VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA in combination with six cycles of obinutuzumab. The trial enrolled 432 patients, all of whom were previously untreated, according to the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) criteria. Efficacy was based on PFS, as assessed by an independent review committee.
Key secondary endpoints were rates of MRD in peripheral blood and bone marrow, overall and complete response rates, MRD in complete response in peripheral blood and bone marrow, and overall survival.
In patients with CLL receiving venetoclax combination therapy with obinutuzumab, serious adverse reactions (ARs) were most often due to febrile neutropenia and pneumonia (5 percent each). The most common ARs (≥20 percent) of any grade were neutropenia (60 percent), diarrhea (28 percent), and fatigue (21 percent). Fatal ARs that occurred in the absence of disease progression and with onset within 28 days of the last study treatment were reported in 2 percent (4/212) of patients, most often from infection.
About VENCLYXTO® (venetoclax)
VENCLYXTO® (venetoclax) is a first-in-class medicine that selectively binds and inhibits the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein. In some blood cancers, BCL-2 prevents cancer cells from undergoing their natural death or self-destruction process, called apoptosis. VENCLYXTO targets the BCL-2 protein and works to help restore the process of apoptosis.
VENCLYXTO is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S. Together, the companies are committed to BCL-2 research and to studying venetoclax in clinical trials across several blood and other cancers. Venetoclax is approved in more than 80 countries, including the U.S.
Indication and Important VENCLYXTO (venetoclax) EU Safety Information4
Indications
Venclyxto in combination with obinutuzumab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
Venclyxto in combination with rituximab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with CLL who have received at least one prior therapy.
Venclyxto monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of CLL:
- In the presence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in adult patients who are unsuitable for or have failed a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor, or
- In the absence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in adult patients who have failed both chemoimmunotherapy and a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor.
Venclyxto in combination with a hypomethylating agent is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients is contraindicated. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors at initiation and during the dose-titration phase due to increased risk for tumour lysis syndrome (TLS). Concomitant use of preparations containing St. John's wort as Venclyxto efficacy may be reduced.
For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
AbbVie presents 5-year follow-up data for its CLL combination treatment developed with Roche
Jun. 10, 2022 9:50 AM ET
BY, RHHBFBy: Anuron Mitra, SA News Editor1 Comment
- AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) on Friday announced five-year follow-up results from its phase 3 CLL14 trial in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes, which is a type of white blood cell.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3847680-abbvie-presents-5-year-follow-up-data-for-its-cll-combination-treatment-developed-with-roche
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ABBV
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/RHHBY
- https://www.venclexta.com/
- http://www.abbvie.com/oncology
- https://www.abbvie.com/
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) injection
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) injection
European Commission approves Roche’s Tecentriq as adjuvant treatment for a subset of people with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer
June 9, 2022
- In the Phase III IMpower010 trial, adjuvant Tecentriq reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death by 57% in people with PD-L1 high resected Stage II-III NSCLC, compared with best supportive care
- Tecentriq is now the first and only cancer immunotherapy available for certain people with early-stage NSCLC in Europe
- Today’s approval marks Tecentriq’s sixth lung cancer indication in Europe
Basel, 09 June 2022 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced that the European Commission has approved Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) as an adjuvant treatment, following complete resection and platinum-based chemotherapy, for adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a high risk of recurrence* whose tumours express PD-L1≥50% and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC. “Today’s approval represents an important advance, as Tecentriq becomes the first cancer immunotherapy approved in Europe for the treatment of certain types of early-stage NSCLC,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. “Since approximately half of all people with early NSCLC develop recurrence after surgery, which in some cases is no longer curable, treating this cancer at an earlier stage offers the best chance to prevent recurrence.” This approval is based on results from an interim analysis of the Phase III IMpower010 study. The results showed treatment with Tecentriq, following complete resection and platinum-based chemotherapy, reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death (DFS) by 57% (hazard ratio [HR]=0.43, 95% CI: 0.26-0.71)** in people with resected Stage II-IIIA NSCLC (UICC/AJCC 7th edition) whose tumours express PD-L1≥50%, who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC, compared with best supportive care (BSC).1 A DFS benefit was consistently seen across most subgroups including histology or stage of disease with adjuvant Tecentriq, compared with BSC. Overall survival (OS) data for patients with PD-L1 high resected Stage II-III NSCLC, and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK-positive disease are immature and were not formally tested at the DFS interim analysis, however, a trend towards OS improvement with Tecentriq was seen, with a stratified HR of 0.39 (95% CI: 0.18-0.82).2 Follow-up will continue with planned analyses of more mature OS data later this year. Safety data for Tecentriq were consistent with its known safety profile and no new safety signals were identified.1 “Today’s approval now offers patients in Europe, whose tumours express high levels of PD-L1, the opportunity to reduce their risk of disease recurrence following surgery and chemotherapy,” said Professor Enriqueta Felip, Head of the Thoracic Cancer Unit at Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain. “This milestone reinforces the need for biomarker testing at diagnosis for all people with NSCLC, irrespective of disease stage, to ensure they receive optimal treatment.” To date, Tecentriq has been approved in 19 countries, including the US and China, as adjuvant treatment, following complete resection and chemotherapy, for adults with Stage II-IIIA NSCLC (UICC/AJCC 7th edition) whose tumours express PD-L1≥1%. In three countries, including Canada and the UK, Tecentriq has been approved as adjuvant, treatment following complete resection and chemotherapy, for adult patients with Stage II-IIIA NSCLC (UICC/AJCC 7th edition) whose tumours have PD-L1 expression on ≥50% of tumour cells. Tecentriq has shown clinically meaningful benefit in various types of lung cancer, with six currently approved indications in countries around the world. It was the first approved cancer immunotherapy for the first-line treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in combination with carboplatin and etoposide (chemotherapy). Tecentriq also has four approved indications in advanced or metastatic NSCLC as either a single agent or in combination with targeted therapies and/or chemotherapies. Tecentriq is available in three dosing options, providing the flexibility to choose administration every two, three or four weeks. Roche has an extensive development programme for Tecentriq including multiple ongoing and planned Phase III studies across lung, genitourinary, skin, breast, gastrointestinal, gynaecological, and head and neck cancers. This includes studies evaluating Tecentriq both alone and in combination with other medicines, as well as studies in metastatic, adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings across various tumour types. About the IMpower010 study
IMpower010 is a Phase III, global, multicentre, open-label, randomised study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Tecentriq compared with BSC, in participants with Stage IB-IIIA NSCLC (UICC/AJCC 7th edition), following surgical resection and up to 4 cycles of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The study randomised 1,005 people with a ratio of 1:1 to receive either Tecentriq (up to 16 cycles) or BSC. The primary endpoint is investigator-determined DFS in the PD-L1-positive Stage II-IIIA, all randomised Stage II-IIIA and intention-to-treat (ITT) Stage IB-IIIA populations. Key secondary endpoints include overall survival in the overall study population, ITT Stage IB-IIIA NSCLC.
About Tecentriq
Tecentriq is a cancer immunotherapy approved for some of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of cancer. Tecentriq was the first cancer immunotherapy approved for the treatment of a certain type of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tecentriq is also approved in countries around the world, either alone or in combination with targeted therapies and/or chemotherapies, for various forms of metastatic NSCLC, certain types of metastatic urothelial cancer, PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and BRAF V600 mutation-positive advanced melanoma. Tecentriq is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), which is expressed on tumour cells and tumour-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, Tecentriq may enable the activation of T-cells. Tecentriq is a cancer immunotherapy that has the potential to be used as a foundational combination partner with other immunotherapies, targeted medicines and various chemotherapies across a broad range of cancers. In addition to intravenous infusion, the formulation of Tecentriq is also being investigated as a subcutaneous injection to help address the growing burden of cancer treatment for patients and healthcare systems.
https://www.tecentriq-hcp.com/
To learn more about Roche’s scientific-led approach to cancer immunotherapy, please follow this link: http://www.roche.com/research_and_development/what_we_are_working_on/oncology/cancer-immunotherapy.htm
For more information, please visit www.roche.com.
Roche Tecentriq gets approval in EU for early-stage lung cancer subtype
Jun. 09, 2022 5:28 AM ET
Roche Holding AG (RHHBY), RHHBF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The European Commission (EC) approved Roche's (OTCQX:RHHBY) (OTCQX:RHHBF) Tecentriq as an adjuvant treatment, following complete resection and platinum-based chemotherapy, for adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are at are at high risk of disease recurrence and whose tumors express PD-L1≥50% and who do not have EGFR mutant or ALK-positive NSCLC.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3847064-roche-tecentriq-gets-approval-in-eu-for-early-stage-lung-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/RHHBY
- https://www.tecentriq-hcp.com/
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) injection
FDA APPROVES DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) AS FIRST BIOLOGIC MEDICINE FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE ATOPIC DERMATITIS
Children treated with Dupixent and topical corticosteroids (TCS) achieved clearer skin, experienced significantly improved overall disease severity and significantly reduced itch compared to TCS alone at week 16 in a Phase 3 trialLong-term safety data from a 52-week open-label extension trial in this age group reinforce the well-established safety profile of Dupixent observed across all other approved age groupsDupixent is the first and only biologic medicine approved to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis from infancy through adulthood
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Dupixent® (dupilumab) for children aged 6 months to 5 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable. Regulatory filings for this age group are underway by the European Medicines Agency and regulatory authorities in additional countries."Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in babies and young children is more than just a rash – the intense itch can make them scratch uncontrollably throughout the day and night and cause their skin to crack and bleed," said Julie Block, President and Chief Executive Officer at National Eczema Association. "Caregivers do their best to manage skincare routines multiple times a day, but for many, topical treatments are not enough. We're pleased to see how scientific innovation and research continues to address unmet needs for the atopic dermatitis community, and we're hopeful for the positive impact Dupixent can have for these children and their families."Atopic dermatitis is a chronic type 2 inflammatory skin disease. Eighty-five to ninety percent of patients first develop symptoms before 5 years of age, which can often continue through adulthood. Symptoms include intense, persistent itch and skin lesions that cover much of the body, resulting in skin dryness, cracking, pain, redness or darkening, and crusting and oozing. In the U.S., more than 75,000 children aged 5 years and younger have uncontrolled moderate-to-severe disease and are most in need of new treatment options. Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis may also significantly impact the quality of life of a young child and their caregivers."Young children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis are a significantly underserved population of patients, who spend vulnerable years of their lives suffering through the relentless and far-reaching effects of this chronic disease," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron, and a principal inventor of Dupixent. "Dupixent has changed the atopic dermatitis treatment paradigm – significantly clearing skin and reducing itch – by targeting an underlying cause of this disease without broadly suppressing the immune system. Today's approval brings the proven efficacy and, importantly, well-established safety profile of Dupixent to these young children, making it the first of its kind to be approved for any U.S. patient aged six months or older living with this debilitating disease.""Until today, treatment options in the U.S. for infants and children under the age of 6 suffering from moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis have been limited to topical steroids – which may be associated with significant safety risks when used long-term. This has left patients and their caregivers in desperate need of medicines that can better address the chronic, long-term nature of the disease," Naimish Patel, M.D, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Development, Immunology and Inflammation at Sanofi. "These young people, and their families, often struggle to cope with the significant impact itch can have on them. This approval means that Dupixent, with its well-established safety and efficacy profile, is now available to some of the youngest people living with this disease."The FDA evaluated Dupixent under Priority Review, which is reserved for medicines that represent potentially significant improvements in efficacy or safety in treating serious conditions. The approval is based on data that include a Phase 3 trial evaluating Dupixent every four weeks (200 mg or 300 mg, based on body weight) plus low-potency topical corticosteroids (TCS) or TCS alone. The trial met the primary and all secondary endpoints. At 16 weeks, patients who received Dupixent with TCS experienced the following, compared to TCS alone (placebo):
- 28% achieved clear or almost-clear skin compared to 4% with placebo, the primary endpoint.
- 53% achieved 75% or greater improvement in overall disease severity from baseline compared to 11% with placebo, the co-primary endpoint outside of the U.S.
- 48% achieved clinically meaningful reduction in itch compared to 9% with placebo.
The safety profile of Dupixent observed through 16 weeks in children aged 6 months to 5 years was similar to the safety profile in patients 6 years and older with atopic dermatitis. The long-term safety profile of Dupixent in children aged 6 months to 5 years through 52 weeks was also similar to the safety profile observed in the pivotal trial and consistent with what was observed in older patients with atopic dermatitis. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease and skin papilloma were, respectively, reported in 5% and 2% of Dupixent patients aged 6 months to 5 years, and none of these cases led to treatment discontinuation.
About the Dupixent Trial
The Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent added to standard-of-care low-potency TCS compared to low-potency TCS alone (placebo) in 162 children aged 6 months to 5 years with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.The primary endpoints assessed the proportion of patients achieving an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) and 75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) at week 16. Additional outcome measures included itch reduction, which was assessed using a caregiver-reported 0 to 10 Numerical Rating Scale, with a clinically meaningful improvement defined as ≥4-point improvement at week 16.Children who completed the trials were eligible to enroll in an open-label extension trial to assess the safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with Dupixent in this age group.
About Dupixent
Dupixent is administered as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) at different injection sites. In patients aged 6 months to 5 years, Dupixent is administered with a pre-filled syringe every four weeks based on weight (200 mg for children ≥5 to <15 kg and 300 mg for children ≥15 to <30 kg). Dupixent is intended for use under the guidance of a healthcare professional and can be given in a clinic or at home by self-administration after training by a healthcare professional. In children younger than 12 years of age, Dupixent should be administered by a caregiver if given at home. Dupixent does not require initial lab testing or ongoing lab monitoring.Regeneron and Sanofi are committed to helping patients in the U.S. who are prescribed Dupixent gain access to the medicine and receive the support they may need with the DUPIXENT MyWay® program. For more information, please call 1-844-DUPIXENT (1-844-387-4936) or visit www.DUPIXENT.com.Dupixent is approved for use in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) or eosinophilic esophagitis in different age populations in a number of countries around the world. Dupixent is currently approved across these indications in the U.S. and for one or more of these indications in the European Union and Japan and more than 60 countries. More than 400,000 patients have been treated globally.Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, establishing that IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases. These diseases include approved indications for Dupixent such as asthma, atopic derma
Dupilumab Development Program
Dupilumab is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more than 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.In addition to the currently approved indications, Regeneron and Sanofi are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in Phase 3 trials, including prurigo nodularis, pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis, hand and foot atopic dermatitis, chronic inducible urticaria-cold, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic pruritis of unknown origin, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with evidence of type 2 inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and bullous pemphigoid. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. Indications
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter. Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY View original content
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
FDA approves Regeneron, Sanofi's Dupixent in babies, young children for eczema
Jun. 07, 2022 5:04 PM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
By: Anuron Mitra, SA News Editor
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) on Tuesday said the U.S. FDA had approved their medicine Dupixent for children aged 6 months to 5 years with inflammation of the skin.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3846498-fda-approves-regeneron-sanofis-dupixent-in-babies-young-children-for-eczema
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SNY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
- https://www.dupixent.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) with Two Cycles of Chemotherapy
June 06, 2022
Final Data From Phase 3 ASCENT Study Demonstrates Trodelvy Extends Overall Survival Over Chemotherapy in Second-Line Metastatic TNBC
– Trodelvy Also Reduced the Risk of Disease Progression or Death by 59% Compared to Physicians’ Choice of Chemotherapy –
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today presented final data from the Phase 3 ASCENT study of Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in patients with relapsed or refractory metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease. In a follow-up analysis from the final database lock, Trodelvy improved median progression-free survival versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (4.8 vs. 1.7 months; HR: 0.41; p<0.0001) and extended median overall survival (OS) by almost five months (11.8 vs. 6.9 months; HR: 0.51; p<0.0001) in the intent-to-treat population. The two-year OS rate was 20.5% (95% CI: 15.4-26.1) in the Trodelvy arm, compared with 5.5% (95% CI: 2.8-9.4) with physicians’ choice of chemotherapy. Trodelvy also showed clinically meaningful improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to chemotherapy. The results, which were consistent with the final analysis previously published in The New England Journal of Medicine, were presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (Abstract #1071).
“These final data from the Phase 3 ASCENT study confirm the survival and quality of life benefit seen with sacituzumab govitecan over traditional chemotherapy in patients with pre-treated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer,” said Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, Director of Breast Cancer Research Program, Mass General Cancer Center and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and global principal investigator of the ASCENT study. “Until now, there was a longstanding gap in effective treatment options which had a severe impact on quality of life and contributed to poor outcomes for these patients.”
Trodelvy demonstrated higher clinically meaningful improvements in all five primary HRQoL domains compared to chemotherapy, which was consistent with previous reports. Metastatic TNBC is often associated with a significant decrease in quality of life, where patients may undergo many rounds of intensive chemotherapy, and assessing impact of symptom burden is especially important in this setting. Changes from baseline for Trodelvy vs. chemotherapy were -5.8 vs. -9.4 in global health status, -4.6 vs. -13.5 in physical functioning, -8.4 vs. -18.8 in role functioning, 5.1 vs. 14.0 in fatigue, and 2.8 vs. 6.8 in pain.
“Trodelvy is the cornerstone of our solid tumor portfolio and the first and only antibody-drug conjugate to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in overall survival and quality of life versus single-agent chemotherapy in second-line metastatic TNBC,” said Bill Grossman, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. “These final data from ASCENT reinforce Trodelvy as a new standard-of-care option in this setting.”
The safety profile of Trodelvy was consistent with prior reports. Key Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse reactions for Trodelvy compared to chemotherapy were diarrhea (11% vs. <1%), neutropenia (52% vs. 33%), anemia (8% vs. 5%), and febrile neutropenia (6% vs. 2%). Treatment discontinuations due to adverse events were ≤3% in both arms. The Trodelvy U.S. Prescribing Information has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; see below for Important Safety Information.
About the ASCENT Study
The ASCENT study is a global, open-label, randomized Phase 3 study that enrolled more than 500 patients across 230 study locations. The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Trodelvy compared with a single-agent chemotherapy of the physician’s choice in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who had received at least two prior systemic treatments. Patients were randomized to receive either Trodelvy or a chemotherapy chosen by the patients’ treating physicians. The primary endpoint was PFS (as determined by blinded independent central review) in patients without brain metastases. Secondary endpoints included: PFS for full study population or intention-to-treat (ITT) population, overall survival in both the ITT population and in the subgroup without brain metastasis, independently determined objective response rate, duration of response, time to onset of response according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1), quality of life and safety. More information about ASCENT is available at http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02574455.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.
Trodelvy is approved in more than 35 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease. Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. under the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indications for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
- Please see full Prescribing Information
U.S. Prescribing Information for Trodelvy including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.gilead.com .
Trodelvy, Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220605005087/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead breast cancer drug cuts disease progression and improves survival by 59%
Jun. 06, 2022 9:30 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor5 Comments
Announcing final data from a Phase 3 study, Gilead (NASDAQ:GILD) said on Monday that its antibody-drug conjugate, Trodelvy reduced the risk of disease progression and improved survival by as much as 59% in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) versus chemotherapy.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) with Two Cycles of Chemotherapy
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) with Two Cycles of Chemotherapy
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) with Two Cycles of Chemotherapy
Three-Year Data from Phase 3 CheckMate -9LA Trial Demonstrate Long-Term, Durable Survival Outcomes of Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) with Two Cycles of Chemotherapy for Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
06/06/2022CATEGORY:
Dual immunotherapy-based combination resulted in clinical benefits across key subgroups of mNSCLC patients with high unmet need, including those with PD-L1 expression <1%
Late-breaking data to be presented during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced three-year follow-up results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -9LA trial demonstrating durable survival benefits with Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) with two cycles of chemotherapy compared to four cycles of chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). With a minimum follow-up of three years (36.1 months), the dual immunotherapy-based combination continued to show sustained improvement in overall survival (OS), the trial’s primary endpoint, with 27% of patients treated with Opdivo plus Yervoy with two cycles of chemotherapy alive compared to 19% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone at three years (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.74; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.62 to 0.87).
The long-term, durable clinical benefit of Opdivo plus Yervoy with two cycles of chemotherapy was observed at three years across patient populations that typically have a poor prognosis, including patients with PD-L1 expression <1% and squamous histology.
- PD-L1 <1%: Among patients with tumor PD-L1 expression <1%, the OS rate was 25% for those treated with the dual immunotherapy-based combination vs. 15% for chemotherapy alone.
- Squamous histology: Among those with squamous histology, the OS rate was 24% for patients who received Opdivo plus Yervoy with chemotherapy, compared to 11% for those who received chemotherapy alone.
- In an exploratory analysis, a positive trend for OS benefit was also observed with Opdivo plus Yervoy with chemotherapy among patients with certain tumor mutations, such as STK11.
No new safety signals were observed with Opdivo plus Yervoy with two cycles of chemotherapy with extended follow-up in the CheckMate -9LA trial. These data will be featured in a late-breaking poster presentation (Abstract #LBA9026) at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting on June 6, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EDT.
“While immunotherapy treatments have greatly improved outcomes for people with metastatic NSCLC, many patients, particularly those with low PD-L1 expression, are unfortunately not achieving durable, long-term survival,” said Luis G. Paz-Ares, M.D., Ph.D., CheckMate -9LA study investigator and chair of the medical oncology department, Hospital Universitario 12 De Octubre in Madrid, Spain. “The three-year data from CheckMate -9LA demonstrate the ongoing durability with early disease control following treatment with the combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab, with a short course of chemotherapy. Importantly, we saw long-term benefit among patients with high unmet needs, such as those with PD-L1 expression <1% who tend to have worse outcomes and fewer treatment options.”
“Our research in thoracic cancers has led to different treatment choices that offer patients the best chance for long-term survival,” said Abderrahim Oukessou, M.D., vice president, thoracic cancers development lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “The sustained improvement in overall survival outcomes demonstrated by Opdivo plus Yervoy plus two cycles of chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer builds on the established evidence for Opdivo plus Yervoy to change survival outcomes across a broad range of advanced cancers. With this, in addition to recent progress in earlier-stage disease, we’re seeing the full potential of Opdivo-based regimens to transform the lives of patients with thoracic cancers.”
Opdivo plus Yervoy-based combinations have shown significant improvements in OS in six Phase 3 clinical trials in five tumors to date: metastatic NSCLC, metastatic melanoma, advanced renal cell carcinoma, malignant pleural mesothelioma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
About CheckMate -9LA
CheckMate -9LA is an open-label, global multi-center, randomized Phase 3 trial evaluating Opdivo (360 mg Q3W) plus Yervoy (1 mg/kg Q6W) combined with chemotherapy (two cycles) compared to chemotherapy alone (up to four cycles followed by optional pemetrexed maintenance therapy if eligible) as a first-line treatment in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) regardless of PD-L1 expression and histology. Patients in the experimental arm (n=361) were treated with immunotherapy for up to two years or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients in the control arm (n=358) were treated with up to four cycles of chemotherapy and optional pemetrexed maintenance (if eligible) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint of the trial was overall survival (OS) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. Secondary hierarchical endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate (ORR), and the study also evaluated efficacy measures according to biomarkers.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
About Yervoy
Yervoy is a recombinant, human monoclonal antibody that binds to the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4). CTLA-4 is a negative regulator of T-cell activity. Yervoy binds to CTLA-4 and blocks the interaction of CTLA-4 with its ligands, CD80/CD86. Blockade of CTLA-4 has been shown to augment T-cell activation and proliferation, including the activation and proliferation of tumor infiltrating T-effector cells. Inhibition of CTLA-4 signaling can also reduce T-regulatory cell function, which may contribute to a general increase in T-cell responsiveness, including the anti-tumor immune response. On March 25, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Yervoy 3 mg/kg monotherapy for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Yervoy is approved for unresectable or metastatic melanoma in more than 50 countries. There is a broad, ongoing development program in place for Yervoy spanning multiple tumor types.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
https://www.opdivo.com/about-opdivo/how-the-combination-works-combinationtherapy
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Opdivo/Yervoy combo shows survival benefit for lung cancer patients in 3-year data
Jun. 06, 2022 7:49 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) said 3-year follow-up data from a late stage study showed durable survival benefits with Opdivo plus Yervoy with two cycles of chemotherapy compared to four cycles of chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC).
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
Landmark Five-Year Data from Phase 3 CheckMate -227 Trial Demonstrate Long-Term, Durable Survival Outcomes with Opdivo(nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) in First-Line Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
06/06/2022CATEGORY:
Opdivo plus Yervoy nearly doubled overall survival rate at five years compared to chemotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) with PD-L1 expression ≥1%
In exploratory analyses of the PD-L1 <1% population, almost three times the number of patients treated with Opdivo plus Yervoy were alive at five years vs. chemotherapy
Longest reported follow-up for a Phase 3 trial of an immunotherapy combination in mNSCLC presented as a late-breaker during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced five-year results from Part 1 of the Phase 3 CheckMate -227 trial, which continues to demonstrate long-term, durable survival benefits of first-line treatment with Opdivo (nivolumab)plus Yervoy (ipilimumab)compared to chemotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), regardless of PD-L1 expression levels.
JARDIANCE® (empagliflozin tablets), for oral use
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) with Two Cycles of Chemotherapy
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Jardiance® decreased relative risk of hospitalization for heart failure by 50% versus DPP-4 inhibitors and by 30% versus GLP-1 receptor agonists in adults with type 2 diabetes in real-world evidence study
June 5, 2022Download PDF
- Jardiance showed a reduction in relative risk of all-cause mortality by 40% compared with DPP-4 inhibitors in the subset of people with Medicare coverage
- Data from these final analyses of EMPRISE complements findings from the landmark EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial
RIDGEFIELD, Conn. and INDIANAPOLIS, June 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Two analyses of the final U.S. data from the EMPagliflozin compaRative effectIveness and SafEty (EMPRISE) real-world study show that Jardiance® (empagliflozin) was associated with a reduction in risk of hospitalization for heart failure compared with two other classes of glucose-lowering therapies in adults with type 2 diabetes in routine care. Relative risk reductions were 50% versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and 30% versus glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. The results were presented on behalf of Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions 2022 in New Orleans."With more than 29 million people in the U.S. diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, up to 22% of whom may also have heart failure, it is critical that healthcare professionals caring for this population have treatments that demonstrate cardiovascular effectiveness in routine care," said Elisabetta Patorno, M.D., Dr.P.H., Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, and study co-investigator. "These five-year results from EMPRISE, showing empagliflozin was associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization for heart failure and for death, are encouraging data for adults with type 2 diabetes and their care team."Compared with DPP-4 inhibitors, Jardiance was also associated with a 40% reduction in relative risk of all-cause mortality in people who had Medicare. In the overall EMPRISE population, Jardiance was associated with a 12% reduction in the risk of the composite outcome of myocardial infarction or stroke compared with DPP-4 inhibitors.Compared with GLP-1 receptor agonists, Jardiance was associated with similar risks of heart attack, stroke and all-cause mortality. All results for Jardiance compared with GLP-1 receptor agonists, and with liraglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) specifically, were consistent for people with and without cardiovascular disease.Results from the EMPRISE real-world study, which assessed the first five years of use of Jardiance in the U.S., complement previously reported data from the landmark EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial, in which Jardiance showed a 35% relative risk reduction in hospitalization for heart failure compared with placebo in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. EMPA-REG OUTCOME also showed a 38% relative risk reduction in cardiovascular death with Jardiance versus placebo."People with type 2 diabetes are four times as likely to be hospitalized for heart failure, and repeated hospitalizations lead to worse outcomes, making treatment options that improve clinical outcomes crucial," said Mohamed Eid, M.D., M.P.H., M.H.A., vice president, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Cardio-Metabolism & Respiratory Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "These findings suggest that treatment with Jardiance can help reduce heart failure hospitalizations compared to other classes of diabetes therapies, with a well-understood safety and tolerability profile."The EMPRISE findings confirmed the well-established safety profile of Jardiance. Compared with DPP-4 inhibitors, Jardiance was associated with a reduction in relative risk of acute kidney injury. There was an increase in relative risk of hospitalization for diabetic ketoacidosis, which is consistent with Jardiance's known safety information. Risks for lower-limb amputations, fractures and renal and bladder cancers were similar."We are pleased to present the final data from EMPRISE in the U.S., which encompasses information from nearly 500,000 adults in a real-world care setting," said Leonard Glass, M.D., F.A.C.E., vice president of Diabetes Global Medical Affairs, Lilly. "As we strive to help fill unmet treatment needs, this study reinforces our longstanding commitment to people living with cardio-metabolic conditions. Building upon our robust clinical trial program, EMPRISE highlights the potential of Jardiance to improve health outcomes in routine clinical practice."
About EMPRISE
EMPRISE was initiated in 2016 to complement the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial results by providing data on the comparative effectiveness and safety of Jardiance in routine clinical care versus DPP-4 inhibitors or GLP-1 receptor agonists.The final analyses of EMPRISE U.S. data assessed the first five years of Jardiance use in nearly 500,000 adults with type 2 diabetes, with and without cardiovascular disease, in the U.S. between 2014 and 2019: the first included more than 230,000 adults who initiated either Jardiance or a DPP-4 inhibitor (115,116 adults in each treatment arm); the second included more than 260,000 adults who initiated either Jardiance or a GLP-1 receptor agonist (130,408 adults in each treatment arm).Additional EMPRISE studies including Asia and Europe will provide insights from different regions of the world with an international perspective on the use of Jardiance in routine clinical care.EMPRISE U.S. was initiated and led by academic researchers from the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston. The study is part of an academic collaboration between Brigham and Women's Hospital and Boehringer Ingelheim.
Prioritizing Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Care
Through research and educational initiatives, Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly are driven to redefine care for people with cardio-renal-metabolic conditions, a group of interconnected disorders that affect more than one billion people worldwide and are a leading cause of death.The cardiovascular, renal (kidney) and metabolic systems are closely intertwined and share many of the same disease-related pathways. Dysfunction in one system may accelerate the onset of dysfunction in others, resulting in the progression of comorbid diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Conversely, improving the health of one system can lead to positive effects across the others and can help reduce the risk for further complications.Understanding their interconnected nature, we are working to advance treatments for people with cardio-renal-metabolic conditions. It is only through a holistic approach to care that we can truly transform outcomes and restore the harmony among these critical systems.
What is JARDIANCE?
JARDIANCE is a prescription medicine used to:
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults with heart failure, when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have known cardiovascular disease
- lower blood sugar along with diet and exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes
JARDIANCE is not for people with type 1 diabetes. It may increase their risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).JARDIANCE is not for use to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes who have severe kidney problems, because it may not work.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not take JARDIANCE if you are allergic to empagliflozin or any of the ingredients in JARDIANCE.
Do not take JARDIANCE if you are on dialysis.https://www.jardiance.com/ For more information, please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an Alliance that centers on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes. Depending on geographies, the companies either co-promote or separately promote the respective molecules each contributing to the Alliance. The Alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies to focus on patient needs. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate their commitment, not only to the care of people with diabetes, but also to investigating the potential to address areas of unmet medical need.
To learn more, visit lilly.com and lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and strengthening our communities. Please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us/csr to learn more about Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.For more information, please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.us, or follow us on Twitter @BoehringerUS.
Jardiance® and EMPA-REG OUTCOME® are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jardiance-decreased-relative-risk-of-hospitalization-for-heart-failure-by-50-versus-dpp-4-inhibitors-and-by-30-versus-glp-1-receptor-agonists-in-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-in-real-world-evidence-study-301561303.htmlSOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly/Boehringer Jardiance cuts risk of heart failure hospitalization for diabetes patients in 5-year data
Jun. 06, 2022 6:45 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News EditorEli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and Boehringer Ingelheim said real-world study data showed that Jardiance helped reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure compared with two other classes of glucose-lowering therapies in adults with type 2 diabetes in routine care.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/LLY
https://docs.boehringer-ingelheim.com/Prescribing%20Information/PIs/Jardiance/jardiance.pdf
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) with Two Cycles of Chemotherapy
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) for injection
Enhertu reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 50% vs. chemotherapy in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer with HR-positive and HR-negative disease
PUBLISHED5 June 2022
5 June 2022 13:00 BST
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu also improved median overall survival by more than 6 months vs. chemotherapy in all patients evaluated in DESTINY-Breast04 Enhertu met the primary endpoint of progression-free survival in patients with HR-positive disease, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 49% vs. chemotherapy Enhertu is the first HER2-directed therapy to demonstrate a survival benefit in this population, potentially redefining treatment for approximately half of all patients with breast cancer
Detailed positive results from the pivotal DESTINY-Breast04 Phase III trial showed that Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) demonstrated superior and clinically meaningful progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in previously treated patients with HER2-low (immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or IHC 2+/in-situ hybridisation (ISH)-negative) unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer with hormone receptor (HR) positive or HR-negative disease versus standard of care physician’s choice of chemotherapy. Results will be presented during the Plenary Session today at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, and have been simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.Enhertu is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.In the primary endpoint analysis for DESTINY-Breast04, Enhertu demonstrated a 49% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer with HR-positive disease (PFS hazard ratio [HR] 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40-0.64; p<0.001). A median PFS of 10.1 months was seen in patients treated with Enhertu compared to 5.4 months with chemotherapy, as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR).Results also showed a 36% reduction in the risk of death with Enhertu compared to chemotherapy in patients with HR-positive disease (OS HR 0.64; 95% CI: 0.48-0.86; p=0.003) with a median OS of 23.9 months with Enhertu versus 17.5 months with chemotherapy, meeting a key secondary endpoint of the trial.Additionally, data showed consistent efficacy for Enhertu in the overall trial population of patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer with HR-positive or HR-negative disease and across levels of HER2 expression (IHC 1+ and IHC 2+/ISH-). In the key secondary endpoint analysis of PFS by BICR in all patients, a similar 50% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death was observed between Enhertu and chemotherapy (PFS HR 0.50; 95% CI: 0.40-0.63; p<0.001). Results also showed a 36% reduction in the risk of death with Enhertu compared to chemotherapy (OS HR 0.64; 95% CI: 0.49-0.84; p=0.001) with a median OS of 23.4 months for Enhertu versus 16.8 months with chemotherapy.Shanu Modi, MD, Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, US and Principal Investigator for the trial, said: “The results of DESTINY-Breast04 show for the first time that a HER2-directed therapy can provide a survival benefit to patients with low HER2 expression, indicating we must reconsider the way we categorise patients with metastatic breast cancer. The efficacy seen with Enhertu also reinforces the potential to establish a new standard of care for more than half of all patients with breast cancer currently categorised as having HER2-negative disease, but who actually have tumours with low HER2 expression.”Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca said: “Today’s results represent a pivotal moment demonstrating the potential for Enhertu to redefine the treatment of HER2-targetable cancers. DESTINY-Breast04 validates targeting the lower end of the spectrum of HER2 expression, since Enhertu reduced the risk of disease progression or death across all types of patients in the trial by half, and reduced the risk of death by over a third. We must now evolve the way we classify and treat metastatic breast cancer to ensure these patients are effectively diagnosed and treated.”Ken Takeshita, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo said: “As innovative research organisations, extending the survival for patients is one of our primary goals as we seek to identify potentially new treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer. These potentially practice-changing data show that DESTINY-Breast04 takes us one step closer to achieving this goal, as Enhertu is the first HER2-directed medicine to demonstrate a survival benefit in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. We are honoured by the recognition these important findings are receiving at one of the world’s most prominent oncology meetings as well as in one of the leading medical journals.”
DESTINY-Breast04
DESTINY-Breast04 is a global, randomised, open-label, registrational Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) in patients with HR-positive or HR-negative HER2-low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with one or two prior lines of chemotherapy. Patients were randomised 2:1 to receive either Enhertu or chemotherapy.The primary endpoint of DESTINY-Breast04 is PFS in patients with HR-positive disease based on blinded independent central review (BICR). Key secondary endpoints include PFS based on BICR in all randomised patients (HR-positive and HR-negative disease), OS in patients with HR-positive disease and OS in all randomised patients (HR-positive and HR-negative disease). Other secondary endpoints include PFS based on investigator assessment, objective response rate based on BICR and on investigator assessment, duration of response based on BICR and safety.DESTINY-Breast04 enrolled approximately 557 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in the US and Israel for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either in the metastatic setting, or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy, based on results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is also approved in approximately 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.
https://www.enhertu.com/en/breast
Enhertu development programme
A comprehensive development programme is underway globally, evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu monotherapy across multiple HER2-targetable cancers, including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, are also underway.Regulatory applications for Enhertu are currently under review in China, Europe, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2 based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.Enhertu was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy, based on the results of the DESTINY-Breast04 trial. Patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer should additionally have received or be ineligible for endocrine therapy.Enhertu is also currently under review in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours have a HER2 (ERBB2) mutation and who have received a prior systemic therapy, based on the DESTINY-Lung01 trial, and in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen based on the DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-Gastric02 trials.
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
AstraZeneca Enhertu data could expand use in breast cancer
Jun. 05, 2022 11:46 AM ETAZN
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- New data on AstraZeneca's (AZN) Enhertu (trastuzumab) could position the oncologic for expanded use in breast cancer.
- Results from the phase 3 DESTINY-Breast04 study released Sunday showed that patients treated with Enhertu saw a 49% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death versus other chemotherapy in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer with HR-positive disease.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3845740-astrazeneca-enhertu-data-could-expand-use-in-breast-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.enhertu.com/en/breast
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
June 04, 2022
Sub-analyses of Landmark ZUMA-7 Trial Reinforce Yescarta® CAR T-cell Therapy Superiority Over Standard of Care (SOC) as Initial Treatment for Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Large B-cell Lymphoma (LBCL)
-- Patients Aged 65+ Had Over Three-fold Improvement in Two-year Event-Free Survival (EFS) Rate, and Over Eight-fold Greater Median EFS and Clinically Meaningful Improvements in Quality of Life (QoL) with Yescarta vs SOC --
-- Separate Exploratory Analysis Found Yescarta Benefit vs SOC Was Consistent Across Subgroups, Including in Patients with High Tumor Burden and Elevated Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) --
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), today announced findings from two pre-planned, subgroup analyses of the landmark ZUMA-7 trial of Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel), which led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent expanded approval of Yescarta as initial treatment in adults with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy. These results include an analysis of clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients aged 65 or older, as well as an exploratory analysis of the association of pre-treatment tumor characteristics with clinical outcomes in patients with both low and high tumor burden and elevated and non-elevated lactate dehydrogenase(LDH). The data were presented today at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (Abstracts #7548 and #7565).
“Patients with large B-cell lymphoma aged 65 and above are at higher risk of not being eligible for or able to tolerate the standard of care, which can lead to poorer outcomes and health-related quality of life,” said Jason Westin, MD, MS, FACP, ZUMA-7 Principal Investigator, Director, Lymphoma Clinical Research, and Associate Professor, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “These data demonstrate that older patients, who are frequently considered transplant-ineligible based on age, can safely receive second-line CAR T-cell therapy with curative intent.”
In the ZUMA-7 sub-analysis of patients aged 65 and older, the primary endpoint of event-free survival (EFS) demonstrated that Yescarta (n=51) was superior to SOC (salvage chemoimmunotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant in those who respond; n=58; Hazard Ratio [HR], 0.276; descriptive P<0.0001), with over eight-fold greater median EFS (21.5 months vs 2.5 months) and over three-fold greater estimated 24-month EFS rate (47.8% vs 15.1%). Objective response rate (ORR) was higher with Yescarta vs. SOC (88% vs 52%; Odds Ratio: 8.81; descriptive P<0.0001). Complete response (CR) rates in the Yescarta group were over double that of the SOC group (75% vs 33%). Overall survival (OS), evaluated as a preplanned interim analysis, was prolonged in the Yescarta arm compared with the SOC arm (HR, 0.517). Fifty-seven percent of patients in the SOC arm received subsequent cellular immunotherapy (off protocol).
Yescarta also showed meaningful improvement in quality of life (QoL) over SOC with faster recovery to pre-treatment quality of life among patients 65 years of age or older. Among those evaluable for the PRO portion of the study, Yescarta (n=46) showed clinically meaningful differences in QoL at Day 100 compared to patients receiving SOC (n=42) for three prespecified PRO domains (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] Quality of Life Questionnaire [QLQ]-C30 Global Health Status/QOL, EORTC QLQ-C30 Physical Functioning, and EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale [VAS]). For all three domains, scores continued to favor Yescarta over SOC at Day 150 (descriptive P<0.05).
The safety profile of Yescarta was consistent with previous studies and real-world data in patients of all ages. Rates of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events (NE) for patients 65 and older were slightly higher than those observed in the overall patient population. Notably, compared with SOC patients, more Yescarta patients had high-risk features at baseline, including second-line age-adjusted International Prognostic Index (IPI) 2-3 (53% vs 31%), elevated LDH (61% vs 41%), and high grade B‑cell lymphoma (including double/triple-hit‑ lymphoma (33% vs 14%)).
“The consistent benefit of Yescarta over standard of care in the second-line setting in higher-risk patients, such as those aged 65+ and those with high tumor burden or LDH, can provide additional confidence to physicians that Yescarta should be considered the new standard of care as initial treatment for relapsed/refractory LBCL,” said Frank Neumann, MD, PhD, SVP & Global Head of Clinical Development, Kite.
In a separate exploratory analysis of pre-treatment tumor characteristics including tumor burden and LDH, EFS was superior for Yescarta compared to SOC for patients with high and low pre-treatment tumor burden (HR, 0.29 and 0.49, respectively; descriptive P<0.001 for both) and elevated and non-elevated LDH (HR, 0.32 and 0.5, respectively; descriptive P<0.001 for both). EFS in Yescarta patients was not significantly different for patients with high or low pre-treatment tumor burden (HR, 0.92; descriptive P=0.68) or elevated and non-elevated LDH (HR, 1.11; descriptive P=0.61), but was worse in patients who received SOC with high pre-treatment tumor burden (HR, 1.51; descriptive P=0.02) or elevated LDH (HR, 1.56; descriptive P=0.01). Durable responses with Yescarta were greatest in tumors with prominent B-cell features, but were superior to SOC regardless of these features.
“High tumor burden and elevated LDH levels are typically associated with poorer outcomes, especially when patients have exhausted treatment options,” said Frederick L. Locke, MD, ZUMA-7 Principal Investigator and Co-Leader of the Immuno-Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida. “These are factors that clinicians take into consideration when determining eligibility for standard of care in the second-line setting as well as CAR T-cell therapy in the third-line setting. In this analysis, response rates to axi-cel in the second-line setting were consistent regardless of level of tumor burden or LDH, which reaffirms that axi-cel should be considered the new standard of care in this earlier setting.”
Yescarta was the first CAR T-cell therapy to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL after two or more lines of systemic therapy. Yescarta was also approved by the FDA in April 2022 as the first CAR T-cell therapy for adult patients with LBCL that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy. The Yescarta U.S. Prescribing Information has a BOXED WARNING for the risks of CRS and neurologic toxicities, and Yescarta is approved with a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) due to these risks; see below for Important Safety Information.
About LBCL
Globally, LBCL is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In the United States, more than 18,000 people are diagnosed with LBCL each year. About 30-40% of patients with LBCL will need second-line treatment, as their cancer will either relapse (return) or become refractory (not respond) to initial treatment.
About Yescarta
Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
YESCARTA is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.
Limitations of Use: YESCARTA is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
About Kite
Kite, a Gilead Company, is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California, with manufacturing operations in North America and Europe. Kite’s singular focus is cell therapy to treat and potentially cure cancer. As the cell therapy leader, Kite has more approved CAR T indications to help more patients than any other company. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220604005006/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
GILD Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/gild/dividend-history
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
June 04, 2022
Trodelvy® Improved Progression-Free Survival by 34% in Heavily Pre-Treated HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients
– At One Year, 3X as Many Patients Were Progression-Free Compared to Physicians’ Choice of Chemotherapy in Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 Study –– At The First Interim Analysis, Overall Survival Demonstrated a Positive Trend, Patients Will Continue to be Followed –– Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes Shows Trodelvy Also Improved Quality of Life over Physicians’ Choice of Chemotherapy –CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced positive results from the primary analysis of the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study of Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (TPC) in heavily pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer patients who received prior endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy. The study met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 34% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death (median PFS 5.5 vs. 4 months; HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.53-0.83; P<0.0003). The first interim analysis of the key secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS) demonstrated a trend in improvement. These data are immature, and patients will be followed for subsequent OS analysis. These findings will be featured in both a press briefing and an oral session (Abstract #LBA1001) on Saturday, June 4, during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220603005437/en/The study demonstrated that at the one-year mark, three times as many patients were progression-free when treated with Trodelvy compared to those who received TPC (21% versus 7%). Improvements in PFS with Trodelvy were also consistent across key patient subgroups, including patients who had previously received three or more chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease (HR: 0.70; CI: 0.52-0.95), patients with visceral metastasis (HR: 0.66; CI: 0.53-0.83), and the elderly (≥65 years of age; HR: 0.59; CI: 0.38-0.93).“For patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, resistance to endocrine therapy is inevitable in almost all cases. The standard of care is then limited to sequential single agent chemotherapy, with declining response rates, disease control and quality of life,” said Dr. Hope Rugo, Professor of Medicine and Director, Breast Oncology and Clinical Trials Education at the University of California San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center, U.S. “In TROPiCS-02, we enrolled heavily pre-treated patients with metastatic breast cancer who had disease progression following multiple lines of chemotherapy. To observe a clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of disease progression or death in these patients with limited treatment options is remarkable. Sacituzumab govitecan-hziy will be an important potential future treatment option for these patients.”A prespecified quality of life (QoL) analysis, one of the secondary endpoints using the EORTC QLQ-C30 instrument, also favored Trodelvy over TPC demonstrating meaningful benefit. In the evaluable population, improvements in global health status and fatigue with Trodelvy (n=234) compared with those who received TPC (n=207) were also observed.“With Trodelvy, our bold ambition is that it will help transform care for people living with cancer, including in pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, where more options are needed,” said Bill Grossman, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Gilead Oncology. “We look forward to continuing discussions with regulatory agencies to further understand how Trodelvy can impact this patient population with a high unmet need.”The safety profile for Trodelvy was consistent with prior studies, with no new safety concerns identified in this patient population. The most frequent Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse reactions for Trodelvy compared to TPC were neutropenia (51% versus 38%), diarrhea (9% versus 1%), leukopenia (9% versus 5%), anemia (6% versus 3%), fatigue (6% versus 2%) and febrile neutropenia (5% versus 4%).Trodelvy has not been approved by any regulatory agency for the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Its safety and efficacy have not been established for this indication. Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About the TROPiCS-02 Study
The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, clinical benefit rate and duration of response, as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. In the study, HER2 negativity was defined per American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria as immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridization (ISH) test. More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901339.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.Trodelvy is approved in more than 35 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease. Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. under the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indication for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
U.S. Prescribing Information for Trodelvy including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.gilead.com.Trodelvy, Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220603005437/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead drug cuts disease progression in commonest type of breast cancer
Jun. 04, 2022 11:10 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor16 Comments Announcing data from a Phase 3 study, Gilead (NASDAQ:GILD) said on Saturday that its antibody-drug conjugate Trodelvy delayed the disease progression by 1.5 months in a group of patients with heavily pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer compared to chemotherapy.The 543-patient trial was designed to evaluate the effect of Trodelvy in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, the most common type of breast cancer. The patients were previously treated with endocrine therapy and up to four lines of chemotherapy.https://seekingalpha.com/news/3845721-gilead-drug-cuts-disease-progression-in-commonest-type-of-breast-cancerhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILDhttps://www.trodelvy.com/
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
June 03, 2022
Yescarta® CAR T-cell Therapy Demonstrates Consistent Survival Outcomes and Safety in Real-World Setting Regardless of Race and Ethnicity
-- Largest Analysis Examining Use of CAR T-cell Therapy Across Race and Ethnicity ---- Black or African American Patients Experienced Longer Time from Diagnosis to Infusion Compared to White Patients, Possibly Impacting Overall and Complete Response Rates; More Study Warranted ---- Clinical Trials of Yescarta in the U.S. and Real-World Use from CIBMTR Registry Show Consistent Participation of Approximately 5% Black or African American Patients --SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), today announced findings from a safety and efficacy retrospective analysis by race and ethnicity from the ongoing post-authorization study of Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) in adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). In the largest real-world analysis of its kind evaluating data from the CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®), overall outcomes including overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were consistent with Yescarta in the real-world setting, regardless of race and ethnicity. The findings were presented today in an oral session during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (Abstract #7571).The incidence of diffuse LBCL in the U.S. is 4.8 per 100,000 per year in non-Hispanic Black or African Americans and 7.1 per 100,000 per year in non-Hispanic Whites. Clinical trials of Yescarta in the U.S. have enrolled an average of 6% Black or African American patients, consistent with the roughly 5% of patients in the real-world CIBMTR registry.* Further research is ongoing to investigate whether or not there is under-representation by race and ethnicity in both clinical trials and the real-world usage of CAR T-cell therapy.“The investigation of CAR T-cell therapy outcomes by race and ethnicity is important to the continued understanding of the impact of these innovative therapies, and an area in which there is a significant deficit in clinical trials and real-world studies published to date,” said Frederick L. Locke, MD, lead author and Co-Leader of the Immuno-Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida. “The results of this analysis are encouraging in that axi-cel was safe and effective regardless of race or ethnicity, and also warrant further investigation to understand the lower rate of response among Black or African American patients and the potential role of factors such as higher disease burden, disease biology and, importantly, differential access to care.”A total of 1,389 adult patients with LBCL treated with Yescarta in the commercial setting in the U.S. from October 2017 to August 2020 were included in the analysis. Race and ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino vs. not Hispanic or Latino) were self-reported and included: White (81%); Black or African American (5%); Asian (6%); American Indian or Alaska Native <1%; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander <1%; More than one race <1%; Race not reported (7%). Eleven percent of patients evaluated self-identified as Hispanic or Latino.
About Yescarta
Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
YESCARTA is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma. Limitations of Use: YESCARTA is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on the response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trial(s).
- https://www.yescarta.com/
About Kite
Kite, a Gilead Company, is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California, with manufacturing operations in North America and Europe. Kite’s singular focus is cell therapy to treat and potentially cure cancer. As the cell therapy leader, Kite has more approved CAR T indications to help more patients than any other company. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. U.S. Prescribing Information for Yescarta including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.kitepharma.com and www.gilead.com.Kite, the Kite logo, Yescarta, Tecartus, XLP and GILEAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc. or its related companies.For more information on Kite, please visit the company’s website at www.kitepharma.com. Follow Kite on social media on Twitter (@KitePharma) and LinkedIn.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220603005447/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead's Yescarta shows consistent real-world survival outcomes regardless of race
Jun. 03, 2022 4:24 PM ET
By: Anuron Mitra, SA News Editor Gilead Sciences' (NASDAQ:GILD) Kite on Friday announced findings from an analysis of race and ethnicity from its ongoing post-authorization study of Yescarta in adults with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), a type of cancer in white blood cells called lymphocytes.https://seekingalpha.com/news/3845670-gileads-yescarta-shows-consistent-real-world-survival-outcomes-regardless-of-racehttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILDhttps://www.yescarta.com/https://www.gilead.com/-/media/files/pdfs/medicines/oncology/yescarta/yescarta-pi.pdf
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib)
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) plus chemotherapy
YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Phase 3 SHINE Results Show IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib)-Based Combination Regimen Significantly Reduced the Risk of Disease Progression or Death in Older Patients with Newly Diagnosed Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Jun 03, 2022United StatesPrimary results from the first frontline Phase 3 study of a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor in MCL to be presented as late-breaking data at the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting and also published in The New England Journal of MedicineJune 3, 2022 (CHICAGO) – The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced primary results from the Phase 3 SHINE study (Abstract #7502), which demonstrated that the combination of once-daily oral IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) plus bendamustine-rituximab (BR) and rituximab maintenance significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 25 percent compared to patients who received placebo plus BR and rituximab maintenance in patients aged 65 years or older with newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).[i] This study is one of the largest clinical trials ever conducted in first-line MCL and the first for a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi).1 The data are being presented in an oral session and featured in a press briefing during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, and were published in The New England Journal of Medicine today. The data will also be presented as an oral presentation at the 2022 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress.MCL is a type of aggressive, rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that is incurable and difficult to treat.[i] It commonly affects people over the age of 65, who typically cannot tolerate intensive chemoimmunotherapy and stem cell transplantation, resulting in poor clinical outcomes and contributing to the need to develop additional treatment options for these patients.2“There is an urgent need to improve outcomes for older patients with MCL,” said Michael L. Wang, M.D., Professor, Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and principal study investigator.‡ “Given the median progression-free survival of 6.7 years, the ibrutinib combination demonstrated the potential to be a first-line treatment in this population.”The Phase 3 SHINE (MCL3002) study (NCT01776840) – sponsored by Janssen Biotech, Inc., in collaboration with Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company – enrolled 523 patients aged 65 years or older with newly diagnosed MCL.1 All participants were randomly assigned to receive IMBRUVICA® (560 mg orally daily until progression or unacceptable toxicities) or placebo plus BR for a maximum of six 28-day cycles; participants with a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) continued to receive maintenance therapy with rituximab every second cycle for a maximum of 12 additional doses.1IMBRUVICA® or placebo was administered daily until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity.1The SHINE study met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS). Key findings from the Phase 3 SHINE study include:
- With a median follow-up of 84.7 months, the IMBRUVICA® plus BR and rituximab maintenance combination showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 2.3-year improvement in median PFS (6.7 years) vs. BR (4.4 years).1 This is a 50 percent improvement as compared to patients treated with BR and rituximab maintenance (stratified hazard ratio [HR]: 0.75, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.59-0.96; p = 0.011).1
- Key secondary endpoints included: CR, time-to-next treatment (TTNT), overall survival (OS), and overall response rate (ORR).1
- A CR was achieved in 171 patients (65.5 percent) in the IMBRUVICA® plus BR arm and 151 patients (57.6 percent) in the placebo arm (p = 0.057).1 The rates of objective response were similar between the two arms (IMBRUVICA® plus BR: 89.7 percent; placebo: 88.5 percent).1
- Median TTNT was not reached in the IMBRUVICA® plus BR arm, the median TTNT was 92 months in the placebo plus BR arm (p < 0.001).1
- OS was similar between treatment arms and median OS was not reached in either treatment arm (p = 0.06).1,3
"More than eight years since its first FDA approval, IMBRUVICA has treated over 250,000 patients globally, fundamentally changing the treatment paradigm for complex B-cell malignancies," said Craig Tendler, M.D., Vice President, Late Development and Global Medical Affairs, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "The Phase 3 SHINE study reinforces our continued commitment to the development of IMBRUVICA to provide meaningful differences and change outcomes for patients with B-cell malignancies where high unmet medical needs still remain."The safety profile of the IMBRUVICA® plus BR regimen was consistent with known safety profiles of IMBRUVICA® as well as BR.1 Across all treated patients, the most common Grade 3/4 Adverse Events (AEs) ≥5 percent were neutropenia (IMBRUVICA® plus BR: 47.1 percent; BR: 48.1 percent), pneumonia (IMBRUVICA® plus BR: 20.1 percent; BR:14.2 percent), anemia (IMBRUVICA® plus BR: 15.4 percent; BR: 8.8 percent), thrombocytopenia (IMBRUVICA® plus BR: 12.7 percent; BR: 13.1 percent), rash (IMBRUVICA® plus BR: 12 percent; BR: 1.9 percent), and diarrhea (IMBRUVICA® plus BR: 6.9 percent; BR: 3.8 percent).1 Treatment-emergent AEs of clinical interest with BTKis included atrial fibrillation (AF) which was reported in 13.9 percent of patients in the IMBRUVICA® plus BR arm and 6.5 percent in the placebo arm; hypertension in 13.5 percent and 11.2 percent; major bleeding in 5.8 percent and 4.2 percent; any bleeding 42.9 percent and 21.5 percent; and arthralgia in 17.4 percent and 16.9 percent, respectively.1 IMBRUVICA® is currently approved globally for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy.4 Within the U.S., this indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate (ORR). Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
About IMBRUVICA®IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) is a once-daily oral medication that is jointly developed and commercialized by Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company. IMBRUVICA® blocks the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) protein, which is needed by normal and abnormal B cells, including specific cancer cells, to multiply and spread. By blocking BTK, IMBRUVICA® may help move abnormal B cells out of their nourishing environments and inhibits their proliferation.5,6,7IMBRUVICA® is approved in more than 100 countries for at least one indication and has been used to treat more than 250,000 patients worldwide. There are more than 50 company-sponsored clinical trials, including 18 Phase 3 studies, with over 11 years evaluating the efficacy and safety of IMBRUVICA®.IMBRUVICA® was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2013, and today is indicated for adult patients in six disease areas, including five hematologic cancers. These include indications to treat adults with CLL/SLL with or without 17p deletion (del17p), and adults with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM), and adult patients with previously treated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)*, as well as to treat adult patients with previously treated marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) who require systemic therapy and have received at least one prior anti-CD20-based therapy†, and adult patients with previously treated chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy.4†Accelerated approval was granted for MCL and MZL based on overall response rate. Continued approval for MCL and MZL may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), recommends ibrutinib (IMBRUVICA®) as a preferred regimen for the initial treatment of CLL/SLL and has Category 1 treatment status for treatment-naïve patients without deletion 17p/TP53 mutation and as a preferred treatment for treatment-naïve patients with deletion 17p/TP53 mutation. The NCCN Guidelines also recommend IMBRUVICA®, with or without rituximab, as a preferred regimen for the treatment of relapsed/refractory MCL, as a Category 1 preferred regimen for both untreated and previously treated WM patients, and as a preferred regimen for relapsed/refractory MZL.7For more information, visit www.IMBRUVICA.com. Please click here to see the full Prescribing Information.
Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at @JanssenGlobal and @JanssenUS. Janssen Research & Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
J&J/AbbVie's Imbruvica 'significantly' cuts risk of disease progression in rare lymphoma, in trial
Jun. 03, 2022 11:19 AM ETJohnson & Johnson (JNJ), ABBVBy: Ravikash, SA News Editor Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and AbbVie's (NYSE:ABBV) Imbruvica plus standard therapy helped reduce the risk of disease progression or death by 25%, compared to placebo plus standard treatment, in older patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in a late-stage study.https://seekingalpha.com/news/3845546-jjabbvies-imbruvica-significantly-cuts-risk-of-disease-progression-in-rare-lymphoma-in-trialhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/JNJhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ABBVhttps://www.abbvie.com/https://www.imbruvica.com/
Opdivo® (nivolumab)
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) plus chemotherapy
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) plus chemotherapy
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves Two Opdivo® (nivolumab)-Based Regimens as First-Line Treatments for Unresectable Advanced or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
05/27/2022CATEGORY:
Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy and Opdivo plus Yervoy® (ipilimumab) approved based on a Phase 3 trial showing improved overall survival versus chemotherapy alone1,2Opdivo-based treatments are now approved for five indications in upper gastroesophageal cancers1PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both Opdivo® (nivolumab) (injection for intravenous use) in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy and Opdivo® plus Yervoy® (ipilimumab) as a first-line treatment for adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) regardless of PD-L1 status. The approvals are based on the Phase 3 CheckMate -648 trial, which evaluated Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy (n=321) and Opdivo plus Yervoy (n=325) each compared to chemotherapy alone (n=324), and was the largest Phase 3 trial of an immunotherapy in first-line ESCC.1In the trial, Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy demonstrated superior overall survival (OS) compared to chemotherapy alone, both in all randomized patients, a secondary endpoint, which was hierarchically tested (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.74, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.61 to 0.90, P=0.0021) and in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%), a primary endpoint (HR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.71, P<0.0001).1,2 In all randomized patients the median OS (mOS) was 13.2 months (95% CI: 11.1 to 15.7) with Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy versus 10.7 months (95% CI: 9.4 to 11.9) with chemotherapy alone.1 In patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) the mOS was 15.4 months (95% CI: 11.9 to 19.5) for Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy versus 9.1 months (95% CI: 7.7 to 10) with chemotherapy alone.1 The median progression-free survival (PFS) in all randomized patients, which was a hierarchically tested secondary endpoint, was 5.8 months (95% CI: 5.6 to 7.0) for Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy and 5.6 months (95% CI: 4.3 to 5.9) for chemotherapy alone (HR= 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.99, P=not significant). Per pre-specified analysis, PFS did not meet statistical significance.1 The median PFS in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%), which was a co-primary endpoint, was 6.9 months (95% CI: 5.7 to 8.3) for Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy and 4.4 months (95% CI: 2.9 to 5.8) for chemotherapy alone (HR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.86, P=0.0023).1Opdivo plus Yervoy also improved OS compared to chemotherapy in all-randomized patients, a secondary endpoint, which was hierarchically tested (HR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.95, P=0.0110) and patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%), a primary endpoint (HR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.84, P=0.0010).1,2 The mOS was 12.8 months (95% CI: 11.3 to 15.5) with Opdivo plus Yervoy versus 10.7 months (95% CI: 9.4 to 11.9) with chemotherapy alone in all randomized patients and 13.7 months (95% CI: 11.2 to 17.0) with Opdivo plus Yervoy versus 9.1 months (95% CI: 7.7 to 10) with chemotherapy alone in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%).1 The median PFS in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%), which was a co-primary endpoint, was 4.0 months (95% CI: 2.4 to 4.9) for Opdivo plus Yervoy and 4.4 months (95% CI: 2.9 to 5.8) for chemotherapy alone (HR 1.02; 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.34, P=not significant). Per pre-specified analysis, PFS did not meet statistical significance.1,2 Median PFS in the PD-L1 (≥1%) population was not statistically significant and therefore it was not hierarchically tested in the all comers population.Opdivo alone and Opdivo plus Yervoy are associated with the following Warnings and Precautions: severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis and hepatotoxicity, endocrinopathies, nephritis and renal dysfunction, dermatologic adverse reactions, other immune-mediated adverse reactions; infusion-related reactions; complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); embryo-fetal toxicity; and increased mortality in patients with multiple myeloma when Opdivo is added to a thalidomide analogue and dexamethasone, which is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials.1 Please see the Important Safety Information section below.“Today brings welcome news for many advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients and oncologists,” said Jaffer A. Ajani, M.D., CheckMate -648 co-first author and lead U.S. investigator, and professor of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is a challenging disease, and there’s a need for additional treatment options that may extend survival in the first-line setting.3,4 In the CheckMate -648 trial, two nivolumab-based combinations showed a survival benefit compared to chemotherapy alone, offering new treatment options regardless of PD-L1 status.”1This application was reviewed under the FDA’s Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) pilot program, which aims to ensure that safe and effective treatments are available to patients as early as possible.5“At Bristol Myers Squibb, we recognize the need that exists for many patients facing upper gastroesophageal cancers, including advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and we are focused on our goal to bring forward new treatment options with proven survival benefits regardless of PD-L1 status and histology,” said Adam Lenkowsky, senior vice president and general manager, U.S., Cardiovascular, Immunology, Oncology, Bristol Myers Squibb.6 “Today’s approvals bring two first-line immunotherapy-based treatment options at once, Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy and Opdivo plus Yervoy as the first dual immunotherapy option, to newly diagnosed patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, further building on the role of Opdivo-based regimens in upper gastroesophageal cancers.”1
About CheckMate -648
CheckMate -648 is a randomized Phase 3 study evaluating Opdivo plus Yervoy or Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy (fluorouracil and cisplatin) against chemotherapy (fluorouracil plus cisplatin) alone in adult patients with previously untreated unresectable advanced, recurrent, or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.1,2 The primary endpoints of the trial are overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) determined by blinded independent central review (BICR) in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) for both Opdivo-based combinations versus chemotherapy.2 Secondary endpoints of the trial, including OS and PFS as determined by BICR in the all randomized population, were tested hierarchically only if corresponding primary endpoints were significant.1,2In the Opdivo plus Yervoy arm, patients received treatment with Opdivo 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks and Yervoy 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks up to 2 years or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.1,2 In the Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy arm, patients received treatment with Opdivo 240 mg on Day 1 and Day 15, fluorouracil 800 mg/m²/day on Day 1 through Day 5 for five days, and cisplatin 80 mg/m² on Day 1 of a four-week cycle.1,2 Patients were treated with Opdivo until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 2 years.1,2 In patients who received Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy and in whom either fluorouracil and/or cisplatin were discontinued, other components of the treatment regimen were allowed to be continued. 2 Patients who discontinued combination therapy because of an adverse reaction attributed to ipilimumab were permitted to continue Opdivo as a single agent.2
Select Safety Profile from CheckMate -648 Study
Opdivo and/or chemotherapy were discontinued in 39% of patients and were delayed in 71% of patients for an adverse reaction.1 Serious adverse reactions occurred in 62% of patients receiving Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy.1 The most frequent (≥2%) serious adverse reactions in patients receiving Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy were pneumonia (11%), dysphagia (7%), esophageal stenosis (2.9%), acute kidney injury (2.9%), and pyrexia (2.3%).1 Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 5 (1.6%) patients treated with Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy; these included pneumonitis, pneumatosis intestinalis, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury.1 The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions in patients treated with Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy were nausea (65%), decreased appetite (51%), fatigue (47%), constipation (44%), stomatitis (44%), diarrhea (29%), and vomiting (23%).1Opdivo and/or Yervoy were discontinued in 23% of patients and were delayed in 46% of patients for an adverse reaction.1 Serious adverse reactions occurred in 69% of patients receiving Opdivo plus Yervoy.1 The most frequent (≥2%) serious adverse reactions in patients receiving Opdivo plus Yervoy were pneumonia (10%), pyrexia (4.3%), pneumonitis (4%), aspiration pneumonia (3.7%), dysphagia (3.7%), hepatic function abnormal (2.8%), decreased appetite (2.8%), adrenal insufficiency (2.5%), and dehydration (2.5%).1 Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 5 (1.6%) patients treated with Opdivo plus Yervoy; these included pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary embolism, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.1 The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions in patients treated with Opdivo plus Yervoy were rash (31%), fatigue (28%), pyrexia (23%), nausea (22%), diarrhea (22%), and constipation (20%).1 INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with ipilimumab, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.https://www.opdivo.com/
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
BMY Dividend History
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) plus chemotherapy
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) plus chemotherapy
ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) plus chemotherapy
Takeda and Seagen to Highlight ADCETRIS® Combination Data Showing Statistically Significant Improvement in Overall Survival (OS) for Patients with Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma
05/26/2022– Randomized Phase 3 Clinical Trial of ADCETRIS Combination Met Key Secondary OS Endpoint, Demonstrating a 41% Reduction in Risk of Death vs. Standard of Care in Patients With Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma –CAMBRIDGE, Mass., OSAKA, Japan, and BOTHELL, Wash.- May 26, 2022—
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502) and Seagen Inc., (NASDAQ:SGEN) today announced that overall survival (OS) data from the Phase 3 ECHELON-1 clinical trial of an ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) plus chemotherapy combination will be presented in an oral session at the 59th American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting on Friday, June 3, 2022, 1:00-4:00 PM CT, and at the 27th European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Meeting on Friday, June 10, 2022, 11:30 – 12:45 CEST.“The longer-term follow-up data from the ECHELON-1 trial have significant clinical importance, as this trial represents one of only two frontline randomized studies in advanced stage Hodgkin lymphoma that shows an overall survival advantage for the experimental arm,” said Stephen Ansell, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic, and ECHELON-1 study investigator. “These results clearly show that the addition of brentuximab vedotin to chemotherapy improves the long-term outcome of patients and the combination should be considered a standard of care.”Data from the ECHELON-1 trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in OS in adult patients with previously untreated Stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated with ADCETRIS plus doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (A+AVD) vs. doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD). With approximately six years median follow up (73 months), patients receiving A+AVD had a 41 percent reduction in the risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.396 to 0.879), with an estimated OS rate (95% CI) of 93.9% (91.6, 95.5) at 6 years. The safety profile of ADCETRIS was consistent with previous studies, and no new safety signals were observed. Please see Important Safety Information, including a SPECIAL/BOXED WARNING for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), for ADCETRIS below.“Patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma have not benefitted from an improvement in overall survival outcomes for far too long,” said Chris Arendt, Ph.D., Head of Oncology Cell Therapy and Therapeutic Area Unit, Research and Development, at Takeda. “We are extremely proud of the results of the ECHELON-1 trial, as these findings represent a transformative improvement in care that can profoundly impact the lives of patients with advanced-stage disease. We look forward to sharing the data with regulators around the world.”“These data unequivocally demonstrate the ability of the ADCETRIS combination regimen to improve upon a current standard of care, ABVD, for people with Hodgkin lymphoma by delivering an unsurpassed overall survival benefit,” said Roger Dansey, M.D., Interim CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Seagen. “We continue to evaluate the potential of ADCETRIS in different patient populations and in combination with other approved and investigational medicines.”ADCETRIS is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated Stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma in combination with AVD in the United States and for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated CD30-positive Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma in combination with AVD in Europe.
First-line brentuximab vedotin plus chemotherapy to improve overall survival in patients with stage III/IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma: An updated analysis of ECHELON-1. (Hematologic Malignancies—Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia on Friday, June 3, 2022, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM CT at McCormick Place, Hall A8)
Key findings, which will be presented by Dr. Ansell, include:
- The trial achieved its key secondary endpoint with the combination of A+AVD, resulting in a statistically significant improvement in OS versus the control arm of ABVD as assessed by an Independent Review Facility (IRF) (HR 0.59; p-value=0.009). This corresponds to a 41 percent reduction in the risk of death.
- At a median follow up of 73 months, 39 and 64 OS events occurred in the A+AVD and ABVD arms, respectively.
- Estimated six-year OS rates (95% CI) were 93.9% (91.6, 95.5) with A+AVD vs. 89.4% (86.6, 91.7) with ABVD.
- Subgroup analyses supported a consistent benefit for A+AVD vs. ABVD.
- The six-year PFS estimate (95% CI) was 82.3% (79.1, 85.0) with A+AVD vs. 74.5% (70.8, 77.7) with ABVD.
- A+AVD resulted in a manageable safety profile consistent with prior reports.
- Treatment-emergent peripheral neuropathy continued to resolve or improve in both arms, with 86% (379/443) and 87% (249/286) of patients in the A+AVD and ABVD arms, respectively, either completely resolving (72% vs. 79%) or improving (14% vs. 8%) by last follow up.
- Fewer patients reported second malignancies in the A+AVD vs. ABVD arm (23 vs. 32).
- No new safety signals were identified.
About the ECHELON-1 Trial
The ECHELON-1 trial, which compared the use of ADCETRIS in combination with AVD to ABVD in 1,334 patients with previously untreated Stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma, had a primary endpoint of modified progression-free survival (PFS) per independent review facility (IRF). A key secondary endpoint was OS, which was an event-driven, pre-specified, alpha-controlled analysis in the intention-to-treat population.
About ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin)
ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seagen’s proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-positive tumor cells.ADCETRIS injection for intravenous infusion has received FDA approval for six indications in adult patients with: (1) previously untreated systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) or other CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and PTCL not otherwise specified, in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone, (2) previously untreated Stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine, (3) cHL at high risk of relapse or progression as post-autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) consolidation, (4) cHL after failure of auto-HSCT or failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not auto-HSCT candidates, (5) sALCL after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen, and (6) primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) or CD30-expressing mycosis fungoides (MF) who have received prior systemic therapy.Health Canada granted ADCETRIS approval with conditions for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL in 2013, and non-conditional approval for post-autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) consolidation treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma patients at increased risk of relapse or progression in 2017, adults with pcALCL or CD30-expressing MF who have had prior systemic therapy in 2018, for previously untreated Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine in 2019, and for previously untreated adult patients with sALCL, peripheral T-cell lymphoma-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) or angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), whose tumors express CD30, in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, prednisone in 2019.ADCETRIS received conditional marketing authorization from the European Commission in October 2012. The approved indications in Europe are: (1) for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated CD30-positive Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (AVD), (2) for the treatment of adult patients with CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma at increased risk of relapse or progression following ASCT, (3) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma following ASCT, or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option, (4) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory sALCL, and (5) for the treatment of adult patients with CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after at least one prior systemic therapy.ADCETRIS has received marketing authorization by regulatory authorities in more than 70 countries for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL. See Important Safety Information below.ADCETRIS is being evaluated broadly in more than 70 clinical trials, including a Phase 3 study in first-line Hodgkin lymphoma (ECHELON-1) and another Phase 3 study in first-line CD30-positive peripheral T-cell lymphomas (ECHELON-2), as well as trials in many additional types of CD30-positive malignancies.Seagen and Takeda are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seagen has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and Takeda has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seagen and Takeda are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where Takeda is solely responsible for development costs.
ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) Important Safety Information (European Union)
Please refer to Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) before prescribing.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
ADCETRIS is contraindicated for patients with hypersensitivity to brentuximab vedotin and its excipients. In addition, combined use of ADCETRIS with bleomycin causes pulmonary toxicity.
Please see the full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING, for ADCETRIS here. https://www.adcetris.com/
For more information on our marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter.
For more information, visit www.takedaoncology.com.
For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com.
ihttps://www.cancer.org/cancer/hodgkin-lymphoma.html
Seagen, Takeda's Adcetris meets secondary endpoint in Hodgkin lymphoma trial
May 26, 2022 6:02 PM ET
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TAK), SGEN
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) and Takeda Pharmaceutical's (NYSE:TAK) Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin) plus chemotherapy met its secondary endpoint of improvement in overall survival in an advanced Hodgkin lymphoma phase 3 trial.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3843327-seagen-takeda-adcetris-meets-secondary-endpoint-in-hodgkin-lymphoma-trial
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/TAK
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SGEN
- https://www.adcetris.com/
- https://www.seagen.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination With Trastuzumab
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination With Trastuzumab
European Commission Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment, Then Continued as Adjuvant Monotherapy After Surgery for Locally Advanced or Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer at High Risk of Recurrence
May 24, 2022 6:45 am ET
Approval based on event-free survival benefit demonstrated in Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trialThis KEYTRUDA combination is the first immunotherapy option approved in the EU for high-risk early-stage TNBCDecision marks fifth approval for KEYTRUDA in a breast or gynecologic cancer in the EU in less than one year
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the European Commission has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as monotherapy as adjuvant treatment after surgery for adults with locally advanced or early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) at high risk of recurrence.The approval is based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial, in which KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy before surgery and continued as a single agent after surgery prolonged event-free survival (EFS), reducing the risk of EFS events or death by 37% (HR=0.63 [95% CI, 0.48-0.82]; p=0.00031) compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone in this patient population. Median follow-up time for all patients was 37.8 months (range, 2.7-48).KEYNOTE-522 was the first large, randomized Phase 3 study to report a statistically significant and clinically meaningful EFS result among patients with stage II and III TNBC. With this decision, this KEYTRUDA combination becomes the first immunotherapy option approved for patients in the European Union (EU) in this setting.“Triple-negative breast cancer has a high risk of recurrence within the first five years, so it’s meaningful for patients to have access to new therapies that can reduce the risk of disease progression,” said Dr. Peter Schmid, lead, Centre for Experimental Cancer Medicine, Barts Cancer Institute in London, England. “The approval of this KEYTRUDA regimen marks a turning point for patients with high-risk early-stage TNBC, as they now have an immunotherapy option in early stages of the disease that has demonstrated significant improvements in pathological complete response and event-free survival compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.”The safety of KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy has been evaluated in 3,123 patients across tumor types. The incidence of Grade 3-5 adverse reactions in patients with TNBC was 80% for KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy and 77% for chemotherapy.“KEYTRUDA was first approved in Europe to address an unmet need in certain patients with metastatic TNBC, and today’s approval extends the use of KEYTRUDA to more patients facing this difficult-to-treat cancer – this time in earlier stages of TNBC,” said Dr. Gursel Aktan, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are very proud that today’s approval marks the fifth indication for KEYTRUDA in Europe for patients with breast or a gynecological cancer, an important area where patients need continued research and innovation.”This approval allows marketing of this KEYTRUDA regimen in all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Northern Ireland. This is the second indication for KEYTRUDA in breast cancer in Europe. In October 2021, KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy was approved for the first-line treatment of certain patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC.Merck is committed to delivering meaningful advances in gynecologic and breast cancers to patients around the world through its extensive clinical development program across its oncology portfolio of investigational and approved medicines. Within just the last year, KEYTRUDA has been approved in Europe for five new indications across breast, cervical and endometrial cancers as monotherapy and in novel combinations.
About KEYNOTE-522
The approval was based on data from KEYNOTE-522 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03036488), a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial. The dual primary endpoints were pathological complete response rate, defined as pathological stage ypT0/Tis ypN0 at the time of definitive surgery, and EFS, defined as the time from randomization to the time of first occurrence of either disease progression that precluded definitive surgery, a local/distant recurrence, a second primary cancer or death from any cause. A key secondary endpoint was overall survival. The study enrolled 1,174 patients who were randomized 2:1 to receive either:
- The KEYTRUDA regimen: KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin), followed by KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide and either doxorubicin or epirubicin) as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery, followed by KEYTRUDA monotherapy as adjuvant therapy post-surgery (n=784) or;
- The chemotherapy-placebo regimen: Placebo plus chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin), followed by placebo plus chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide and either doxorubicin or epirubicin) as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery, followed by placebo monotherapy as adjuvant therapy post-surgery (n=390).
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,700 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.https://www.keytruda.com/
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
MelanomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.Non-Small Cell Lung CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.Head and Neck Squamous Cell CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.Classical Hodgkin LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.Urothelial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).Gastric CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Esophageal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.Hepatocellular CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Merkel Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Renal Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.Endometrial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.Tumor Mutational Burden-High CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Cutaneous Squamous Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.Triple-Negative Breast CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck's blockbuster drug Keytruda gets approval in EU for expanded use in breast cancer subtype
May 24, 2022 7:07 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The European Commission approved Merck's (NYSE:MRK) blockbuster drug Keytruda to treat certain patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3842105-mercks-blockbuster-drug-keytruda-gets-approval-in-eu-for-expanded-use-in-breast-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination With Trastuzumab
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination With Trastuzumab
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination With Trastuzumab
Seagen Announces Positive Topline Results of Pivotal Phase 2 Clinical Trial of TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination With Trastuzumab in HER2-Positive Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
05/23/2022- Data Accepted for Presentation at ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer -BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) today announced positive topline results from the pivotal phase 2 MOUNTAINEER clinical trial investigating TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in combination with trastuzumab in patients with previously treated HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Data from this trial will form the basis of a planned supplemental New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program. Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, is commercializing TUKYSA in regions outside of the U.S., Canada and Europe and plans to discuss these results with health authorities as it continues to accelerate the filing of TUKYSA in its territory.Results showed a 38.1% confirmed objective response rate (cORR) [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 27.7, 49.3] per blinded independent central review (BICR). The median duration of response (DoR) per BICR was 12.4 months [95% CI: 8.5, 20.5]. The combination of tucatinib and trastuzumab was generally well-tolerated, and the most common (greater than or equal to 20%) treatment-emergent adverse events were diarrhea, fatigue, nausea and infusion-related reaction, which were primarily low-grade.Please see Important Safety Information at the end of this press release for further safety information regarding tucatinib.“People with HER2-positive previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer have a significant unmet need for new therapies. We are excited by the potential for this tucatinib combination to help patients based on the excellent anti-tumor activity with durable responses and a tolerable safety profile,” said Roger Dansey, M.D., interim CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Seagen. “Based on the strength of these data, we are planning to engage in regulatory discussions with the FDA with the intent to submit a supplemental New Drug Application for TUKYSA.”Full data from the MOUNTAINEER trial will be presented by John H. Strickler, M.D., Duke University Medical Center, at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer in Barcelona, Spain from June 29 through July 2, 2022.
About MOUNTAINEER
MOUNTAINEER is a U.S. and European multicenter, open-label, phase 2 clinical trial of tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab or as a single agent in 117 patients with HER2-positive metastatic or unresectable colorectal cancer following previous standard-of-care therapies. The primary endpoint of the trial is confirmed objective response rate by RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) version 1.1 criteria per blinded independent central review in patients receiving the combination of tucatinib and trastuzumab. Duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival and safety and tolerability of the combination regimen are secondary objectives.
About TUKYSA (tucatinib)
TUKYSA is an oral medicine that is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the HER2 protein. In vitro (in lab studies), TUKYSA inhibited phosphorylation of HER2 and HER3, resulting in inhibition of downstream MAPK and AKT signaling and cell growth (proliferation), and showed anti-tumor activity in HER2-expressing tumor cells. In vivo (in living organisms), TUKYSA inhibited the growth of HER2-expressing tumors. The combination of TUKYSA and the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab showed increased anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo compared to either medicine alone.TUKYSA is approved in 36 countries. It was approved by the U.S. FDA in April 2020 and by the European Medicines Agency and the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in February 2021. Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, has exclusive rights to commercialize TUKYSA in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America and other regions outside of the U.S., Canada and Europe.
U.S. Indication and Important Safety Information
TUKYSA is indicated in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine for treatment of adult patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including patients with brain metastases, who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting
https://www.tukysa.com/
For more information on the company’s marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220523005352/en/ Source: Seagen Inc.
Seagen's Tukysa shows efficacy for colorectal cancer in pivotal trial
May 23, 2022 9:09 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Topline data from a phase 2 trial of Seagen's (NASDAQ:SGEN) Tukysa (tucatinib) showed that the oncologic demonstrated a good objective response rate and duration of response in patients with HER-2 positive colorectal cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3841697-seagen-tukysa-shows-efficacy-for-colorectal-cancer-in-pivotal-trial
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SGEN
- https://www.tukysa.com/
- https://www.seagen.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Combination With Trastuzumab
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Merck Receives Positive EU CHMP Opinion for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Treatment for Adult and Adolescent (≥12 Years of Age) Patients With Stage IIB or IIC Melanoma Following Complete Resection
May 20, 2022 8:15 am ET
Opinion granted based on positive results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-716 trialIf approved, KEYTRUDA would be the first anti-PD-1 immunotherapy treatment option for patients 12 years and older in the EU across stage IIB, IIC and III melanoma following complete resection
RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, as monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with stage IIB or IIC melanoma and who have undergone complete resection. Additionally, the CHMP recommended expanding the indications for KEYTRUDA in advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma and stage III melanoma (as adjuvant treatment following complete resection) to include adolescent patients aged 12 years and older.“Based on the results of the KEYNOTE-716 trial, KEYTRUDA has shown a significant improvement in recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival for these patients with resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma,” said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “The CHMP’s positive recommendation brings us one step closer to providing patients 12 years and older in the European Union with a new option for resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma that can reduce the risk of their cancer returning.”The positive opinion was granted based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-716 trial, which demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in recurrence-free survival with KEYTRUDA compared to placebo (HR=0.65 [95% CI, 0.46-0.92]; p=0. 0.00658) in patients 12 years and older with stage IIB and IIC melanoma following complete resection. Earlier this year, Merck reported that KEYNOTE-716 also met its key secondary endpoint of distant metastasis-free survival. These results will be featured in a late-breaking oral presentation at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting on June 5 (Abstract #LBA9500).The CHMP’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the European Commission for marketing authorization in the European Union, and a final decision is expected in the second or third quarter of 2022.
About Merck’s research in melanoma
Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells. The rates of melanoma have been rising over the past few decades, with nearly 325,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed worldwide in 2020, and melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer deaths, with more than 57,000 deaths from the disease worldwide in 2020. In Europe, it is estimated there were more than 150,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed and more than 26,000 deaths from the disease in 2020.The recurrence rates for resected melanoma are estimated to be 32-46% for patients with stage IIB and IIC disease and 39-74% for patients with stage III disease. The five-year survival rates are estimated to be 87% for stage IIB, 82% for stage IIC, 93% for stage IIIA, 83% for stage IIIB, 69% for stage IIIC and 32% for stage IIID.Merck is committed to delivering meaningful advances for patients with melanoma with KEYTRUDA and to continuing research in skin cancers through a broad clinical development program across investigational and approved medicines. KEYTRUDA has been established as an important treatment option for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with resected stage III melanoma and is approved in over 90 countries based on the results from EORTC1325/KEYNOTE-054. KEYTRUDA is also approved worldwide for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,700 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
MelanomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.See additional selected KEYTRUDA indications in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information.
Selected Important Safety Information for KEYTRUDASevere and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions
KEYTRUDA is a monoclonal antibody that belongs to a class of drugs that bind to either the PD-1 or the PD-L1, blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, thereby removing inhibition of the immune response, potentially breaking peripheral tolerance and inducing immune-mediated adverse reactions. Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue, can affect more than one body system simultaneously, and can occur at any time after starting treatment or after discontinuation of treatment. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions.Monitor patients closely for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management are essential to ensure safe use of anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment. For patients with TNBC treated with KEYTRUDA in the neoadjuvant setting, monitor blood cortisol at baseline, prior to surgery, and as clinically indicated. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate.Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity of the immune-mediated adverse reaction. In general, if KEYTRUDA requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy.Immune-Mediated PneumonitisKEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. The incidence is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.4% (94/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including fatal (0.1%), Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (0.9%), and Grade 2 (1.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 67% (63/94) of patients. Pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 1.3% (36) and withholding in 0.9% (26) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 23% had recurrence. Pneumonitis resolved in 59% of the 94 patients.Pneumonitis occurred in 8% (31/389) of adult patients with cHL receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, including Grades 3-4 in 2.3% of patients. Patients received high-dose corticosteroids for a median duration of 10 days (range: 2 days to 53 months). Pneumonitis rates were similar in patients with and without prior thoracic radiation. Pneumonitis led to discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 5.4% (21) of patients. Of the patients who developed pneumonitis, 42% interrupted KEYTRUDA, 68% discontinued KEYTRUDA, and 77% had resolution.Immune-Mediated ColitisKEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may present with diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 1.7% (48/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (1.1%), and Grade 2 (0.4%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 69% (33/48); additional immunosuppressant therapy was required in 4.2% of patients. Colitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.5% (15) and withholding in 0.5% (13) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 23% had recurrence. Colitis resolved in 85% of the 48 patients.Hepatotoxicity and Immune-Mediated HepatitisKEYTRUDA as a Single AgentKEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 0.7% (19/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.4%), and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 68% (13/19) of patients; additional immunosuppressant therapy was required in 11% of patients. Hepatitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.2% (6) and withholding in 0.3% (9) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Hepatitis resolved in 79% of the 19 patients.KEYTRUDA With AxitinibKEYTRUDA in combination with axitinib can cause hepatic toxicity. Monitor liver enzymes before initiation of and periodically throughout treatment. Consider monitoring more frequently as compared to when the drugs are administered as single agents. For elevated liver enzymes, interrupt KEYTRUDA and axitinib, and consider administering corticosteroids as needed. With the combination of KEYTRUDA and axitinib, Grades 3 and 4 increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (20%) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (13%) were seen at a higher frequency compared to KEYTRUDA alone. Fifty-nine percent of the patients with increased ALT received systemic corticosteroids. In patients with ALT ≥3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (Grades 2-4, n=116), ALT resolved to Grades 0-1 in 94%. Among the 92 patients who were rechallenged with either KEYTRUDA (n=3) or axitinib (n=34) administered as a single agent or with both (n=55), recurrence of ALT ≥3 times ULN was observed in 1 patient receiving KEYTRUDA, 16 patients receiving axitinib, and 24 patients receiving both. All patients with a recurrence of ALT ≥3 ULN subsequently recovered from the event.Immune-Mediated EndocrinopathiesAdrenal InsufficiencyKEYTRUDA can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.8% (22/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.3%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 77% (17/22) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.3% (8) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.HypophysitisKEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate hormone replacement as indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (17/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.2%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 94% (16/17) of patients; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Hypophysitis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.1% (4) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.Thyroid DisordersKEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone replacement for hypothyroidism or institute medical management of hyperthyroidism as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Thyroiditis occurred in 0.6% (16/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.3%). None discontinued, but KEYTRUDA was withheld in <0.1% (1) of patients.Hyperthyroidism occurred in 3.4% (96/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (0.8%). It led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (2) and withholding in 0.3% (7) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement. Hypothyroidism occurred in 8% (237/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (0.1%) and Grade 2 (6.2%). It led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) and withholding in 0.5% (14) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement. The majority of patients with hypothyroidism required long-term thyroid hormone replacement. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 1185 patients with HNSCC, occurring in 16% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent or in combination with platinum and FU, including Grade 3 (0.3%) hypothyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in 389 adult patients with cHL (17%) receiving KEYTRUDA as a single agent, including Grade 1 (6.2%) and Grade 2 (10.8%) hypothyroidism.Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Which Can Present With Diabetic KetoacidosisMonitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Type 1 DM occurred in 0.2% (6/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA. It led to permanent discontinuation in <0.1% (1) and withholding of KEYTRUDA in <0.1% (1) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement.Immune-Mediated Nephritis With Renal DysfunctionKEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.3% (9/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.1%), and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 89% (8/9) of patients. Nephritis led to permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA in 0.1% (3) and withholding in 0.1% (3) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Nephritis resolved in 56% of the 9 patients.Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse ReactionsKEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, has occurred with anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate nonexfoliative rashes. Withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA depending on severity. Immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions occurred in 1.4% (38/2799) of patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 3 (1%) and Grade 2 (0.1%) reactions. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 40% (15/38) of patients. These reactions led to permanent discontinuation in 0.1% (2) and withholding of KEYTRUDA in 0.6% (16) of patients. All patients who were withheld reinitiated KEYTRUDA after symptom improvement; of these, 6% had recurrence. The reactions resolved in 79% of the 38 patients.Other Immune-Mediated Adverse ReactionsThe following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of <1% (unless otherwise noted) in patients who received KEYTRUDA or were reported with the use of other anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatments. Severe or fatal cases have been reported for some of these adverse reactions. Cardiac/Vascular: Myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis; Nervous System: Meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and demyelination, myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis (including exacerbation), Guillain-Barré syndrome, nerve paresis, autoimmune neuropathy; Ocular: Uveitis, iritis and other ocular inflammatory toxicities can occur. Some cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment, including blindness, can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome, as this may require treatment with systemic steroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss; Gastrointestinal: Pancreatitis, to include increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis; Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue: Myositis/polymyositis, rhabdomyolysis (and associated sequelae, including renal failure), arthritis (1.5%), polymyalgia rheumatica; Endocrine: Hypoparathyroidism; Hematologic/Immune: Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, solid organ transplant rejection.
https://www.keytruda.com/
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf. Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck's blockbuster Keytruda gets EMA panel nod for expanded use in skin cancer
May 20, 2022 9:20 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the approval for expanded use of Merck's (NYSE:MRK) blockbuster drug Keytruda in certain patients with a type of skin cancer called melanoma
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Farxiga met primary endpoint in DELIVER Phase III trial, reducing risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure in patients with preserved ejection fraction
PUBLISHED5 May 2022
5 May 2022 07:05 BST
Results from the DELIVER and DAPA-HF Phase III trials demonstrate Farxiga’s efficacy in heart failure regardless of ejection fraction
High-level results from the DELIVER Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca’s Farxiga (dapagliflozin) reached a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular (CV) death or worsening heart failure (HF). The trial was conducted in patients with HF with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (defined as left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] greater than 40%).HF is a chronic, long-term condition that worsens over time1. It affects nearly 64 million people globally2 and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality3. There are several main categories of HF related to ejection fraction (EF), a measurement of the percentage of blood leaving the heart each time it contracts including: HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) (LVEF less than or equal to 40%), HF with mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF) (LVEF 41-49%) and preserved EF (HFpEF) (LVEF greater than or equal to 50%)4. Approximately half of all HF patients have mildly reduced or preserved EF with few therapeutic options available4,5. Farxiga already has approved indications relating to the treatment of type-2 diabetes (T2D), HFrEF and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dr. Scott Solomon, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Principal Investigator of the DELIVER Phase III trial, said: “We are delighted to have met the primary endpoint in this patient population which has few treatment options. DELIVER is the largest and broadest trial to date in heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction. The results of DELIVER extend the benefit of dapagliflozin to the full spectrum of patients with heart failure.”Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "Today’s groundbreaking results coupled with those from the DAPA-HF trial show that Farxiga is effective in treating heart failure regardless of ejection fraction. These data build upon our previous studies demonstrating cardiorenal protection across patients with either diabetes, chronic kidney disease or heart failure.”The safety and tolerability profile of Farxiga in the DELIVER Phase III trial were consistent with the well-established safety profile of the medicine.The full DELIVER Phase III trial results will be submitted for presentation at a forthcoming medical meeting and regulatory submissions will be made in the coming months. DELIVERDELIVER was an international, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, event-driven Phase III trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of Farxiga, compared with placebo, in the treatment of HF patients with LVEF greater than 40% with or without T2D. Farxiga was given once daily in addition to background therapy (regional standard of care for all comorbidities, including diabetes and hypertension, with the exception of concomitant use of a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 [SGLT2] inhibitor)13. DELIVER is the largest clinical trial to date in HF patients with EF above 40%, with 6,263 randomised patients13,14.The primary endpoint was the time to first occurrence of CV death, hospitalisation for HF (hHF) or an urgent HF visit. The secondary endpoint includes the total number of HF events (hHF or urgent HF visit) and CV death, change from baseline in the total symptom score of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire at eight months, time to the occurrence of CV death and time to the occurrence of death from any cause13.Farxiga Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a first-in-class, oral, once-daily SGLT2 inhibitor. Research has shown Farxiga’s efficacy in preventing and delaying cardiorenal disease, while also protecting the organs – important findings given the underlying links between the heart, kidneys and pancreas15-17. Damage to one of these organs can cause the other organs to fail, contributing to leading causes of death worldwide, including T2D, HF and CKD2,18-20.In the US, Farxiga is approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control in adults with T2D and in T2D to reduce the risk of hHF or CV death when added to standard of care based on the findings of the DECLARE-TIMI 58 Phase III CV outcomes trial17. Farxiga is also approved for the treatment of HFrEF and the treatment of CKD based on the findings of the DAPA-HF and DAPA-CKD Phase III trials. In the European Union, Forxiga is indicated as both monotherapy (when metformin is appropriate) and as part of combination therapy for the treatment of insufficiently controlled T2D, with the additional benefits of weight loss and blood-pressure reduction, as an adjunct to diet and exercise in adults with T2D. Forxiga is also approved for the treatment of symptomatic chronic HFrEF in adults with and without T2D and for the treatment of CKD in adults with and without T2D.DapaCare is a robust programme of clinical trials to evaluate the potential CV, renal and organ protection benefits of Farxiga. It includes more than 35 completed and ongoing Phase IIb/III trials in more than 35,000 patients, as well as more than 2.5 million patient-years’ experience. Farxiga is currently being tested in the DAPA-MI Phase III trial - a first of its kind, indication-seeking registry-based randomised controlled trial in patients without T2D following an acute myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack21.https://www.farxiga.com/
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca Farxiga cuts risk of death/heart failure in certain patients in late-stage study
May 05, 2022 7:57 AM ETAstraZeneca PLC (AZN)By: Ravikash, SA News Editor AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) said data from a late-stage study showed that its drug Farxiga helped reduce the risk of death or heart failure (HF) in certain patients.https://seekingalpha.com/news/3833244-astrazeneca-farxiga-cuts-risk-of-deathheart-failure-in-certain-patients-in-late-stage-studyhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZNhttps://www.astrazeneca.com/https://www.farxiga.com/
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Enhertu approved in the US for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with a prior anti-HER2-based regimen
PUBLISHED5 May 2022
5 May 2022 07:10 BST
Approval broadens indication for AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu to earlier use in metastatic breast cancer
Based on ground-breaking DESTINY-Breast03 results showing Enhertu reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 72% versus trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1)
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) has been approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either in the metastatic setting, or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy.
Enhertu is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.
The approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was based on positive results from the DESTINY-Breast03 Phase III trial that showed Enhertu reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 72% versus trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22-0.37; p<0.0001) in patients with HER2-positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane.
The approval was granted under the FDA’s Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) programme and converts the accelerated approval of Enhertu in later line HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer to standard approval, broadening Enhertu’s breast cancer indication in the US to earlier lines of use in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
Erika Hamilton, MD, Director of the Breast Cancer and Gynecological Cancer Research Program for Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, Tennessee, US, said: “Enhertu has demonstrated significant progression-free survival in the earlier metastatic setting, potentially establishing it as a new standard of care in previously treated patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Today’s approval is an important milestone for the clinical community as we will now be able to offer Enhertu to these patients earlier in their treatment.”
Catherine Ormerod, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Mission, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, said: “This is an important day for the breast cancer community. With this approval, Enhertu now provides a new treatment option for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer which can be used earlier in treatment to potentially delay progression of disease.”
Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “Enhertu is already established in the later-line treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, and we are thrilled that with this approval, patients in the US will now be able to access the transformative potential of Enhertu earlier in their treatment. We look forward to bringing this important, potentially paradigm-shifting medicine to even more patients across the globe in an earlier setting as quickly as possible.”
Ken Keller, Global Head, Oncology Business and President and CEO, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc, said: “Today’s FDA approval, which converts the accelerated approval of Enhertu to regular approval, highlights the importance of the FDA’s accelerated pathway that allows for earlier approval of medicines to treat serious medical conditions such as breast cancer. Data from DESTINY-Breast03 not only confirmed the results of DESTINY-Breast01, but also demonstrated the superiority of Enhertu in prolonging progression-free survival compared to T-DM1 in an earlier setting of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.”
The DESTINY-Breast03 Phase III trial results were recently published online in The New England Journal of Medicine.1 In the trial, the safety profile of Enhertu was consistent with previous clinical trials, with no new safety concerns identified and no Grade 4 or 5 treatment-related interstitial lung disease events.
Based on the DESTINY-Breast03 data, fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu) recently was added to the NCCN Clinical Practical Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) as the Category 1 preferred regimen as second-line therapy for recurrent unresectable (local or regional) or Stage IV HER2-positive disease.2
The US regulatory submission was reviewed under Project Orbis, which provides a framework for concurrent submission and review of oncology medicines among participating international partners. Five national health authorities collaborated with the FDA on this review, including the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA), Health Canada, Israel’s Ministry of Health Pharmaceutical Administration and Switzerland’s Swissmedic.
This approval follows the recent Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy Designation of Enhertu in the US in this earlier setting.
Regulatory applications for Enhertu are currently under review in Europe, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.
DESTINY-Breast03
DESTINY-Breast03 is a global, head-to-head, randomised, open-label, registrational Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) versus T-DM1 in patients with HER2-positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane.
The primary efficacy endpoint of DESTINY-Breast03 is progression-free survival (PFS) based on blinded independent central review. Secondary efficacy endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate (ORR), duration of response, PFS based on investigator assessment and safety.
DESTINY-Breast03 enrolled approximately 500 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either in the metastatic setting, or in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy, based on results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.
Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is also approved in approximately 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.
Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.
Enhertu development programme
A comprehensive development programme is underway globally, evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu monotherapy across multiple HER2-targetable cancers, including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, are also underway.
Regulatory applications for Enhertu are currently under review in Europe, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2 based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.
Enhertu was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy, based on the results of the DESTINY-Breast04 trial. Patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer should additionally have received or be ineligible for endocrine therapy.
Enhertu is also currently under review in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours have a HER2 (ERBB2) mutation and who have received a prior systemic therapy, based on the DESTINY-Lung01 trial, and in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen based on the DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-Gastric02 trials.
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE:4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu wins FDA approval to treat breast cancer subtype
May 05, 2022 4:48 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSNKYDSKYF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo's (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) Enhertu to treat certain patients with breast cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSKYF
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSNKY
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy granted Priority Review in the US for patients with locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer based on TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial
PUBLISHED4 May 2022
4 May 2022 07:00 BST
First Phase III trial in this setting to show improved overall survival with an immunotherapy added to chemotherapy over standard-of-care chemotherapy alone
AstraZeneca’s supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Imfinzi (durvalumab), in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, has been accepted and granted Priority Review in the US for patients with locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC).The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants Priority Review to applications for medicines that, if approved, would offer significant improvements over available options by demonstrating safety or efficacy improvements, preventing serious conditions, or enhancing patient compliance.1 The Prescription Drug User Fee Act date, the FDA action date for their regulatory decision, is during the third quarter of 2022.BTC is a group of rare and aggressive cancers that occur in the bile ducts and gallbladder. 2,3 Approximately 23,000 people in the US are diagnosed with BTC each year.2 These patients have a poor prognosis, with approximately 5% to 15% of patients with BTC surviving five years.4Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “People with advanced biliary tract cancer have faced poor outcomes and limited treatment options for too long, and today’s news for the TOPAZ-1 trial underscores the urgency to deliver new, effective therapies in this setting. We are working closely with the FDA to bring the first immunotherapy-based option to patients with this devastating cancer and potentially set a new standard of care with Imfinzi plus chemotherapy.”The sBLA was based on results from an interim analysis of the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial presented during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers (ASCO GI) Symposium. The data showed Imfinzi plus chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) reduced the risk of death by 20% versus chemotherapy alone (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.97; 2-sided p=0.021). An estimated one in four (25%) patients treated with Imfinzi plus chemotherapy were alive at two years compared to one in 10 (10%) treated with chemotherapy alone.Results also showed a statistically significant 25% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death with Imfinzi plus chemotherapy (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64-0.89; 2-sided p=0.001). The Imfinzi combination was generally well tolerated and did not increase the discontinuation rate due to adverse events compared to chemotherapy alone.In December 2020, Imfinzi was granted Orphan Drug Designation in the US for the treatment of BTC.
TOPAZ-1
TOPAZ-1 is a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) versus placebo in combination with chemotherapy as a 1st-line treatment in 685 patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic BTC including intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and gallbladder cancer. Patients with ampullary carcinoma were excluded.The primary endpoint is overall survival and key secondary endpoints included progression-free survival, objective response rate and safety. The trial was conducted in 105 centres across 17 countries including in the US, Europe, South America and several countries in Asia including South Korea, Thailand, Japan and China.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiotherapy, and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. In 2021, updated results from the CASPIAN trial showed Imfinzi plus chemotherapy tripled patient survival at three years versus chemotherapy alone.Imfinzi is also approved for previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries.Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), NSCLC, bladder cancer, several GI cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and other solid tumours.In the past year, Imfinzi combinations have demonstrated clinical benefit in multiple additional cancer settings with positive Phase III trials in unresectable advanced liver cancer (HIMALAYA) and metastatic NSCLC (POSEIDON). https://www.imfinzi.com/
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca's Imfinzi gets FDA priority review for biliary tract cancer
May 05, 2022 6:08 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted priority review to AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Imfinzi, in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, to treat patients with locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BCT).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3833069-astrazenecas-imfinzi-gets-fda-priority-review-for-biliary-tract-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.astrazeneca.com
- https://www.imfinzi.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Tremelimumab in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
European Commission Approves Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for Patients With Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) or Deficient Mismatch Repair (dMMR) Tumors in Five Different Types of Cancer
April 29, 2022 6:45 am ET
KEYTRUDA is the First Immunotherapy to be Approved for Patients with MSI-H/dMMR Biomarkers in Five Different Types of Cancer in Europe
KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the European Commission has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, as monotherapy for the treatment of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) tumors in adults with: unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer after previous fluoropyrimidine-based combination therapy; advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma, who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing therapy in any setting and who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation; unresectable or metastatic gastric, small intestine or biliary cancer, who have disease progression on or following at least one prior therapy. This is the second approval for KEYTRUDA in Europe based on the MSI-H/dMMR biomarker. KEYTRUDA is also approved for the first-line treatment of metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer in adults.“Our company has a strong track record of applying precision medicine, through biomarkers like MSI-H and dMMR, to help identify patients most likely to respond to KEYTRUDA based on the genetic makeup of their individual cancer,” said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “For patients with MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer, KEYTRUDA monotherapy was approved in Europe as a first-line option in January 2021. Building on that approval, we are pleased that KEYTRUDA is now approved for the treatment of additional MSI-H/dMMR tumors, in certain second- or later-line patients with colorectal, endometrial, gastric, small intestine or biliary cancer.”“In the two studies supporting this approval, KEYTRUDA monotherapy showed strong objective response rates and durability of response in patients with five different types of MSI-H/dMMR cancers,” said Dr. Aurélien Marabelle, Immuno-Oncologist at Gustave Roussy Cancer Center and Professor of Clinical Immunology at the University of Paris Saclay. “The EU approval of KEYTRUDA is an important milestone for patients living with these MSI-H/dMMR cancers who have had few treatment options and face worse outcomes when diagnosed at an advanced stage.”This approval allows marketing of KEYTRUDA monotherapy in all 27 European Union (EU) member states plus Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Northern Ireland.
Data Supporting the European Approval
The approval was based on data from KEYNOTE-164 (NCT02460198) and KEYNOTE-158 (NCT02628067), multicenter, non-randomized, open-label Phase 2 trials evaluating KEYTRUDA in patients with advanced MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors. The KEYNOTE-164 trial enrolled 124 patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer that progressed following prior fluoropyrimidine-based therapy in combination with irinotecan and/or oxaliplatin. The KEYNOTE-158 trial enrolled 355 patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, including endometrial, gastric, small intestine or biliary cancer. Microsatellite instability or MMR tumor status was determined by prospectively using polymerase chain reaction or immunohistochemistry, respectively. Patients received KEYTRUDA 200 mg administered intravenously every three weeks until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Clinically stable patients with initial evidence of disease progression were permitted to remain on treatment until disease progression was confirmed. Patients without disease progression were treated for up to 24 months (up to 35 cycles). The primary efficacy outcome measure for the trials was objective response rate (ORR) as assessed by blinded independent central review using RECIST v1.1. The secondary efficacy outcome measures for the trials included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival and overall survival.Efficacy results from the KEYNOTE-164 and KEYNOTE-158 trials are summarized below. For patients with:
- Colorectal cancer (n=124), the ORR was 34% (95% CI, 25.6-42.9), including a complete response (CR) rate of 10% and a partial response (PR) rate of 24%, at a median follow-up time of 37.3 months (range, 0.1 to 65.2). Median DOR was not reached (range, 4.4 to 58.5+ months), and of responding patients, 92% had responses lasting at least three years.
- Endometrial cancer (n=83), the ORR was 51% (95% CI, 39.4-61.8), including a CR rate of 16% and a PR rate of 35%, at a median follow-up time of 21.9 months (range, 1.5 to 64.0). Median DOR was not reached (range, 2.9 to 60.4+ months), and of responding patients, 85% had responses lasting at least one year, and 60% had responses lasting at least three years.
- Gastric cancer (n=51), the ORR was 37% (95% CI, 24.1-51.9), including a CR rate of 14% and a PR rate of 24%, at a median follow-up time of 13.9 months (range, 1.1 to 66.9). Median DOR was not reached (range, 6.2 to 63.0+ months), and of responding patients, 90% had responses lasting at least one year, and 81% had responses lasting at least three years.
- Small intestine cancer (n=27), the ORR was 56% (95% CI, 35.3-74.5), including a CR rate of 15% and a PR rate of 41%, at a median follow-up time of 29.1 months (range, 4.2 to 67.7). Median DOR was not reached (range, 3.7+ to 57.3+ months), and of responding patients, 93% had responses lasting at least one year, and 73% had responses lasting at least three years.
- Biliary cancer (n=22), the ORR was 41% (95% CI, 20.7-63.6), including a CR rate of 14% and a PR rate of 27%, at a median follow-up time of 19.4 months (range, 1.1 to 60.8). Median DOR was 30.6 months (range, 6.2 to 46.0+), and of responding patients, 89% had responses lasting at least one year, and 42% had responses lasting at least three years.
The safety of KEYTRUDA as monotherapy has been evaluated in 7,148 patients with advanced melanoma, resected stage III melanoma (adjuvant therapy), non-small cell lung cancer, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, urothelial carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, endometrial, gastric, small intestine, biliary, pancreatic cancer or adjuvant therapy of renal cell carcinoma across four doses (2 mg/kg bodyweight [bw] every three weeks, 200 mg every three weeks or 10 mg/kg bw every two or three weeks) in clinical studies. In this patient population, the most frequent adverse reactions with KEYTRUDA were fatigue (31%), diarrhea (22%) and nausea (21%). The majority of adverse reactions reported for KEYTRUDA monotherapy were of Grades 1 or 2 severity. The most serious adverse reactions were immune-related adverse reactions and severe infusion-related reactions. The incidences of immune-related adverse reactions were 36.1% for all Grades and 8.9% for Grades 3-5 for KEYTRUDA monotherapy in the adjuvant setting (n=1,480) and 24.2% for all Grades and 6.4% for Grades 3-5 for KEYTRUDA monotherapy in the metastatic setting (n=5,375). No new immune-related adverse reactions were identified in the adjuvant setting.
About Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) and Deficient Mismatch Repair (dMMR)
Microsatellite instability (MSI) and deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) are biomarkers that have been identified in many different types of cancer and that can be hereditary or random. MSI is a change that occurs in the DNA of certain cells, such as cancer cells, in which the number of repeated DNA bases in a microsatellite (which is a short, repeated sequence of DNA) is different from what it was when the microsatellite was inherited. dMMR describes cells that have mutations in certain genes involved in correcting mistakes made when DNA is copied into a cell when dividing. High levels of MSI (MSI-H) and dMMR can occur when a cell is unable to repair mistakes during that division process.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,700 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
MelanomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.Non-Small Cell Lung CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.Head and Neck Squamous Cell CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.Classical Hodgkin LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.Urothelial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).Gastric CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Esophageal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.Hepatocellular CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Merkel Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Renal Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.Endometrial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.Tumor Mutational Burden-High CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Cutaneous Squamous Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.Triple-Negative Breast CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.https://www.keytruda.com/ For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck wins European approval to market Keytruda for more cancer indications
Apr. 29, 2022 7:09 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced on Friday that the European Commission approved its anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda for a few more indications in cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3829276-merck-wins-european-approval-to-market-keytruda-for-more-cancer-indications
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Tremelimumab in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Enhertu granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation in the US for patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer
PUBLISHED27 April 2022
27 April 2022 07:00 BST
Based on DESTINY-Breast04 results where AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu demonstrated a significant improvement in both progression-free survival and overall survival Enhertu has now been granted five Breakthrough Therapy Designations, including three in breast cancer and one in both lung and gastric cancers
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-negative) breast cancer who have received a prior systemic therapy in the metastatic setting or developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer should additionally have received or be ineligible for endocrine therapy.Enhertu is a specifically engineered HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) BTD is designed to accelerate the development and regulatory review of potential new medicines that are intended to treat a serious condition and address a significant unmet medical need. The new medicine needs to have shown encouraging preliminary clinical results that demonstrate substantial improvement on a clinically significant endpoint over available medicines.Up to half of all patients with breast cancer have tumours with a HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 1+, or 2+ in combination with a negative in-situ hybridisation (ISH) test, a level of HER2 expression not currently eligible for HER2-targeted therapy.1-4 Low HER2 expression occurs in both HR-positive and HR-negative disease.5HER2 testing is routinely used to determine appropriate treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Targeting the lower range of expression in the HER2 spectrum may offer another approach to delay disease progression and extend survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer.6 Currently chemotherapy remains the only treatment option for patients with HR-positive tumours following progression on endocrine (hormone) therapy.7 Few targeted options are available for those who are HR-negative.8Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca said: “Today’s news is a significant validation of the potential we see for the historic DESTINY-Breast04 trial to enable a paradigm shift in how breast cancer is classified by targeting the full spectrum of HER2 expression. Enhertu continues to show transformative potential, and this milestone represents an important advance for patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer who are in urgent need of new treatment options and better outcomes.”Ken Takeshita, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo said: “Historically, only patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer were shown to benefit from HER2-directed therapy. DESTINY-Breast04, in which Enhertu showed a clinically meaningful survival benefit in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer, is the first trial to demonstrate that selecting patients for treatment based on low expression of HER2 has the potential to change the diagnostic and treatment paradigms for these patients. This Breakthrough Therapy Designation acknowledges the potential of Enhertu to fulfil an unmet medical need and we look forward to working closely with the FDA to bring the first HER2-directed therapy to patients with metastatic breast cancer whose tumours have lower levels of HER2 expression.”The FDA granted the BTD based on data from the pivotal DESTINY-Breast04 Phase III trial which reported positive high-level results in February 2022. In the trial, Enhertu demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with HER2-low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer in all randomised patients with HR-positive and HR-negative disease versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy, which is the current standard of care. The safety profile of Enhertu was consistent with previous clinical trials with no new safety concerns identified. The data will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.This is the third BTD for Enhertu in breast cancer. Enhertu previously received BTD’s for the treatment of second-line HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in 2021 and later-line HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in 2017. Two additional BTD’s for Enhertu were granted in 2020 for HER2-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer.
DESTINY-Breast04
DESTINY-Breast04 is a global, randomised, open-label, registrational Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) in patients with HR-positive (n=480) or HR-negative (n=60) HER2-low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with one or two prior lines of chemotherapy. Patients were randomised 2:1 to receive either Enhertu or chemotherapy.The primary endpoint of DESTINY-Breast04 is PFS in patients with HR-positive disease based on blinded independent central review (BICR). Key secondary endpoints include PFS based on BICR in all randomised patients (HR-positive and HR-negative disease), OS in patients with HR-positive disease and OS in all randomised patients (HR-positive and HR-negative disease). Other secondary endpoints include PFS based on BICR and investigator assessment, duration of response based on BICR and safety.DESTINY-Breast04 enrolled approximately 540 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.https://www.enhertu.com/en/
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu gets FDA breakthrough therapy tag for breast cancer subtype
Apr. 27, 2022 6:20 AM ET
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (DSNKY), AZN DSKYF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted breakthrough therapy designation to AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo's (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) Enhertu to treat certain patients with breast cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3827402-astrazeneca-daiichi-sankyos-enhertu-gets-fda-breakthrough-therapy-tag-for-breast-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSKYF
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSNKY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.enhertu.com/en/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
Tremelimumab in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Tremelimumab in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Tremelimumab in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
Tremelimumab accepted under Priority Review in the US for patients with unresectable liver cancer in combination with Imfinzi
PUBLISHED25 April 2022
25 April 2022 07:00 BST
STRIDE regimen of a single priming dose of tremelimumab added to Imfinzi is the first dual immune checkpoint blockade regimen to improve overall survival in a Phase III trial in this setting
AstraZeneca’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for tremelimumab has been accepted for Priority Review in the US, supporting the indication of a single priming dose of the anti-CTLA4 antibody added to Imfinzi (durvalumab) for the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A supplemental BLA (sBLA) has also been submitted for Imfinzi in this indication. This novel dose and schedule of the combination is called the STRIDE regimen (Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab).
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act date, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action date for their regulatory decision, is during the fourth quarter of 2022 following the use of a priority review voucher.
Liver cancer, of which HCC is the most common type, is the third-leading cause of cancer death and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.1,2 Approximately 26,000 people in the US present with advanced, unresectable HCC each year.3
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “The HIMALAYA Phase III trial showed an unprecedented three-year overall survival in this setting with a single priming dose of tremelimumab added to Imfinzi, highlighting the potential for this regimen to improve longer-term survival outcomes. Patients with advanced liver cancer are in great need of new treatment options, and we are working closely with the FDA to bring this novel approach to patients in the US as soon as possible.”
The BLA for tremelimumab and sBLA for Imfinzi are based on final results from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.
In this trial, patients treated with the STRIDE regimen experienced a 22% reduction in the risk of death versus sorafenib (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.78, 96.02% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.93; p=0.0035).4 Nearly one in three (31%) patients were still alive at three years versus one in five (20%) for sorafenib.4
The safety profiles of the STRIDE regimen and for Imfinzi alone were consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, and no new safety signals were identified.
Imfinzi and tremelimumab were granted Orphan Drug Designation in the US for the treatment of HCC in January 2020.
As part of its extensive clinical development programme in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, AstraZeneca is further assessing Imfinzi across multiple liver cancer settings, including locoregional HCC (EMERALD-1, EMERALD-3) and adjuvant HCC (EMERALD-2).
HIMALAYA
HIMALAYA was a randomised, open-label, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi monotherapy and the STRIDE regimen, comprising a single priming dose of tremelimumab 300mg added to Imfinzi 1500mg followed by Imfinzi every four weeks versus sorafenib, a standard-of-care multi-kinase inhibitor.
The trial included a total of 1,324 patients with unresectable, advanced HCC who had not been treated with prior systemic therapy and were not eligible for locoregional therapy (treatment localised to the liver and surrounding tissue).
The trial was conducted in 181 centres across 16 countries, including in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS) for STRIDE versus sorafenib and key secondary endpoints included OS for Imfinzi versus sorafenib, objective response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) for STRIDE and for Imfinzi alone.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiotherapy, and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. In 2021, updated results from the CASPIAN trial showed Imfinzi plus chemotherapy tripled patient survival at three years versus chemotherapy alone.
In the past year, Imfinzi has demonstrated clinical benefit in multiple additional cancer settings with positive Phase III trials in advanced biliary tract cancer (TOPAZ-1), unresectable advanced liver cancer (HIMALAYA) and metastatic NSCLC (POSEIDON).
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with small cell lung cancer, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several gastrointestinal cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and other solid tumours.
Tremelimumab
Tremelimumab is a human monoclonal antibody and potential new medicine that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Tremelimumab blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T-cell activation, priming the immune response to cancer and fostering cancer cell death.
Beyond HIMALAYA, tremelimumab is being tested in combination with Imfinzi across multiple tumour types including locoregional HCC (EMERALD-3), SCLC (ADRIATIC) and bladder cancer (VOLGA and NILE).
Tremelimumab is also under review by global regulatory authorities in combination with Imfinzi and chemotherapy in 1st-line metastatic NSCLC based on the results of the POSEIDON Phase III trial, which showed the addition of a short course of tremelimumab to Imfinzi plus chemotherapy improved both overall and progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone.
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca gets FDA priority review for new dosing regimen of tremelimumab/Imfinzi in liver cancer
Apr. 25, 2022 5:42 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) BAYZF, BAYRY
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted priority review to AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) application for a single priming dose of tremelimumab added to Imfinzi (durvalumab) to treat patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
Veklury® (Remdesivir)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Tremelimumab in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab)
April 24, 2022
Several New Studies Presented at ECCMIC 2022 Confirm Veklury® (Remdesivir) Activity in Treating COVID-19
-- Real-World Evidence from More than 850,000 Hospitalized Patients Provides Clinical Insights on the Use of Veklury (Remdesivir) as Stand of Care COVID-19 Treatment ---- New Post-hoc Analysis of Non-Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in the Phase 3 PINETREE Study Demonstrates Veklury Treatment Initiated Within 5 Days of Symptoms Reduced Risk for Hospitalization by 90% --FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced findings from two studies, which provide further insights on the use of Veklury® (remdesivir) for the treatment of hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The first study is a retrospective observational analysis of the real-world treatment data from the Premier Healthcare Database consisting of 853,219 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 across the United States. This analysis found that more than 50% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients received Veklury, predominantly in combination with other therapies. An oral presentation of this real-world data analysis will be given on April 25 at 11 a.m. Western European Summer Time in Hall P at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2022). A separate study, which is a new post-hoc analysis of data from the Phase 3 PINETREE study, demonstrated that use of Veklury within five days of symptom onset or between 5 to 7 days of symptom onset reduced hospitalizations in patients at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease. This post-hoc analysis was presented as a poster (#L0447) at ECCMID.The observational analysis of real-world data also found that as the pandemic progressed, initiation of Veklury within two days of hospitalization increased from 41% to 91% between May 2020 and December 2021. During this period, as new variants arose and disease severity fluctuated, median hospital length of stay (LOS) decreased from seven to six days with the greatest benefit in invasive mechanical ventilation/ ECMO patients (15 to 11 days). While ICU use decreased from 34% to 27%, with the greatest benefit in high-flow oxygen/non-invasive ventilation (66% to 52%), overall ICU LOS remained the same. Overall mortality rates remained stable at 16%, with the greatest decline over time in patients on low-flow supplemental oxygen (15% to 12%). These results confirm Veklury’s position as a foundational treatment for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and signify the need to treat patients early before they become more severely ill with COVID-19.“In a pandemic, real world analysis has a particularly important role in helping us understand how treatment choices are evolving over time as we work to discover the most effective treatment options for patients. We've long understood that antivirals work optimally for respiratory viruses when they are given as early as possible, without delay. This data confirms that antiviral treatment is now initiated sooner in hospitalizations and that throughout the pandemic, remdesivir has remained the foundation for hospitalized patients with COVID-19,” said Robert L. Gottlieb, MD, PhD, Baylor University Medical Center and Baylor Scott & White Research Institute. “Additionally, as healthcare providers' experience and confidence in COVID-19 therapeutic options has increased, so too has the use of therapeutic combinations, reflecting the incremental incorporation of evidence-based therapies.”The new post-hoc analysis from a Phase 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (PINETREE) demonstrating that a three-day course of Veklury treatment significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization was also presented at ECCMID. The analysis assessed the variability of treatment effect with Veklury by time of symptom onset and number of baseline risk factors. The study concluded that Veklury reduced hospitalizations in patients at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease when initiated anytime within a 7-day window from symptom onset. As expected with antiviral therapy, the benefit was modestly greater the sooner Veklury was administered. Patients treated with Veklury within five days of symptom onset had a 90% reduced risk for hospitalization. Additionally, patients who received Veklury after five 5 days of symptom onset experienced an 81% reduction in risk of hospitalization. This new analysis builds on the previously presented primary endpoint analysis, in which Veklury demonstrated a statistically significant 87% reduction in risk for the composite primary endpoint of COVID-19 related hospitalization or all-cause death by Day 28 (0.7% [2/279]) compared with placebo (5.3% [15/283]) p=0.008); no deaths occurred in either arm of the study through the primary endpoint.“The data presented at ECCMID, not only underscore Veklury as the antiviral standard of care for COVID-19 treatment in hospitalized patients, but they also further emphasize that patients can benefit from Veklury when it’s given up to seven days after the onset of symptoms and that the benefit is greater the sooner it is administered,” said Frank Duff, Senior Vice President, Virology Therapeutic Head, Gilead Sciences. “As the pandemic has progressed and the utility of other treatments against new variants has shifted, we are proud that Veklury has remained the foundation for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.”Gilead presented two additional studies from the company’s COVID-19 clinical and real-world evidence programs at the conference.
- Data from the CARAVAN study evaluated safety, pharmacokinetic, virologic, and clinical outcomes of Veklury treatment in pediatric patients who were 28 days of age and older. The interim analysis of Veklury in pediatric patients hospitalized with COVID-19 with ages ranging from 28 days to less than 18 years demonstrated that Veklury was generally well tolerated, with a high proportion of participants showing clinical improvement and recovery. Overall, no new safety findings for Veklury were noted. In the study, 75% and 85% showed clinical improvement (≥2 point increase on the ordinal scale) at Day 10 and last assessment, respectively, while 60% and 83% were discharged by Day 10 and Day 30, respectively. Overall, 38 patients (72%) experienced AEs, with 11 patients (21%) experiencing serious adverse events (SAEs) that were determined not to be study-drug related, including 3 participant deaths which were consistent with the patients’ underlying medical condition prior to study entry or with COVID-19 disease during hospitalization.
- A real-world evidence analysis evaluated data from 2,310 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who had previously undergone kidney transplantation. The analysis found that in this patient population, overall mortality was comparable to the general population hospitalized with COVID-19, but markedly increased for those with diminished renal function, comorbidities, and higher oxygen requirements upon admission. Insights from this study help inform clinical decision-making in the context of management of kidney transplant patients and other solid-organ transplant recipients, alike.
About Veklury
Veklury (remdesivir) is a nucleotide analog invented by Gilead, building on more than a decade of the company’s antiviral research. Veklury is a foundation for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and is a recommended treatment for reducing disease progression in non-hospitalized patients at high risk of disease progression. Veklury has an established safety profile and minimal drug interactions in diverse populations. At this time, more than half of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States are treated with Veklury. It can help reduce disease progression across a spectrum of disease severity and enable patients to recover faster, freeing up limited hospital resources and saving healthcare systems money.Veklury was approved by the FDA in October 2020, for adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. In January 2022, the FDA approved a supplemental NDA to expand the indication to non-hospitalized adult and adolescent patients who are at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. This allows for Veklury to be administered in qualified outpatient settings that can administer daily intravenous (IV) infusions over three consecutive days. Veklury also has an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for non-hospitalized pediatric patients weighing at least 3.5 kg who are younger than 12 years of age or weighing less than 40 kg who are at high risk of disease progression, in addition to those with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Veklury is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Veklury or any of its components; please see below for additional Important Safety Information for Veklury.Veklury continues to demonstrate durable activity against SARS-CoV2 as it evolves. Veklury is a nucleotide analog that directly inhibits viral replication inside of the cell by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA polymerase. In vitro laboratory testing in multiple independent studies shows that Veklury continues to demonstrate durable activity against SARS-CoV2 as it evolves, including the Omicron variant and its subvariants BA.1 and BA.2. As new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern emerge around the world, Gilead continuously evaluates the effectiveness of Veklury against viral variants.Veklury is approved or authorized for temporary use in approximately 50 countries worldwide. To date, Veklury and generic remdesivir have been made available to more than 11 million patients around the world, including more than 7 million people in 127 middle- and low-income countries through Gilead’s voluntary licensing program. These licenses currently remain royalty-free, reflecting Gilead’s existing commitment to enabling broad patient access to remdesivir.
U.S. Indication for Veklury
Veklury® (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, who are:
- Hospitalized, or
- Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
Veklury should only be administered in settings in which health care providers have immediate access to medications to treat a severe infusion or hypersensitivity reaction, such as anaphylaxis, and the ability to activate the emergency medical system (EMS), as necessary. Veklury must be administered by intravenous infusion. Veklury is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Veklury or any of its components. For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information available at www.gilead.com.https://www.vekluryhcp.com/ U.S. full Prescribing Information for Veklury is available at www.gilead.com.Veklury, Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220424005046/en/ Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead data shows COVID drug Veklury shows benefit if given early, cuts hospitalization risk
Apr. 25, 2022 6:27 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor2 Comments Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) reported data showing activity of its COVID-19 therapy Veklury (remdesivir) based on real-world results from over 850K patients, and a post-hoc analysis of a phase 3 trial.https://seekingalpha.com/news/3826055-gilead-data-shows-covid-drug-veklury-shows-benefit-if-given-early-cuts-hospitalization-risk
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
https://www.vekluryhcp.com/https://www.gilead.com/
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Enhertu granted Priority Review in the US for patients with previously treated HER2-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
PUBLISHED19 April 2022 19 April 2022 07:00 BST
Based on pivotal DESTINY-Lung01 results showing AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu demonstrated a 54.9% tumour response rate If approved, Enhertu to provide patients with a much-needed targeted therapy option
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo have received notification of acceptance of the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) of Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) for the treatment of adult patients in the US with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours have a HER2 (ERBB2) mutation and who have received a prior systemic therapy. The application has also been granted Priority Review.Enhertu is a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants Priority Review to applications for medicines that, if approved, would offer significant improvements over available options by demonstrating safety or efficacy improvements, preventing serious conditions, or enhancing patient compliance.1 The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date, the FDA action date for their regulatory decision, is during the third quarter of 2022. The Priority Review follows Breakthrough Therapy Designation granted by the FDA for Enhertu in this cancer type in May 2020.Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer globally, with more than two million new cases diagnosed in 2020.2 For patients with metastatic NSCLC, prognosis is particularly poor, as only approximately 8% will live beyond five years after diagnosis.3 There are currently no HER2-directed therapies approved specifically for the treatment of HER2-mutant NSCLC,4 which occurs in approximately 2-4% of patients with non-squamous NSCLC.4,5Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “The DESTINY-Lung01 trial confirmed the HER2 mutation as an actionable biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer. If approved, Enhertu has the potential to become a new standard treatment in this patient population, offering a much-needed option for patients with HER2-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who currently have no targeted treatment options.”Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo, said: “The results of DESTINY-Lung01 showed that Enhertu is the first HER2-directed therapy to demonstrate a strong and robust tumour response in more than half of patients with previously treated HER2-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Seeking approval in the US for a third tumour type in three years further demonstrates the significant potential of Enhertu in treating multiple HER2-targetable cancers.”The sBLA is based on data from the registrational DESTINY-Lung01 Phase II trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine, and is supported by the Phase I trial (DS8201-A-J101) published in Cancer Discovery.Primary results from previously-treated patients with HER2-mutations (cohort 2) of DESTINY-Lung01 demonstrated a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 54.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 44.2-65.4) in patients treated with Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) as assessed by independent central review (ICR). One (1.1%) complete response (CR) and 49 (53.8%) partial responses (PR) were observed.A confirmed disease control rate (DCR) of 92.3% was seen with a reduction in tumour size observed in most patients. After a median follow-up of 13.1 months, the median duration of response (DoR) for Enhertu was 9.3 months. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.2 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 17.8 months.The safety profile of the most common adverse events with Enhertu in DESTINY-Lung01 was consistent with previous clinical trials with no new safety concerns identified.Enhertu is being further assessed in a comprehensive clinical development programme evaluating efficacy and safety across multiple HER2-targetable cancers, including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers.
DESTINY-Lung01
DESTINY-Lung01 is a global Phase II, open-label, two-cohort trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Enhertu in patients with HER2-mutant (6.4mg/kg) or HER2-overexpressing (defined as IHC3+ or IHC2+) [6.4mg/kg and 5.4mg/kg] unresectable and/or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who had progressed after one or more systemic therapies. The primary endpoint is confirmed ORR by ICR. Key secondary endpoints include DoR, DCR, PFS, OS and safety. DESTINY-Lung01 enrolled approximately 180 patients at multiple sites, including Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.https://www.enhertu.com/en/
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568) [referred to as Daiichi Sankyo] and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu gets FDA priority review in lung cancer subtype
Apr. 19, 2022 4:36 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSNKYDSKYF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted priority review to AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo's (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) Enhertu to treat adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have a HER2 (ERBB2) mutation and who have received a prior systemic therapy.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3824153-astrazeneca-daiichi-sankyos-enhertu-gets-fda-priority-review-in-lung-cancer-subtype
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSNKY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSKYF
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.enhertu.com/en/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
Opdivo (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
ENHERTU® (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki)
Neoadjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy Significantly Improves Event-Free Survival in Patients with Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Phase 3 CheckMate -816 Trial
04/11/2022CATEGORY:
When administered before surgery, three cycles of Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy reduced the risk of disease recurrence, progression or death by 37% and showed an encouraging early trend in overall survivalCheckMate -816 is the first positive Phase 3 trial with an immunotherapy-based combination in the neoadjuvant setting of non-small cell lung cancer and fourth Opdivo trial to demonstrate benefit in earlier stages of cancerData featured as an oral presentation during a Clinical Trials Plenary Session at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022 and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of MedicineBased on the CheckMate -816 data, Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the neoadjuvant treatment of certain patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancerPRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial, which showed that neoadjuvant treatment with three cycles of Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with chemotherapy significantly improved event-free survival (EFS), a primary endpoint, compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). With a minimum follow-up of 21.0 months, Opdivo with chemotherapy reduced the risk of disease recurrence, progression or death by 37% (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.63; 97.38% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.43 to 0.91; p=0.0052) across randomized patients when administered before surgery. In patients receiving the combination, median EFS was 31.6 months, compared to 20.8 months for patients treated with chemotherapy alone.Additionally, while the data are still immature and the analysis did not reach statistical significance, favorable early overall survival (OS) results were observed with Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy (HR 0.57; 99.67% CI: 0.30 to 1.07). At two years, 83% of patients treated with neoadjuvant Opdivo and chemotherapy were alive, compared to 71% with chemotherapy alone. OS will continue to be followed for upcoming analyses.CheckMate -816 represents the first Phase 3 study with an immunotherapy-based combination to show a significant improvement in EFS, as well as in the other primary endpoint of pathologic complete response (pCR), in the neoadjuvant setting of NSCLC. The EFS data are being presented for the first time during the Neoadjuvant and Perioperative Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Plenary Session (Abstract #CT012) at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2022 on Monday, April 11, 2022, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CT and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.“While resectable non-small cell lung cancer may be curable in some cases, patients face a high probability of recurrence after surgery, so we need effective systemic treatment options to interrupt this trajectory,” said Nicolas Girard, M.D., Ph.D., CheckMate -816 investigator and professor and head of the Thorax Institute Curie-Montsouris. “The results from CheckMate -816 represent the first demonstration of clear and significant benefits with neoadjuvant immunotherapy-based treatment over chemotherapy alone for these patients, initially seen with increased pathologic complete response and now with improved event-free survival and a positive trend in overall survival. As we work toward the ultimate goal of curing these patients, these data suggest the potential for better long-term outcomes with nivolumab in combination with chemotherapy.”In the study, the safety profile of the neoadjuvant Opdivo-chemotherapy combination was consistent with previous reports, and no new safety signals were observed at the time of the EFS analysis. Rates of Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were similar with the Opdivo-chemotherapycombination versus chemotherapy alone (34% vs. 37%), as were all causality surgery-related Grade 3-4 adverse events (11% with the combination vs. 15% with chemotherapy). With Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy, 83% of patients went on to receive surgery, compared to 75% with chemotherapy.“Surgery is still the cornerstone of cure for patients with non-small cell lung cancer,” said Jonathan Spicer M.D., Ph.D., CheckMate -816 investigator; associate professor of surgery, McGill University; and attending surgeon, division of thoracic and upper gastrointestinal surgery, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Centre. “The fact that neoadjuvant nivolumab with chemotherapy enabled shorter, less invasive and less extensive operations without increasing complications or adverse events is of tremendous importance to thoracic surgeons and their patients. These findings, combined with the improved survival outcomes, have the potential to completely change the way surgeons and oncologists collaborate in treating patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer.”“Immunotherapy has ushered in a new era of treatment in metastatic cancers, changing survival expectations for patients with lung cancer and many other tumor types. More recently, our understanding of the biology of the immune system and cancer has led us to explore the role of immunotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and peri-operative settings,” said Abderrahim Oukessou, M.D., vice president, thoracic cancers development lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “The data from CheckMate -816, including the positive early overall survival results, reinforce the importance of researching immunotherapy in earlier stages of disease, and we look forward to continuing to see this science translate into tangible benefits for patients and their families.”Based on the EFS and pCR results from CheckMate -816,the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Opdivo in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles for adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) NSCLC in the neoadjuvant setting in March 2022, and further applications are under review with health authorities globally.In non-metastatic NSCLC, Bristol Myers Squibb and collaborators are exploring the use of immunotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and peri-operative settings, as well as in association with chemoradiation. The scientific rationale for using immunotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting is twofold: the presence of a tumor during immunotherapy treatment may enable a stronger immune response, potentially making the treatment more effective against a primary tumor, while offering an early opportunity to target covert micro-metastasis. To date, Opdivo-based treatments have shown improved efficacy in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment of four tumor types: lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer and melanoma.Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -816 clinical trial.
About CheckMate -816
CheckMate -816 is a Phase 3 randomized, open label, multi-center trial evaluating Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (per the 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control staging criteria), regardless of PD-L1 expression. For the primary analysis, 358 patients were randomized to receive either Opdivo 360 mg with histology-based platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles, or platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles, followed by surgery. The primary endpoints of the trial are event-free survival and pathologic complete response. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, major pathologic response, and time to death or distant metastases.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
https://www.opdivo.com/
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers highlights potential of Opdivo when used before surgery in lung cancer
Apr. 11, 2022 12:34 PM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor Announcing Phase 3 data from its CheckMate -816 trial, Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) announced on Monday that its immune checkpoint inhibitor, Opdivo, “significantly improved” event-free survival (EFS) in lung cancer when administered with chemotherapy before surgery. https://seekingalpha.com/news/3822396-bristol-myers-says-opdivo-was-effective-when-used-before-surgery-in-lung-cancer
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
https://www.opdivo.com/https://www.bms.com/
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
April 7, 2022 at 12:59 AM EDT Back
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) APPROVED BY EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 11 YEARS WITH SEVERE ASTHMA WITH TYPE 2 INFLAMMATION
Approval based on Phase 3 data showing Dupixent significantly reduced severe asthma attacks and also improved lung function and health-related quality of life for childrenData reinforce well-established safety profile of Dupixent
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced that the European Commission (EC) has expanded the marketing authorization for Dupixent® (dupilumab) in the European Union. Dupixent is now also approved in children aged 6 to 11 years as an add-on maintenance treatment for severe asthma with type 2 inflammation characterized by raised blood eosinophils and/or raised fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), who are inadequately controlled with medium to high dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus another medicinal product for maintenance treatment."Today's approval in Europe recognizes the benefits of Dupixent in helping children living with the profound effects of severe asthma, including unpredictable asthma attacks, routine disruption to daily activities and the use of systemic steroids that can impede children's growth," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron. "Dupixent is the only treatment available that specifically blocks two key drivers of type 2 inflammation, IL-4 and IL-13, which our trials show plays a major role in childhood asthma, as well as in related conditions such as chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and the often co-morbid condition, atopic dermatitis. In clinical trials, Dupixent significantly reduced asthma attacks, helped children breathe better and improved their health-related quality of life. We also remain committed to investigating Dupixent in other conditions where type 2 inflammation may significantly impact patients' lives, including eosinophilic esophagitis, prurigo nodularis and chronic spontaneous urticaria."Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. Up to 85% of children with asthma may have type 2 inflammation and are more likely to have higher disease burden. Despite treatment with current standard-of-care ICS and bronchodilators, these children may continue to experience serious symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Severe asthma may impact children's developing airways and cause potentially life-threatening exacerbations. Children with severe asthma also may require the use of multiple courses of systemic corticosteroids that carry significant risks. Uncontrolled severe asthma can interfere with day-to-day activities, like sleeping, attending school and playing sports.Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. By demonstrating significant clinical benefit together with a decrease in type 2 inflammation following IL-4 and IL-13 blockade with Dupixent, the Dupixent Phase 3 clinical program has established that IL-4 and IL-13 are key drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases for which Dupixent is approved including asthma, atopic dermatitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), as well as investigational diseases such as eosinophilic esophagitis and prurigo nodularis, which have been studied in Phase 3 trials."We are excited to bring the well-established safety and efficacy profile of Dupixent to even younger patients living with uncontrolled severe asthma in Europe. In addition to greatly reducing severe asthma attacks and improving lung function, patients in our clinical trials also reduced their oral corticosteroid use. This is particularly meaningful as these are medicines that can carry significant safety risks if used long term," said Naimish Patel, M.D. Head of Global Development, Immunology and Inflammation at Sanofi. "This approval underscores our continued commitment to bringing Dupixent to as many patients as possible suffering from the negative effects of severe asthma with the hope of improving their quality of life." The EC decision is based on pivotal data from the Phase 3 VOYAGE trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Dupixent combined with standard-of-care asthma therapy in 408 children with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma.Two pre-specified populations with evidence of type 2 inflammation were evaluated for the primary analysis: 1) patients with baseline blood eosinophils (EOS) ≥300 cells/μl (n=259) and 2) patients with either baseline FeNO ≥20 parts per billion (ppb) or baseline blood EOS ≥150 cells/μl (n=350). Patients who added Dupixent to standard-of-care in these two groups, respectively, experienced:
- Substantially reduced rates of severe asthma attacks, with a 65% and 59% average reduction over one year compared to placebo (0.24 and 0.31 events per year for Dupixent vs. 0.67 and 0.75 for placebo, respectively).
- Improved lung function observed as early as two weeks and sustained for up to 52 weeks, measured by percent predicted FEV1 (FEV1pp).
- At 12 weeks, patients taking Dupixent improved their lung function by 5.32 and 5.21 percentage points compared to placebo, respectively.
- Improved asthma control, with 81% and 79% of patients reporting a clinically meaningful improvement at 24 weeks, based on disease symptoms and impact compared to 64% and 69% of placebo patients, respectively.
- Improved health-related quality of life, with 73% and 73% of patients reporting a clinically meaningful improvement at 24 weeks, compared to 63% and 65% of placebo patients, respectively.
- Reduced systemic corticosteroid use by an average of 66% and 59% over one year compared to placebo (0.27 and 0.35 courses per year for Dupixent vs. 0.81 and 0.86 for placebo, respectively).
The safety results from the trial were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in patients aged 12 years and older with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma. The overall rates of adverse events were 83% for Dupixent and 80% for placebo. Adverse events that were more commonly observed with Dupixent compared to placebo included injection site reactions (18% Dupixent, 13% placebo), viral upper respiratory tract infections (12% Dupixent, 10% placebo) and eosinophilia (7% Dupixent, 1% placebo). Helminth infections were also more commonly observed with Dupixent in patients aged 6 to 11 years and were reported in 2% of Dupixent patients and 0% of placebo patients.
About the LIBERTY ASTHMA VOYAGE Trial
The Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent (100 mg or 200 mg every two weeks, based on weight tier) combined with standard-of-care asthma therapy in 408 children aged 6 to 11 years with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma. More than 90% of children in the trial had at least one concurrent atopic medical condition such as allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.The primary endpoint was the annualized rate of severe asthma exacerbations over one year, and the key secondary endpoint was the change from baseline in percentage of predicted pre-bronchodilator FEV1 (FEV1pp) at week 12. The FEV1pp seeks to evaluate a patient's change in lung function compared to their predicted lung function based on age, height, sex and ethnicity to account for children's growing lung capacity at different stages of development. Additional secondary endpoints included responder rates for asthma control as measured by a ≥0.5 improvement on the Asthma Control Questionnaire-7 Interviewer Administered (ACQ-7-IA; 7-point scale) and health-related quality of life as measured by a ≥0.5 improvement on the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire with Standardized Activities-Interviewer Administered (PAQLQ(S)-IA; 7-point scale).
About Dupixent
Dupixent is also approved in Europe, U.S., Japan and other countries around the world for use in certain patients with asthma, specific patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis as well as CRSwNP in different age populations. Dupixent is also approved in one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries around the world, and more than 400,000 patients have been treated globally.Dupixent is an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) at different injection sites. In the EU for pediatric patients aged 6 to 11 years, Dupixent dosing is based on weight tier (100 mg every two weeks or 300 mg every four weeks for children ≥15 to <30 kg, 200 mg every two weeks or 300 mg every four weeks for children ≥30 to <60 kg and 200 mg every two weeks for children ≥60 kg) and is supplied as a pre-filled syringe. It is also available as a pre-filled pen for adolescents (12 to 17 years) and adults at 200 and 300 mg doses. Dupixent is intended for use under the guidance of a healthcare professional and can be given in a clinic or at home by self-administration after training by a healthcare professional. In children younger than 12 years of age, Dupixent should be administered by a caregiver if given at home.https://www.dupixent.com/
U.S. Indications
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 years of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dupixent-dupilumab-approved-by-european-commission-for-children-aged-6-to-11-years-with-severe-asthma-with-type-2-inflammation-301519649.htmlSOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron, Sanofi win EU approval for Dupixent in younger children with asthma
Apr. 07, 2022 9:27 AM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- The European Union (EU) has expanded the approval of Dupixent, allowing its use as an add-on maintenance treatment for severe asthma in certain patients aged 6 to 11 years, the developers, Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) announced on Thursday.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3821670-regeneron-sanofi-win-eu-nod-for-dupixent-in-younger-children-with-asthma
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SNY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
- https://www.regeneron.com/
- https://www.dupixent.com/
Opdivo (nivolumab)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
Bristol Myers Squibb Receives European Commission Approval for Opdivo (nivolumab) as Adjuvant Treatment for Patients with Radically Resected, High-Risk Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma with Tumor Cell PD-L1 Expression ≥1%
04/05/2022
CATEGORY: Corporate/Financial News
Approval based on Phase 3 CheckMate -274 trial results showing that adjuvant treatment with Opdivo significantly reduced patients’ risk of disease recurrence or death compared to placeboOpdivo is now the first and only adjuvant immunotherapy option approved in this setting in the European UnionDecision marks the third approval for Opdivo in earlier stages of cancer in the European Union, following melanoma and esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved Opdivo (nivolumab) for the adjuvant treatment of adults with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥1% who are at a high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection.
With this EC decision, Opdivo becomes the first adjuvant immunotherapy option approved for patients in the European Union (EU) in this setting.
In the Phase 3 CheckMate -274 trial, Opdivo demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) compared to placebo in both all-randomized patients and in patients whose tumor cells express PD-L1 ≥1%. The EC decision is based on the results in patients with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥1%, which showed a 47% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death with Opdivo vs. placebo (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.53; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.38 to 0.75; p=0.0005), with median DFS not reached with Opdivo compared to 8.41 months with placebo. Opdivo was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile that was consistent with previously reported Opdivo studies in patients with solid tumors.“For years, patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma have lived with the unfortunate reality that, despite being diagnosed early enough to have their cancer removed, around half will face disease recurrence, with few safe and effective treatment options available to help prevent this cycle,” said Fred Witjes, M.D., professor of oncological urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences. “With the approval of nivolumab, clinicians will now have an immunotherapy treatment option to offer certain patients after surgery that, in the CheckMate -274 clinical trial, significantly reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death. This approval has the potential to transform the way we treat muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma for appropriate patients in the European Union.”The EC approval allows for the use of Opdivo for the adjuvant treatment of adults with radically resected, high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma whose tumor cells express PD-L1 ≥1%inthe 27 member states of the EU, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. In addition to the EU, Opdivo has received approvals based on the CheckMate -274 trial in seven countries, including indications regardless of PD-L1 expression levels in the United States and Japan, and further applications are under review with health authorities globally. Results from CheckMate -274 were first presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary Symposium in February 2021 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June 2021.“We are driven by the goal of advancing new treatment options that can help change the outlook for patients with cancer, whether they are diagnosed at an earlier stage or with metastatic disease,” said Dana Walker, M.D., M.S.C.E., vice president, development program lead, genitourinary cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. “This approval for Opdivo gives us the opportunity to introduce a new post-surgery standard of care for certain patients with urothelial cancer, building on our legacy as the first company to bring immune checkpoint inhibitors to patients in the European Union in the adjuvant settings of melanoma and esophageal cancers. We look forward to working with European stakeholders to make Opdivo available to eligible patients as soon as possible.”“With the second highest incidence of bladder cancer globally, Europe has had a pressing need for new treatment options for patients after surgery, who are managing the physical and mental impacts of surgery combined with the fear of their cancer returning,” said Alex Filicevas, executive director, World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition. “We are pleased to see the approval of a new adjuvant treatment that has the potential to help reduce the risk of recurrence for patients. Additionally, undergoing surgical removal of the bladder for muscle-invasive bladder cancer is life-altering, making it all the more important that published data show nivolumab maintained quality of life compared to placebo. This positive decision may have the potential to give people with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma more good quality time with their loved ones.”Opdivo has now been approved for the adjuvant treatment of three different carcinoma types in the EU: urothelial carcinoma, melanoma and esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer. In addition, the company has a broad development program in earlier stages of cancer that currently spans eight different tumor types across the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and peri-operative settings.
About CheckMate -274
CheckMate -274 is a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, multi-center study evaluating Opdivo compared to placebo in patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma at a high risk of recurrence after radical resection. A total of 709 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive Opdivo 240 mg or placebo every two weeks for up to one year. The primary endpoints of the trial are disease-free survival (DFS) in all randomized patients (i.e., the intention-to-treat population) and in the subset of patients whose tumor cells express PD-L1 ≥1%. Key secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), non-urothelial tract recurrence-free survival (NUTRFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
U.S. FDA-Approved Indications
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.https://www.opdivo.com/
For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Bristol Myers Squibb Receives European Commission Approval for Opdivo (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Patients with...
04/05/2022
CATEGORY:
Opdivo with chemotherapy demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone in this patient population; approval based on Phase 3 results from the CheckMate -648 trialOpdivo plus Yervoy also received EC approval for the same indicationPRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb Receives European Commission Approval for Opdivo (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Patients with Unresectable Advanced, Recurrent or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Tumor Cell PD-L1 Expression ≥ 1%
Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%. The EC’s decision is based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -648 trial, in which Opdivo with chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) benefit compared to chemotherapy alone at the pre-specified interim analysis. The safety profile of Opdivo with chemotherapy was consistent with previously reported studies. Results from CheckMate -648 were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in June 2021.“This approval is an important advancement for patients in the EU, especially given the highly aggressive nature of advanced ESCC,” said Ian M. Waxman, M.D., development lead, gastrointestinal cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Opdivo with chemotherapy is now one of two newly approved Opdivo-based combinations to show superior overall survival benefit compared to chemotherapy alone, offering higher hopes for patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic ESCC with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%. We are eager to introduce this new treatment option to patients in the European Union and potentially improve their survival outcomes.”The EC has also approved Opdivo in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%.The EC approval allows for the use of Opdivo with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based combination chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adults with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic ESCC with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1% in the 27 member states of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
CheckMate -648 Efficacy and Safety Results
Results from CheckMate -648 include:
- OS in participants with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%. (primary endpoint): Median OS was 15.44 months (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 11.93, 19.52) for nivolumab with chemotherapy vs. 9.07 months (95% CI: 7.69, 9.95) for chemotherapy (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.80; p= <0.0001).
- PFS in participants with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%. (primary endpoint): Median PFS was 6.93 months (95% CI: 5.68, 8.34) for nivolumab with chemotherapy vs. 4.44 months (95% CI: 2.89, 5.82) for chemotherapy (HR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.92; p=0.0023)
- ORR (secondary endpoint): The ORR was 53.2% (95% CI: 45.1, 61.1) for nivolumab with chemotherapy vs. 19.7% (95% CI: 13.8, 26.8) for chemotherapy.
- Safety (based on pooled data across tumor types): Incidence of Grade 3-5 adverse reactions was 76% for nivolumab with chemotherapy and 62% for chemotherapy alone, with 1.4% fatal adverse reactions attributed to nivolumab in combination with chemotherapy including pneumonia, febrile neutropenia, thrombosis, pneumonitis, diarrhea, and renal failure. Median duration of therapy was 6.44 months (95% CI: 5.95, 6.80) for nivolumab with chemotherapy and 4.34 months (95% CI: 4.04, 4.70) for chemotherapy.
About CheckMate -648
CheckMate -648 is a randomized Phase 3 study evaluating Opdivo plus Yervoy (N=325) or Opdivo with fluorouracil and cisplatin (N=321) against fluorouracil plus cisplatin alone (N=324) in patients with previously untreated, unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.The primary endpoints of the trial are overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) by blinded independent central review (BICR) in patients with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥1% for both Opdivo-based combinations versus chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints of the trial include OS and PFS by BICR in the all-randomized population.In the Opdivo with chemotherapy arm, patients received treatment with Opdivo 240 mg on Day 1 and Day 15, fluorouracil 800 mg/m²/day on Day 1 through Day 5 (for 5 days), and cisplatin 80 mg/m² on Day 1 of four-week cycle. Patients received Opdivo for up to 24 months or until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent, and chemotherapy until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent.In the Opdivo plus Yervoy arm, patients received treatment with Opdivo 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks and Yervoy 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks up to 24 months or until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent.https://news.bms.com/news/corporate-financial/2022/Bristol-Myers-Squibb-Receives-European-Commission-Approval-for-Opdivo-nivolumab-with-Chemotherapy-as-First-Line-Treatment-for-Patients-with/default.aspx
Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers's Opdivo gets approval for 2 cancer types in EU
Apr. 05, 2022 7:16 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor2 Comments
The European Commission (EC) approved Bristol Myers Squibb's (NYSE:BMY) drug Opdivo for a type of bladder cancer and a form of esophageal cancer.The EC approved Opdivo (nivolumab) for the adjuvant treatment of adults with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥1% who are at a high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection. https://seekingalpha.com/news/3820670-bristol-myerss-opdivo-gets-approval-for-2-cancer-types-in-eu
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
Rubraca® (Rucaparib)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
Clovis Oncology’s Rubraca® (Rucaparib) Significantly Improves Progression-Free Survival In First-Line Maintenance Treatment In Women With Ovarian Cancer Regardless Of Their Biomarker Status In Phase 3 ATHENA-MONO Trial
Download this Press ReleasePDF Format (opens in new window)
- ATHENA study evaluating Rubraca monotherapy versus placebo (ATHENA-MONO) successfully achieved the primary endpoint of improved PFS in both populations in the primary efficacy analyses: HRD-positive and all patients randomized (ITT)
- Median PFS of 20.2 months for Rubraca vs 9.2 months for placebo in the ITT population
- The exploratory PFS endpoints were also achieved in both HRD-negative and BRCA mutant subgroups of patients
- Safety of Rubraca observed in ATHENA-MONO was consistent with both the current US and European labels
- ATHENA-MONO results will serve as the basis of a supplemental NDA for US label expansion to be submitted during Q2 2022; European submission to follow during Q3 2022
- These data, including additional analyses, have been submitted for presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in June 2022
BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLVS) today announced positive top-line data from the monotherapy arm of the ATHENA (GOG 3020/ENGOT-ov45) trial (ATHENA-MONO) demonstrating that Rubraca as maintenance treatment successfully achieved the primary endpoint of significantly improved investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo. Benefit was observed in both primary efficacy analyses of newly-diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer following successful treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy: those who had homologous recombination deficiency (HRD-positive)1, including deleterious BRCA mutations, as well as all patients randomized in the trial (overall intent-to-treat population (ITT)). Benefit in PFS was also seen in the exploratory subgroups of patients with HRD-negative2 and BRCA mutant (BRCAm) tumors. The safety of Rubraca observed in the ATHENA-MONO study was consistent with both the US and European labels.Based on these results, the Company plans to submit a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the US FDA during the second quarter of 2022 followed by a Type II Variation to the EMA during the third quarter of 2022 for a first-line maintenance treatment indication for women with advanced ovarian cancer regardless of biomarker status who have responded to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.“The results from the ATHENA-MONO study of Rubraca in first-line maintenance treatment ovarian cancer exceeded our expectations in terms of significant improvement in PFS versus placebo in each of the primary efficacy populations, including the all-comers or intent-to-treat population,” said Patrick J. Mahaffy, President and CEO of Clovis Oncology. “We believe that the positive results from ATHENA-MONO demonstrate that Rubraca will provide an important new treatment option for women with advanced ovarian cancer in the first-line maintenance setting, and we look forward to submitting these data to the regulatory authorities in the US and Europe during Q2 and Q3 2022, respectively. Most importantly, I would like to thank the patients, physicians, and our colleagues whose commitment to this trial made these results possible, which now offer the potential to make a difference in the lives of many women with advanced ovarian cancer. We would also like to thank GOG and ENGOT for their partnership in conducting this large and very important trial.”“While PARP inhibitors have shown efficacy as first-line maintenance treatment for patients with advanced ovarian cancer, questions still remain about the patient population that may benefit from their use. The results of ATHENA-MONO address many of these unanswered questions and expands the opportunity for rucaparib in all patients regardless of biomarker status,” said Bradley J. Monk, MD, FACOG, FACS, at GOG Foundation, HonorHealth Research Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ and global primary investigator of the ATHENA trial.“I believe the significant improvement in PFS demonstrated in the ATHENA-MONO trial underscores the importance of first-line maintenance therapy and the benefit that rucaparib can provide to women with advanced ovarian cancer irrespective of HRD status,” said Rebecca S. Kristeleit, MD, PhD, of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London and lead ENGOT/NCRI National Cancer Research Institute (https://www.ncri.org.uk/) investigator of the ATHENA trial. “Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death among women, which highlights the continued need for new treatment options and strategies for women with newly-diagnosed disease. The ATHENA-MONO study demonstrates the role of rucaparib monotherapy in the first-line maintenance treatment setting for advanced ovarian cancer.”ATHENA is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trial of rucaparib in first-line ovarian cancer maintenance treatment. It has two parts which are statistically independent. The top-line results reported today are from the ATHENA-MONO part (rucaparib vs placebo) with results from the ATHENA-COMBO part (rucaparib+nivolumab vs rucaparib) now expected in Q1 2023 based on a slower than expected event count.ATHENA-MONO enrolled 538 women with high-grade ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. The primary efficacy analysis evaluated two prospectively defined molecular sub-groups in a step-down manner: 1) HRD-positive (inclusive of BRCAm tumors), and 2) all patients randomized (ITT) in ATHENA-MONO.Following is a summary of the primary efficacy analyses by investigator review, the primary analysis of ATHENA-MONO.
Significant Improvement in PFS in the HRD-positive Patient Population
By investigator review, the rucaparib arm (n=185) successfully achieved statistical significance over the placebo arm (n=49) for the primary endpoint of PFS with a hazard ratio of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.31-0.72). The median PFS for the HRD-positive patient population treated with rucaparib was 28.7 months vs 11.3 months among those who received placebo (p=0.0004).
Significant Improvement in PFS in All Patients Studied (ITT or all comers)
Rucaparib also showed statistical significance in all 538 patients randomized in the ATHENA-MONO comparison. By investigator review, the rucaparib arm (n=427) successfully achieved statistical significance over the placebo arm (n=111) for the primary endpoint of PFS with a hazard ratio of 0.52 (95% CI: 0.40-0.68). The median PFS for all patients enrolled in ATHENA-MONO and treated with rucaparib was 20.2 months vs 9.2 months among those who received placebo (p<0.0001).
Treatment Benefit in PFS Endpoint for Exploratory HRD-negative Subgroup
By investigator review, the PFS endpoint in the exploratory subgroup of HRD-negative demonstrated a hazard ratio of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.45-0.95). The median PFS for these patients treated with rucaparib (n=189) was 12.1 months vs. 9.1 months for those who received placebo (n=49) (p=0.0284).
Treatment Benefit in PFS Endpoint for Exploratory BRCAm Subgroup
By investigator review, the PFS endpoint in the exploratory subgroup of BRCAm demonstrated a hazard ratio of 0.40 (95% CI: 0.21-0.75). The median PFS for these patients treated with rucaparib (n=91) was Not Reached vs 14.7 months for those who received placebo (n=24) (p=0.0041).Results were consistent for the germline BRCA (n=68) and somatic BRCA (n=33) and unknown (n=14) populations.
Summary of ATHENA-MONO Safety
The safety of Rubraca observed in ATHENA-MONO was consistent with both the current US and European labels. The most common (≥5%) treatment-emergent grade 3/4 adverse events (TEAEs) among all patients treated with rucaparib in the monotherapy portion of the ATHENA study were anemia/decreased hemoglobin (28.7%), neutropenia (14.6%), ALT/AST increase (10.6%), and thrombocytopenia (7.1%). The discontinuation rate for TEAEs was 11.8% for rucaparib-treated patients and 5.5% for the placebo arm. The rate of treatment-emergent myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the rucaparib arm was 0.2%, and no patients on the placebo arm experienced treatment-emergent MDS/AML.Clovis Oncology plans to provide an expanded description of the ATHENA-MONO results in a scientific session at a medical meeting later this year; these data have been submitted for presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in June 2022.Rubraca is not currently approved in the first-line ovarian cancer maintenance setting. Clovis intends to provide these data to US and European regulatory authorities and is on track to submit filings during the second and third quarters of 2022, respectively, in those geographies.
About the ATHENA Clinical Trial
ATHENA (GOG 3020/ENGOT-ov45) (NCT03522246) is an international, randomized, double-blind, phase III trial consisting of two separate and fully independently powered study comparisons evaluating Rubraca monotherapy (ATHENA-MONO) and Rubraca in combination with nivolumab (ATHENA-COMBO) as maintenance treatment for patients with newly diagnosed advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. ATHENA enrolled approximately 1000 patients across 24 countries, all women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer who responded to their first-line chemotherapy. The trial completed accrual in 2020 and was conducted in association with the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) in the US and the European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups (ENGOT) in Europe. GOG and ENGOT are the two largest cooperative groups in the US and Europe dedicated to the treatment of gynecological cancers.ATHENA-MONO is evaluating the benefit of Rubraca monotherapy versus placebo in 538 women in this patient population. The primary efficacy analysis evaluated two prospectively defined molecular sub-groups in a step-down manner: 1) HRD-positive (inclusive of BRCA mutant) tumors, and 2) the intent-to-treat population, or all patients treated in ATHENA-MONO.The ATHENA-COMBO portion of the trial, anticipated to readout in Q1 2023, is evaluating the magnitude of benefit of adding Opdivo (nivolumab) to Rubraca monotherapy in the ovarian cancer first-line maintenance treatment setting. ATHENA-COMBO is anticipated to be the first Phase 3 dataset to readout evaluating the combination of a PARP inhibitor and an immune checkpoint inhibitor as maintenance treatment following completion and response to front-line chemotherapy.
About Rubraca (rucaparib)
Rucaparib is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 being developed in multiple tumor types, including ovarian and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancers, as monotherapy, and in combination with other anti-cancer agents. Exploratory studies in other tumor types are also underway.Rubraca is an unlicensed medical product outside of the US and Europe.
Rubraca Ovarian Cancer US FDA Approved Indications
Rubraca is indicated for the maintenance treatment of adult women with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.Rubraca is indicated for the treatment of adult women with a deleterious BRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic)-associated epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for Rubraca.https://www.rubraca.com/
Clovis Oncology is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with additional office locations in the US and Europe. Please visit www.clovisoncology.com for more information.
Source: Clovis Oncology, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220331005384/en/
Clovis Oncology extends two-day rally after trial win for ovarian cancer therapy
Apr. 04, 2022 3:59 PM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- The commercial-stage biotech Clovis Oncology (CLVS +9.0%) continues to trade higher on Monday extending the recent rally to third consecutive session following the positive late-stage results announced by the company last week for Rubraca in ovarian cancer.
- The announcement that the monotherapy arm of the Phase 3 ATHENA trial met the primary endpoint for Rubraca as maintenance treatment propelled beaten-down Clovis (NASDAQ:CLVS) shares last week.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3820519-clovis-oncology-extends-two-day-rally-after-trial-win-for-ovarian-cancer-therapy
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/CLVS
- https://www.rubraca.com/
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
FDA ACCEPTS DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) FOR PRIORITY REVIEW IN PATIENTS AGED 12 YEARS AND OLDER WITH EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS
If approved, Dupixent would be the first medicine available in the U.S. indicated to treat eosinophilic esophagitisThere are approximately 160,000 patients in the U.S. living with eosinophilic esophagitis who are currently treated, of whom approximately 48,000 have failed multiple treatments
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, April 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for Priority Review the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Dupixent® (dupilumab) 300 mg weekly to treat adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic and progressive type 2 inflammatory disease that damages the esophagus and impairs the ability to swallow. The target action date for the FDA decision on this investigational use is August 3, 2022.The sBLA is supported by data from two Phase 3 trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of Dupixent 300 mg weekly in patients aged 12 years and older with EoE (Part A and Part B), and data from an active long-term extension trial. Dupixent 300 mg weekly significantly improved the signs and symptoms of EoE at 24 weeks compared to placebo, including the ability to swallow and reduction in eosinophil count in the esophagus. The safety results of these trials were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in its approved indications. The most common adverse event observed with Dupixent, in Part A and Part B, was injection site reactions.In September 2020, the U.S. FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to Dupixent for the treatment of patients aged 12 years and older with EoE. Dupixent was also granted Orphan Drug designation for the potential treatment of EoE in 2017. Priority review is granted to therapies that have the potential to provide significant improvements in the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of serious conditions. Regulatory filings around the world are also planned in 2022. The potential use of Dupixent in EoE is currently under clinical development, and the safety and efficacy have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
EoE is a chronic, progressive type 2 inflammatory disease that damages the esophagus and prevents it from working properly. For people with EoE, swallowing the smallest amount of food can be a painful and worrisome choking experience. Those with EoE live with anxiety and frustration from having a constantly evolving list of foods to avoid. This disease can also cause narrowing of the esophagus and dilation (physical expansion) of the esophagus may be needed, which is often painful. In severe cases, a feeding tube is the only option to ensure proper caloric intake and adequate nutrition. People with EoE may have poor quality of life and are more likely to experience depression than people without EoE. There are approximately 160,000 patients in the U.S. living with EoE who are currently treated, of whom approximately 48,000 have failed multiple treatments.
About Dupixent
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. By demonstrating significant clinical benefit together with a decrease in type 2 inflammation following IL-4 and IL-13 blockade with Dupixent, the Dupixent Phase 3 clinical program has established that IL-4 and IL-13 are key drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases for which Dupixent is approved including atopic dermatitis, asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), as well as investigational diseases such as EoE and prurigo nodularis, which have been studied in Phase 3 trials.In the U.S., Dupixent is approved in patients aged 6 years and older with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis; as an add-on maintenance treatment of patients aged 6 years and older with moderate-to-severe asthma characterized by an eosinophilic phenotype or with oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma; and for use with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled.Dupixent is also approved in Europe, Japan and other countries around the world for use in specific patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and certain patients with asthma or CRSwNP in different age populations. Dupixent is approved in one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries around the world, and more than 400,000 patients have been treated globally.https://www.dupixent.com/
U.S. IndicationsDUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 years of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-accepts-dupixent-dupilumab-for-priority-review-in-patients-aged-12-years-and-older-with-eosinophilic-esophagitis-301516398.htmlSOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sanofi, Regeneron's Dupixent gets FDA priority review for eosinophilic esophagitis
Apr. 04, 2022 6:01 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted priority review to Dupixent to treat patients aged 12 years and older with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3820235-sanofi-regenerons-dupixent-gets-fda-priority-review-for-eosinophilic-esophagitis
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SNY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
- https://www.dupixent.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
April 01, 2022
Yescarta® Receives U.S. FDA Approval as First CAR T-cell Therapy for Initial Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Large B-cell Lymphoma (LBCL)
-- First LBCL Treatment to Improve Upon Standard of Care in Nearly 30 Years ---- Landmark ZUMA-7 Study Demonstrated Patients on Yescarta Were 2.5 Times More Likely to Be Alive at Two Years Without Cancer Progression or Need for Additional Cancer Treatment ---- Yescarta is First CAR T-cell Therapy to Receive NCCN Treatment Guideline Category 1 Recommendation -
-SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) CAR T-cell therapy for adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy. Yescarta demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in event-free survival (EFS; hazard ratio 0.398; P< 0.0001) over the current standard of care (SOC) that has been in place for decades. EFS was determined by blinded central review and defined as the time from randomization to the earliest date of disease progression, commencement of new lymphoma therapy, or death from any cause. Additionally, 2.5 times more patients receiving Yescarta (40.5%) were alive at two years without disease progression or need for additional cancer treatment, after their one-time infusion of Yescarta vs. SOC (16.3%), and the median EFS was four-fold greater (8.3 months vs. 2.0 months) with Yescarta vs. SOC. Yescarta is also being reviewed by global regulatory authorities for additional indications inclusive of the ZUMA-7 patient population. ZUMA-7 is considered a landmark trial for being the first and largest trial of its kind, with the longest follow-up.This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220401005519/en/Earlier this month, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) updated its Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for B-cell Lymphomas to include Yescarta for “Relapsed disease <12 mo or Primary Refractory disease” under Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) as a Category 1 recommendation. Yescarta is the first CAR T-cell therapy to receive a NCCN Category 1 recommendation. NCCN defines Category 1 as recommendations based upon high-level evidence with uniform NCCN consensus that the intervention is appropriate.
About ZUMA-7 Study
The FDA approval of Yescarta CAR T-cell therapy for adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy is based on results from the ZUMA-7 study. Patients had not yet received treatment for relapsed or refractory lymphoma and were potential candidates for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Results were presented in a Plenary session at the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition in December 2021 and simultaneously published in the NewEngland Journal of Medicine (NEJM).ZUMA-7 is a randomized, open-label, global, multicenter, Phase 3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Yescarta versus current standard of care (SOC) for second-line therapy (platinum-based salvage combination chemoimmunotherapy regimen followed by high-dose therapy [HDT] and ASCT in those who respond to salvage chemotherapy) in adult patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL within 12 months of first-line therapy. In the study, 359 patients in 77 centers around the world were randomized (1:1) to receive a single infusion of Yescarta or current SOC second-line therapy. The primary endpoint is event-free survival (EFS) as determined by blinded central review and defined as the time from randomization to the earliest date of disease progression per Lugano Classification, commencement of new lymphoma therapy, or death from any cause. Key secondary endpoints include objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS). Additional secondary endpoints include patient reported outcomes (PROs) and safety.Yescarta demonstrated a 2.5-fold increase in patients who were alive at two years and did not experience cancer progression or require the need for additional cancer treatment (40.5% vs. 16.3%) and a four-fold greater median EFS (8.3 mo. vs. 2.0 mo.) compared to SOC (hazard ratio 0.398; 95% CI: 0.308-0.514, P<0.0001). In addition to being the largest and longest study of its kind, ZUMA-7 study participants on the Yescarta arm did not receive additional bridging chemotherapy that could have potentially confounded results.Nearly three times as many patients randomized to Yescarta ultimately received the definitive CAR T-cell therapy treatment (94%) versus those randomized to SOC (35%) who received on-protocol HDT+ASCT. More patients responded to Yescarta (ORR: 83% vs. 50%, odds ratio: 5.31 [95% CI: 3.1-8.9; P<0.0001) and achieved a complete response (CR) with Yescarta (CR rate: 65% vs. 32%) than with SOC. At a pre-specified interim analysis at the time of the primary EFS analysis, OS has not met the criteria for statistical significance, but favored Yescarta.Fifty-five percent of patients in the SOC arm subsequently received CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy off study.In the study, Yescarta had a safety profile that was consistent with previous studies. Among the 168 Yescarta-treated patients evaluable for safety, Grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events were observed in 7% and 25% of patients, respectively. In the SOC arm, 83% of patients had high grade events, mostly cytopenias (low blood counts).The Yescarta U.S. Prescribing Information has a BOXED WARNING for the risks of CRS and neurologic toxicities, and Yescarta is approved with a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) due to these risks; see below for Important Safety Information.
About LBCL
Globally, LBCL is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In the United States, more than 18,000 people are diagnosed with LBCL each year. About 30-40% of patients with LBCL will need second-line treatment, as their cancer will either relapse (return) or become refractory (not respond) to initial treatment.
About Yescarta
Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.YESCARTA is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with large B-cell lymphoma that is refractory to first-line chemoimmunotherapy or that relapses within 12 months of first-line chemoimmunotherapy.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.
Limitations of Use: YESCARTA is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
- https://www.yescarta.com/
Further information is available at www.YescartaTecartusREMS.com or 1-844-454-KITE (5483).
For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com.
U.S. Prescribing Information for Yescarta including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.kitepharma.com and www.gilead.com.Kite, the Kite logo, Yescarta, Tecartus, XLP and GILEAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc. or its related companies.For more information on Kite, please visit the company’s website at www.kitepharma.com. Follow Kite on social media on Twitter (@KitePharma) and LinkedIn.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220401005519/en/ Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead granted FDA label expansion for Yescarta in B-cell lymphoma
Apr. 01, 2022 6:30 PM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor7 Comments
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the CAR T-cell therapy Yescarta as an initial treatment for adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), Kite, a unit of Gilead (NASDAQ:GILD) announced on Friday.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3820134-gilead-granted-fda-label-expansion-for-yescarta-in-b-cell-lymphoma
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://www.gilead.com/
Retevmo® (selpercatinib)
Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
Lilly Presents Updated Data on Retevmo® (selpercatinib) in Advanced RET Fusion-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) at the 2022 European Lung Cancer Congress
April 1, 2022Download PDFINDIANAPOLIS, April 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced updated data from the Phase 1/2 LIBRETTO-001 trial of Retevmo® (selpercatinib 40 mg & 80 mg capsules) in patients with RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Retevmo (marketed as Retsevmo® outside of the U.S.) is a selective and potent RET kinase inhibitor that is approved in multiple countries including the United States for treatment of adult patients with metastatic rearranged during transfection (RET) fusion-positive NSCLC, and the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) who require systemic therapy, or advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). These data were presented at the European Lung Cancer (ELCC) 2022 (poster 27p)."The LIBRETTO trial provides the largest set of clinical data for a RET inhibitor and these results continue to demonstrate evidence of meaningful clinical outcomes for patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC treated with Retevmo, including those with difficult-to-treat brain metastases," said David Hyman, M.D. chief medical officer, oncology at Lilly. "We are continuing to build on the robust body of evidence supporting Retevmo, including through an ongoing randomized Phase 3 confirmatory study, with a planned readout in 2023."The updated analysis utilized a June 15, 2021, data cut-off and included 355 patients who were eligible for efficacy analysis, 247 of which were previously treated with at least one line of platinum chemotherapy and 69 of which were treatment-naïve. Patients who were previously treated with at least one line of platinum chemotherapy received a median of two prior treatment regimens (range: 1-15), with 58% having received anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy. Responses are based on independent review committee (IRC) assessment.Among 247 patients previously treated with platinum chemotherapy, the confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 61.1% (95% CI: 54.7-67.2%) and among 69 treatment-naïve patients, the confirmed ORR was 84.1% (95% CI: 73.3-91.8%). Twenty-six patients had measurable central nervous system (CNS) metastases at baseline and treatment with Retevmo resulted in a CNS ORR of 84.6%, with 22 patients having a confirmed best response of complete response or partial response. At a median follow-up of approximately two years in both the treatment-naïve and platinum-chemotherapy pretreated populations, median duration of response (DoR) is estimated at 20.2 (55.2% censoring rate; 20.3 months median duration of follow-up) and 28.6 (60.9% censoring rate; 21.2 months median duration of follow-up) months, respectively and median progression free survival (PFS) is estimated at 22.0 (53.6% censoring rate; 21.9 months median duration of follow-up) and 24.9 (55.9% censoring rate; 24.7 months median duration of follow-up) months, respectively. Of the 26 patients with measurable CNS disease, Retevmo treatment resulted in a median intracranial PFS of 19.4 months. These median estimates remain immature.Safety among patients in this cohort was consistent with the known safety profile of Retevmo. In the safety population (all NSCLC patients that received at least one dose of Retevmo, N=356), the most common adverse events (AEs in ≥25% of patients) were dry mouth, diarrhea, hypertension, increased ALT/AST, peripheral edema, constipation, rash, headache, and fatigue. Thirty-four patients discontinued due to an adverse event (10%), eleven (3%) of which were deemed related to Retevmo.A global, randomized, Phase 3 trial is currently recruiting and will compare treatment with Retevmo to the current standard of care in the first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC.Retevmo was the first RET inhibitor to receive Accelerated Approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2020 and was the first approved by the European Commission in February 2021. Retevmo was approved under the FDA's Accelerated Approval regulations based on the LIBRETTO-001 Phase 1/2 trial's endpoints of objective response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
About LIBRETTO-001The Phase 1/2 LIBRETTO-001 trial is the largest clinical trial of patients with RET-driven cancers treated with a RET inhibitor. The trial, which spans 16 countries and 89 sites, included a dose escalation phase (Phase 1) and a dose expansion phase (Phase 2). The primary objective was to determine ORR by independent review committee (IRC) and key secondary objectives included DoR, CNS ORR & DOR, safety and PFS.LIBRETTO-001 continues to enroll patients with RET-altered tumors beyond lung cancer.
About Retevmo® (selpercatinib)Retevmo (selpercatinib, formerly known as LOXO-292) (pronounced ret- tév-mo) is a selective and potent RET kinase inhibitor. Retevmo may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells, which can result in side effects. RET-driver alterations are predominantly mutually exclusive from other oncogenic drivers. Retevmo is an U.S. FDA-approved oral prescription medicine, 120 mg or 160 mg dependent on weight (<50 kg or ≥50 kg, respectively), taken twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Continued approval may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.https://www.retevmo.com/
Please see full Prescribing Information for Retevmo.
To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. P-LLY View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lilly-presents-updated-data-on-retevmo-selpercatinib-in-advanced-ret-fusion-positive-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-nsclc-at-the-2022-european-lung-cancer-congress-301515462.htmlSOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly reports new data from phase 1/2 trial of Retevmo in advanced lung cancer
Apr. 01, 2022 8:01 AM ET Eli Lilly and Company (LLY)
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY)
reported updated data from a phase 1/2 trial of Retevmo (selpercatinib 40 mg & 80 mg capsules) in patients with RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).https://seekingalpha.com/news/3819786-lilly-reports-new-data-from-phase-12-trial-of-retevmo-in-advanced-lung-cancerhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/LLYhttps://www.retevmo.com/https://www.lilly.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Exelixis’ Partner Ipsen Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) for Patients with Previously Treated Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid CancerPDF Version
– CHMP recommendation follows September 2021 U.S. FDA approval of CABOMETYX in this setting –
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 25, 2022-- Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) today announced that its partner Ipsen received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), for CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), refractory or not eligible to radioactive iodine (RAI) who have progressed during or after prior systemic therapy. The European Commission, which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union, will now review the CHMP recommendation, and a final decision on the application is expected in the coming months.
“The CHMP’s recommendation is an important milestone for our partner Ipsen in their efforts to bring CABOMETYX to patients in Europe with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer that has progressed following prior systemic therapy,” said Vicki L. Goodman, M.D., Executive Vice President, Product Development & Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer at Exelixis. “These patients have a poor prognosis, and there are currently no standard treatment options approved in Europe following progression on anti-VEGFR therapy. We look forward to hearing the European Commission’s decision in the coming months, with the hope that a new therapy will soon be available to these patients and their caregivers.”
The CHMP recommendation is based on results from COSMIC-311, the phase 3 pivotal trial that demonstrated significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with CABOMETYX versus placebo in patients with RAI-refractory DTC who progressed after up to two prior VEGFR-targeted therapies. COSMIC-311 was the basis for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of CABOMETYX in September 2021 for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with locally advanced or metastatic DTC that has progressed following VEGFR-targeted therapy and who are RAI-refractory or ineligible. CABOMETYX is currently approved in the European Union as a monotherapy for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in adults who have received prior VEGF-targeted therapy, for previously untreated intermediate- or poor-risk advanced RCC and for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in adults who have been previously treated with sorafenib. CABOMETYX in combination with OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is approved as a first-line treatment for advanced RCC.
About COSMIC-311
COSMIC-311 was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 pivotal trial that enrolled 258 patients at 164 sites globally. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either CABOMETYX 60 mg or placebo once daily. The primary endpoints were PFS and objective response rate. Exelixis is sponsoring COSMIC-311, and Ipsen is co-funding the trial. More information about this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov.
About CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
In the U.S., CABOMETYX tablets are approved for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC; for the treatment of patients with HCC who have been previously treated with sorafenib; for patients with advanced RCC as a first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab; and for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with locally advanced or metastatic DTC that has progressed following prior VEGFR-targeted therapy and who are RAI-refractory or ineligible. CABOMETYX tablets have also received regulatory approvals in the European Union and additional countries and regions worldwide. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen exclusive rights for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the U.S. and Japan. Under the terms of the license agreement with Ipsen, Exelixis is eligible to receive development, regulatory and sales milestone payments from Ipsen and further receive royalties on net sales of cabozantinib by Ipsen outside of the U.S. and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis granted exclusive rights to Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan. Exelixis holds the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize cabozantinib in the U.S.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information https://www.cabometyx.com/downloads/CABOMETYXUSPI.pdf.
For more information about Exelixis, please visit www.exelixis.com, follow @ExelixisInc on Twitter or like Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook.
Exelixis, the Exelixis logo, CABOMETYX and COMETRIQ are registered U.S. trademarks of Exelixis.
COTELLIC is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.
MINNEBRO is a registered trademark of Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited.
OPDIVO® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220323005988/en/
Source: Exelixis, Inc.
Ipsen, Exelixis' Cabometyx gets EMA panel nod for expanded use in thyroid cancer
Mar. 25, 2022 9:30 AM ET
Ipsen S.A. (IPSEY), IPSEF, EXEL
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor2 Comments
- A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the approval of expanded use of Ipsen (OTCPK:IPSEF) (OTCPK:IPSEY) and Exelixis' (NASDAQ:EXEL) Cabometyx as a standalone therapy for certain patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3817472-ipsen-exelixis-cabometyx-gets-ema-panel-nod-for-expanded-use-thyroid-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/IPSEY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/IPSEF
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/EXEL
- https://www.cabometyx.com/
MARCH 25, 2022
Ipsen receives positive CHMP opinion for Cabometyx® in radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer
- Recommendation based on data from the COSMIC-311 Phase III trial, in which Cabometyx® (cabozantinib) demonstrated a 78% reduction in risk of disease progression or death versus placebo1
PARIS, FRANCE, 25 March 2022 – Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Merck Receives Positive EU CHMP Opinion for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for Patients With Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) or Mismatch Repair Deficient (dMMR) Tumors in Five Different Types of Cancer
March 25, 2022 9:00 am ETRecommendation Supports Use of KEYTRUDA for Certain Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic MSI-H/dMMR Colorectal, Gastric, Small Intestine or Biliary Cancer, as Well as Advanced or Recurrent MSI-H/dMMR Endometrial CarcinomaKENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, as monotherapy for the treatment of the following microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumors in adults with: unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer after previous fluoropyrimidine-based combination therapy; advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing therapy in any setting and who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation; unresectable or metastatic gastric, small intestine or biliary cancer who have disease progression on or following at least one prior therapy.“We are committed to advancing the use of biomarkers to identify patients most likely to respond to KEYTRUDA,” said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. “This positive CHMP opinion reinforces the predictive value of MSI-H/dMMR across many different cancer types and the importance of biomarker testing. KEYTRUDA has already become an important first-line treatment option for certain patients in Europe with MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer, and we are pleased the CHMP has recommended KEYTRUDA as a monotherapy for additional patients with MSI-H or dMMR tumors.”The CHMP’s recommendation was based on results from the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-158 trial as well as results from the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-164 trial, both of which also supported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s accelerated approval of KEYTRUDA as the first cancer treatment approved based on a biomarker in MSI-H or dMMR solid tumors, regardless of tumor type.The CHMP’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the European Commission for marketing authorization in the European Union, and a final decision is expected in the second quarter of 2022.About Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) and Deficient Mismatch Repair (dMMR)Microsatellite instability (MSI) and deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) are biomarkers that have been identified in many different types of cancer and that can be hereditary or random. MSI is a change that occurs in the DNA of certain cells, such as cancer cells, in which the number of repeated DNA bases in a microsatellite (which is a short, repeated sequence of DNA) is different from what it was when the microsatellite was inherited. dMMR describes cells that have mutations in certain genes involved in correcting mistakes made when DNA is copied into a cell when dividing. High levels of MSI (MSI-H) and dMMR can occur when a cell is unable to repair mistakes during that division process.About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mgKEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,700 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.https://www.keytruda.com/ Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.MelanomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.Non-Small Cell Lung CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.Head and Neck Squamous Cell CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.Classical Hodgkin LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.Urothelial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).Gastric CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Esophageal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.Hepatocellular CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Merkel Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Renal Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.Endometrial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is MSI-H or dMMR, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.Tumor Mutational Burden-High CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Cutaneous Squamous Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.Triple-Negative Breast CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf . Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck's Keytruda gets EMA panel nod for expanded use in certain tumors in 5 cancers
Mar. 25, 2022 9:49 AM ET Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the approval of expanded use of Merck's (NYSE:MRK) blockbuster drug Keytruda as a monotherapy for microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumors in five different types of cancers.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3817481-mercks-keytruda-gets-ema-panel-nod-for-expanded-use-in-certain-tumors-in-5-cancers
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Significantly Improved Disease-Free Survival (DFS) Versus Placebo as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients With Stage IB-IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Regardless of PD-L1 Expression
March 17, 2022 2:15 pm ETFirst Phase 3 Study To Demonstrate Statistically Significant Improvement in DFS in the Adjuvant Setting for Patients With Stage IB-IIIA NSCLC Regardless of PD-L1 ExpressionKENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP) today announced results from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-091 trial, also known as EORTC-1416-LCG/ETOP-8-15 – PEARLS. The study found that adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS), one of the dual primary endpoints, reducing the risk of disease recurrence or death by 24% compared to placebo (hazard ratio [HR]=0.76 [95% CI, 0.63-0.91]; p=0.0014) in patients with stage IB (≥4 centimeters) to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following surgical resection regardless of PD-L1 expression. Median DFS was 53.6 months for KEYTRUDA versus 42.0 months for placebo, an improvement of nearly one year. These data are being presented today during a European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Virtual Plenary and will be shared with regulatory authorities worldwide.“These are the first positive results for KEYTRUDA in the adjuvant setting for non-small cell lung cancer, and represent the sixth positive pivotal study evaluating a KEYTRUDA-based regimen in earlier stages of cancer,” said Dr. Roy Baynes, senior vice president and head of global clinical development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “KEYTRUDA has become foundational in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, and we are pleased to present these data showing the potential of KEYTRUDA to help more patients with lung cancer in earlier stages of disease. We thank the patients, their caregivers and investigators for participating in this study.”As previously announced, there was also an improvement in DFS for patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (tumor proportion score [TPS] ≥50%) treated with KEYTRUDA compared to placebo, the other dual primary endpoint; these results did not reach statistical significance per the pre-specified statistical plan (HR=0.82 [95% CI, 0.57-1.18]; p=0.14). Among these patients, median DFS was not reached in either arm. Additionally, a favorable trend in overall survival (OS), a key secondary endpoint, was observed for KEYTRUDA versus placebo regardless of PD-L1 expression (HR=0.87 [95% CI, 0.67-1.15]; p=0.17); these OS data are not mature and did not reach statistical significance at the time of this interim analysis. The trial will continue to evaluate DFS in patients whose tumors express high levels of PD-L1 (TPS ≥50%) and OS. The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this study was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies.“Lung cancer is most treatable at earlier stages, and adding treatment after surgery may help reduce the risk of recurrence,” said Professor Mary O'Brien, consultant medical oncologist and head of the Lung Unit at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and professor of practice (medical oncology) at Imperial College London, as well as co-principal investigator. “We are encouraged by these new Phase 3 data, as they represent the first time adjuvant immunotherapy has demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in disease-free survival for patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer.”“While significant advancements have been made in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, there remains an unmet need for patients with earlier stages of this disease, as up to 43% of them will experience disease recurrence following surgery,” said Dr. Luis Paz-Ares, chair of the medical oncology department, Hospital Universitario Doce de Octubre, Madrid, Spain and co-principal investigator. “The positive disease-free survival data observed in this study with the use of KEYTRUDA in the adjuvant setting has the potential to have important implications for how we treat patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer.”In addition to KEYNOTE-091, five other pivotal trials evaluating a KEYTRUDA-based regimen in patients with earlier stages of cancer met their primary endpoint(s). These trials included: KEYNOTE-716 in stage IIB and IIC melanoma; KEYNOTE-054 in stage III melanoma; KEYNOTE-564 in renal cell carcinoma; KEYNOTE-522 in triple-negative breast cancer; and KEYNOTE-057 in Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.Merck has an extensive clinical development program in lung cancer and is advancing multiple registration-enabling studies, with research directed at earlier stages of disease and novel combinations. Key studies in earlier stages of NSCLC include KEYNOTE-091, KEYNOTE-671, KEYNOTE-867 and KEYLYNK-012.
Study Design and Additional Data From KEYNOTE-091KEYNOTE-091, also known as EORTC-1416-LCG/ETOP-8-15 – PEARLS, is a randomized, Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02504372) sponsored by Merck and conducted in collaboration with EORTC and ETOP evaluating KEYTRUDA compared to placebo for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage IB (≥4 centimeters) to IIIA NSCLC following surgical resection (lobectomy or pneumonectomy) and with adjuvant chemotherapy when indicated. The dual primary endpoints are DFS in the overall population and in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥50%). Disease-free survival is calculated as the time from randomization to the date of disease recurrence, occurrence of second primary lung cancer, occurrence of second malignancy, or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. The secondary endpoints include OS and lung cancer-specific survival (the time from randomization to date of death due to lung cancer specifically). The study randomized 1,177 patients (1:1) to receive either KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously [IV] every three weeks [Q3W] for one year or maximum 18 doses; n=590); or placebo (IV Q3W for one year or maximum 18 doses; n=587). The median number of doses was 17 for KEYTRUDA and 18 for placebo. As of data cut-off for this interim analysis (September 20, 2021), median time from randomization to data cut-off was 35.6 months (range, 16.5-68.0 months).Grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 34.1% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA and 25.8% of patients receiving placebo. Adverse events resulting in discontinuation of any treatment occurred in 19.8% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA and 5.9% of patients receiving placebo; there were four treatment-related deaths in the KEYTRUDA arm and no treatment-related deaths in the placebo arm.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mgKEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,700 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected Indications for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in the U.S.Non-Small Cell Lung CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.See additional selected indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information
Additional Indications for KEYTRUDA in the U.S.
MelanomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.Head and Neck Squamous Cell CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [combined positive score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.Classical Hodgkin LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.Urothelial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).Gastric CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Esophageal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.Hepatocellular CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Merkel Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Renal Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.Tumor Mutational Burden-High CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Cutaneous Squamous Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.Triple-Negative Breast CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf . Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck Keytruda's add on use in early- stage lung cancer cuts death risk by 24% in study
Mar. 18, 2022 4:55 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor Merck (NYSE:MRK) said a phase 3 trial showed that postsurgical use of Keytruda significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS), reducing the risk of disease recurrence or death by 24% compared to placebo in patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) regardless of PD-L1 expression.https://seekingalpha.com/news/3814881-mercks-keytruda-add-on-use-in-early-stage-lung-cancer-cuts-death-risk-by-24-in-studyhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRKhttps://www.keytruda.com/
Lynparza (olaparib)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Lynparza approved in the US as adjuvant treatment for patients with germline BRCA-mutated HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer
PUBLISHED11 March 2022
11 March 2022 21:00 GMT
First and only approved medicine targeting BRCA mutations in early breast cancer
New data show Lynparza demonstrated overall survival benefit in early breast cancer
AstraZeneca and MSD’s Lynparza (olaparib) has been approved in the US for the adjuvant treatment of patients with germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have already been treated with chemotherapy either before or after surgery.The approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was based on results from the OlympiA Phase III trial presented during the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.1In the trial, Lynparza demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), reducing the risk of invasive breast cancer recurrences, second cancers or death, by 42% versus placebo (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.46-0.74; p<0.0001).New updated results from the OlympiA trial also showed Lynparza demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the key secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS), reducing the risk of death by 32% versus placebo (based on a HR of 0.68; 95% CI 0.50-0.91; p=0.0091). The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza in this trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials. The OS data will be presented at an upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology virtual plenary on 16 March 2022.Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide with an estimated 2.3 million patients diagnosed in 2020.2 Almost 91% of all breast cancer patients in the US are diagnosed at an early stage of disease and BRCA mutations are found in approximately 5-10% of patients.3,4Professor Andrew Tutt, Global Chair of the OlympiA Phase III trial and Professor of Oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London and King’s College London, said: “Today’s approval of olaparib is great news for patients with a specific inherited form of breast cancer. Most breast cancers are identified in the early stages and many patients will do very well, but for those with higher risk disease at diagnosis, the risk of cancer returning can be unacceptably high and new treatment options are needed. OlympiA has shown that identifying a BRCA1/2 mutation in women with high risk disease opens the additional option of eligibility for olaparib treatment, which reduces the risk of recurrence and improves survival for these breast cancer patients.”Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, said: “This important approval gives early-stage breast cancer patients in the US with a germline BRCA mutation a new targeted therapy option in the adjuvant setting starting today. Lynparza reduces the risk of disease recurrence in these high-risk patients and now new data confirm it also significantly extends patients’ lives versus placebo. These data underline the importance of germline BRCA testing as soon as possible after diagnosis to identify patients that may be eligible for Lynparza.”Roy Baynes, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Development, Chief Medical Officer, MSD Research Laboratories, said: “For patients with germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer, who often present with more aggressive disease, today’s approval is an important step forward. Compared to placebo, Lynparza as adjuvant treatment offers these patients the potential to live longer without their cancer recurring. We thank the patients, caregivers and healthcare providers for their participation in the OlympiA trial.”Lynparza is now indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have been treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients are to be selected for treatment based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic test for Lynparza.Lynparza is approved in the US, EU, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of patients with gBRCAm, HER2-negative, metastatic breast cancer previously treated with chemotherapy based on results from the OlympiAD Phase III trial. In the EU, this indication also includes patients with locally advanced breast cancer.
Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to block DNA damage response (DDR) in cells/tumours harbouring a deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), such as those with mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2, or those where deficiency is induced by other agents (such as new hormonal agents – NHAs).Inhibition of PARP proteins with Lynparza leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death.Lynparza is currently approved in a number of countries across PARP-dependent tumour types with defects and dependencies in the DDR pathway including maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer and as both monotherapy and in combination with bevacizumab for the 1st-line maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) and homologous recombination repair deficient (HRD)-positive advanced ovarian cancer, respectively; for germline BRCAm, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (in the EU this includes locally advanced breast cancer); for germline BRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer; and HRR gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (BRCAm only in the EU and Japan).Lynparza, which is being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD, is the foundation of AstraZeneca's industry-leading portfolio of potential new medicines targeting DDR mechanisms in cancer cells.https://www.lynparza.com/
The AstraZeneca and MSD strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, US, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialise Lynparza, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, and Koselugo (selumetinib), a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor, for multiple cancer types.Working together, the companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. The companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines independently.
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca and Merck's Lynparza gets FDA nod for early breast cancer
Mar. 11, 2022 6:42 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The U.S. FDA has granted an additional indication for AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Lynparza (olaparib) as an adjuvant treatment for a type of early-stage breast cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3812883-astrazeneca-and-merck-lynparza-gets-fda-nod-for-early-breast-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.lynparza.com/
Jardiance® (empagliflozin)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Jardiance® (empagliflozin) becomes the first and only approved treatment in Europe for adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure regardless of ejection fraction
Ingelheim, Monday, 03/07/2022 - 08:00
- The breakthrough approval expands the existing indication of Jardiance® to include adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), an underserved patient population that previously had no approved therapies in Europe
- European marketing authorization follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s approval received on 24 February 2022
Ingelheim, Germany, 07 March 2022 – The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for Jardiance® (empagliflozin) as a treatment for adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company have announced.1 The landmark approval makes Jardiance® the first and only approved treatment for all adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure, which includes patients across the full spectrum of LVEF, including both heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF and HFpEF). About the EMPEROR heart failure clinical trials7,8The EMPEROR (EMPagliflozin outcomE tRial in patients with chrOnic heaRt failure) chronic heart failure trials were two Phase III, randomized, double-blind trials that investigated once-daily empagliflozin compared to placebo in adults with chronic HFrEF or HFpEF, with or without diabetes:
- EMPEROR-Reduced [NCT03057977] investigated the safety and efficacy of empagliflozin in patients with chronic HFrEF. o Primary endpoint: time to first event of adjudicated cardiovascular death or adjudicated hospitalization for heart failure o Number of patients: 3,730 o Completion: 2020
- EMPEROR-Preserved [NCT03057951] investigated the safety and efficacy of empagliflozin in patients with chronic HFpEF. o Primary endpoint: time to first event of adjudicated cardiovascular death or adjudicated hospitalization for heart failure o Number of patients: 5,988 o Completion: 2021
About the EMPOWER programThe Alliance has developed the EMPOWER program to explore the impact of empagliflozin on major clinical cardiovascular and renal outcomes in a spectrum of cardio-renal-metabolic conditions. Cardio-renal-metabolic conditions are the leading cause of mortality worldwide and account for up to 20 million deaths annually.9 Through the EMPOWER program, Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly are working to advance knowledge of these interconnected systems and create care which offers integrated, multi-organ benefits. Comprised of nine clinical trials and two real-world evidence studies, EMPOWER reinforces the long-term commitment of the Alliance to improve outcomes for people living with cardio-renal-metabolic conditions. With more than 400,000 adults enrolled worldwide in studies, it is one of the broadest and most comprehensive clinical programs for an SGLT2 inhibitor to date.
About empagliflozinEmpagliflozin (marketed as Jardiance®) is an oral, once-daily, highly selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and the first type 2 diabetes medicine to include cardiovascular death risk reduction data in its label in several countries.18,19https://www.jardiance.com/
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an Alliance that centers on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes. Depending on geographies, the companies either co-promote or separately promote the respective molecules each contributing to the Alliance. The Alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies to focus on patient needs. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate their commitment, not only to the care of people with diabetes, but also to investigating the potential to address areas of unmet medical need. Clinical trials have been initiated to evaluate the impact of empagliflozin on people living with heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Around 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.
About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly is a global health care leader that unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at lilly.com and lilly.com/newsroom.
Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim's Jardiance gets EU approval for expanded use in heart failure
Mar. 08, 2022 5:42 AM ET
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- The European Commission (EC) approved the expanded use of Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and Boehringer Ingelheim's Jardiance (empagliflozin) to treat adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3810496-lilly-boehringer-ingelheims-jardiance-gets-eu-approval-for-expanded-use-in-heart-failure
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/LLY
- https://www.jardiance.com/
- https://www.lilly.com/
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy)
March 07, 2022
Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 Study Met the Primary Endpoint of Progression-Free Survival in Late-Line HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer
– Study Will Continue to Follow Patients for Overall Survival, a Key Secondary Endpoint –FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced results from the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study evaluating Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who received prior endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy. The study met its primary endpoint with a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy. The trial targeted a 30% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death. The primary endpoint results were consistent with those observed in the Phase 1/2 IMMU-132-01 study in a subset of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer patients.1 The first interim analysis of the key secondary endpoint of overall survival in the TROPiCS-02 study demonstrated a trend in improvement for overall survival. Patients will be followed for a subsequent overall survival analysis. The safety profile for Trodelvy was consistent with prior studies, and no new safety concerns emerged in this patient population.“Trodelvy demonstrated consistent activity in this difficult-to-treat patient population,” said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. “We are evaluating the data and will explore potential pathways with regulatory authorities to bring Trodelvy to this group of patients. As we work to expand the patient benefit of Trodelvy beyond its current indications for second-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and accelerated approval in second-line metastatic bladder cancer, we are pursuing studies across multiple tumor types and earlier lines of therapy.”“HR+/HER2- breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of all breast cancer cases. Patients with advanced breast cancer may eventually develop endocrine resistance, then resistance to a limited set of sequential chemotherapy options,” said Hope Rugo, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director, Breast Oncology and Clinical Trials Education at the University of California San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center. “These data show the potential for Trodelvy to address an important unmet need for patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who have been heavily pretreated.”Detailed results from TROPiCS-02 will be presented at an upcoming medical conference.Gilead has filed a current report on Form 8-K that includes this press release and some FAQs related to the information in this release. The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the FAQs.Trodelvy has not been approved by any regulatory agency for the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Its safety and efficacy have not been established for this indication. Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.
About the TROPiCS-02 Study
The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. The trial targets a 30% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death and is powered to detect a statistically significant difference of at least 0.9 months in median PFS. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, duration of response, clinical benefit rate and overall response rate as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03901339.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.Trodelvy is approved in more than 35 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease. Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. under the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.
U.S. Indication for Trodelvy
In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING. U.S. Prescribing Information for Trodelvy including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.gilead.com.Trodelvy, Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220306005060/en/ Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead's Trodelvy meets primary endpoint in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer trial
Mar. 07, 2022 9:01 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor4 Comments
- Gilead Sciences' (NASDAQ:GILD) Trodelvy (sacituzumab) met its primary endpoint in a late-stage trial in patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3810179-gilead-trodelvy-meets-primary-endpoint-in-hr-her2-metastatic-breast-cancer-trial
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy
Opdivo® (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy
Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Demonstrated Significant Improvement in Distant Metastasis-Free Survival (DMFS) Compared to Placebo as Adjuvant Therapy for Patients With Resected Stage IIB and IIC Melanoma in Phase 3 KEYNOTE-716 Trial
March 7, 2022 6:45 am ET
New Results Build on Previously Reported Significant Recurrence-Free Survival (RFS) Benefit Seen in These PatientsKENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-716 trial investigating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, as adjuvant treatment for patients with resected stage IIB and IIC melanoma met its key secondary endpoint of distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) at a pre-specified interim analysis. In the trial, adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the endpoint of DMFS compared to placebo in these patients. No new safety signals were observed.At this interim analysis, treatment with KEYTRUDA also continued to show an improvement in recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared to placebo. As previously reported, KEYNOTE-716 met the primary endpoint of RFS at the first interim analysis (HR=0.65 [95% CI, 0.46-0.92]; p=0.00658), which supported U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for this indication in December 2021. Full results from this analysis of KEYNOTE-716 will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.“Patients with melanoma that has spread to distant sites have a significantly worse prognosis and the goal of adjuvant therapy is to delay disease recurrence, especially distant metastases,” said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, clinical research, Merck Research Laboratories. “In KEYNOTE-716, adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA first showed a significant improvement in recurrence-free survival and has now demonstrated a significant improvement in the time until the first diagnosis of a distant metastasis compared to placebo. The distant metastasis-free survival data from KEYNOTE-716 reinforce the evidence for KEYTRUDA as adjuvant therapy in stage IIB and IIC melanoma.”To date, KEYTRUDA has shown significant improvements in RFS and DMFS compared to placebo across resected stage IIB and stage IIC (KEYNOTE-716) and stage III melanoma (EORTC1325/KEYNOTE-054: RFS HR=0.57 [95% CI, 0.46, 0.70] p<0.001; DMFS HR=0.60 [95% CI, 0.49-0.73]; p<0.001).In the U.S., KEYTRUDA is approved for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC or III melanoma following complete resection. Additional global regulatory submissions based on KEYNOTE-716 are ongoing.
About KEYNOTE-716
KEYNOTE-716 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03553836) is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial that enrolled 976 patients (12 years and older) with resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma. The primary endpoint of the trial is RFS, and secondary endpoints include DMFS and overall survival (OS). Following complete surgical resection, patients were randomized to KEYTRUDA 200 mg or the pediatric (≥12 years old) dose of KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg intravenously (up to a maximum of 200 mg) every three weeks or placebo for up to one year until disease recurrence or unacceptable toxicity.
About EORTC1325/KEYNOTE-054
EORTC1325/KEYNOTE-054 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02362594) is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial sponsored by Merck and conducted in collaboration with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer that enrolled 1,019 patients with completely resected stage IIIA (>1 mm lymph node metastasis), IIIB, or IIIC melanoma who were randomized 1:1 to receive KEYTRUDA 200 mg every three weeks or placebo for up to one year or until disease recurrence or unacceptable toxicity. The co-primary endpoints are RFS for all patients and RFS in patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1. Secondary endpoints include DMFS and OS in all patients and in patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,700 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
MelanomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.See additional selected KEYTRUDA indications in the U.S. after the Selected Important Safety Information
Additional Selected KEYTRUDAIndications in the U.S.
Non-Small Cell Lung CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.Head and Neck Squamous Cell CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [combined positive score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.Classical Hodgkin LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.Urothelial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).Gastric CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Esophageal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.Hepatocellular CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Merkel Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Renal Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.Tumor Mutational Burden-High CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Cutaneous Squamous Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.Triple-Negative Breast CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck says late-stage melanoma trial for Keytruda met main secondary goal
Mar. 07, 2022 7:02 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Updating results from its KEYNOTE-716 trial, Merck (NYSE:MRK) said on Monday that its blockbuster anti-PD-1 therapy, Keytruda met the key secondary endpoint of the trial among patients with resected stage IIB and IIC melanoma.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3810089-merck-says-late-stage-melanoma-trial-for-keytruda-met-main-secondary-goal
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
Opdivo® (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy
Opdivo® (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy
Opdivo® (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves Opdivo® (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment for Certain Adult Patients with Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
03/04/2022CATEGORY:
Approval marks the first-and-only immunotherapy-based treatment for use before surgery for non-small cell lung cancer1In the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial, Opdivo plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy significantly improved event-free survival and pathologic complete response compared to platinum-doublet chemotherapy alone1Opdivo-based combinations now approved in both metastatic and earlier stages of non-small cell lung cancerPRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Opdivo®(nivolumab) 360 mg (injection for intravenous use) in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three cycles for adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the neoadjuvant setting.1Opdivo plus chemotherapy is approved regardless of PD-L1 status.1 The approval is based on the CheckMate -816 trial, the first positive Phase 3 trial of an immunotherapy-based combination used before surgery for resectable NSCLC. The primary endpoints included event-free survival (EFS) and pathologic complete response (pCR), which were evaluated using independent blinded review, and an additional efficacy outcome measure was overall survival (OS).1 The study compared Opdivo plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy (n=179) to platinum-doublet chemotherapy alone (n=179).1In the trial, when given before surgery, Opdivoplus chemotherapy showed a statistically significant improvement in EFS with a 37% reduction in the risk of progression, recurrence or death (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.63; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.45 to 0.87; P=0.0052) compared to chemotherapy alone.1Opdivo plus chemotherapy showed a median EFS of 31.6 months (95% CI: 30.2 to Not Reached [NR]) compared to 20.8 months for patients treated with chemotherapy alone (95% CI: 14.0 to 26.7).1Additionally, 24% of patients treated with Opdivo plus chemotherapy achieved pCR (95% CI: 18.0 to 31.0), compared to 2.2% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone (95% CI: 0.6 to 5.6; estimated treatment difference 21.6; 95% CI: 15.1 to 28.2; P<0.0001).1 A prespecified interim analysis for OS resulted in a HR of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.38 to 0.87), which did not cross the boundary for statistical significance.1“Given the rates of disease recurrence in patients with resectable NSCLC, additional treatment options are needed that can be given before surgery to help improve the chance of successful surgical treatment and support the goal of reducing the risk of cancer returning,” said Mark Awad, MD, PhD, CheckMate -816 study investigator and clinical director of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.2,3 “The approval of nivolumab with platinum-doublet chemotherapy marks a turning point in how we treat resectable NSCLC and it enables us to use immunotherapy and chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment for patients before surgery. Today’s announcement reinforces the need to increase the rates of NSCLC screening and early detection, and for patients to discuss treatment options with their providers.”1Opdivo is associated with the following Warnings & Precautions: severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis and hepatotoxicity, endocrinopathies, dermatologic adverse reactions, nephritis with renal dysfunction, other immune-mediated adverse reactions; infusion-related reactions; complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); embryo-fetal toxicity; and increased mortality in patients with multiple myeloma when Opdivo is added to a thalidomide analogue and dexamethasone, which is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials.1 Please see Important Safety Information below.“At Bristol Myers Squibb, we are leading innovative science in the use of immunotherapy in earlier stages of cancer and are committed to bringing these options to patients,” said Adam Lenkowsky, senior vice president and general manager, U.S. Cardiovascular, Immunology and Oncology at Bristol Myers Squibb. “Today’s approval builds on that commitment and expands the role of Opdivo-based treatment in NSCLC, the most common form of lung cancer, so patients may benefit earlier in the course of their disease.”1,4This application was approved under the FDA’s Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) pilot program, which aims to ensure that safe and effective treatments are available to patients as early as possible.5 The review was also conducted under the FDA’s Project Orbis initiative, which enabled concurrent review by the health authorities in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, where the application remains under review. The EFS data from the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022 in April.
About CheckMate -816
CheckMate -816 is a randomized, open label trial evaluating Opdivo plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant treatment in adult patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer, regardless of PD-L1 expression.1 The trial included patients with histologically confirmed Stage IB (≥4 cm), II or IIIA NSCLC (per the 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control [AJCC/UICC] staging criteria), ECOG performance status 0 or 1, and measurable disease (per RECIST version 1.1).1 Patients with unresectable or metastatic NSCLC, known EGFR mutations or ALK translocations, Grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy, active autoimmune disease, or medical conditions requiring systemic immunosuppression were excluded from the study.1 For the primary analysis, 358 patients were randomized to receive either Opdivo 360 mg plus histology-based platinum doublet chemotherapy on the same day every three weeks for up to three cycles, or platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for up to three cycles, followed by surgery.1The primary endpoints of the trial were EFS determined by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) and pCR determined by Blinded Independent Pathology Review (BIPR).1 EFS is defined as the length of time from randomization to any of the following events: any progression of disease precluding surgery, progression, or recurrence of disease after surgery, or death due to any cause.1 In addition, pCR was defined as 0% residual viable tumor cells in both primary tumor and sampled lymph nodes as assessed by BIPR.1 Additional efficacy outcome measures included OS.1
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors ≥4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
https://www.opdivo.com/
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Celgene and Juno Therapeutics are wholly owned subsidiaries of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. In certain countries outside the U.S., due to local laws, Celgene and Juno Therapeutics are referred to as, Celgene, a Bristol Myers Squibb company and Juno Therapeutics, a Bristol Myers Squibb company.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220301006264/en/ Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Opdivo combo gets FDA nod for expanded use in lung cancer
Mar. 07, 2022 4:27 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Bristol Myers Squibb's (NYSE:BMY) Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy for adult patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the neoadjuvant setting (use before surgery).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3810049-bristol-myers-opdivo-combo-gets-fda-nod-for-expanded-use-in-lung-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
- https://www.bms.com/https://www.opdivo.com/
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) with Chemotherapy
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) and YERVOY® (ipilimumab)
February 28, 2022
AbbVie Seeks New Indication for IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD)
- cGVHD is a life-threatening and rare condition that currently does not have an approved treatment for children under 12 and can occur in patients after receiving peripheral blood or bone marrow stem cell transplantation
- If approved, IMBRUVICA would offer pediatric and adolescent patients the first BTKi treatment option with an oral suspension formulation to help manage their cGVHD after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy
- The sNDA and NDA submissions were primarily based on results of three years of data from the Phase 1/2 iMAGINE clinical trial
- IMBRUVICA was the first treatment approved in the U.S. in 2017 for adult patients with cGVHD after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Feb. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), today announced the submission of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) for the treatment of pediatric and adolescent patients one year and older with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy. A New Drug Application (NDA) was also submitted for an oral suspension formulation of IMBRUVICA to provide an alternative administration option for pediatric patients. If approved, this represents AbbVie's first pediatric indication for IMBRUVICA.
cGVHD is a life-threatening complication for about 14,000 patients each year after receiving a donor stem cell or bone marrow transplantation.1,2 Nearly half of these transplant patients develop cGVHD, and there are currently no FDA-approved treatment options for children under 12.3 The applications seek to update the IMBRUVICA U.S. Prescribing Information primarily based on the analysis of three years of data from the Phase 1/2 iMAGINE clinical trial, including use of a new oral suspension formulation of the treatment.
"We are committed to this work with IMBRUVICA in the hopes of providing the first FDA-approved BTKi treatment option for younger patients with cGVHD, including a new oral suspension formulation," said James Dean, M.D., Ph.D., IMBRUVICA Global Development Lead and Executive Medical Director at AbbVie. "For young children, the availability of a liquid oral suspension versus an oral capsule or tablet can be significant to enable them to take the recommended dose and address challenges swallowing capsules or tablets."
The iMAGINE clinical trial enrolled 59 patients 1-19 years of age with relapsed/refractory (R/R) or new-onset moderate/severe cGVHD. The primary endpoints of the study were pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety; secondary endpoints included overall response rate. Results showed an overall response rate of 78 percent with IMBRUVICA and that PK data was consistent with adult dosing of IMBRUVICA. After 20 weeks, sustained response rates were observed in 70 percent and 58 percent of treatment-naive and R/R responders, respectively. Safety was consistent with the established profile for IMBRUVICA, with observed adverse events (AEs) consistent with those observed in adult patients with moderate to severe cGVHD. The most common Grade ≥3 AEs (≥ 5% of subjects) overall were pyrexia (8.5%), neutropenia (6.8%), stomatitis (6.8%), hypoxia (6.8%), osteonecrosis (6.8%), alanine aminotransferase increased (5.1%), hypokalemia (5.1%), and pneumothorax (5.1%).
"It is important to empower patients and their families with evidence-based knowledge and I am encouraged by the results from the iMAGINE clinical trial of IMBRUVICA," said Dr. Paul A. Carpenter, attending physician at Seattle Children's Hospital and study principal investigator. "Results show that PK and safety were consistent with the known profile of IMBRUVICA and that of cGVHD. Efficacy results, including sustained response rates, were also encouraging."
In 2017, IMBRUVICA was first approved as a single-agent therapy for adult patients with cGVHD who have experienced failure of prior systemic therapy, becoming the first FDA-approved treatment for adults with cGVHD. IMBRUVICA could be the first FDA-approved BTKi treatment option for pediatric and adolescent patients with cGVHD.
About cGVHD
cGVHD occurs when donated peripheral blood or bone marrow stem cells view the recipient's body as foreign and the donated cells launch an immune attack on the body.4 cGVHD impacts major organs, with the skin, eyes, mouth and liver being most common.5 About 35 percent of the estimated 8,000 patients who undergo life-saving allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) per year develop cGVHD that requires systemic treatment.4 Additionally, cGVHD is the most common cause of morbidity after allogeneic transplant.6 Steroids are the current standard treatment for pediatric cGVHD.7
About the iMAGINE Study
iMAGINE (PCYC-1146-IM) is an interventional single group treatment Phase 1/2 study, which enrolled 59 pediatric patients with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD). In the two-part study, Part A patients ages one to <12 years with moderate or severe cGVHD after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy received IMBRUVICA oral suspension or capsule starting at 120mg/m2 once daily. To determine the Recommended Pediatric Equivalent Dose (RPED), dosage was escalated to 240mg/m2 after 14 days if no Grade 3 or higher related toxicity was observed. In Part B, patients 12 to <22 years of age with moderate or severe cGVHD who were newly diagnosed or had failed one or more lines of systemic therapy were given 420mg IMBRUVICA orally once daily. Once the RPED was determined in Part A, patients 1 to <12 years of age with new-onset or relapsed/refractory cGVHD could be enrolled in Part B. Primary endpoints included pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety, and secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR; CR/PR) per 2014 NIH criteria, overall survival, duration of response (DOR), and patient reported outcomes.
About IMBRUVICA
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) is a once-daily oral medication that is jointly developed and commercialized by Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie Company and Janssen Biotech, Inc. IMBRUVICA® blocks the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) protein, which is needed by normal and abnormal B cells, to multiply and spread. By blocking BTK, IMBRUVICA may help move abnormal B cells out of their nourishing environments in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and other organs.8,9,10
IMBRUVICA® is approved in more than 100 countries and has been used to treat more than 250,000 patients worldwide. There are more than 50 company-sponsored clinical trials, including 18 ongoing or completed Phase 3 studies, over 11 years evaluating the efficacy and safety of IMBRUVICA®.
IMBRUVICA® was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2013, and today is indicated for adult patients in six disease areas, including five hematologic cancers. These include adults with CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with or without 17p deletion (del17p) and adults with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM), as well as adult patients with previously treated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)*, adult patients with previously treated marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) who require systemic therapy and have received at least one prior anti-CD20-based therapy*, as well as adult patients with previously treated chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy.11
*Accelerated approval was granted for MCL and MZL based on overall response rate. Continued approval for MCL and MZL may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
Since 2019, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), recommends ibrutinib (IMBRUVICA®) as a preferred regimen for first-line treatment of CLL/SLL, with Category 1 status for previously untreated patients without del17p. Additionally, IMBRUVICA® is a preferred treatment regimen for previously untreated patients with del17p. Since January 2020, the NCCN Guidelines recommend IMBRUVICA® as a category 2A preferred regimen for the treatment of relapsed/refractory MCL. Since September 2020, the NCCN Guidelines recommend IMBRUVICA® with or without rituximab as a Category 1 preferred regimen for both untreated and previously treated WM patients.12
For more information, visit www.IMBRUVICA.com.
Uses
What is IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib)?
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with:
- Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior treatment
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with 17p deletion
- Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM)
- Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) who require a medicine by mouth or injection (systemic therapy) and have received a certain type of prior treatment
- Chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) after failure of 1 or more lines of systemic therapy
It is not known if IMBRUVICA® is safe and effective in children.
Please see the full Important Product Information.
About AbbVie in Oncology
At AbbVie, we are committed to transforming standards of care for multiple blood cancers while advancing a dynamic pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of cancer types. Our dedicated and experienced team joins forces with innovative partners to accelerate the delivery of potentially breakthrough medicines. We are evaluating more than 20 investigational medicines in over 300 clinical trials across some of the world's most widespread and debilitating cancers. As we work to have a remarkable impact on people's lives, we are committed to exploring solutions to help patients obtain access to our cancer medicines. For more information, please visit http://www.abbvie.com/oncology.
For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
AbbVie submits sNDA for Imbruvica in pediatric indication
Feb. 28, 2022 9:29 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor2 Comments
- AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) has submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Imbruvica (ibrutinib) to the FDA as a second-line therapy for chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) for children one year and older.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3806885-abbvie-submits-snda-for-imbruvica-in-pediatric-indication
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ABBV
- https://www.imbruvica.com/
- https://www.abbvie.com/
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) and YERVOY® (ipilimumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib)
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) and YERVOY® (ipilimumab)
Bristol Myers Squibb Receives Positive CHMP Opinion Recommending Approval for Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) for First-Line Treatment of Patients with Unresectable Advanced, Recurrent or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma...
02/25/2022CATEGORY:
Recommendation based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -648 trial, in which the immunotherapy combination demonstrated significantly improved overall survival compared to fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapyOpdivo plus Yervoy is the first immunotherapy combination to show a superior survival benefit versus chemotherapy in this settingPRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY):Bristol Myers Squibb Receives Positive CHMP Opinion Recommending Approval for Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) for First-Line Treatment of Patients with Unresectable Advanced, Recurrent or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Tumor Cell PD-L1 Expression ≥ 1%Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval of Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) for the first-line treatment of adults with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%. The European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU), will now review the CHMP opinion.“Currently, the median overall survival for advanced ESCC patients is around ten months with standard chemotherapy,” said Ian M. Waxman, M.D., development lead, gastrointestinal cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. “The CHMP’s positive recommendation for Opdivo plus Yervoy as a first-line treatment option for patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic ESCC with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥1% marks an important step forward for patients in the EU awaiting new therapeutic options for their disease.”The positive opinion is based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -648 trial, which showed that treatment with Opdivo plus Yervoy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) benefit compared to fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy at the pre-specified interim analysis in patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic ESCC with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥1% (median, 13.7 months vs 9.1 months, HR = 0.64; 98.6% CI: 0.46 to 0.90; p-value = 0.001). The safety profile of Opdivo plus Yervoy was consistent with previously reported studies. Results from CheckMate -648 were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in June 2021.Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -648 trial.
About CheckMate -648CheckMate -648 is a randomized Phase 3 study evaluating Opdivo plus Yervoy (N=325) or Opdivo plus fluorouracil and cisplatin (N=321) against fluorouracil plus cisplatin alone (N=324) in patients with previously untreated, unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.The primary endpoints of the trial are overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) by blinded independent central review (BICR) in patients with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥1% for both Opdivo-based combinations versus chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints of the trial include OS and PFS by BICR in the all-randomized population.In the Opdivo plus chemotherapy arm, patients received treatment with Opdivo 240 mg on Day 1 and Day 15, fluorouracil 800 mg/m²/day on Day 1 through Day 5 (for 5 days), and cisplatin 80 mg/m² on Day 1 of four-week cycle. Patients received Opdivo for up to 24 months or until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent, and chemotherapy until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent.In the Opdivo plus Yervoy arm, patients received treatment with Opdivo 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks and Yervoy 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks up to 24 months or until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent.
About OpdivoOpdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONSOPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response.Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220224006058/en/Bristol Myers Squibb Source: Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Opdivo gets EMA panel nod for use as adjuvant therapy in urothelial cancer
Feb. 25, 2022 7:44 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) said a committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended approval of Opdivo (nivolumab) for the adjuvant treatment of adults with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma with tumor cell PD-L1 expression ≥1% who are at a high risk of recurrence after undergoing surgery.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3805853-bristol-myers-opdivo-gets-ema-panel-nod-for-use-as-adjuvant-therapy-in-urothelial-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
- https://www.opdivo.com/about-opdivo/how-the-combination-works-combinationtherapy#:~:text=(advanced%20melanoma).-,OPDIVO%C2%AE%20(nivolumab)%20is%20a%20prescription%20medicine%20used%20in%20combination,than%2018%20years%20of%20age.
02/25/2022
02/25/2022
02/25/2022
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Approved in Japan for Radically Unresectable or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
February 25, 2022 6:45 am ET
Results From CLEAR/KEYNOTE-581 Showed KEYTRUDA Plus LENVIMA Significantly Reduced the Risk of Disease Progression or Death by 61%, With a Median Progression-Free Survival of Nearly Two Years Versus Nine Months for Sunitinib
KEYTRUDA Plus LENVIMA Now Approved in Japan for Two Types of Cancer
KENILWORTH, N.J. & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Eisai today announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved the combination of KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, plus LENVIMA, the orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor discovered by Eisai, for radically unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA is also approved in the U.S. and Europe for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC. This marks the second approval of this combination in Japan; in December 2021, KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA was approved for unresectable, advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma that progressed after chemotherapy.
The approval is based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 CLEAR (Study 307)/KEYNOTE-581 trial, in which KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA demonstrated statistically significant improvements versus sunitinib in the primary efficacy outcome of progression-free survival (PFS). Results showed KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA (n=355) reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 61% (HR=0.39 [95% CI, 0.32-0.49]; p<0.0001), with a median PFS of 23.9 months versus 9.2 months for sunitinib (n=357).
“Nearly one in three cases of renal cell carcinoma are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and patients are in need of new treatment options that may improve survival outcomes,” said Dr. Gregory Lubiniecki, Vice President, Oncology Clinical Research, Merck Research Laboratories. “In the CLEAR/KEYNOTE-581 trial, KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 61% versus sunitinib, a current standard of care. We are encouraged that patients with certain types of advanced renal cell carcinoma may have the opportunity to benefit from this combination.”
“Today’s milestone for KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA as a treatment for radically unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma is particularly exciting as it marks the second approval for the combination in Japan,” said Terushige Iike, President of Eisai Japan, Senior Vice President, Eisai. “We are thrilled to be able to provide Japanese patients with a new treatment option, illustrating our shared commitment with Merck to develop therapies with the aim of addressing the unmet needs of those living with difficult-to-treat cancers. We would like to thank the patients, families and healthcare providers who made this approval possible.”
The Japanese package inserts for KEYTRUDA and LENVIMA note that in the CLEAR/KEYNOTE-581 trial, adverse reactions were observed in 341 (96.9%) of 352 patients (including 42 of 42 Japanese patients) in the safety analysis set. The most common adverse reactions observed in 20% or more of patients included diarrhea in 192 patients (54.5%), hypertension in 184 patients (52.3%), hypothyroidism in 150 patients (42.6%), decreased appetite in 123 patients (34.9%), fatigue in 113 patients (32.1%), stomatitis in 113 patients (32.1%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome in 99 patients (28.1%), proteinuria in 97 patients (27.6%), nausea in 94 patients (26.7%), dysphonia in 87 patients (24.7%), rash in 77 patients (21.9%), and asthenia in 71 patients (20.2%).
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer worldwide; about nine out of 10 kidney cancer diagnoses are RCC. In Japan, there were more than 25,000 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed and more than 8,000 deaths from the disease in 2020. In the U.S., approximately 30% of patients with RCC will have metastatic disease at diagnosis. Survival is highly dependent on the stage at diagnosis, and with a five-year survival rate in the U.S. of 14% for patients diagnosed with metastatic disease, the prognosis for these patients is poor.
Merck and Eisai continue to study the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination across several types of cancer with more than 20 clinical trials.
About CLEAR/KEYNOTE-581 Trial
The approval is based on data from CLEAR (Study 307)/KEYNOTE-581 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02811861), a Phase 3, multicenter, open-label, randomized trial conducted in 1,069 patients with advanced RCC in the first-line setting. The primary efficacy outcome was PFS as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) according to RECIST v1.1. Key secondary efficacy outcome measures were overall survival and objective response rate.
Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously every three weeks for up to 24 months) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally once daily), or LENVIMA (18 mg orally once daily) plus everolimus (5 mg orally once daily), or sunitinib (50 mg orally once daily for four weeks on treatment, followed by two weeks off treatment). Treatment continued until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression as determined by investigator and confirmed by BICR using RECIST v1.1. If disease progression was observed by imaging evaluation, clinically stable patients with no symptoms indicating disease progression were allowed to continue on study treatment until disease progression was observed in a subsequent imaging evaluation.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,700 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [combined positive score (CPS ≥1)] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or GEJ (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA, in combination with LENVIMA, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Endometrial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with LENVIMA, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is not MSI-H or dMMR, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf.
About LENVIMA® (lenvatinib); available as 10 mg and 4 mg capsules
LENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is a multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, the platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), KIT, and RET. The combination of LENVIMA and everolimus showed increased anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activity as demonstrated by decreased human endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation, and VEGF signaling in vitro and tumor volume in mouse xenograft models of human renal cell cancer greater than each drug alone. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, the combination of lenvatinib with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity compared to either treatment alone.
LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Indications in the U.S.
- For the treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)
- In combination with KEYTRUDA, for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
- In combination with everolimus, for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy
- For the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
- In combination with KEYTRUDA, for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma (EC) that is not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
Please see Prescribing Information for LENVIMA (lenvatinib) at http://www.lenvima.com/pdfs/prescribing-information.pdf .
About the Merck and Eisai Strategic Collaboration
In March 2018, Eisai and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA. Under the agreement, the companies will jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA.
In addition to ongoing clinical studies evaluating the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination across several different tumor types, the companies have jointly initiated new clinical studies through the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program and are evaluating the combination in more than 10 different tumor types across more than 20 clinical trials.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), us.eisai.com (for U.S. headquarters: Eisai Inc.) or www.eisai.eu (for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand headquarters: Eisai Europe Ltd.), and connect with us on Twitter (U.S. and global) and LinkedIn (for U.S. and EMEA).
Merck-Eisai's Keytruda/Lenvima combo gets approval in Japan for kidney cancer
Feb. 25, 2022 7:13 AM ET
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), ESALY, ESALF
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- Merck (NYSE:MRK) and Eisai's (OTCPK:ESALF) (OTCPK:ESALY) drug combination of Keytruda and Lenvima was approved in Japan for radically unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a type of kidney cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3805827-merck-eisais-keytrudalenvima-combo-gets-approval-in-japan-for-kidney-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ESALY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytrudalenvima.com/advanced-endometrial-cancer/
Jardiance (empagliflozin)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib)
FDA Approves Treatment for Wider Range of Patients with Heart Failure
For Immediate Release:February 24, 2022
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Jardiance (empagliflozin) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adults.
Jardiance was originally approved by the FDA in 2014 as a supplement to diet and exercise to improve glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Jardiance is also approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, and to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization in patients with heart failure and low ejection fraction
“Today’s approval will provide a treatment option for a wider range of patients with heart failure,” said Norman Stockbridge, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Division of Cardiology and Nephrology in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “While Jardiance may not be effective in all patients with heart failure, this approval is a significant step forward for patients and our understanding of heart failure. Coinciding with February’s annual observance of American Heart Month—a reminder for individuals to focus on cardiovascular health—this action will provide physicians another tool to address heart disease.”
Heart failure is a syndrome in which the heart is not meeting the needs of the body, affecting more than 650,000 people in the U.S. each year. Despite therapies in multiple drug classes, mortality remains high and treatment options for a broader range of patients are needed. Symptoms of heart failure vary but can include shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling in the legs. Heart failure becomes more common with age and is the leading cause of hospitalization in people over 65 years old.
For today’s approval, Jardiance’s safety and effectiveness were evaluated as an adjunct to standard of care therapy in a randomized, double-blind, international trial comparing 2,997 participants who received Jardiance, 10 mg, once daily to 2,991 participants who received the placebo. The main efficacy measurement was the time to death from cardiovascular causes or need to be hospitalized for heart failure. Of the individuals who received Jardiance for an average of about two years, 14% died from cardiovascular causes or were hospitalized for heart failure, compared to 17% of the participants who received the placebo. This benefit was mostly attributable to fewer patients being hospitalized for heart failure.
Jardiance received Priority Review designation for this indication.
The FDA granted the approval of Jardiance to Boehringer Ingelheim.
Related Information
Lilly-Boehringer Ingelheim's Jardiance granted expanded indication in heart failure
Feb. 24, 2022 3:24 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The U.S. FDA has granted an additional indiction to Eli Lilly (LLY +1.7%) and Boehringer Ingelheim's Jardiance (empagliflozin) to reduce the risk of cardiac death and hospitalization for heart failure patients.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3805360-lilly-boehringer-ingelheims-jardiance-granted-expanded-indication-in-heart-failure
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/LLY
- https://www.lilly.com/
- https://www.jardiance.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
21 February 2022 07:00 GMT
First HER2-low metastatic breast cancer Phase III results for AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu offer potential to redefine how the disease is classified and treated
Positive high-level results from the pivotal DESTINY-Breast04 Phase III trial showed Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with HER2-low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer regardless of hormone receptor (HR) status versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy.Enhertu is a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.All patients in the trial received a HER2 test, and the results were centrally confirmed. HER2-low status was defined as an immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridisation (ISH) score.Up to 55% of all patients with breast cancer have tumours with a HER2 IHC score of 1+, or 2+ in combination with a negative ISH test, a level of HER2 expression not currently eligible for HER2-targeted therapy.1,2 HER2-low expression occurs in both HR-positive and HR-negative disease.3HER2 testing is well established to determine an appropriate treatment strategy in metastatic breast cancer. Targeting the lower range of HER2 expression may offer another approach to delay disease progression and extend survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer.4 Currently, chemotherapy remains the only treatment option both for patients with HR-positive tumours following progression on endocrine (hormone) therapy, and for those who are HR-negative.5DESTINY-Breast04 met its primary endpoint, where Enhertu demonstrated superior PFS in previously treated patients with HR-positive HER2-low metastatic breast cancer compared to the standard-of-care chemotherapy. The trial met the key secondary endpoint of PFS in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer regardless of HR status (HR-positive or HR-negative). The trial also met the key secondary endpoints of OS in patients with HR-positive disease and in patients regardless of HR status at interim analysis.The safety profile of Enhertu was consistent with previous clinical trials, with no new safety concerns identified. Overall interstitial lung disease (ILD) rates were consistent with that observed in late-line HER2-positive breast cancer trials of Enhertu, with a lower rate of Grade 5 ILD observed as determined by an independent adjudication committee.Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca said: “Today’s historic news from DESTINY-Breast04 could reshape how breast cancer is classified and treated. A HER2-directed therapy has never-before shown a benefit in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. These results for Enhertu are a huge step forward and could potentially expand our ability to target the full spectrum of HER2 expression, validating the need to change the way we categorise and treat breast cancer.”Ken Takeshita, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo said: “Enhertu continues to redefine the treatment of HER2-targetable cancers. DESTINY-Breast04 is the first ever Phase III trial of a HER2-directed therapy in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer to show statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in progression-free and overall survival compared to standard treatment. We look forward to sharing the detailed findings of DESTINY-Breast04 with the medical community and initiating discussions with regulatory agencies globally with the goal of bringing Enhertu to patients with metastatic breast cancer previously considered to be HER2-negative.”The data will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting and shared with global health authorities.Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.Enhertu is being further assessed in a comprehensive clinical development programme evaluating efficacy and safety across multiple HER2-targetable cancers, including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. DESTINY-Breast04
DESTINY-Breast04 is a global, randomised, open-label, registrational Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enhertu (5.4 mg/kg) versus physician’s choice of chemotherapy (capecitabine, eribulin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) in patients with HR-positive (n=480) or HR-negative (n=60) HER2-low unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with one or two prior lines of chemotherapy. Patients were randomised 2:1 to receive either Enhertu or chemotherapy.The primary endpoint of DESTINY-Breast04 is PFS in patients with HR-positive disease based on blinded independent central review (BICR). Key secondary endpoints include PFS based on BICR in all randomised patients (regardless of HR status), OS in patients with HR-positive disease and OS in all randomised patients (regardless of HR status). Other secondary endpoints include PFS based on BICR and investigator assessment, duration of response based on BICR and safety.DESTINY-Breast04 enrolled approximately 540 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Enhertu
Enhertu is a HER2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, Enhertu is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced programme in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Enhertu consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) is approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.Enhertu (6.4mg/kg) is approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.https://www.enhertu.com/en/
Daiichi Sankyo collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (referred to as Daiichi Sankyo) and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialise Enhertu (a HER2-directed ADC) in March 2019, and datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; a TROP2-directed ADC) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for manufacturing and supply of Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca gains on positive late-stage data for breast cancer therapy
Feb. 21, 2022 9:52 AM ET
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), DSKYF, DSNKY
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) shares outperformed the broader market in London on Monday in reaction to positive late-stage data for Enhertu in a group of breast cancer patients with low levels of a protein called HER2.The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker has partnered with Daiichi Sankyo (OTCPK:DSKYF) (OTCPK:DSNKY) to design Enhertu as an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeted at HER2, a tyrosine kinase receptor expressed on multiple types of cancer.https://seekingalpha.com/news/3802228-azn-stock-gains-on-positive-data-for-breast-cancer-therapyhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZNhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSKYFhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/DSNKYhttps://www.enhertu.com/en/https://www.astrazeneca.com/
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) Demonstrates Continued Survival Benefits with Over Two Years of Follow-Up in the CheckMate -9ER Trial in First-Line Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) Demonstrates Continued Survival Benefits with Over Two Years of Follow-Up in the CheckMate -9ER Trial in First-Line Advanced Renal Cell CarcinomaPDF Version- Updated results to be presented at ASCO GU 2022 show sustained efficacy benefits with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX compared to sunitinib- Patients treated with Opdivo and CABOMETYX continue to report improvements in health-related quality of life in a separate analysisPRINCETON, N.J. & ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) announced two-year (25.4 months minimum; 32.9 months median) follow-up results from analyses of the Phase 3 CheckMate -9ER trial, demonstrating sustained survival and response rate benefits, as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) improvements, with the combination of Opdivo® (nivolumab) and CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) versus sunitinib in the first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). These updated results will be featured in two poster presentations at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2022 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium from February 17-19, 2022.“The new data from CheckMate -9ER evaluating nivolumab and cabozantinib are significant for patients with first-line advanced renal cell carcinoma, as they provide further evidence of efficacy benefits as well as favorable patient-reported quality of life outcomes with this combination,” said Toni Choueiri, M.D., Director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Jerome and Nancy Kohlberg Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “As clinicians, we are constantly looking for therapies that can help more patients control their disease without reporting a detriment in their quality of life.”
Abstract #350: Final overall survival analysis and organ-specific target lesion assessments with 2-year follow-up in CheckMate 9ER: nivolumab plus cabozantinib vs sunitinib for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (Powles, et. al.)With median follow-up of 32.9 months (25.4 months minimum), Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX (n=323) continued to show superior overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rates (ORR), duration of response (DoR) and complete response (CR) rates compared to sunitinib (n=328). No new safety signals emerged with extended follow-up. In the full study population:
- OS: At the final OS analysis, Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX continued to show meaningful improvements in median OS (37.7 months vs. 34.3 months) and demonstrated a 30% reduction in the risk of death (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.70; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.55 to 0.90) compared to sunitinib.
- PFS: PFS benefits were maintained, with the combination continuing to double median PFS vs. sunitinib (16.6 months vs. 8.3 months, respectively; HR 0.56; 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.68).
- ORR and DoR: ORR benefits were sustained, with nearly twice as many patients responding to Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX vs. sunitinib (55.7% vs. 28.4%). Responses were also more durable with the combination, with a median DoR of 23.1 months, compared to 15.1 months with sunitinib.
- CR: CR rates more than doubled among patients treated with the combination, with 12.4% having a CR vs. 5.2% of those treated with sunitinib.
- Safety: 97.2% of patients treated with Opdivo plus CABOMETYX (n=320) experienced a treatment-related adverse event (TRAE) of any grade, compared to 93.1% of patients treated with sunitinib (n=320); 65.0% vs. 54.1% had a grade ≥3 TRAE, respectively.
Additionally, in an exploratory analysis of depth of response in target lesions by organ site, a higher percentage of patients experienced any tumor shrinkage benefits with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX vs. sunitinib across lung (90.5% vs. 76.0%), lymph node (88.4% vs. 72.6%), kidney (89.0% vs. 71.6%), liver (72.7% vs. 53.8%) and bone (85.2% vs. 65.0%) target lesions.
Abstract #323: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in previously untreated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC): CheckMate 9ER updated results. (Cella, et. al.)In a separate analysis with 32.9 months median follow-up from the CheckMate -9ER trial, patients continued to report clinically meaningful HRQoL benefits with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX compared to sunitinib. HRQoL scores were improved or maintained over time amongst patients treated with the combination, while reductions in scores were observed with sunitinib. Additionally, those who received Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX were 48% less likely to be notably bothered by treatment side effects than patients in the sunitinib arm. These exploratory outcomes were measured using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Kidney Symptom Index-19 (FKSI-19), a quality of life tool specific to kidney cancer, and EQ-5D-3L instruments.“The results from these analyses of CheckMate -9ER provide additional clinical evidence supporting Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX as an important first-line treatment for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who may benefit from an immunotherapy plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor regimen,” said Dana Walker, M.D., M.S.C.E., vice president, development program lead, genitourinary cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. “These results exemplify the collaborative nature of our approach to research and development and demonstrate how we’re working across the healthcare landscape to explore how our therapies may work with potentially complementary mechanisms of action to help more patients achieve better and longer-lasting outcomes.”“We are pleased that these additional findings from CheckMate -9ER showing continued superior efficacy and improved quality of life with longer follow-up are being presented at ASCO GU, as they further indicate the value of CABOMETYX in combination with Opdivo as a first-line option for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma,” said Vicki L. Goodman, M.D., Executive Vice President, Product Development and Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, Exelixis. “The positive data from CheckMate -9ER, which are a culmination of a robust collaborative effort with Bristol Myers Squibb, reinforce our commitment to advancing additional CABOMETYX-based regimens in our continuing journey to identify treatments for people with difficult-to-treat cancers.”Bristol Myers Squibb and Exelixis thank the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -9ER clinical trial.
About CheckMate -9ER
CheckMate -9ER is an open-label, randomized, multi-national Phase 3 trial evaluating patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A total of 651 patients (23% favorable risk, 58% intermediate risk, 20% poor risk; 25% PD-L1≥1%) were randomized to receive Opdivo plus CABOMETYX (n=323) vs. sunitinib (n=328). The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). The primary efficacy analysis is comparing the doublet combination vs. sunitinib in all randomized patients. The trial is sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Co and co-funded by Exelixis, Inc., Ipsen and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.
About OPDIVO
®Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.https://www.opdivo.com/
OPDIVO INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
About CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
In the U.S., CABOMETYX tablets are approved for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC; for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who have been previously treated with sorafenib; for patients with advanced RCC as a first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab; and for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer that has progressed following prior VEGFR-targeted therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory or ineligible. CABOMETYX tablets have also received regulatory approvals in the European Union and additional countries and regions worldwide. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen exclusive rights for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the U.S. and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis granted exclusive rights to Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan. Exelixis holds the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize cabozantinib in the U.S.https://www.cabometyx.com/https://www.cabometyx.com/kidney-cancer/cabometyx-opdivo
For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
For more information about Exelixis, please visit www.exelixis.com, follow @ExelixisInc on Twitter or like Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook. Exelixis, the Exelixis logo, CABOMETYX and COMETRIQ are registered U.S. trademarks of Exelixis.COTELLIC is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.MINNEBRO is a registered trademark of Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited.
Exelixis/Bristol-Myers' drug combo shows sustained survival benefits in kidney cancer
Feb. 15, 2022 6:36 AM ET
Ipsen S.A. (IPSEY), IPSEFEXEL, BMY, TAK
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor3 Comments Ipsen (OTCPK:IPSEF) said two-year follow-up data from a phase 3 CheckMate -9ER trial, showed sustained survival benefits, and health related quality of life (HRQoL) improvements with the combination of Exelixis (NASDAQ:EXEL) Cabometyx (cabozantinib) and Bristol-Myers Squibb's (NYSE:BMY) Opdivo (nivolumab) against sunitinib as first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC).https://seekingalpha.com/news/3799945-exelixisbristol-myers-drug-combo-shows-sustained-survival-benefits-in-kidney-cancerhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/EXELhttps://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMYhttps://www.opdivo.com/https://www.cabometyx.com/https://www.cabometyx.com/kidney-cancer/cabometyx-opdivo
Veklury® (Remdesivir)
Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) in Combination with Azacitidine
February 11, 2022
Veklury® (Remdesivir) Retains Antiviral Activity Against Omicron, Delta and Other Emergent SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Multiple In Vitro Studies
-- Data Supports the Continued Use of Veklury for Treatment of COVID-19 for Current SARS-CoV-2 Variants --FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today released data demonstrating the in vitro activity of Veklury® (remdesivir) against ten SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron. Results of Gilead studies are consistent with other in vitro studies independently conducted by researchers from institutions in other countries, including Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and the United States, which confirmed Veklury’s antiviral activity against multiple previously identified variants of SARS-CoV-2, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron.The study analyzed in vitro antiviral activity by two methods to understand the susceptibility of ten major SARS-CoV-2 variants to Veklury. The study results showed similar activity of Veklury against the variants and an early ancestral A lineage isolate detected in Seattle, WA (WA1 strain). Specifically, Delta and Omicron variants both remained fully susceptible to Veklury, and these laboratory results demonstrate that Veklury has remained active against all major variants isolated over the past two years.Veklury directly inhibits viral replication inside host cells by targeting the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. On entering the body, Veklury is transformed into the active triphosphate metabolite, which is then incorporated into the viral RNA and stops replication of the virus within the infected cells. The study analyzed nearly 6 million publicly available variant isolate sequences and confirmed that the nsp12 protein, the RNA polymerase target of Veklury, is highly conserved across all variants. Further characterization confirmed that none of the few identified nsp12 mutations prevalent in some of the SARS-CoV-2 variants affects the virus susceptibility to Veklury.“These results provide evidence of the consistent and durable antiviral activity of remdesivir across known variants that have emerged throughout the pandemic, including Omicron and support its continued use for the treatment of COVID-19 for current SARS-CoV-2 variants,” said Tomas Cihlar, Senior Vice President of Virology Research, Gilead Sciences. “Now with a new version of Omicron (BA.2 subvariant) increasing in circulation around the world, these latest data also suggest that remdesivir will retain antiviral activity against this new subvariant because the viral RNA polymerase that remdesivir targets does not contain any additional unique mutations. Gilead continuously evaluates the activity of Veklury against viral variants.”The results of this study have been submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and have been uploaded as preprint at BioRxiv available here.
About Veklury
Veklury (remdesivir) is a nucleotide analog invented by Gilead, building on more than a decade of the company’s antiviral research. Veklury is the antiviral standard of care for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and is a recommended treatment for reducing disease progression in non-hospitalized patients at high risk of disease progression. At this time, more than half of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States are treated with Veklury. It can help reduce disease progression across a spectrum of disease severity and enable patients to recover faster, freeing up limited hospital resources and saving healthcare systems money.Veklury was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 22, 2020 for adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. On January 21, 2022, the FDA approved a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for Veklury to expand the indication to the treatment of non-hospitalized adult and adolescent patients who are at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. The expanded indication allows for Veklury to be administered in qualified outpatient settings that can administer daily intravenous (IV) infusions over three consecutive days. Veklury is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Veklury or any of its components; please see below for additional Important Safety Information for Veklury.Veklury is approved or authorized for temporary use in approximately 50 countries worldwide. To date, Veklury and generic remdesivir have been made available to more than 10 million patients around the world, including nearly 7 million people in 127 middle- and low-income countries through Gilead’s voluntary licensing program. These licenses currently remain royalty-free, reflecting Gilead’s existing commitment to enabling broad patient access to remdesivir.
U.S. Indication for Veklury
Veklury® (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, who are:
- Hospitalized, or
- Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
Veklury should only be administered in settings in which health care providers have immediate access to medications to treat a severe infusion or hypersensitivity reaction, such as anaphylaxis, and the ability to activate the emergency medical system (EMS), as necessary. Veklury must be administered by intravenous infusion. Veklury is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Veklury or any of its components. For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information available at www.gilead.com
.https://www.vekluryhcp.com/
U.S. full Prescribing Information for Veklury is available at www.gilead.com. Veklury, Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220211005143/en/ Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead's remdesivir effective against multiple COVID variants, including Omicron
Feb. 11, 2022 8:46 AM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
📷Bill Oxford/iStock via Getty Images New data released by Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) indicates that its COVID-19 treatment Veklury (remdesivir) is effective against 10 variants, including Omicron.
VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) in Combination with Azacitidine
ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with chemotherapy
VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) in Combination with Azacitidine
AbbVie Announces First Provincial Reimbursements for VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) in Combination with Azacitidine for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Patients
Feb. 10, 2022 7:00 AM ET
- Following the signing of an agreement between AbbVie and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA), Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are the first provinces to reimburse the combination treatment for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who are ineligible for intensive induction chemotherapy.
MONTREAL, Feb. 10, 2022 /CNW/ - AbbVie (ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, announced today that an agreement was reached with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) for VENCLEXTA® (venetoclax) in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy.i
Effective February 2nd, on Québec's Liste des medicaments-établissements, effective February 1st on Saskatchewan Cancer Agency drug formulary, and effective February 24th on Manitoba's Drug Benefits and Interchangeability Formulary, VENCLEXTA is listed in combination with azacitidine, for first line treatment of patients with newly diagnosed AML who are 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy. For full criteria, consult the list of medications in effect.ii, iii, iv
"Acute myeloid leukemia is a blood cancer with a survival rate that still needs to be improved. Intensive chemotherapy treatments lead to toxicity, which can limit their use. However, our understanding of this disease has improved considerably over the past few years and, thanks to new treatment options such as the combination of venetoclax and azacitidine, we are now able to effectively treat a greater proportion of patients," explains Dr. Julie Bergeron, MD, FRCPC, associate clinical professor, head of the Optilab CHUM cluster of hematology laboratories, and hematologist at the CEMTL Maisonneuve-Rosemont facility.
In Canada, the five-year net survival rate is approximately 21% for people diagnosed with AML in the general population. v
"Every day, we aim to transform the standard of care in Oncology. Having effective and proven treatment options is vital for patients and their families impacted by AML. It is great news that VENCLEXTA plus azacitidine is now reimbursed in Quebec, Saskatchewan and Manitoba for people living with AML," says Tracey Ramsay, Vice President and General Manager, AbbVie Canada.
VENCLEXTA in combination with azacitidine was approved by Health Canada in December 2020. Health Canada's approval was granted under Project Orbis, an FDA initiative which provides a framework for concurrent submission and accelerated review of oncology products among international partners.
VENCLEXTA is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S.
For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.ca. Follow @abbviecanada on Twitter or find us on LinkedIn.
SOURCE AbbVie Canada
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ABBV
https://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Vidaza.aspx
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with chemotherapy
ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with chemotherapy
Pivotal Phase 3 Data for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in High-Risk Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Published in the New England Journal of Medicine
February 9, 2022 5:00 pm ETKENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the publication of results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial in the Feb. 10, 2022 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. Results showed that neoadjuvant KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with chemotherapy followed by adjuvant KEYTRUDA as monotherapy (the KEYTRUDA regimen), significantly prolonged event-free survival (EFS) compared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by adjuvant placebo (the chemotherapy-placebo regimen) in patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).As previously reported, after a median follow-up of 39 months, the KEYTRUDA regimen reduced the risk of events or death by 37% (HR=0.63 [95% CI, 0.48-0.82]; p<0.001) versus the chemotherapy-placebo regimen. A total of 15.7% (n= 123/784) of patients who received the KEYTRUDA regimen had an EFS event compared to 23.8% (n= 93/390) of patients who received the chemotherapy-placebo regimen. The estimated three-year EFS rates were 84.5% (95% CI, 81.7-86.9) in the KEYTRUDA group compared with 76.8% (95% CI, 72.2-80.7) in the chemotherapy-placebo group. Event-free survival was defined as the time from randomization to the first occurrence of either disease progression that precluded definitive surgery, a local/distant recurrence, a second primary malignancy, or death from any cause. The safety profile of the KEYTRUDA regimen was consistent with the known profiles of each regimen, and no new safety concerns were identified. Additional detailed efficacy and safety data are also featured in the publication.KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage TNBC. Additional global regulatory submissions are ongoing.“These data, which supported the FDA approval and updates to the NCCN guidelines, establish that KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy followed by adjuvant KEYTRUDA could change clinical practice for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage TNBC,” said Dr. Peter Schmid, lead, Centre for Experimental Cancer Medicine, Barts Cancer Institute in London, England. “KEYNOTE-522 is the first prospective randomized Phase 3 trial to show an improvement in event-free survival among patients with stage II and stage III TNBC.”“The study of KEYTRUDA in earlier disease states has long been a critical aspect of our clinical program,” Dr. Roy Baynes, senior vice president and head of global clinical development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are incredibly proud that the New England Journal of Medicine has chosen to publish data from this pivotal neoadjuvant/adjuvant trial of KEYTRUDA in high-risk early-stage TNBC for the second time. Results from KEYNOTE-522, in which the KEYTRUDA regimen showed a significant 37% reduction in the risk of EFS events compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, represent an important advance and support earlier intervention with KEYTRUDA in these patients.”Merck is rapidly advancing a broad portfolio in gynecologic and breast cancers with an extensive clinical development program for KEYTRUDA and several other investigational and approved medicines across these areas.
Study Design and Additional Data From KEYNOTE-522
KEYNOTE-522 is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03036488). The dual primary endpoints are pathological complete response (pCR), defined as pathological stage ypT0/Tis ypN0 at the time of definitive surgery, and EFS, defined as the time from randomization to the first occurrence of either disease progression that precluded definitive surgery, a local/distant recurrence, a second primary cancer, or death from any cause in all patients randomized. Secondary endpoints include pCR rate using alternative definitions, overall survival (OS) in all patients randomized, pCR rate according to all definitions, EFS and OS in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥1), safety and health-related quality of life assessments. The study enrolled 1,174 patients who were randomized 2:1 to receive either:
- The KEYTRUDA regimen: KEYTRUDA (every three weeks) plus paclitaxel (weekly) and carboplatin (weekly or every three weeks) for four cycles, followed by KEYTRUDA plus cyclophosphamide and either doxorubicin or epirubicin (every three weeks) for four cycles as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery, followed by nine cycles of KEYTRUDA (every three weeks) as adjuvant therapy post-surgery (n=784); or
- The chemotherapy-placebo regimen: Placebo (every three weeks) plus paclitaxel (weekly) and carboplatin (weekly or every three weeks) for four cycles, followed by placebo plus cyclophosphamide and either doxorubicin or epirubicin (every three weeks) for four cycles as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery, followed by nine cycles of placebo (every three weeks) as adjuvant therapy post-surgery (n=390).
As previously announced, KEYNOTE-522 met the success criterion for the dual primary endpoint of pCR at the first interim analysis; pCR was observed in 64.8% of patients who received KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy (n=260/401), an increase of 13.6% (p=0.00055) from 51.2% in patients who received placebo plus chemotherapy (n=103/201). At the fourth interim analysis, KEYNOTE-522 met the success criterion for the dual primary endpoint of EFS. The trial also evaluated OS, a key secondary endpoint. Although the OS data did not cross the boundary for statistical significance at the fourth interim analysis, there was a 28% reduction in the risk of death with the KEYTRUDA regimen versus the chemotherapy-placebo regimen (HR=0.72 [95% CI, 0.51-1.02]). The study is continuing to allow for additional follow-up of OS.For the combined neoadjuvant and adjuvant phases, treatment-related adverse events Grade 3 or higher occurred in 77.1% of patients receiving the KEYTRUDA regimen (n=783) and in 73.3% of patients receiving the chemotherapy-placebo regimen (n=389). Treatment-related adverse events led to death in 0.5% of patients receiving the KEYTRUDA regimen (n=4) and 0.3% of patients receiving the chemotherapy-placebo regimen (n=1). No new safety concerns were identified.Immune-mediated adverse events (AEs) of any grade occurred in 33.5% of patients receiving the KEYTRUDA regimen and 11.3% of patients receiving the chemotherapy-placebo regimen. A higher incidence of endocrine disorders was observed with the KEYTRUDA regimen as compared to the chemotherapy-placebo regimen. Immune-mediated AEs led to death in 0.3% of patients receiving the KEYTRUDA regimen (n=2) and no patients receiving the chemotherapy-placebo regimen. Most immune-mediated AEs occurred during the neoadjuvant phase rather than the adjuvant phase.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,700 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
MelanomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.Non-Small Cell Lung CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.Head and Neck Squamous Cell CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [combined positive score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.Classical Hodgkin LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.Urothelial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).Gastric CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Esophageal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.Hepatocellular CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Merkel Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Renal Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.Tumor Mutational Burden-High CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Cutaneous Squamous Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.Triple-Negative Breast CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf . Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck’s Keytruda combined with chemotherapy could benefit thousands of breast cancer patients
The combination significantly reduces cancer recurrence by approximately 37% and reduces secondary breast cancer by 39%
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
MRK Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/mrk/dividend-history
ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with chemotherapy
ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with chemotherapy
ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with chemotherapy
ADCETRIS® Combination Significantly Improves Overall Survival in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma
02/03/2022– Full Data from Phase 3 ECHELON-1 Clinical Trial to be Submitted for Presentation at Upcoming Medical Meeting –BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) today announced that the phase 3 ECHELON-1 clinical trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) (p=0.009) in patients with advanced classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) following treatment with ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with chemotherapy. With approximately six years median follow up, patients receiving ADCETRIS plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) in the frontline setting had a 41 percent reduction in the risk of death (HR 0.59; [95% CI: 0.396 to 0.879]) compared with patients receiving doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD). The safety profile of ADCETRIS was consistent with previous studies and no new safety signals were observed.“These groundbreaking results are important for patients with advanced classical Hodgkin lymphoma given that an improvement in overall survival has rarely been shown in frontline treatment of this disease,” said Roger Dansey, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Seagen. “We look forward to presentation of the results at an upcoming medical meeting.”ECHELON-1 is an open-label, international, randomized, phase 3 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of frontline ADCETRIS plus AVD versus ABVD in 1,334 adult patients with stage III or IV cHL. Patients were randomly assigned to receive A+AVD or ABVD intravenously on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle for up to six cycles. OS is the key secondary endpoint of the trial. The primary endpoint, modified progression free survival, served as the basis for global regulatory approvals.Please see Important Safety Information, including BOXED WARNING, for ADCETRIS below.ADCETRIS is approved for certain types of relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) including previously untreated Stage III/IV cHL and previously untreated peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). It has received marketing authorization in more than 75 countries and is being evaluated globally in more than 70 corporate- and investigator-sponsored clinical trials across multiple settings in lymphoma and other diseases. About ADCETRIS
ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seagen’s proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing cells.ADCETRIS is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:
- previously untreated Stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine,
- cHL at high risk of relapse or progression as post-autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) consolidation,
- cHL after failure of auto-HSCT or failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not auto-HSCT candidates,
- previously untreated systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) or other CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and PTCL not otherwise specified, in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone,
- sALCL after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen, and
- primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL) or CD30-expressing mycosis fungoides who have received prior systemic therapy.
Seagen and Takeda are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seagen has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and Takeda has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seagen and Takeda are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where Takeda is solely responsible for development costs.https://www.adcetris.com/
For more information on the company’s marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter. 1 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/hodgkin-lymphoma.htmlView source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220203005330/en/ Source: Seagen Inc.
Seagen's Adcetris combo improves survival of blood cancer patients in phase 3 trial
Feb. 03, 2022 12:50 PM ET Seagen Inc. (SGEN)
By: Ravikash, SA News Editor
- Seagen (SGEN -1.1%) said its medicine Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin) in combination with chemotherapy showed statistically significant improvement in overall survival in patients with advanced classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) in a phase 3 trial, dubbed ECHELON-1.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3795661-seagens-adcetris-combo-improves-survival-of-blood-cancer-patients-in-phase-3-trial
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SGEN
- https://www.adcetris.com/
- https://www.seagen.com/
Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
ADUHELM® (aducanumab-avwa) 100 mg/mL injection
Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
January 31, 2022
U.S. FDA Approves New Label Update for CAR T-Cell Therapy Yescarta® Showing Prophylactic Steriod Use Improves Management of Cytokine Release Syndrome
– Updated Toxicity Management Strategy Can Improve Certain Adverse Events Without Compromising the Activity of Yescarta –
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an update to the prescribing information for Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) to include use of prophylactic corticosteroids across all approved indications. Yescarta is now the first and only chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy with information in the label to help physicians manage, and potentially prevent, treatment side effects.
The label update is based on the results of a new safety management cohort (Cohort 6) of the pivotal ZUMA-1 study, which was designed to assess the impact of prophylactic use of corticosteroids and earlier treatment with corticosteroids and/or tocilizumab and prophylactic levetiracetam on the incidence and severity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events. In the cohort, no Grade ≥3 CRS events occurred [0% (0/39) of patients in Cohort 6 compared to 13% (14/108) in the pivotal Cohorts 1/2]. Grade ≥3 neurologic events occurred in 13% of patients at the time of data cut-off, and one patient experienced a late onset Grade 5 event following the data cut-off [13% (5/39) of patients in Cohort 6 compared to 31% (33/108) in the pivotal Cohorts 1/2]. Cohort 6 shows CRS median time to onset of five days with a range from 1-15 days, and neurotoxicity median time to onset of six days with a range from 1-274 days in patients that experienced these complications.
Additional data recently published shows 68% of patients had no CRS or neurologic events within 72 hours of Yescarta infusion (27/40).1 Helping to address the potential concern that steroid use might impact efficacy, the Cohort 6 one-year update presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in December 2021 suggest that Cohort 6 toxicity management strategy can improve certain adverse events without compromising the activity of Yescarta.2 Patients in Cohort 4 and Cohort 6 were found to have received median cumulative steroid doses that were lower than those used in matched Cohorts 1/2 who received steroids to manage CRS or neurologic events when they occurred.3 [1Oluwole OO, et al. Br J Haematol. 2021;194:690-700 and 2Oluwole OO, et al. 2021 ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition; December 11-14, 2021; Atlanta, GA. Abstract 2832 and 3Topp et al. Br J Haematol. 2021;195(3):388-398.]
“These new data will enable doctors to more easily and confidently manage treatment for patients,” said Frank Neumann, MD, PhD, Kite’s Global Head of Clinical Development. “Since the first approval of Yescarta, Kite has worked closely with physicians to optimize all aspects of CAR T-cell therapy to enable as many patients as possible to have the chance to benefit from this treatment. Our responsibility includes research to expand into new diseases and earlier lines of treatment, but also continuously improving the efficacy and safety of our existing CAR T therapies.”
The ZUMA-1 study also included Cohort 4 which was added to the FDA label in May 2021 and evaluated the earlier treatment with corticosteroids and/or tocilizumab and prophylactic levetiracetam. Cohort 6 builds on this growing knowledge regarding how to manage and minimize side effects gained over many years of developing Yescarta. Cohort 6 evaluated 39 patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL. Patients received dexamethasone 10 mg orally once daily for three days, starting prior to Yescarta infusion. In Cohort 6, corticosteroids and tocilizumab were started earlier, at lower grades of CRS and neurologic events, than in the ZUMA-1 pivotal cohorts (Cohorts 1 and 2). All 39 patients received three prophylactic doses of corticosteroids.
Patients can currently access Kite’s CAR T-cell therapies through 111 authorized treatment centers across the U.S. that are experienced in administering and managing patients being treated with CAR T-cell therapy. The Yescarta prescribing information does not specify a treatment setting, whether in the hospital or in near-by outpatient offices with close monitoring. It is up to a patient’s physician to determine the most appropriate treatment setting for their care based on individual circumstances. The Yescarta label update may help physicians manage potential complications and determine appropriate setting for care of their patients.
Yescarta was the first CAR T-cell therapy to be approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. Yescarta is also currently under review in the U.S. and European Union for use as an earlier treatment of adult patients with second-line relapsed or refractory LBCL.
About Yescarta
Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
Yescarta is a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy currently indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma.
Limitations of Use: Yescarta is not indicated for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma. - Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
- https://www.yescarta.com/
For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com.
U.S. Prescribing Information for Yescarta including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.kitepharma.com and www.gilead.com.
Kite, the Kite logo, Yescarta, Tecartus, XLP and GILEAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc. or its related companies.
For more information on Kite, please visit the company’s website at www.kitepharma.com. Follow Kite on social media on Twitter (@KitePharma) and LinkedIn.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220131005477/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead’s Kite announces new label update for Yescarta
Jan. 31, 2022 9:45 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Kite, a subsidiary of Gilead (NASDAQ:GILD) announced that the FDA approved an update to the prescribing information of its CAR T-cell therapy Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), allowing the use of corticosteroids across all its indications to manage the adverse events.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3793535-gileads-kite-announces-new-label-update-for-yescarta
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://www.yescarta.com/
- https://www.gilead.com/
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
ADUHELM® (aducanumab-avwa) 100 mg/mL injection
Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel)
January 31, 2022 at 12:59 AM EST Back
CHMP RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 11 YEARS WITH SEVERE ASTHMA WITH TYPE 2 INFLAMMATION
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, Jan. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Recommendation based on pivotal trial that showed Dupixent significantly reduced severe asthma attacks and improved lung function in children aged 6 to 11 years
Dupixent is the only biologic to show improved lung function in a randomized Phase 3 trial for childrenData further reinforce well-established safety profile of Dupixent
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced that the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion, recommending to extend the approval of Dupixent® (dupilumab) in the European Union (EU) to include add-on maintenance treatment for children aged 6 to 11 years with severe asthma with type 2 inflammation characterized by raised blood eosinophils and/or raised fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) who are inadequately controlled on two maintenance therapies. The European Commission is expected to announce a final decision on the Dupixent application in the coming months.The CHMP positive opinion is supported by Phase 3 data recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine showing that Dupixent added to standard of care significantly reduced the rate of severe asthma attacks and rapidly improved lung function within two weeks, with sustained improvement up to 52 weeks, in children with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma. The safety results from the trial were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent in patients aged 12 years and older with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma. Adverse events more commonly observed with Dupixent compared to placebo included injection site reactions, viral upper respiratory tract infections and eosinophilia. Helminth infections were also more commonly observed with Dupixent compared to placebo in patients aged 6 to 11 years.Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. Up to 85% of children with asthma may have type 2 inflammation and are more likely to have higher disease burden. Despite treatment with current standard-of-care inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and bronchodilators, these children may continue to experience serious symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Severe asthma may impact children's developing airways and cause potentially life-threatening exacerbations. Children with severe asthma also may require the use of multiple courses of systemic corticosteroids that carry significant risks. Uncontrolled severe asthma can interfere with day-to-day activities like sleeping, attending school and playing sports.On October 20, 2021, Dupixent was approved by the FDA as an add-on maintenance treatment for patients aged 6 to 11 years with moderate-to-severe asthma characterized by an eosinophilic phenotype or with oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma. The use of Dupixent in children aged 6 to 11 years with uncontrolled severe asthma is investigational in the EU and is not yet approved.
About Dupixent Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in atopic dermatitis, asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).Dupixent is currently approved in Europe for adults and adolescents 12 years and older as an add-on maintenance treatment for severe asthma with type 2 inflammation characterized by raised blood eosinophils and/or raised FeNO, who are inadequately controlled with high-dose ICS plus another medicinal product for maintenance treatment. It is also approved in the U.S., Japan and other countries around the world for use in certain patients with asthma, specific patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis as well as CRSwNP in different age populations. Dupixent is also approved in one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries around the world, and more than 350,000 patients have been treated globally. Dupilumab Development ProgramDupilumab is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across 60 clinical trials involving more than 10,000 patients with various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.In addition to the currently approved indications, Regeneron and Sanofi are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with evidence of type 2 inflammation (Phase 3), pediatric atopic dermatitis (6 months to 5 years of age, Phase 3), eosinophilic esophagitis (Phase 3), bullous pemphigoid (Phase 3), prurigo nodularis (Phase 3), chronic spontaneous urticaria (Phase 3), chronic inducible urticaria-cold (Phase 3), chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis (Phase 3), allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (Phase 3), allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (Phase 3) and peanut allergy (Phase 2). These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. IndicationsDUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 years of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information. https://www.dupixent.com/
For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chmp-recommends-approval-of-dupixent-dupilumab-for-children-aged-6-to-11-years-with-severe-asthma-with-type-2-inflammation-301470938.htmlSOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
EMA OKs expanded use of Regeneron/Sanofi's asthma med Dupixent in kids aged 6 to 11
Jan. 31, 2022 5:50 AM ET Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) announce that the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion, recommending to extend the approval of Dupixent (dupilumab) in European Union (EU) to include add-on maintenance treatment for children aged 6 to 11 years with severe asthma with type 2 inflammation.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3793371-ema-oks-expanded-use-of-regeneronsanofis-asthma-med-dupixent-in-kids-aged-6-to-11
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SNY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
- https://www.regeneron.com/
- https://www.dupixent.com/
ADUHELM® (aducanumab-avwa) 100 mg/mL injection
ADUHELM® (aducanumab-avwa) 100 mg/mL injection
ADUHELM® (aducanumab-avwa) 100 mg/mL injection
Update on the Phase 4 ENVISION Confirmatory Study of ADUHELM®
JANUARY 27, 2022 • INVESTOR RELATIONS
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) and Eisai Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) today announced additional details about the Phase 4 post-marketing confirmatory study, ENVISION, of ADUHELM® (aducanumab-avwa) 100 mg/mL injection for intravenous use in early Alzheimer’s disease, including details of the study’s goal for diverse enrollment and primary endpoint.
Biogen aims to enroll 18 percent of U.S. participants in ENVISION from Black/African American and Latinx populations. This goal is reflective of Biogen’s ongoing commitment to increase diversity in clinical trials.
“Historically, patients from diverse backgrounds have been poorly represented in Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials, and we are committed to changing this,” said Priya Singhal M.D., M.P.H., Head of Global Safety & Regulatory Sciences and interim Head of Research & Development at Biogen. “This goal matches the diversity among Americans diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s disease, while at the same time, the trial will generate substantial data to verify the effectiveness of ADUHELM.”
Biogen will implement multiple strategies to help overcome barriers to diverse patient enrollment in Alzheimer’s disease trials, such as, lack of access to medical centers, familiarity with benefit/risk profile of treatment, and financial or logistical burdens.
“It’s important to see this ambitious focus on diversity being prioritized in enrollment and integrated as a key part of the ENVISION clinical trial, so that we can have data from patients who more closely represent what we see in the clinic,” said Dylan Wint, M.D., Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Nevada.
The companies also announced today that the primary endpoint for the global, placebo-controlled ENVISION trial will be measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating–Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) at 18 months after treatment initiation with ADUHELM. The CDR-SB endpoint is a validated measure of both cognition and function that is widely used in clinical trials of patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, is consistent with ADUHELM’s Phase 3 EMERGE and ENGAGE studies, and capable of generating robust outcomes. The update also includes an increase in the previously announced enrollment, from 1,300 to 1,500 people with early Alzheimer’s disease (Mild Cognitive Impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease and mild Alzheimer’s disease), with confirmation of amyloid beta pathology, to further strengthen the data provided by the study.
Although ENVISION and other ADUHELM clinical trials are already planned or underway, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a draft National Coverage Determination (NCD), which would restrict Medicare coverage of ADUHELM and other amyloid-targeting therapies to patients enrolled in an additional clinical trial. Biogen is committed to engaging with CMS to avoid unnecessary duplication of clinical trials and work towards finding a path to offer immediate access to patients to the first FDA approved treatment for Alzheimer’s disease since 2003.
In addition to the primary endpoint, CDR-SB, secondary endpoints include Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog 13), Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living Inventory - Mild Cognitive Impairment Version (ADCS-ADL-MCI), Integrated Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (iADRS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-10).
The initiation of patient screening for ENVISION is planned for May 2022. Based on enrollment rates from the previous Phase 3 trials with ADUHELM, the primary completion date is expected to be approximately four years after the study begins. The companies are grateful to the healthcare professionals, medical centers, patients and families who will participate in this trial.
Previously, in July 2021, the companies set another substantial diversity goal in the observational Phase 4 ICARE AD trial, which aims to enroll a total of approximately 6,000 patients.
About ADUHELM® (aducanumab-avwa) 100 mg/mL injection for intravenous use
ADUHELM is indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment with ADUHELM should be initiated in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease, the population in which treatment was initiated in clinical trials. There are no safety or effectiveness data on initiating treatment at earlier or later stages of the disease than were studied. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on reduction in amyloid beta plaques observed in patients treated with ADUHELM. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
ADUHELM is a monoclonal antibody directed against amyloid beta. The accumulation of amyloid beta plaques in the brain is a defining pathophysiological feature of Alzheimer’s disease. The accelerated approval of ADUHELM has been granted based on data from clinical trials showing the effect of ADUHELM on reducing amyloid beta plaques, a surrogate biomarker that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, in this case a reduction in clinical decline.
ADUHELM can cause serious side effects including: Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities or “ARIA”. ARIA is a common side effect that does not usually cause any symptoms but can be serious. Although most people do not have symptoms, some people may have symptoms such as: headache, confusion, dizziness, vision changes and nausea. The patient’s healthcare provider will do magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before and during treatment with ADUHELM to check for ARIA. ADUHELM can also cause serious allergic reactions. The most common side effects of ADUHELM include: swelling in areas of the brain, with or without small spots of bleeding in the brain or on the surface of the brain (ARIA); headache; and fall. Patients should call their healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.
As of October 2017, Biogen and Eisai Co., Ltd. are collaborating on the global co-development and co-promotion of aducanumab.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide, for ADUHELM.
to learn more, please visit www.biogen.com
For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit https://www.eisai.com.
Biogen/Eisai highlights details for Phase 4 Aduhelm study in Alzheimer's disease
Jan. 27, 2022 8:06 AM ET
Biogen Inc. (BIIB), ESALFESALY
By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) and Eisai (OTCPK:ESALF) announce additional details about the Phase 4 confirmatory study, ENVISION, of Aduhelm (aducanumab-avwa) 100 mg/mL injection for intravenous use in early Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3792390-biogeneisai-highlights-details-for-phase-4-aduhelm-study-in-alzheimers-disease
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ESALF
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BIIB
Verzenio® (abemaciclib)
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab
ADUHELM® (aducanumab-avwa) 100 mg/mL injection
Health Canada Authorizes Verzenio® (abemaciclib) as the First and Only CDK4/6 Inhibitor for patients with HR+ HER2- High Risk Early Breast Cancer
Jan. 27, 2022 8:30 AM ET
- Adding Verzenio to endocrine therapy demonstrated a significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of recurrence in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor 2 negative (HER2-), node-positive, high risk early breast cancer and a Ki-67 score of ≥20%
- Verzenio was first authorized in Canada in 2019 for the treatment of estrogen and/or progesterone HR+ HER2-, metastatic breast cancer (mBC)
TORONTO, Jan. 27, 2022 /CNW/ - Lilly Canada is pleased to announce that Health Canada has authorized Verzenio® (abemaciclib) (tablets), in combination with endocrine therapy, for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of disease recurrence based on clinicopathological features and a Ki-67 score ≥20%. Ki-67 is a marker of cellular proliferation. Verzenio is the first and only CDK4/6 inhibitor approved for this patient population. Verzenio was previously approved by Health Canada in August 2019 for metastatic breast cancer.
The Verzenio Phase 3 monarchE trial was a randomized (1:1), open-label, multicentre study in adult women and men with HR+ HER2-, node-positive, resected, EBC with clinical and pathological features consistent with a high risk of disease recurrence. In the trial, patients were randomized to receive two years of Verzenio 150 mg twice daily plus physician's choice of standard endocrine therapy (ET), or standard ET alone. Patients in both treatment arms were instructed to continue to receive adjuvant endocrine therapy for up to 5-10 years as recommended by their clinician. At the second interim efficacy analysis, with a median follow-up of 15.5 months, a statistically significant improvement in invasive disease–free survival (IDFS) was observed in patients who received Verzenio plus endocrine therapy versus those who received endocrine therapy alone. Patients treated with Verzenio plus endocrine therapy had a 25.3% reduction in risk of IDFS recurrence or death compared to patients treated with endocrine therapy alone. Consistent benefit was observed across patient stratification subgroups of geographic region, prior chemotherapy, and menopausal status.
At the final IDFS analysis, efficacy results were updated for the intent to treat (ITT) population, with a median follow-up of 19.1 months. Patients treated with Verzenio plus endocrine therapy had a 28.7% reduction in risk of recurrence or death compared to patients treated with ET alone (IDFS HR=0.713, 95% CI: 0.583, 0.871) and the 2-year IDFS rates were 92.3% and 89.3%, respectively. Also, patients treated with Verzenio plus ET had a 31.3% reduction in risk of distant recurrence or death compared to patients treated with ET alone [distant relapse free survival (DRFS) HR=0.687, 95% CI: 0.551, 0.858] and the 2 year DRFS rates were 93.8% and 90.8%, respectively. The most common sites of distance recurrence were bone, liver, and lung. In this efficacy analysis, overall survival data were immature and a total of 106 patients had died (55 deaths (2.0%) in patients treated with Verzenio plus ET and 51 deaths (1.8%) with ET alone).2
Having achieved the study's primary endpoint in the entire enrolled population, a pre-specified analysis of IDFS was also conducted in patients with high-risk clinical and pathological factors and a Ki-67 score ≥20%. This subgroup analysis (N=2,003) included patients with ≥4 positive axillary lymph nodes (ALN), or 1-3 positive ALN with either Grade 3 disease and/or tumour size ≥5 cm, and whose tumours had a Ki-67 score of ≥20%. There was also a statistically significant improvement in IDFS for this pre-specified subgroup of patients receiving Verzenio plus ET compared to those who received ET alone (HR=0.643, 95% CI: 0.475, 0.872, p=0.0042).2
Adverse reactions from monarchE were consistent with the known safety profile for Verzenio.1 Safety and tolerability were evaluated in 2,791 out of 5,591 patients who received at least one dose of study treatment.2 The most common adverse reactions reported in ≥20% of patients in any study receiving abemaciclib in combination with endocrine treatment or as a single agent were diarrhea, neutropenia, fatigue, infections, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, anemia, alopecia, leukopenia, headache, and thrombocytopenia.2
This approval builds on the established body of evidence for Verzenio, which is already approved for the treatment of certain types of HR+ HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer in women. Verzenio is available in tablet strengths of 200 mg, 150 mg, 100 mg, and 50 mg.
Data supporting this approval were presented at the September 2020 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Virtual Congress.
About the monarchE Study
The efficacy of Verzenio plus physician's choice of standard endocrine therapy was evaluated in monarchE, a randomized (1:1), open-label, multicenter study in adult women and men with HR-positive, HER2-negative, node-positive, resected, early breast cancer (EBC) with clinical and pathological features consistent with a high risk of disease recurrence. To be enrolled, all patients had to have HR positive, HER2-negative EBC with tumor involvement in at least 1 axillary lymph node (pALN). Two cohorts of patients were enrolled. To be enrolled in cohort 1, patients needed to have either ≥4 pALN, or pALN 1-3 and tumor grade 3 and/or tumor size ≥ 50 mm. To be enrolled in cohort 2, patients were required to have pALN 1-3 and Ki-67 score of ≥20% as measured in untreated breast tumor tissue, using a clinical trial assay at a central laboratory. For patients in cohort 1 with available untreated breast tissue samples, retrospective central testing of tissue was conducted to establish if the Ki-67 score was ≥20% or < 20% (specified in the protocol as "Ki-67 high" or "Ki-67 low", respectively). The intent to treat (ITT) population included patients from both cohort 1 (n=5120) and cohort 2 (n=517). Randomization to treatment was stratified by prior treatment (neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus adjuvant chemotherapy versus no chemotherapy); menopausal status (premenopausal versus postmenopausal); and region (North America/Europe versus Asia versus other). Men were stratified as postmenopausal.1,2
About Early Breast Cancer and Risk of Recurrence
It is estimated that 90 per cent of all breast cancers are detected at an early stage. Although the prognosis for HR+ HER2- EBC is generally positive, 20 per cent of patients will experience recurrence potentially to incurable metastatic disease.3 Risk of recurrence is greatest within the initial two to three years post-diagnosis, particularly in patients with node-positive, high risk EBC.4 Factors associated with high risk of recurrence include: positive nodal status, large tumour size (≥5 cm), high tumour grade (Grade 3), and high rate of cellular proliferation [Ki-67 score (≥20%)].2
Node-positive means that cancer cells from the tumour in the breast have been found in the lymph nodes in the armpit area. Although the breast cancer is removed through surgery, the presence of cancer cells in the lymph nodes signifies that there is a higher chance of the cancer returning and spreading.
About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer has now surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, according to GLOBOCAN. The estimated 2.3 million new cases indicate that 1 in every 8 cancers diagnosed in 2020 is breast cancer. With approximately 685,000 deaths in 2020, breast cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death worldwide.5 In Canada, 27,700 Canadian women were diagnosed with breast cancer, in 2021. It represents 13% of all cancer deaths in Canada. Breast cancer accounts for 25% of all new cancer cases in women in 2021.6 Approximately 70 per cent of all breast cancers are of the HR+ HER2- subtype.7
About Verzenio® (abemaciclib)
Verzenio® (abemaciclib) is a targeted treatment known as a CDK4/6 inhibitor. Verzenio is a non-chemotherapy oral tablet.
Verzenio works inside the cell to block CDK4/6 activity and help stop the growth of cancer cells, so they may eventually die (based on preclinical studies). Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK)4/6 are activated by binding to D-cyclins. In estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cell lines, cyclin D1 and CDK4/6 promote phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb), cell cycle progression, and cell proliferation.
In vitro, continuous exposure to Verzenio inhibited Rb phosphorylation and blocked progression from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle, resulting in senescence and apoptosis (cell death). Preclinically, Verzenio dosed daily without interruption resulted in reduction of tumour size. Inhibiting CDK4/6 in healthy cells can result in side effects, some of which may be serious. Clinical evidence also suggests that Verzenio crosses the blood-brain barrier. In patients with advanced cancer, including breast cancer, concentrations of Verzenio and its active metabolites (M2 and M20) in cerebrospinal fluid are comparable to unbound plasma concentrations.
Verzenio is Lilly's first solid oral dosage form to be made using a faster, more efficient process known as continuous manufacturing. Continuous manufacturing is a new and advanced type of manufacturing within the pharmaceutical industry, and Lilly is one of the first companies to use this technology.
INDICATIONS FOR VERZENIO
Early Breast Cancer
Verzenio® (abemaciclib) (tablets) is indicated in combination with endocrine therapy for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of disease recurrence based on clinicopathological features and a Ki-67 score ≥20 per cent.
Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer
Verzenio (abemaciclib) (tablets) is indicated for the treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
- in combination with an aromatase inhibitor in postmenopausal women as initial endocrine-based therapy.
- in combination with fulvestrant in women with disease progression following endocrine therapy. Pre- or perimenopausal women must also be treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist.
- as a single agent in women with disease progression following endocrine therapy and at least 2 prior chemotherapy regimens. At least one chemotherapy regimen should have been administered in the metastatic setting, and at least one should have contained a taxane.
To learn more about Lilly Canada, please visit us at www.lilly.ca.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/LLY
Veklury® (Remdesivir)
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab
January 21, 2022
FDA Approves Veklury® (Remdesivir) for the Treatment of Non-Hospitalized Patients at High Risk for COVID-19 Disease Progression
-- Approval Based on Phase 3 Data Showing Veklury Significantly Reduced Risk of Hospitalization By 87% Compared with Placebo --
-- NIH Guidelines Recommend Veklury for the Treatment of Non-Hospitalized Patients at High Risk --
-- FDA Expands Pediatric Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Include Treatment of Non-Hospitalized Pediatric Patients at High Risk --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted expedited approval of a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for Veklury® (remdesivir) for the treatment of non-hospitalized adult and adolescent patients who are at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. This approval expands the role of Veklury, which is the antiviral standard of care for the treatment of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The expanded indication allows for Veklury to be administered in qualified outpatient settings that can administer daily intravenous (IV) infusions over three consecutive days. The FDA has also expanded the pediatric Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of Veklury to include non-hospitalized pediatric patients younger than 12 years of age who are at high risk of disease progression.
These actions by the FDA come amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases and the reduced susceptibility to several anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) due to the Omicron variant. In contrast, Veklury targets the highly conserved viral RNA polymerase, thereby retaining activity against existing SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. In vitro laboratory testing shows that Veklury retains activity against the Omicron variant. To date, no major genetic changes have been identified in any of the known variants of concern that would significantly alter the viral RNA polymerase targeted by Veklury.
The FDA sNDA approval, pediatric EUA expansion and recently updated National Institutes of Health (NIH) Treatment Guidelines for COVID-19 that additionally recommend Veklury for treatment in non-hospitalized settings, are based on results from the PINETREE Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of a three-day course of Veklury for intravenous (IV) use for the treatment of COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients at high risk for disease progression. An analysis of 562 participants randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive Veklury or placebo, demonstrated that treatment with Veklury resulted in a statistically significant 87% reduction in risk for the composite primary endpoint of COVID-19 related hospitalization or all-cause death by Day 28 (0.7% [2/279]) compared with placebo (5.3% [15/283]) p=0.008. In the study, no deaths were observed in either arm by Day 28. The safety profile was similar between Veklury and placebo across the variety of outpatient settings in this trial, with the most common treatment emergent adverse events (≥5%) in patients taking Veklury being nausea and headache.
“Remdesivir has now helped to treat more than 10 million people around the world with COVID-19 and continues to play a key role in helping to reduce the burden of the pandemic. Based on the most recent data, we now understand that remdesivir is also effective in the early stages of COVID-19 infection, in addition to helping patients who are hospitalized with the disease,” said Daniel O’Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gilead Sciences. “While we continue to advance remdesivir to benefit more patients in multiple settings, we are also advancing our investigational oral compounds. These are based on the same antiviral mechanism of action as remdesivir and a Phase 1 trial for our oral COVID-19 antiviral, GS-5245 is now underway.”
In the United States, Veklury is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) who are either hospitalized or not hospitalized and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. Veklury is additionally authorized for these uses under the EUA for pediatric patients weighing 3.5 kg to less than 40 kg or pediatric patients less than 12 years of age weighing at least 3.5 kg. Veklury is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Veklury or any of its components; please see below for additional Important Safety Information for Veklury.
Under the expanded indication for Veklury, non-hospitalized adult and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who are at high risk for COVID-19 disease progression can be treated with a recommended treatment duration of three days to help prevent hospitalization. For hospitalized patients not on mechanical ventilation and/or ECMO, a 5-day course of treatment is recommended, with the option to extend to a total of 10-days as needed. Critically ill patients who require mechanical ventilation and/or ECMO should receive a 10-day course of treatment.
About Veklury
Veklury (remdesivir) is a nucleotide analog invented by Gilead, building on more than a decade of the company’s antiviral research. Veklury is the antiviral standard of care for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. At this time, more than half of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States are treated with Veklury. It can help reduce disease progression across a spectrum of disease severity and enable hospitalized patients to recover faster, freeing up limited hospital resources and saving healthcare systems money.
Veklury is approved or authorized for temporary use in approximately 50 countries worldwide. To date, Veklury and generic remdesivir have been made available to more than 10 million patients around the world, including 7 million people in 127 middle- and low-income countries through Gilead’s voluntary licensing program. These licenses currently remain royalty-free, reflecting Gilead’s existing commitment to enabling broad patient access to remdesivir.
U.S. Indication for Veklury
Veklury® (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) is indicated for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, who are:
- Hospitalized, or
- Not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
Veklury should only be administered in settings in which health care providers have immediate access to medications to treat a severe infusion or hypersensitivity reaction, such as anaphylaxis, and the ability to activate the emergency medical system (EMS), as necessary. Veklury must be administered by intravenous infusion. Veklury is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Veklury or any of its components. For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information available at www.gilead.com.
U.S. full Prescribing Information for Veklury is available at www.gilead.com.
Veklury, Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220121005359/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
FDA expands use of Gilead's COVID drug remdesivir to non-hospitalized patients
Jan. 21, 2022 10:35 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor8 Comments
- Gilead's (NASDAQ:GILD) COVID-19 treatment Veklury (remdesivir) can now be used in non-hospitalized adults and adolescents at high risk of progressing to severe disease.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3790488-fda-expands-use-of-gilead-covid-drug-remdesivir-to-non-hospitalized-patients
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://www.vekluryhcp.com/
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab demonstrated unprecedented survival in 1st-line unresectable liver cancer with 31% of patients alive at three years
PUBLISHED18 January 2022
A single priming dose of tremelimumab plus IMFINZI every four
weeks reduced risk of death by 22% in HIMALAYA Phase III trial
Combination also showed no increase in severe liver toxicity and fewer
discontinuations due to treatment-related adverse events vs. sorafenib
Positive results from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial showed a single priming dose of tremelimumab added to IMFINZI® (durvalumab) demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) versus sorafenib as a 1st-line treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had not received prior systemic therapy and were not eligible for localized treatment.
This novel dose and schedule of IMFINZI and tremelimumab, an anti-CTLA4 antibody, is called the STRIDE regimen (Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab). Results from the trial will be presented on January 21 at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.
Liver cancer, of which HCC is the most common type, is the third-leading cause of cancer death and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.1,2 Approximately 80,000 people in the US, Europe and Japan and 260,000 people in China present with advanced, unresectable HCC each year.3 Only 7% of patients with advanced disease survive five years.4
Ghassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA, Attending Physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and principal investigator in the HIMALAYA Phase III trial, said: “Patients with unresectable liver cancer face a dismal prognosis, and new treatment options are critical to improving long-term survival. The three-year overall survival rate and favorable safety profile seen with the STRIDE regimen set a new benchmark in this setting and underscore the potential of this innovative treatment approach.”
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “The HIMALAYA trial reinforces our scientific approach for tremelimumab, tapping into the potential of CTLA-4 inhibition and a unique dosing regimen to prime the immune system to help patients live longer and with minimal side effects. We look forward to bringing potential new treatment options to patients with unresectable liver cancer, an area of high unmet need, as quickly as possible.”
Patients treated with the STRIDE regimen experienced a 22% reduction in the risk of death versus sorafenib (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.78, 96.02% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.93; p=0.0035). Median OS was 16.4 months versus 13.8 for sorafenib. An estimated 31% of patients were still alive at three years versus 20% for sorafenib.
Results also showed an increase in objective response rate (ORR) with the STRIDE regimen versus sorafenib (20.1% vs. 5.1%). Median duration of response (DoR) was 22.3 months with the STRIDE regimen versus 18.4 with sorafenib. The addition of tremelimumab to IMFINZI did not increase severe liver toxicity, and no bleeding risk was observed.
HIMALAYA also tested IMFINZI monotherapy, which demonstrated non-inferior OS to sorafenib (HR 0.86; 95.67% CI 0.73-1.03; non-inferiority margin 1.08) with a median OS of 16.6 months versus 13.8, and an improved tolerability profile versus sorafenib.
Indications:
IMFINZI is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has not progressed following concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
IMFINZI, in combination with etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).
Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
About IMFINZI® (durvalumab)
IMFINZI is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 and CD80, countering the tumor’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
IMFINZI is the only approved immunotherapy in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
IMFINZI is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial.
IMFINZI is also approved for previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries. Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with IMFINZI.
As part of a broad development program, IMFINZI is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with NSCLC, SCLC, bladder cancer, HCC, biliary tract cancer (BTC), esophageal cancer, gastric and gastroesophageal cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and other solid tumors.
About tremelimumab
Tremelimumab is a human monoclonal antibody and potential new medicine that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Tremelimumab blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T-cell activation, priming the immune response to cancer and fostering cancer cell death.
Tremelimumab is being tested in a clinical trial program in combination with IMFINZI in NSCLC, SCLC, bladder cancer and liver cancer.
For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS.
AstraZeneca's Imfinzi + CTLA-4 inhibitor improves survival as liver cancer treatment
Jan. 18, 2022 6:29 PM ET AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor
- The combination of AstraZeneca's (NASDAQ:AZN) Imfinzi (durvalumab) + the company's experimental CTLA-4 inhibitor tremelimumab led to a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival ("OS") versus Nexavar (sorafenib) as a first-line unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3789019-astrazeneca-imfinzi-ctla-4-inhibitor-improves-survival-as-liver-cancer-treatment
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.imfinzi.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
(CEMIPLIMAB-RWLC) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
(CEMIPLIMAB-RWLC) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
(CEMIPLIMAB-RWLC) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
January 19, 2022 at 7:00 AM EST Back
FDA ACCEPTS FOR REVIEW LIBTAYO® (CEMIPLIMAB-RWLC) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY FOR FIRST-LINE TREATMENT OF ADVANCED NSCLC
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
Regulatory filing recently submitted in the European Union
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc) in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The target action date for the FDA decision is September 19, 2022.
The sBLA is supported by results from a randomized, multicenter Phase 3 trial that investigated Libtayo in combination with a physician's choice of platinum-doublet chemotherapy (Libtayo combination), compared to platinum-doublet chemotherapy alone. Enrolled patients (n=466) had locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression level or tumor histology, and with no ALK, EGFR or ROS1 aberrations. A regulatory filing has also been recently submitted to the European Medicines Agency.
The Phase 3 trial supporting the sBLA was stopped early after the Libtayo combination demonstrated a significant overall survival improvement compared to chemotherapy alone. Results were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Virtual Congress in 2021. Among patients in the Libtayo combination (n=312) and chemotherapy alone (n=154) groups, treatment discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs) occurred in 5% and 3% of patients, respectively. Immune-mediated AEs occurred in 19% of patients in the Libtayo combination group.
Notably, the Phase 3 trial was designed to include baseline characteristics seen in everyday clinical practice. Among those enrolled, 43% had tumors with squamous histology, 67% had tumors with <50% PD-L1 expression, 15% had inoperable locally advanced disease not eligible for definitive chemoradiation, and 7% had pretreated and clinically stable brain metastases. In addition, 84% of patients had an ECOG 1 performance status, which indicates the presence of cancer-related symptoms. ECOG performance status assesses patient ability to conduct daily living activities and prognosis on a scale of increasing severity ranging from 0 (no symptoms) to 5 (death).
In 2021, Libtayo was approved in the U.S. and European Union as first-line monotherapy treatment for adult patients with advanced NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression (tumor proportion score ≥50%), as determined by an FDA-approved test. Patients must either have metastatic or locally advanced tumors that are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, and the tumors must not have EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations.
Libtayo, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement. The use of Libtayo in combination with chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC is investigational, and its safety and efficacy have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T-cells. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation. Libtayo is indicated in certain patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma, advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and advanced NSCLC.
The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Libtayo is currently being investigated in trials as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. FDA-approved Indications
Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat people with:
- A type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.
- A type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC):
- That cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced BCC) and have received treatment with a hedgehog inhibitor (HHI), or cannot receive treatment with an HHI.
- That has spread (metastatic BCC) and have received treatment with an HHI, or cannot receive treatment with an HHI. This use is approved based on how many patients responded to treatment and how long they responded. Studies are ongoing to provide additional information about clinical benefit.
- A type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Libtayo may be used as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor tests positive for high "PD-L1" and your tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR", "ALK" or "ROS1" gene.
It is not known if Libtayo is safe and effective in children.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-accepts-for-review-libtayo-cemiplimab-rwlc-in-combination-with-chemotherapy-for-first-line-treatment-of-advanced-nsclc-301463552.html
SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SNY
https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
(CEMIPLIMAB-RWLC) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
(CEMIPLIMAB-RWLC) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Significantly Improved Overall Survival (OS) Versus Placebo in Certain Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Previously Treated With Sorafenib
January 18, 2022 5:00 pm ET
First Presentation of OS Data From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-394 Trial at ASCO GI 2022
KEYNOTE-394 Is One of Seven Clinical Trials in Merck’s Global Development Program in HCC
KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the final results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-394 trial investigating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, plus best supportive care (BSC) in patients in Asia with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) previously treated with sorafenib. KEYNOTE-394 is the first trial with an anti-PD-1/L1 as a second-line monotherapy treatment to show an improvement in overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) compared to placebo plus BSC for these patients. These data add to the body of evidence relating to the use of KEYTRUDA as a monotherapy in second-line HCC post sorafenib.
KEYTRUDA plus BSC demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of OS, reducing the risk of death by 21% (HR=0.79 [95% CI, 0.63-0.99]; p=0.0180) compared to placebo plus BSC for patients with previously treated advanced HCC. For patients treated with KEYTRUDA plus BSC, median OS was 14.6 months (95% CI, 12.6-18.0) compared to 13.0 months (95% CI, 10.5-15.1) for patients treated with placebo plus BSC. The percentage of patients who were alive at two years was 34.3% for KEYTRUDA plus BSC compared to 24.9% for placebo plus BSC. These data will be presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers (ASCO GI) Symposium (Abstract #352788) on Friday, Jan. 21 at 10:15 a.m. ET.
“Hepatocellular carcinoma is a leading cause of cancer death across the world, and there are limited treatment options shown to extend survival for patients following treatment with sorafenib,” said Dr. Shukui Qin, director, Cancer Center of Jinling Hospital, and professor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine. “These overall survival data are very encouraging for patients with HCC previously treated with sorafenib and show the potential of KEYTRUDA to extend the lives of these patients.”
Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 66.9% of patients in the KEYTRUDA plus BSC arm and 49.7% of patients in the placebo plus BSC arm, and Grade 3-5 TRAEs occurred in 14.4% of patients in the KEYTRUDA plus BSC arm and 5.9% of patients in placebo plus BSC arm. Immune-mediated adverse events (AEs) of any grade occurred in 18.1% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA plus BSC and 10.5% of patients receiving placebo plus BSC. Grade 3-5 immune-mediated AEs occurred in 3.0% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA plus BSC. There were three deaths (due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage, autoimmune hepatitis, and soft tissue infection) in the KEYTRUDA arm related to the study intervention.
“Patients with advanced HCC still have a high unmet medical need with low survival rates, reinforcing the need for treatment options that can improve overall survival,” said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, clinical research, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are pleased to share these new data from KEYNOTE-394 and are committed to advancing research for patients with this difficult-to-treat cancer through our broad global program in HCC.”
In the U.S., KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with HCC who have been previously treated with sorafenib based on ORR and duration of response (DOR) data from KEYNOTE-224. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. Data from KEYNOTE-394 are being discussed with global regulatory authorities and will be evaluated as a potential confirmatory study in the U.S.
Merck is dedicated to advancing research in HCC and has a global development program of seven clinical trials that have enrolled or are expected to enroll approximately 3,000 patients. In HCC, KEYTRUDA is being studied across multiple settings and lines of therapy as monotherapy and in combination with other treatments, including therapies through our collaborations.
Study Design and Additional Data From KEYNOTE-394
KEYNOTE-394 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03062358) is a randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA plus BSC versus placebo plus BSC in Asian patients with advanced HCC previously treated with sorafenib or oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is OS. Additional endpoints include PFS, ORR, and DOR. The study enrolled 453 patients who were randomized to receive either KEYTRUDA (intravenously every three weeks for up to 35 cycles of treatment [up to approximately two years]) plus BSC (including pain management and management of other potential complications including ascites per local standards of care) or placebo plus BSC.
Additional efficacy endpoint results of the trial showed KEYTRUDA plus BSC reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 26% (HR=0.74 [95% CI, 0.60-0.92]; p=0.0032) compared to placebo plus BSC. Median PFS was 2.6 months (95% CI, 1.5-2.8) for KEYTRUDA plus BSC and 2.3 months (95% CI, 1.4-2.8) for placebo plus BSC. KEYTRUDA plus BSC showed an ORR of 12.7% (95% CI, 9.1-17.0) and a median DOR of 23.9 months (range, 2.8 to 32.0+), where placebo plus BSC showed an ORR of 1.3% (95% CI, 0.2-4.6) and a median DOR of 5.6 months (range, 3.0+ to 5.6).
About Liver Cancer and Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It is estimated there were more than 905,000 new cases of liver cancer and more than 830,000 deaths from the disease globally in 2020. In the U.S., it is estimated there will be more than 41,000 new cases of liver cancer diagnosed and more than 30,000 deaths from this disease in 2022. An estimated 75% to 90% of primary liver cancer cases are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Worldwide, major factors that increase the risk of HCC are chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C, alcohol use, and metabolic syndrome.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [combined positive score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) -unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Late-stage data buoys Merck's Keytruda as second-line hepatocellular carcinoma treatment
Jan. 18, 2022 6:05 PM ET Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)GILD By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor4 Comments
- Phase 3 data from the KEYNOTE-394 data of Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Keytruda (pembrolizumab) showed improvement in overall survival ("OS"), progression-free survival ("PFS"), and objective response rate ("ORR") compared to placebo plus best supportive care in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma ("HCC") patients previously treated with Nexavar (sorafenib).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3789014-late-stage-data-buoys-mercks-keytruda-as-second-line-hepatocellular-carcinoma-treatment
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
(CEMIPLIMAB-RWLC) IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Showed Statistically Significant Improvement in Disease-Free Survival Versus Placebo as Adjuvant Treatment for Patients With Stage IB-IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Regardless of PD-L1 Expression
January 10, 2022 6:45 am ET
First Positive Study for KEYTRUDA in Adjuvant Stage IB-IIIA NSCLC
KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the European Thoracic Oncology Platform (ETOP) today announced that the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-091 trial, also known as EORTC-1416-LCG/ETOP-8-15 – PEARLS, investigating KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, met one of its dual primary endpoints of disease-free survival (DFS) for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following surgical resection regardless of PD-L1 expression. Based on an interim analysis review conducted by an independent Data Monitoring Committee, adjuvant treatment with KEYTRUDA resulted in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in DFS compared with placebo in the all-comer population of patients with stage IB-IIIA NSCLC.At the interim analysis, there was also an improvement in DFS for patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (tumor proportion score [TPS] ≥50%) treated with KEYTRUDA compared to placebo; however, this dual primary endpoint did not meet statistical significance per the pre-specified statistical plan. The trial will continue to analyze DFS in patients whose tumors express high levels of PD-L1 (TPS ≥50%) and evaluate overall survival (OS), a key secondary endpoint.The safety profile of KEYTRUDA in this study was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and will be submitted to regulatory authorities.“KEYTRUDA has become foundational in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and we continue to advance research to explore its potential to help fight cancer earlier,” said Dr. Roy Baynes, senior vice president and head of global clinical development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are encouraged by these results supporting the potential role of KEYTRUDA in stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer. We thank the patients, investigators and our partners at EORTC and ETOP for their important contributions to this study and look forward to sharing these results with the medical community as soon as possible.”“Surgery is widely considered the first and most important intervention for most patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer; however, an estimated 43% of those who undergo surgery will see their disease return,” said Professor Mary O’Brien, The Royal Marsden, NHS Foundation Trust, and Imperial College, London, UK and co-principal investigator. “Data from KEYNOTE-091 suggest adjuvant KEYTRUDA reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death after surgery in the overall population of patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer.”“Globally, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and it remains critically important to detect and treat lung cancer early,” said Dr. Luis Paz-Ares, chair of the medical oncology department, Hospital Universitario Doce de Octubre, Madrid, Spain and co-principal investigator. “The goal of adjuvant treatment is to lower the risk of cancer returning after surgery. By moving KEYTRUDA into earlier stages of non-small cell lung cancer, we may be able to reduce the risk of disease recurrence after surgery for patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer.”Merck has an extensive clinical development program in lung cancer and is advancing multiple registration-enabling studies with KEYTRUDA in combination with other treatments and as monotherapy for the treatment of lung cancer. The results from KEYNOTE-091 are a first for KEYTRUDA in the adjuvant treatment setting in patients with stage IB-IIIA NSCLC.
About KEYNOTE-091/EORTC-1416-LCG – PEARLS
KEYNOTE-091, also known as EORTC-1416-LCG/ETOP-8-15 – PEARLS, is a randomized, Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02504372) sponsored by Merck and conducted in collaboration with EORTC and ETOP evaluating KEYTRUDA compared to placebo for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage IB-IIIA NSCLC following surgical resection (lobectomy or pneumonectomy) with or without adjuvant chemotherapy. The dual primary endpoints are DFS in the overall population and in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥50%). DFS is calculated as the time from randomization to the date of disease recurrence, occurrence of second lung cancer primary, occurrence of second malignancy, or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. The secondary endpoints include OS and lung cancer-specific survival (the time from randomization to date of death due to lung cancer specifically). The study enrolled 1,177 patients who were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either:
- KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously [IV] every three weeks [Q3W] for one year or maximum 18 doses); or
- Placebo (IV Q3W for one year or maximum 18 doses).
About EORTC
The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, which unites clinical cancer research experts, throughout Europe, to define better treatments for cancer patients to prolong survival and improve quality of life. Spanning from translational to large, prospective, multi-centre, phase III clinical trials that evaluate new therapies and treatment strategies as well as patient quality of life, its activities are coordinated from EORTC Headquarters, a unique international clinical research infrastructure, based in Brussels, Belgium.For further information, please visit the EORTC website: www.eortc.org.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
MelanomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.Non-Small Cell Lung CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.Head and Neck Squamous Cell CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [combined positive score (CPS ≥1)] as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.Classical Hodgkin LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.Urothelial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).Gastric CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Esophageal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or GEJ (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.Hepatocellular CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Merkel Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Renal Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.Tumor Mutational Burden-High CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Cutaneous Squamous Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.Triple-Negative Breast CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf.
Merck says Keytruda met main goal in a first-of-its-kind trial for lung cancer
Jan. 10, 2022 9:13 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor
- Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced that its blockbuster therapy Keytruda met one of the dual primary endpoints in the KEYNOTE-091 trial, a first for the anti-PD-1 therapy in an adjuvant setting among patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3786621-merck-says-keytruda-met-main-goal-in-a-first-of-its-kind-trial-for-lung-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
Veklury (Remdesivir)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
December 21, 2021
European Commission Expands Indication for Veklury (Remdesivir) for the Treatment of Adults Not on Supplemental Oxygen and Considered High Risk for COVID-19 Disease Progression
-- Approval Based on Phase 3 Data Showing Veklury Significantly Reduced Risk of Hospitalization Compared with Placebo --
-- Expanded Indication Will Enable Use at Earlier Stages of the Disease to Help Prevent Disease Progression of COVID-19 in High-Risk Patients --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved a variation to the Conditional Marketing Authorization for Veklury® (remdesivir) to include adults who do not require supplemental oxygen and are at an increased risk of progressing to severe COVID-19. This decision follows the positive recommendation of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), to expand the indication for Veklury on December 16.
“As the rates of COVID-19 climb again and new variants like Omicron emerge, we need effective tools like Veklury to treat various stages of the disease,” said Roger Paredes, MD, PhD, Chief Infectious Diseases Department, and IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol Badalona, Spain. “We can now use Veklury to help prevent high-risk patients from progressing to more severe disease, even when they do not require oxygen, as well as continue to utilize Veklury as a key tool in the treatment of severe disease. This latest approval will also help to relieve some of the pressure on healthcare systems that are already under significant strain from the burden of COVID-19.”
The EC’s decision is supported by results from a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a three-day course of Veklury for intravenous (IV) use for the treatment of COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients at high risk for disease progression. In an analysis of 562 participants randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive Veklury or placebo, Veklury demonstrated a statistically significant 87% reduction in risk for the composite primary endpoint of COVID-19 related hospitalization or all-cause death by Day 28 (0.7% [2/279]) compared with placebo (5.3% [15/283]) p=0.008. In the study, no deaths were observed in either arm by Day 28. The safety profile was similar between Veklury and placebo across the variety of outpatient settings in this trial, with the most common treatment emergent adverse events (≥5%) in patients taking Veklury being nausea and headache. These data have also been shared with other regulatory agencies around the world and submitted for scientific peer-reviewed publication.
This expanded indication in the EU adds to the previous Conditional Marketing Authorization of Veklury enabling the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and adolescents (aged 12 to less than 18 years and weighing at least 40 kg) with pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen (low- or high-flow oxygen or other non-invasive ventilation at start of treatment).
“The swift action of the European Commission is a testament to the need for effective treatments that can be used earlier in the course of disease to help people with COVID-19 across Europe,” said Merdad Parsey, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. “As we learn more about how COVID-19 disease progresses, it is clear that an antiviral like Veklury can have a significant impact if used early in the course of disease. As the antiviral standard of care for patients hospitalized with COVID-19, we are proud of the role Veklury continues to play on the front lines of the pandemic, and we believe Veklury will now be able to help more patients decrease their time to recovery from COVID-19 in Europe.”
In the United States, Veklury is indicated for adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. The use of Veklury for the treatment of non-hospitalized patients with three days of dosing in the U.S. is investigational, and the safety and efficacy for this use and dosing duration have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Veklury is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Veklury or any of its components; please see below for additional Important Safety Information for Veklury.
As new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern emerge around the world, Gilead continuously evaluates the effectiveness of Veklury against viral variants. An initial analysis of genetic information from the Omicron variant suggests that Veklury will continue to be active against this variant. Gilead will conduct laboratory testing to confirm this analysis. To date, no major genetic changes have been identified in any of the known variants of concern that would significantly alter the viral RNA polymerase targeted by Veklury. Veklury’s antiviral activity has been tested in vitro against isolates of variants of SARS-CoV-2, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Epsilon. These laboratory findings suggest that Veklury will continue to be active against the currently identified variations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including the Omicron variant.
About Veklury
Veklury (remdesivir) is a nucleotide analog invented by Gilead, building on more than a decade of the company’s antiviral research. Veklury is the antiviral standard of care for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. At this time, more than half of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States are treated with Veklury. It can help reduce disease progression across the spectrum of disease severity and enable hospitalized patients to recover faster, freeing up limited hospital resources and saving healthcare systems money.
Veklury is approved or authorized for temporary use in approximately 50 countries worldwide. To date, Veklury and generic remdesivir have been made available to nine million patients around the world, including 6.5 million people in 127 middle- and low-income countries through Gilead’s voluntary licensing program. These licenses currently remain royalty-free, reflecting Gilead’s existing commitment to enabling broad patient access to remdesivir.
U.S. Indication for Veklury
Veklury® (remdesivir 100 mg for injection) is indicated for adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kg) for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Veklury should only be administered in a hospital or in a healthcare setting capable of providing acute care comparable to inpatient hospital care. Veklury is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Veklury or any of its components. For more information, please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information available at www.gilead.com.
U.S. full Prescribing Information for Veklury is available at www.gilead.com.
Veklury, Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com , follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211216006213/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
EC expands indication for Gilead's remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19
Dec. 21, 2021 4:52 AM ET
By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor3 Comments
- Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) announces that the European Commission (EC) has approved a variation to the Conditional Marketing Authorization for Veklury (remdesivir) to include adults who do not require supplemental oxygen and are at an increased risk of progressing to severe COVID-19.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3782204-ec-expands-indication-for-gileads-remdesivir-for-treatment-of-covid-19
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://www.vekluryhcp.com/
XARELTO® (rivaroxaban)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
FDA Approves Two New Indications for XARELTO® (rivaroxaban) to Help Prevent and Treat Blood Clots in Pediatric PatientsXARELTO® is available as both an oral tablet and oral suspension formulation for use in appropriate children less than 18 years of ageConvenient oral suspension formulation advances standard of care for children; alleviates administration challenges found with injectable alternativesXARELTO® now has 11 indications, the most of any direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), and is the only Factor Xa anticoagulant to offer flexible weight-based dosing for pediatric patients
RARITAN, NJ, Dec. 20, 2021 – The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two pediatric indications for XARELTO® (rivaroxaban): the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE, or blood clots) and reduction in the risk of recurrent VTE in patients from birth to less than 18 years after at least five days of initial parenteral (injected or intravenous) anticoagulant treatment; and thromboprophylaxis (prevention of blood clots and blood-clot related events) in children aged two years and older with congenital heart disease who have undergone the Fontan procedure. XARELTO® is the only direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) FDA-approved for primary prevention of clots in pediatric patients following the Fontan procedure and the only DOAC in the U.S. to offer an oral suspension formulation for flexible, body weight-adjusted dosing options for pediatric patients.
CLICK TO TWEET: #BREAKINGNEWS: @US_FDA approves @JanssenUS therapy for the treatment and prevention of #bloodclots in #pediatric patients, providing an alternative to injectable anticoagulants that have long been the standard of care. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3E9qAOk
While VTE more commonly occurs in adults, blood clots can still be a serious problem in children, affecting approximately 58 per 10,000 of those hospitalized in the U.S., with rates increasing. Children may be at greater risk of blood clots when suffering from other conditions, such as infectious diseases, active cancer, or after undergoing surgery, like the Fontan procedure, which is performed in children who have a single functioning heart ventricle to redirect blood flow from the lower body to the lungs.2,3
Current medical guidelines are limited and recommend that young patients with or at risk for developing blood clots be treated with standard anticoagulation therapy, such as warfarin or heparin.4 Often times, physicians have to adjust adult doses, based on limited data for these therapies for younger patients.4 Additionally, for some of these treatment options, that can mean painful injections, dietary restrictions and regular laboratory monitoring – all things that can be especially challenging for younger patients and their caregivers.4,5,6
“Historically, there has been limited guidance and options for healthcare providers on how to help reduce potentially serious, even fatal, blood clots and related events in young children,” said Andrew Van Bergen, M.D., Pediatric Cardiologist, Advocate Children’s Hospital.* “We have had to adjust adult doses of standard anticoagulation therapies, which are both burdensome and uncomfortable for patients, and require frequent monitoring. Now that XARELTO® is FDA-approved with weight-based dosing options, either as tablets or liquid formulation, a convenient option is available allowing flexibility to tailor the treatment for my patients. This is a major advancement in antithrombotic care for those patients under the age of 18.”
The oral suspension formulation will be administered through a color-coded dosing device that was designed to help minimize dosing errors and is expected to become available in the U.S. for pediatric patients in mid-January 2022. The oral tablets are currently available in the U.S. for appropriate pediatric patients.
“When a child is experiencing health challenges, learning that they are also at risk for a blood clot can feel overwhelming for the patient, and also their parents or caregivers,” said Andrea Baer, MS, BCPA, Executive Director of The Mended Hearts, Inc., a patient advocacy organization whose program Mended Little Hearts serves patients and families with congenital heart disease.** “Knowing that there is now an FDA-approved oral treatment option to reduce the risk of blood clots that’s easy and may be more comfortable than injections to administer may help ease that burden.”
XARELTO® now has 11 indications in the U.S. – the most of any DOAC – and is the most studied oral Factor Xa inhibitor in its class. This latest approval is based on two Phase 3 pediatric studies from the industry-leading EXPLORER clinical research program, EINSTEIN-Jr, the largest study to date evaluating pediatric patients from birth to <18 years of age with previously diagnosed VTE; and UNIVERSE, the first clinical trial to examine a DOAC for the prevention of VTE in pediatric patients after recently undergoing the Fontan procedure.7,8
“Today’s FDA approval marks two new XARELTO® indications for pediatric patients, an often underrecognized, but especially important patient population,” said James List, M.D., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Cardiovascular, Metabolism, & Retina, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. “At Janssen, we are committed to addressing unmet medical needs and the approval of the 10th and 11th indications for XARELTO® underscores its capability in reducing the risk of blood clots and cardiovascular events in patients from young to old and with a variety of conditions.”
In 2021, Janssen’s development partner, Bayer, received approval for XARELTO® in Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland and in various Latin American countries for the treatment of VTE and prevention of VTE recurrence in the pediatric population, from birth to adolescents less than 18 years after at least five days of initial parenteral anticoagulation treatment.
About EINSTEIN-Jr
EINSTEIN-Jr was a randomized, multicenter, active-controlled, open-label Phase 3 study that evaluated the use of XARELTO® in 500 children, aged birth to 17 years, with previously diagnosed acute VTE who had started parenteral anticoagulation therapy. Participants were enrolled from November 2014 to September 2018, from 107 sites in 28 countries, and were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either an open-label, body weight-adjusted dose of XARELTO® to approximate a 20-mg adult dose (tablets or a new oral suspension) (n=335) or standard anticoagulation therapy (n=165). EINSTEIN-Jr is the largest pediatric study completed to date in the entire pediatric age population for the treatment of VTE. It is part of the comprehensive EINSTEIN program, which also included four pivotal Phase 3 studies in adult populations: EINSTEIN-DVT, EINSTEIN-PE, EINSTEIN-EXT and EINSTEIN CHOICE.
About UNIVERSE
UNIVERSE was a randomized, multicenter, open-label, active-controlled, two-part, Phase 3 study that examined the use of a novel, oral suspension XARELTO® formulation in children 2-8 years old with single ventricle physiology who had the Fontan procedure within four months before enrollment. From November 2016 to June 2019, a total of 112 participants were enrolled across 36 sites in 10 countries.
Part A evaluated the single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of XARELTO® while Part B evaluated the comparative safety and efficacy of XARELTO® versus aspirin when used for thromboprophylaxis for 12 months.
About EXPLORER
A collaborative effort between Bayer and Janssen, our industry-leading EXPLORER program seeks to generate important clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of XARELTO® and its potential role in addressing a wide range of critical medical needs. EXPLORER is unmatched by any oral anticoagulant in the Factor Xa inhibitor class in its size, scope and ambition.
WHAT IS XARELTO® (rivaroxaban)?
XARELTO® is a prescription medicine used to:
• reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in adults who have a medical condition called atrial fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve problem. With atrial fibrillation, part of the heart does not beat the way it should. This can lead to the formation of blood clots, which can travel to the brain, causing a stroke, or to other parts of the body
• treat blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE)
• reduce the risk of blood clots happening again in adults who continue to be at risk for DVT or PE after receiving treatment for blood clots for at least 6 months
• help prevent a blood clot in the legs and lungs of adults who have just had hip or knee replacement surgery
• help prevent blood clots in certain adults hospitalized for an acute illness and after discharge, who are at risk of getting blood clots because of the loss of or decreased ability to move around (mobility) and other risks for getting blood clots, and who do not have a high risk of bleeding
XARELTO® is used with low dose aspirin to:
• reduce the risk of serious heart problems, heart attack and stroke in adults with coronary artery disease (a condition where the blood supply to the heart is reduced or blocked)
• reduce the risk of a sudden decrease in blood flow to the legs, major amputation, serious heart problems or stroke in adults with peripheral artery disease (a condition where the blood flow to the legs is reduced) and includes adults who have recently had a procedure to improve blood flow to the legs.
XARELTO® is used in children to:
• treat blood clots or reduce the risk of blood clots from happening again in children from birth to less than 18 years, after receiving initial treatment with injectable or intravenous medicines used to treat blood clots.
• help prevent blood clots in children 2 years and older with congenital heart disease after the Fontan procedure.
XARELTO® was not studied and is not recommended in children less than 6 months of age who:
• were less than 37 weeks of growth (gestation) at birth
• had less than 10 days of oral feeding, or
• had a body weight of less than 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg)
Please read full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings, and Medication Guide for XARELTO®.
Johnson & Johnson nabs two additional pediatric indications for Xarelto
Dec. 21, 2021 12:35 PM ET
By: Jonathan Block, SA News Editor1 Comment
- The FDA has approved two additional pediatric indications for Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ -0.5%) anticoagulant Xarelto (rivaroxaban).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3782424-johnson-johnson-nabs-two-additional-pediatric-indications-for-xarelto
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/JNJ
- https://www.xarelto-us.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Merck Receives Positive EU CHMP Opinion for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Therapy for Certain Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma Following Surgery
December 17, 2021 6:45 am ET
Recommendation Based on Significant Disease-Free Survival Benefit Demonstrated With KEYTRUDA Versus Placebo in Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 Trial
KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, as monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adults with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at increased risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
The positive opinion is based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial, in which KEYTRUDA demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in disease-free survival, reducing the risk of disease recurrence or death by 32% (HR=0.68 [95% CI, 0.53-0.87]; p=0.0010) compared to placebo, in patients at increased risk of recurrence (defined in the clinical trial protocol as intermediate-high or high-risk following nephrectomy and those with resected advanced disease). The CHMP’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the European Commission for marketing authorization in the European Union, and a final decision is expected in the first quarter of 2022.
“Patients in Europe with earlier-stage renal cell carcinoma, who are at increased risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, have not had an approved treatment option in the adjuvant setting that can help reduce the risk of their cancer returning,” said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, clinical research, Merck Research Laboratories. “This positive CHMP opinion for KEYTRUDA is an important step forward in bringing adjuvant immunotherapy to these patients and demonstrates Merck’s progress in providing new options to treat earlier stages of cancer.”
Merck has a broad clinical development program exploring KEYTRUDA, as monotherapy or in combination, as well as several other investigational and approved medicines across multiple settings and stages of RCC, including adjuvant and advanced or metastatic disease.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB, IIC, or III melanoma following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy.
KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or GEJ (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf .
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
EMA advisory committee backs Merck's Keytruda for kidney cancer
Dec. 17, 2021 7:02 AM ET
By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor
- Merck (NYSE:MRK) announces that Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the EMA has adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of Keytruda as monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adults with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at increased risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or resection of metastatic lesions.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3781213-ema-advisory-committee-backs-mercks-keytruda-for-kidney-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.merck.com/
- https://www.keytruda.com/
PADCEV™ (enfortumab vedotin)
CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib) capsules
PADCEV™ (enfortumab vedotin)
Astellas and Seagen Receive Positive CHMP Opinion for PADCEV™ (enfortumab vedotin) in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer
12/17/2021- If approved, PADCEV would be the first medicine for patients in the EU who have received prior platinum-based chemotherapy and a PD-1/L1 inhibitor -TOKYO & BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE:4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., “Astellas”) and Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion, recommending approval of the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) PADCEV™ (enfortumab vedotin) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who have previously received platinum-containing chemotherapy and a PD-1/L1 inhibitor.1Urothelial cancer is the most common type of bladder cancer.2 In Europe, an estimated 204,000 people were diagnosed with urothelial cancer in 2020, and more than 67,000 died as a result of the disease.3 If approved by the European Commission (EC), enfortumab vedotin will be the first ADC authorized in the European Union for people living with advanced urothelial cancer.“People with advanced bladder cancer have few treatment options after platinum-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy,” said Ahsan Arozullah, M.D., M.P.H., Vice President, Medical Sciences-Oncology, Astellas. “The CHMP's positive opinion is an important step as we work to expand availability of enfortumab vedotin as quickly as possible.”The CHMP recommendation is based on data from the global phase 3 EV-301 trial, which evaluated enfortumab vedotin versus chemotherapy in adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who were previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and a PD-1/L1 inhibitor. Results from the trial, which had a primary endpoint of overall survival, were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.The positive opinion from the CHMP will now be reviewed by the EC. EC decisions are valid in the European Union Member States, as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.4
About the EV-301 TrialThe EV-301 trial (NCT03474107) was a global, multicenter, open-label, randomized phase 3 trial designed to evaluate enfortumab vedotin versus physician's choice of chemotherapy (docetaxel, paclitaxel or vinflunine) in 608 patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who were previously treated with a PD-1/L1 inhibitor and platinum-based therapies.5 The primary endpoint was overall survival and secondary endpoints included progression-free survival, overall response rate, duration of response and disease control rate, as well as assessment of safety/tolerability and quality-of-life parameters.
About Enfortumab VedotinEnfortumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is directed against Nectin-4, a protein located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer.6,7 Nonclinical data suggest the anticancer activity of enfortumab vedotin is due to its binding to Nectin-4 expressing cells followed by the internalization and release of the anti-tumor agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into the cell, which result in the cell not reproducing (cell cycle arrest) and in programmed cell death (apoptosis).6
PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) U.S. Indication & Important Safety Informationhttps://www.padcev.com/
For more information on our marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter.
IndicationPADCEV® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who:
- have previously received a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor and platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy and have previously received one or more prior lines of therapy.5
About the Astellas and Seagen Collaboration
Astellas and Seagen are co-developing enfortumab vedotin under a 50:50 worldwide development and commercialization collaboration. In the United States, Astellas and Seagen co-promote enfortumab vedotin under the brand name PADCEV® (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv). In the Americas outside the US, Seagen holds responsibility for commercialization activities and regulatory filings. Outside of the Americas, Astellas holds responsibility for commercialization activities and regulatory filings.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211215006165/en/ Source: Seagen Inc.
Seagen, Astellas Pharma's enfortumab vedotin wins positive CHMP opinion for urothelial cancer
Dec. 17, 2021 7:11 AM ET Seagen Inc. (SGEN), ALPMYBy: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor
- Astellas Pharma (OTCPK:ALPMF) and Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) announce that EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion, recommending approval of the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) Padcev (enfortumab vedotin) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who have previously received platinum-containing chemotherapy and a PD-1/L1 inhibitor.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3781218-seagen-astellas-pharmas-enfortumab-vedotin-wins-positive-chmp-opinion-for-urothelial-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ALPMF
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SGEN
- https://www.padcev.com/
- https://www.seagen.com/
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib) capsules
PADCEV™ (enfortumab vedotin)
POSITIVE PHASE 3 DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) DATA IN CHILDREN 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE ATOPIC DERMATITIS FEATURED IN RAD 2021 LATE-BREAKING SESSION
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, Dec. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --
Dupixent significantly improved skin clearance and reduced overall disease severity and itch in pivotal trial that met all primary and secondary endpoints
Global regulatory filings planned in the coming months, starting with the U.S. by the end of 2021
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced detailed positive Phase 3 results that showed adding Dupixent® (dupilumab) to standard-of-care topical corticosteroids (TCS) significantly improved skin clearance and reduced overall disease severity and itch in infants and children aged 6 months to 5 years with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. These data will be presented today in a late-breaking session at the 2021 Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference (RAD 2021).
"One of most challenging aspects of my job as a physician is having limited treatment options to help babies and young children suffering from moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, which can disrupt their ability to fully thrive in these early years of life," said Amy S. Paller, M.D, Walter J. Hamlin Professor and Chair of Dermatology and Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and principal investigator of the trial. "These results show dupilumab can significantly improve the signs and overall severity of atopic dermatitis in children as young as 6 months. Safety is of paramount importance when treating children at such a young age. We are encouraged that these data show a safety profile consistent with what has been seen in other age groups. We will continue to follow these patients for up to 5 years in an open-label trial."
Eighty-five to 90% of patients with atopic dermatitis develop symptoms before the age of 5, which can often continue through adulthood. Symptoms include intense, persistent itch and skin lesions that cover much of the body (58% on average for the patients in this trial at baseline), resulting in skin dryness, cracking, redness or darkening, and crusting and oozing, along with increased risk of skin infections. Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis may also significantly impact the quality of life of a young child, their parents and caregivers. In addition, the underlying type 2 inflammation involved in atopic dermatitis can contribute to the development of other diseases, like asthma and certain allergies, that may also appear throughout a person's life.
Topline results from the randomized, placebo-controlled pivotal trial, which met all primary and secondary endpoints, were announced in August 2021. Data presented at RAD 2021 showed that at 16 weeks, patients who added Dupixent to low-potency TCS experienced the following, compared to low-potency TCS alone (placebo):
- 28% achieved clear or almost-clear skin compared to 4% with placebo (p<0.0001), the primary endpoint.
- 70% average improvement from baseline in disease severity compared to 20% improvement with placebo (p<0.0001), a key secondary endpoint.
- 53% achieved 75% or greater improvement in overall disease severity from baseline compared to 11% with placebo (p<0.0001), the co-primary endpoint outside of the U.S.
- 49% average improvement from baseline in itch compared to 2% improvement with placebo (p<0.0001).
The safety profile observed in the randomized, placebo-controlled trial was consistent with the well-established safety profile of Dupixent in adults, adolescents and children 6 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Overall rates of adverse events (AEs) were 64% for Dupixent and 74% for placebo. Most common AEs and AEs of special interest included nasopharyngitis (8% Dupixent, 9% placebo), upper respiratory tract infection (6% Dupixent, 8% placebo), conjunctivitis (5% Dupixent, 0% placebo) and herpes viral infections (6% Dupixent, 5% placebo).
These results will form the basis of global regulatory submissions for this age group, beginning with the U.S. in 2021 and European Union in the first half of 2022.
Additionally, long-term data from the Phase 3 trial in patients aged 6 to 11 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis are also being presented in a late-breaking session. Efficacy and safety results at one year were consistent with the known profile of Dupixent in atopic dermatitis.
The data from these trials add to the extensive LIBERTY AD clinical program – the largest Phase 3 clinical trial program in atopic dermatitis, involving approximately 3,500 infants, children, adolescents and adults to date.
Dupixent is the first biologic medicine to demonstrate positive results in this young patient population. The efficacy and safety of Dupixent in children below the age of 6 years have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About the Dupixent Trial
LIBERTY AD PRESCHOOL is a two-part Phase 2/3 trial. The Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled part of the trial (Part B) evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent added to standard-of-care low-potency TCS compared to low-potency TCS alone (placebo) in 162 children aged 6 months to 5 years with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
The primary endpoints assessed the proportion of patients achieving an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) and 75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) at week 16. EASI measures extent and severity of the disease. Itch was assessed using a caregiver-reported 0 to 10 Numerical Rating Scale. Patients treated with Dupixent received either 200 mg (for children weighing ≥5 to <15 kg) or 300 mg (for children weighing ≥15 to <30 kg) every four weeks.
In total, there were 162 patients in the trial (83 Dupixent, 79 placebo), the average age was 3.8 years and 61% were male. Approximately 12% of patients were Latino/Hispanic and 19% were Black/African American. At the start of the trial, 77% of patients had severe disease and 29% had previously used systemic immunosuppressants for their atopic dermatitis, and on average, patients had atopic dermatitis covering 58% of their body. Furthermore, 81% of these patients had at least one concurrent type 2 inflammatory and/or allergic condition such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Part B of the Phase 3 trial was informed by Part A, which was an open-label, single-ascending-dose, sequential cohort Phase 2 trial designed to assess the pharmacokinetics and safety of Dupixent in children aged 6 months to 5 years with uncontrolled severe atopic dermatitis.
Children who completed Part A or Part B of the trial were eligible to enroll in an open-label extension trial to assess the safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with Dupixent in this age group for an additional five years.
About Dupixent
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways. Dupixent is not an immunosuppressant and does not require lab monitoring. IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in atopic dermatitis, asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).
Dupixent is currently approved in the U.S., Europe, Japan and other countries around the world for use in specific patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, as well as certain patients with asthma or CRSwNP in different age populations. Dupixent is also approved in one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries around the world and more than 300,000 patients have been treated globally.
U.S. Indications
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat people aged 6 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 years of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in people aged 6 years and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- https://www.dupixent.com/
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
Regeneron uses its media and investor relations website and social media outlets to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Regeneron is routinely posted and is accessible on Regeneron's media and investor relations website (http://newsroom.regeneron.com) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/regeneron).
SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron, Sanofi report positive Dupixent data in children 6 months to 5 years with atopic dermatitis
Dec. 13, 2021 1:32 AM ET
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) announce detailed positive Phase 3 results that showed adding Dupixent (dupilumab) to standard-of-care topical corticosteroids (TCS) (placebo) significantly improved skin clearance and reduced overall disease severity and itch in infants and children aged 6 months to 5 years with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3779368-regeneron-sanofi-report-positive-dupixent-data-in-children-6-months-to-5-years-with-atopic-dermatitis
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SNY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
- https://www.dupixent.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib) capsules
CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib) capsules
CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib) capsules
Calquence reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 71% vs. standard of care combinations at three years in the ASCEND Phase III trial
PUBLISHED12 December 2021
12 December 2021 15:00 GMT
ELEVATE-RR head-to-head trial data also presented at ASH showed patients on ibrutinib experienced a 37% higher burden of adverse events of any grade while on treatment vs. patients on Calquence
Updated results from the ASCEND Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca’s Calquence (acalabrutinib) maintained a statistically significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit at three years compared to investigator’s choice of rituximab combined with either idelalisib (IdR) or bendamustine (BR) in adults with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), the most common type of leukaemia in adults.1,2
These data, presented at the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition, demonstrated Calquence reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 71% versus IdR/BR as assessed by investigators at three years (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21-0.41; p<0.0001). Similar clinical benefits were observed in an exploratory analysis comparing each regimen with Calquence. Safety and tolerability of Calquence were consistent with earlier findings, with no new safety signals identified.1
Additional safety analyses from the ELEVATE-RR Phase III trial were also presented at ASH to further characterise adverse events (AEs) related to treatment with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors Calquence and ibrutinib. Overall, patients on ibrutinib experienced a 37% higher burden of AEs of any grade versus patients on Calquence.3
For any grade atrial fibrillation/flutter, a key secondary endpoint in the ELEVATE-RR trial, median time to onset was longer for Calquence versus ibrutinib (28.8 versus 16.0 months), and cumulative incidence was lower at all timepoints from six months through two years.3
Additionally, the ELEVATE-RR Phase III trial showed incidence of all-grade atrial fibrillation/flutter was lower for Calquence across subgroups of age, prior line of therapy and among patients without prior history of heart complications.3 Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rate that can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.4
John F. Seymour, MBBS PhD, Peter MacCallum Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and a lead investigator on the ELEVATE-RR trial, said: “Patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia face limited options to successfully manage their disease, as they are often older and dealing with significant comorbidities. The risk of cardiac adverse events is an important consideration, especially for treatment with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors because they can produce significant morbidity in some cases and also lead patients to discontinue treatment. The ELEVATE-RR data provide compelling evidence that acalabrutinib is a more tolerable option with reduced cardiovascular toxicity, giving clinicians further reassurance when prescribing this medicine that fewer patients will need to cease treatment due to adverse events, thus maintaining ongoing control of their disease, even in this complex setting.”
Anas Younes, Senior Vice President, Haematology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “These impressive new long-term data support Calquence as the preferred therapy for the most common type of leukaemia in adults, with favourable safety compared to the current standards of care. The totality of the ASCEND and ELEVATE-RR data, in addition to data introducing a new tablet formulation for patients who need alternative methods of taking Calquence, continues to reinforce the positive experience that this medicine can deliver for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.”
ELEVATE-RR: Additional safety analyses of Calquence versus ibrutinib in relapsed or refractory CLL (abstract #3721)
Results from the ELEVATE-RR Phase III trial were first presented on 7 June 2021 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on 26 July 2021.
Additional safety data were used to characterise BTK inhibitor-related AEs, using measures of frequency, duration and drug exposure (versus incidence alone) to measure AE burden. Median treatment exposures were 38.3 months in the Calquence arm and 35.5 months in the ibrutinib arm.3
For any-grade hypertension, median time to onset was similar for Calquence and ibrutinib (8.1 months versus 7.0), but cumulative incidence was lower for Calquence at 6 months (5% versus 12%), 12 months (6% versus 16%), 18 months (8% versus 20%) and 24 months (8% versus 23%).
Hypertension also occurred less frequently with Calquence versus ibrutinib in subgroups of age, prior line of therapy and among patients without prior history.3
Among cardiovascular AEs of clinical interest, incidences of any-grade atrial fibrillation/flutter, hypertension and bleeding were statistically higher with ibrutinib versus Calquence, with higher exposure-adjusted incidence (2.0-, 2.8-, and 1.6-fold, respectively) and exposure-adjusted time with event (2.8-, 3.7-, and 1.8-fold).3
CLL
CLL is the most common type of leukaemia in adults, with an estimated 114,000 new cases globally in 2017, and the number of people living with CLL is expected to grow with improved treatment as patients live longer with the disease.2,6-8
In CLL, too many blood stem cells in the bone marrow become abnormal lymphocytes and these abnormal cells have difficulty fighting infections. As the number of abnormal cells grows, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. This could result in anaemia, infection and bleeding.6 B-cell receptor signalling through BTK is one of the essential growth pathways for CLL.
ASCEND
ASCEND (ACE-CL-309) is a global, randomised, multicentre, open-label Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy of Calquence in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL.5,9
In the trial, 310 patients were randomised (1:1) into two treatment arms. Patients in the first arm received Calquence monotherapy (100mg twice-daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity). Patients in the second arm received physician’s choice of either rituximab, a CD20 monoclonal antibody, in combination with idelalisib, a PI3-kinase inhibitor, or rituximab in combination with bendamustine, a chemotherapy.9
The primary endpoint at the interim analysis was PFS assessed by an Independent Review Committee (IRC), and key secondary endpoints included investigator-assessed PFS, IRC- and investigator-assessed overall response rate and duration of response, as well as overall survival, patient-reported outcomes and time to next treatment.
ASCEND is the first randomised Phase III trial to directly compare a BTK inhibitor as monotherapy to these combinations in relapsed or refractory CLL.5,9
ELEVATE-RR
ELEVATE-RR (ACE-CL-006) is a randomised, multicentre, open-label Phase III non-inferiority trial of Calquence versus ibrutinib in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL after at least one prior therapy, and at least one of the following prognostic factors: presence of 17p deletion, or presence of 11q deletion.10,11
In the trial, 533 patients were randomised (1:1) into two arms. Patients in the first arm received Calquence (100mg orally twice-daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity). Patients in the second arm received ibrutinib (420mg orally once-daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity).11
The primary endpoint for the trial was IRC-assessed PFS (non-inferiority; tested after 250 events, upper margin of 95% CI for HR<1.429). Secondary endpoints included incidence of atrial fibrillation, incidence of Grade 3 or higher infections, incidence of Richter’s transformation (a condition in which CLL changes into an aggressive form of lymphoma12) and OS.11
ELEVATE-RR is the first randomised Phase III trial to directly compare two BTK inhibitors as monotherapy in relapsed or refractory CLL.
Calquence
Calquence (acalabrutinib) is a next-generation, selective inhibitor of BTK. Calquence binds covalently to BTK, thereby inhibiting its activity.13,14 In B cells, BTK signalling results in activation of pathways necessary for B-cell proliferation, trafficking, chemotaxis and adhesion.13
Calquence is approved for the treatment of CLL and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in the US, approved for CLL in the EU and several other countries worldwide and approved in Japan for relapsed or refractory CLL and SLL. A Phase I trial is currently underway in Japan for the treatment of front-line CLL.
In the US and several other countries, Calquence is also approved for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. The US MCL indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. Calquence is not currently approved for the treatment of MCL in Europe or Japan.
As part of an extensive clinical development programme, AstraZeneca and Acerta Pharma are currently evaluating Calquence in more than 20 company-sponsored clinical trials. Calquence is being evaluated for the treatment of multiple B-cell blood cancers including CLL, MCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia, follicular lymphoma and other haematologic malignancies.
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca reports updated Calquence data in late-stage leukemia study at ASH2021
Dec. 13, 2021 3:29 AM ET
By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor
- Updated results from the ASCEND Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca’s (NASDAQ:AZN) Calquence (acalabrutinib) maintained a statistically significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit at three years compared to investigator’s choice of rituximab combined with either idelalisib (IdR) or bendamustine (BR) in adults with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3779375-astrazeneca-reports-updated-calquence-data-in-late-stage-leukemia-study-at-ash2021
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.calquence.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
TUKYSA® (tucatinib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
CALQUENCE® (acalabrutinib) capsules
Seagen Announces Updated Results from Pivotal HER2CLIMB Trial Evaluating TUKYSA® (tucatinib) in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer with Brain Metastases
12/08/2021
– Exploratory Analyses from the Pivotal HER2CLIMB Trial Show Patients with Stable and Active Brain Metastases Treated with a TUKYSA Regimen Maintained a Survival Benefit After Additional 15.6 Months of Follow-Up –
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) today announced the presentation of new data from exploratory analyses from the pivotal HER2CLIMB trial showing that improvement in overall survival (OS) was maintained after an additional 15.6 months of follow-up when TUKYSA® (tucatinib) was combined with trastuzumab and capecitabine in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who had stable or active brain metastases. The data were featured today in a spotlight poster (Abstract #PD4-04) at the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).
“The risk of breast cancer spreading to the brain is more pronounced for patients with aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, including HER2-positive breast cancer,” said Nancy U. Lin, M.D., Director of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Program in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber in Boston, MA. “These analyses provide a hopeful outcome for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer when cancer has spread to the brain as they show that the TUKYSA regimen not only helped patients live longer but also slowed disease progression in the brain.”
“After more than two years of follow up, these exploratory analyses show the impact that TUKYSA can have on HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients and underscore its importance as a treatment option,” said Roger D. Dansey, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Seagen.
After a median follow-up of 29.6 months, the TUKYSA regimen improved OS for patients with brain metastases by 9.1 months compared to trastuzumab and capecitabine alone (21.6 months vs. 12.5 months) (HR: 0.60; [95% CI: 0.44, 0.81]). The benefit extended to patients with active or stable brain metastases.
About TUKYSA (tucatinib)
TUKYSA is an oral medicine that is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the HER2 protein. In vitro (in lab studies), TUKYSA inhibited phosphorylation of HER2 and HER3, resulting in inhibition of downstream MAPK and AKT signaling and cell growth (proliferation), and showed anti-tumor activity in HER2-expressing tumor cells. In vivo (in living organisms), TUKYSA inhibited the growth of HER2-expressing tumors. The combination of TUKYSA and the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab showed increased anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo compared to either medicine alone.
TUKYSA is approved in 36 countries. It was approved by the U.S. FDA in April 2020 and by the European Medicines Agency and the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in February 2021. Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, has exclusive rights to commercialize TUKYSA in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America and other regions outside of the U.S., Canada and Europe.
U.S. Indication and Important Safety Information
TUKYSA is indicated in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine for treatment of adult patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including patients with brain metastases, who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting.
For more information on the company’s marketed products and robust pipeline, visit www.seagen.com and follow @SeagenGlobal on Twitter.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211208005218/en/
Source: Seagen Inc.
Seagen's Tukysa shows treatment benefit in HER+ breast cancer patients with brain metastases
Dec. 09, 2021 4:48 AM ETSeagen Inc. (SGEN)By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor
- Seagen (NASDAQ:SGEN) announces new data from exploratory analyses of HER2CLIMB trial showing that improvement in overall survival (OS) was maintained after an additional 15.6 months of follow-up when Tukysa (tucatinib) was combined with trastuzumab and capecitabine in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who had stable or active brain metastases.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3778563-seagens-tukysa-shows-treatment-benefit-in-her-breast-cancer-patients-with-brain-metastases
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SGEN
- https://www.tukysa.com/
Lynparza (olaparib)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Lynparza granted Priority Review in the US for BRCA-mutated HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer
PUBLISHED30 November 2021
30 November 2021 07:00 GMT
First medicine targeting BRCA mutations to show clinical benefit in adjuvant setting
AstraZeneca’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Lynparza (olaparib) has been accepted and granted Priority Review in the US for the adjuvant treatment of patients with BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have already been treated with chemotherapy either before or after surgery.
Lynparza is being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants Priority Review to applications for medicines that offer significant advantages over available options by demonstrating safety or efficacy improvements, preventing serious conditions, or enhancing patient compliance.1 The Prescription Drug User Fee Act date, the FDA action date for their regulatory decision, is during the first quarter of 2022.
Breast cancer is now the most diagnosed cancer worldwide with an estimated 2.3 million patients diagnosed in 2020.2 Nearly 91% of all breast cancer patients are diagnosed at an early stage of disease and BRCA mutations are found in approximately 5% of patients.3,4,5
The sNDA was based on results from the OlympiA Phase III trial presented during the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
These results showed Lynparza demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), reducing the risk of invasive breast cancer recurrence, second cancers or death by 42% versus placebo (based on a hazard ratio of 0.58; 99.5% confidence interval 0.41-0.82; p<0.0001). The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza in this trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials.
Lynparza is approved in the US, EU, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of patients with germline BRCAm, HER2-negative, metastatic breast cancer previously treated with chemotherapy based on results from the OlympiAD Phase III trial. In the EU, this indication also includes patients with locally advanced breast cancer.
OlympiA
OlympiA is a Phase III, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial testing the efficacy and safety of Lynparza tablets versus placebo as adjuvant treatment in patients with germline BRCAm high-risk HER2-negative early breast cancer, who have completed definitive local treatment and neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy.11
The primary endpoint of the trial is iDFS defined as time from randomisation to date of first loco-regional or distant recurrence or new cancer or death from any cause.11
The OlympiA Phase III trial is led by the Breast International Group (BIG) in partnership with the Frontier Science & Technology Research Foundation (FSTRF), NRG Oncology, AstraZeneca and MSD.11
Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to block DNA damage response (DDR) in cells/tumours harbouring a deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR), such as those with mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2, or those where deficiency is induced by other agents (such as new hormonal agents).
Inhibition of PARP with Lynparza leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death. Lynparza is being tested in a range of PARP-dependent tumour types with defects and dependencies in the DDR pathway.
Lynparza is currently approved in a number of countries, including those in the EU, for the maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer. It is approved in the US, the EU, Japan, China, and several other countries as 1st-line maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer following response to platinum-based chemotherapy.
It is also approved in the US, EU and Japan as a 1st-line maintenance treatment with bevacizumab for patients with HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer (BRCAm and/or genomic instability).
Lynparza is approved in the US, Japan, and a number of other countries for germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative, metastatic breast cancer, previously treated with chemotherapy; in the EU, this includes locally advanced breast cancer.
It is also approved in the US, the EU, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of germline BRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Lynparza is approved in the US for HRR gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (BRCAm and other HRR gene mutations) and in the EU and Japan for BRCAm metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Regulatory reviews are underway in several countries for ovarian, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Lynparza, which is being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD, has been used to treat over 40,000 patients worldwide.
Lynparza has the broadest and most advanced clinical trial development programme of any PARP inhibitor, and AstraZeneca and MSD are working together to understand how it may affect multiple PARP-dependent tumours as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple cancer types.
Lynparza is the foundation of AstraZeneca's industry-leading portfolio of potential new medicines targeting DDR mechanisms in cancer cells.
The AstraZeneca and MSD strategic oncology collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, US (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialise Lynparza, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, and Koselugo (selumetinib), a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor, for multiple cancer types.
Working together, the companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. Independently, the companies will develop Lynparza and Koselugo in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
FDA accepts AstraZeneca/Merck's Lynparza for priority review for breast cancer
Nov. 30, 2021 6:39 AM ET
By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor
- AstraZeneca’s (NASDAQ:AZN) supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Lynparza (olaparib) has been accepted and granted Priority Review in U.S. for the adjuvant treatment of patients with BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have already been treated with chemotherapy either before or after surgery.
- Lynparza is being jointly developed and commercialized by Merck (NYSE:MRK).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3775228-fda-accepts-astrazenecamercks-lynparza-for-priority-review-for-breast-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.lynparza.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Approved in Japan in Combination With Chemotherapy for First-Line Treatment of Patients With Radically Unresectable, Advanced or Recurrent Esophageal Carcinoma
November 30, 2021 6:45 am ET
First Anti-PD-1/L1-Based Regimen Approved in Japan for First-Line Treatment of Advanced Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA Is Now Approved for 16 Indications in Japan
KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, has been approved by the Japan Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) for the first-line treatment of patients with radically unresectable, advanced or recurrent esophageal carcinoma in combination with chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil [5-FU] plus cisplatin) based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-590 trial.“In Japan, patients living with advanced esophageal cancer face a poor prognosis with current chemotherapy regimens,” said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, clinical research, Merck Research Laboratories. “This approval offers a new treatment option with KEYTRUDA, which has been shown to improve overall survival and progression-free survival when combined with chemotherapy compared to standard of care chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with radically unresectable, advanced or recurrent esophageal carcinoma.”“The burden of esophageal cancer is high in Japan, where cases are increasing,” said Kyle Tattle, president, MSD Japan. “It is encouraging that now appropriate patients with esophageal cancer have an immunotherapy regimen option with KEYTRUDA earlier in the treatment course that can potentially extend their lives. We remain committed to addressing the most challenging cancers affecting Japanese patients and working with the government to provide access to patients in Japan.”In the KEYNOTE-590 trial, KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy (5-FU plus cisplatin) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in overall survival and progression-free survival versus chemotherapy alone (5-FU plus cisplatin) in chemotherapy-naïve patients with radically unresectable, advanced or recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or esophageal adenocarcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (Siewert type 1), regardless of histology or PD-L1 expression status. KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 27% (HR=0.73 [95% CI, 0.62-0.86]; p<0.0001) and reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 35% (HR=0.65 [95% CI, 0.55-0.76]; p<0.0001) versus chemotherapy alone.The Japanese package insert notes that in KEYNOTE-590, adverse reactions were observed in 364 patients (98.4%) out of the safety analysis set of 370 patients (including 73 out of 74 Japanese patients) receiving KEYTRUDA at a dose of 200 mg every three weeks in combination with 5-FU and cisplatin. The most commonly observed adverse reactions (≥20%) were nausea in 233 patients (63.0%), decreased appetite in 145 patients (39.2%), anemia in 143 patients (38.6%), fatigue in 135 patients (36.5%), neutrophil count decreased in 135 patients (36.5%), vomiting in 110 patients (29.7%), diarrhea in 97 patients (26.2%), neutropenia and stomatitis in 96 patients (25.9% each) and white blood cell count decreased in 89 patients (24.1%).This is the second indication for KEYTRUDA in esophageal cancer in Japan and is the 16th indication overall. In 2020, KEYTRUDA was approved in Japan for the second-line treatment of patients with radically unresectable, advanced or recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1.Esophageal cancer begins in the inner layer (mucosa) of the esophagus and grows outward. Esophageal cancer is the eighth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In Japan, esophageal cancer is the tenth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the ninth leading cause of cancer death. It is estimated there were more than 26,000 new cases of esophageal cancer diagnosed and more than 12,000 deaths from the disease in 2020. Merck is studying KEYTRUDA across multiple settings and stages of gastrointestinal cancer through its broad clinical program, including studies in esophageal, gastric, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, colorectal and anal cancers.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mgKEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.MelanomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph node(s) following complete resection.Non-Small Cell Lung CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.Head and Neck Squamous Cell CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [combined positive score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.Classical Hodgkin LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.Urothelial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).Gastric CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Esophageal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or GEJ (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.Hepatocellular CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Merkel Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Renal Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.Tumor Mutational Burden-High CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Cutaneous Squamous Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.Triple-Negative Breast CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Selected Important Safety Information for KEYTRUDA
For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf.
Merck’s Keytruda + chemotherapy OK'd in Japan for esophageal carcinoma
Nov. 30, 2021 7:12 AM ET
By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor
- Merck (NYSE:MRK) announces that Keytruda has been approved by the Japan Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced or recurrent esophageal carcinoma in combination with chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil [5-FU] plus cisplatin) based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-590 trial.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3775252-mercks-keytruda-chemotherapy-okd-in-japan-for-esophageal-carcinoma
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.merck.com/
BIOTECNOVA™
LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Plus KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Plus KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Plus KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
European Commission Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) for Patients With Certain Types of Endometrial Carcinoma
November 29, 2021 6:50 am ET
First Combination of Immunotherapy With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Approved in Europe for Adult Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Carcinoma With Disease Progression on or Following Prior Treatment With a Platinum-Containing Therapy in Any Setting and Who Are Not Candidates for Curative Surgery or Radiation Approval Based on KEYNOTE-775/Study 309 Results Demonstrating Statistically Significant Improvements in Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival Compared With Chemotherapy
KENILWORTH, N.J. & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and Eisai today announced that the European Commission has approved the combination of KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, plus LENVIMA, the orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor discovered by Eisai, for the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma in adults who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum‑containing therapy in any setting and who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. This marks the first combination of an immunotherapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved in Europe for these patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma.The approval is based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-775/Study 309 trial, in which KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA demonstrated statistically significant improvements in overall survival (OS), reducing the risk of death by 38% (HR=0.62 [95% CI, 0.51-0.75]; p<0.0001), and progression-free survival (PFS), reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 44% (HR=0.56 [95% CI, 0.47-0.66]; p<0.0001), versus chemotherapy (investigator’s choice of doxorubicin or paclitaxel). The median OS was 18.3 months for KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA versus 11.4 months for chemotherapy. The median PFS was 7.2 months for KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA versus 3.8 months for chemotherapy. The objective response rate (ORR) was 32% (95% CI, 27-37) for patients treated with KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA versus 15% (95% CI, 11-18) for patients treated with chemotherapy (p<0.0001). Patients treated with KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA achieved a complete response (CR) rate of 7% and partial response (PR) rate of 25% versus a CR rate of 3% and a PR rate of 12% for patients treated with chemotherapy.“This approval is welcome news for patients in Europe and is based on the first Phase 3 study evaluating an immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitor combination that showed superior overall survival for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer compared to chemotherapy,” said Dr. Gregory Lubiniecki, Vice President, Clinical Research, Merck Research Laboratories. “Regardless of mismatch repair status, patients whose endometrial cancer progresses or returns after prior platinum-containing systemic therapies now have a combination treatment option in KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA that demonstrated a 38% reduction in risk of death compared to chemotherapy alone.”“Until recently, women in Europe with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer have faced a difficult prognosis and had few treatment options,” said Corina Dutcus, M.D., Vice President, Clinical Research, Oncology Business Group at Eisai Inc. “The approval of KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA in this setting reflects the progress that we have made in our collaboration with Merck in developing solutions for those diagnosed with difficult-to-treat cancers. We thank the patients, families and healthcare providers who made this milestone possible.”The safety of KEYTRUDA in combination with LENVIMA was evaluated in 530 patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma. The most common adverse reactions were hypertension (63%), diarrhea (57%), hypothyroidism (56%), nausea (51%), decreased appetite (47%), vomiting (39%), fatigue (38%), decreased weight (35%), arthralgia (33%), proteinuria (29%), constipation, headache and urinary tract infection (27% each), dysphonia (25%), abdominal pain, asthenia, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome and stomatitis (23% each), anemia (22%) and hypomagnesaemia (20%).This approval allows marketing of KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA in all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Northern Ireland. KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA is now approved by the European Commission for two different types of cancer: for advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma in adults who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing therapy in any setting and who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation and for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.
About KEYNOTE-775/Study 309 Trial
The approval was based on data from KEYNOTE-775/Study 309 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03517449), a Phase 3, multicenter, open-label, randomized, active-controlled study conducted in 827 patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma who had been previously treated with at least one prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen in any setting, including in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Participants may have received up to two platinum-containing therapies in total, as long as one was given in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment setting. The study excluded patients with endometrial sarcoma, carcinosarcoma, pre-existing Grade ≥3 fistula, uncontrolled BP (>150/90 mmHg), significant cardiovascular impairment or event within previous 12 months or patients who had active autoimmune disease or a medical condition that required immunosuppression. The primary efficacy outcome measures were OS, and PFS as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) according to RECIST v1.1. Secondary efficacy outcome measures included ORR as assessed by BICR.Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously every three weeks) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally once daily) or investigator’s choice, consisting of either doxorubicin (60 mg/m2 every three weeks) or paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 given weekly, three weeks on/one week off). Treatment with KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA continued until RECIST v1.1-defined progression of disease as verified by BICR, unacceptable toxicity, or for KEYTRUDA, a maximum of 24 months. Administration of KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA was permitted beyond RECIST-defined disease progression if the treating investigator considered the patient to be deriving clinical benefit and the treatment was tolerated. A total of 121/411 (29%) of patients treated with KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA received continued study therapy beyond RECIST-defined disease progression. The median duration of the post-progression therapy was 2.8 months. Assessment of tumor status was performed every eight weeks. Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S. MelanomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph node(s) following complete resection.Non-Small Cell Lung CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.Head and Neck Squamous Cell CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [combined positive score (CPS ≥1)] as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.Classical Hodgkin LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell LymphomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.Urothelial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).Gastric CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Esophageal CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or GEJ (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical CancerKEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.Hepatocellular CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Merkel Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.Renal Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).KEYTRUDA, in combination with LENVIMA, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC.KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.Endometrial CarcinomaKEYTRUDA, in combination with LENVIMA, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is not MSI-H or dMMR, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.Tumor Mutational Burden-High CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.Cutaneous Squamous Cell CarcinomaKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.Triple-Negative Breast CancerKEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.https://www.keytruda.com/
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf.About LENVIMA® (lenvatinib); available as 10 mg and 4 mg capsules
LENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is a multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, the platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), KIT, and RET. The combination of LENVIMA and everolimus showed increased anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activity as demonstrated by decreased human endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation, and VEGF signaling in vitro and tumor volume in mouse xenograft models of human renal cell cancer greater than each drug alone. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, the combination of lenvatinib with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity compared to either treatment alone.
LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Indications in the U.S.
- For the treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)
- In combination with KEYTRUDA, for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
- In combination with everolimus, for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy
- For the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
- In combination with KEYTRUDA, for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma (EC) that is not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
- https://www.lenvima.com/
European Commission approves Merck's Keytruda + Lenvima for kidney and endometrial cancer
Nov. 29, 2021 7:56 AM ET
By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor
- Merck (NYSE:MRK) and Eisai announce that the European Commission (EC) has approved the combination of Keytruda, an anti-PD-1 therapy, plus Lenvima (Kisplyx in the European Union) for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3774800-european-commission-approves-mercks-keytruda-lenvima-for-kidney-and-endometrial-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.lenvima.com/
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan)
LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Plus KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Plus KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
November 23, 2021
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan) Granted European Commission Marketing Authorization for Treatment of Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Second Line
-- Marketing Authorization Based on Phase 3 ASCENT Study Showing Trodelvy Significantly Improved Overall Survival vs. Physician’s Choice of Chemotherapy in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer --
-- Trodelvy Offers an Important New Treatment Option for People with this Aggressive Type of Metastatic Breast Cancer --
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan), a first-in-class Trop-2-directed antibody-drug conjugate, as a monotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for advanced disease.
“The metastatic stage of TNBC is particularly challenging to treat and until now we have urgently needed new treatment options for people in Europe living with this condition,” said Dr Véronique Diéras, Senior Medical Oncologist Head, Breast Cancer Group, Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France. “Today’s approval including second-line metastatic TNBC is significant for the community as it’s another important step forward in helping women with this disease live longer.”
TNBC is the most aggressive type of breast cancer and accounts for approximately 15% of all breast cancers. It is more frequently diagnosed in younger and premenopausal women and is more prevalent in Black and Hispanic women. The five-year survival rate for this sub-type of breast cancer is 12%, compared with 28% for other breast cancer types, and these poor outcomes are often coupled with a significant decrease in quality of life, especially in relapsed/refractory disease.
“At Gilead, we push boundaries to deliver transformative science and novel treatment options that address urgent medical needs,” said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. “We understand how difficult metastatic TNBC is to treat and we’re proud that Trodelvy can now offer a second-line treatment option with the potential to bring longer life to people living with this aggressive disease.”
The EC’s decision is supported by results from the Phase 3 ASCENT study, where Trodelvy reduced the risk of death by 49% and improved median overall survival to 11.8 months versus 6.9 months with physician’s choice of chemotherapy (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.41-0.62; p<0.0001). These data also showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 57% reduction in the risk of death or disease worsening and improved median progression free survival (PFS) to 4.8 months from 1.7 months seen with physician’s choice of chemotherapy alone among all randomized patients, which included those with and without brain metastases (HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.35-0.54; p<0.0001). The most common Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions were neutropenia (49.5%), leukopenia (12.0%), diarrhea (10.7%), anemia (10.1%), febrile neutropenia (6.6%), fatigue (5.2%), hypophosphatemia (5.2%), nausea (4.1%) and vomiting (3.0%).8 The Trodelvy U.S. Prescribing Information has a BOXED WARNING for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; see below for Important Safety Information.
In addition to this approval, Trodelvy is approved in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Switzerland, and the United States in metastatic TNBC. Regulatory review is also underway in Singapore and China with applications submitted by Everest Medicines. Trodelvy was also recently included in the updated ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines as a preferred treatment option for metastatic TNBC after taxanes.
About the ASCENT Study
The ASCENT study is a global, open-label, randomized Phase 3 study that enrolled more than 500 patients across 230 study locations. The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Trodelvy compared with a single-agent chemotherapy of the physician’s choice in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who had received at least two prior systemic treatments. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either Trodelvy or a chemotherapy chosen by the patient’s treating physician. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS, as determined by blinded independent central review) in patients without brain metastases. Secondary endpoints included: PFS for full study population or intention-to-treat (ITT) population, overall survival in both the ITT population and in the subgroup without brain metastasis, independently determined objective response rate, duration of response, time to onset of response according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1), quality of life and safety. More information about ASCENT is available at http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02574455.
About Trodelvy
Trodelvy is a first-in-class antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate directed to the Trop-2 receptor, a protein overexpressed in multiple types of epithelial tumors, including metastatic TNBC and metastatic urothelial cancer (UC), where high expression is associated with poor survival and relapse. Trodelvy is approved in second-line metastatic TNBC in multiple countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada, Great Britain, the European Union, Switzerland and the United States. Trodelvy is also approved for use in metastatic UC in the United States. Trodelvy continues to be developed for potential use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations and is also being developed as an investigational treatment for hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Additional evaluation across multiple solid tumors is also underway.
Trodelvy, Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.
For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211123005779/en/
Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead Sciences' Trodelvy marketing application OK'd in Europe for breast cancer
Nov. 23, 2021 8:57 AM ET
By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor2 Comments
- Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) announces that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan), a Trop-2-directed antibody-drug conjugate, as a monotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for advanced disease.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3773783-gilead-sciences-trodelvy-marketing-application-okd-in-europe-for-breast-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
- https://www.gilead.com/
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Plus KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
VUMERITY® (diroximel fumarate)
FDA Approves Merck’s KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) as Adjuvant Therapy for Certain Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Following Surgery
November 18, 2021 6:45 am ET
KEYTRUDA Is Now Approved for the Adjuvant Treatment of Patients With RCC at Intermediate-High or High Risk of Recurrence Following Nephrectomy, or Following Nephrectomy and Resection of Metastatic Lesions
KEYTRUDA Is the First Immunotherapy Approved for the Adjuvant Treatment of These Patients With RCC
KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved KEYTRUDA, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, for the adjuvant treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions. The approval is based on data from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial, in which KEYTRUDA demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in disease-free survival (DFS), reducing the risk of disease recurrence or death by 32% (HR=0.68 [95% CI, 0.53-0.87]; p=0.0010) compared to placebo. Median DFS has not been reached for either group.
“Despite decades of research, limited adjuvant treatment options have been available for earlier-stage renal cell carcinoma patients who are often at risk for recurrence. In KEYNOTE-564, pembrolizumab reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death by 32%, providing a promising new treatment option for certain patients at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence,” said Dr. Toni K. Choueiri, director, Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School. “With this FDA approval, pembrolizumab may address a critical unmet treatment need and has the potential to become a new standard of care in the adjuvant setting for appropriately selected patients.”
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue and can affect more than one body system simultaneously. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time during or after treatment with KEYTRUDA, including pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis, dermatologic reactions, solid organ transplant rejection, and complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed here may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. Early identification and management of immune-mediated adverse reactions are essential to ensure safe use of KEYTRUDA. Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, KEYTRUDA should be withheld or permanently discontinued and corticosteroids administered if appropriate. KEYTRUDA can also cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. For more information, see “Selected Important Safety Information” below.
“KEYTRUDA is foundational for the treatment of patients with certain advanced cancers, and this approval marks the fourth indication for KEYTRUDA in earlier stages of cancer,” said Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, clinical research, Merck Research Laboratories. “KEYTRUDA is now the first immunotherapy approved for the adjuvant treatment of certain patients with renal cell carcinoma. This milestone is a testament to our commitment to help more people living with cancer.”
In RCC, Merck has a broad clinical development program exploring KEYTRUDA, as monotherapy or in combination, as well as other investigational products across multiple settings and stages of RCC, including adjuvant and advanced or metastatic disease.
Data Supporting the Approval
KEYTRUDA demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in DFS in patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions compared with placebo (HR=0.68 [95% CI, 0.53-0.87]; p=0.0010). The trial will continue to assess overall survival (OS) as a secondary outcome measure.
In KEYNOTE-564, the median duration of exposure to KEYTRUDA was 11.1 months (range, 1 day to 14.3 months). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 20% of these patients receiving KEYTRUDA. Serious adverse reactions (≥1%) were acute kidney injury, adrenal insufficiency, pneumonia, colitis and diabetic ketoacidosis (1% each). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 0.2% of those treated with KEYTRUDA, including one case of pneumonia. Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 21% of patients receiving KEYTRUDA; the most common (≥1%) were increased alanine aminotransferase (1.6%), colitis and adrenal insufficiency (1% each). The most common adverse reactions (all grades ≥20%) in the KEYTRUDA arm were musculoskeletal pain (41%), fatigue (40%), rash (30%), diarrhea (27%), pruritus (23%) and hypothyroidism (21%).
About KEYNOTE-564
KEYNOTE-564 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03142334) is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial evaluating KEYTRUDA as adjuvant therapy for RCC in 994 patients with intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence of RCC or M1 no evidence of disease (NED). Patients must have undergone a partial nephroprotective or radical complete nephrectomy (and complete resection of solid, isolated, soft tissue metastatic lesion[s] in M1 NED participants) with negative surgical margins for at least four weeks prior to the time of screening. Patients were excluded from the trial if they had received prior systemic therapy for advanced RCC. Patients with active autoimmune disease or a medical condition that required immunosuppression were also ineligible. The major efficacy outcome measure was investigator-assessed DFS, defined as time to recurrence, metastasis or death. An additional outcome measure was OS. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive KEYTRUDA 200 mg administered intravenously every three weeks or placebo for up to one year until disease recurrence or unacceptable toxicity.
About KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Injection, 100 mg
KEYTRUDA is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.
Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program. There are currently more than 1,600 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient's likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.
Selected KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S.
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph node(s) following complete resection.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with carboplatin and either paclitaxel or paclitaxel protein-bound, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC expressing PD-L1 [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥1%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, and is:
- stage III where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or
- metastatic.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with platinum and fluorouracil (FU), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [combined positive score (CPS ≥1)] as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with refractory cHL, or cHL that has relapsed after 2 or more lines of therapy.
Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), or who have relapsed after 2 or more prior lines of therapy. KEYTRUDA is not recommended for treatment of patients with PMBCL who require urgent cytoreductive therapy.
Urothelial Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC):
- who are not eligible for any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or
- who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Microsatellite Instability-High or Mismatch Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer (CRC).
Gastric Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Esophageal Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or GEJ (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation either:
- in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, or
- as a single agent after one or more prior lines of systemic therapy for patients with tumors of squamous cell histology that express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Cervical Cancer
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, is indicated for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA, in combination with axitinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions.
Tumor Mutational Burden-High Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) [≥10 mutations/megabase] solid tumors, as determined by an FDA-approved test, that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with TMB-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) or locally advanced cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as a single agent as adjuvant treatment after surgery.
KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) as determined by an FDA-approved test.
More information is available by calling 855-257-3932 or visiting www.merckaccessprogram-keytruda.com.
For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
For more information, visit www.merck.com
Please see Prescribing Information for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_pi.pdf and Medication Guide for KEYTRUDA at http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/k/keytruda/keytruda_mg.pdf.
Source: Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck granted FDA approval for Keytruda as adjuvant therapy in renal cell carcinoma
Nov. 18, 2021 7:03 AM ET Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor2 Comments
- Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced the FDA approval of its anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda as adjuvant therapy for a certain category of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3772322-merck-granted-fda-approval-for-keytruda-as-adjuvant-therapy-in-renal-cell-carcinoma
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
VUMERITY® (diroximel fumarate)
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Chemotherapy
VUMERITY® (diroximel fumarate)
The European Commission Grants Marketing Authorization for VUMERITY® (diroximel fumarate) as Oral Treatment for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • INVESTOR RELATIONS
- VUMERITY is a next-generation oral fumarate treatment for people with relapsing-remitting MS with established efficacy and well-characterized safety, building on Biogen’s leadership in MS oral therapies
- Phase 3 data have demonstrated that treatment with VUMERITY results in low discontinuation rates due to its gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability profile
- European Union authorization follows approvals in United States, Great Britain and Switzerland, providing patients another important option as they consider treatment initiation in the context of COVID-19
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for VUMERITY® (diroximel fumarate) to treat adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). VUMERITY is a next-generation fumarate that offers the convenience of an oral medication with the established efficacy and well-characterized safety of TECFIDERA® (dimethyl fumarate). Globally, an estimated 2.8 million people live with MS, with more than 1 million people in Europe living with the disease.1,2
“The approval of VUMERITY provides a new oral treatment option with low gastrointestinal discontinuation rates that may help patients to start and adhere to treatment,” said Simon Faissner, M.D., PhD, Assistant Professor at the Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum. “This medication allows for MS patients in the EU to be treated without having to think about dietary restrictions or when to take a dose in relation to mealtimes which, when treating a chronic disease, may provide patients with additional flexibility in their daily lives.”
The EC’s approval of VUMERITY is based on data from pharmacokinetic bridging studies comparing VUMERITY and TECFIDERA to establish bioequivalent exposure of monomethyl fumarate, the active metabolite, and relied in part on the well-established long-term efficacy and safety profile of TECFIDERA. The approval was also based on findings from EVOLVE-MS-2, a large, randomized, double-blind, five-week, multi-center Phase 3 study to evaluate the gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability of VUMERITY compared to TECFIDERA in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. In EVOLVE-MS-2, the rate of overall treatment discontinuation was lower in participants treated with VUMERITY compared to those treated with TECFIDERA (1.6% compared to 6%, respectively). The difference in the discontinuation rates due to GI tolerability was 0.8% for VUMERITY compared to 4.8% for TECFIDERA. Additionally, flushing was reported in 32.8% of VUMERITY-treated patients and in 40.6% of TECFIDERA treated patients. There were no serious events of flushing or discontinuations due to flushing in the study.
“This approval is a significant step forward in improving treatment adherence for people living with relapsing MS, which can make a meaningful difference on treatment outcomes impacting their daily lives,” said Maha Radhakrishnan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Biogen. “The authorization of VUMERITY in the EU brings people with MS a new oral treatment option to meet their individual preferences and needs, with well-established efficacy and a positive GI tolerability profile that continues to be evaluated in the real-world setting.”
VUMERITY was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2019 and is also approved in Great Britain and Switzerland. Since its launch in the U.S., real-world data have reinforced the positive GI tolerability profile of VUMERITY and confirmed that the experience demonstrated in clinical trials is consistent with clinical practice.3 Biogen continues to file regulatory submissions in other countries.
About VUMERITY® (diroximel fumarate)
VUMERITY is an oral fumarate with a distinct chemical structure from TECFIDERA (dimethyl fumarate), approved in the U.S. for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults, to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease. Once in the body, VUMERITY rapidly converts to monomethyl fumarate, the same active metabolite of dimethyl fumarate providing similar efficacy and safety profiles.
VUMERITY is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to diroximel fumarate, dimethyl fumarate or to any of the excipients of VUMERITY; and in patients taking dimethyl fumarate. Serious side effects for VUMERITY are based on data from dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY) and include anaphylaxis and angioedema, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, which is a rare opportunistic viral infection of the brain that has been associated with death or severe disability, a decrease in mean lymphocyte counts during the first year of treatment, herpes zoster and other serious infections, liver injury and flushing. The most common adverse events, obtained using data from dimethyl fumarate (which has the same active metabolite as VUMERITY), were flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea.
Please click here for Important Safety Information and full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information for VUMERITY in the U.S., or visit your respective country’s product website.
About TECFIDERA® (dimethyl fumarate)
To learn more, please visit www.biogen.com
Biogen wins European approval for VUMERITY as multiple sclerosis therapy
Nov. 16, 2021 9:48 AM ET
By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor1 Comment
- Biogen (BIIB -2.1%) announced that the European Commission (EC) has greenlighted VUMERITY (diroximel fumarate) as a treatment for adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3771450-biogen-wins-european-approval-for-vumerity-as-multiple-sclerosis-therapy
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BIIB
- https://www.vumerity.com/
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Neoadjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Chemotherapy Significantly Improves Event-Free Survival in Patients with Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Phase 3 CheckMate -816 Trial
11/08/2021CATEGORY:
CheckMate -816 is the first Phase 3 trial with an immunotherapy-based combination to demonstrate improved event-free survival and pathologic complete response in the neoadjuvant setting of non-small cell lung cancer
Positive results reinforce the improved efficacy seen with Opdivo-based treatments in four Phase 3 clinical trials in earlier-stage cancers, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal/gastroesophageal junction cancer and melanoma
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial met the primary endpoint of improved event-free survival (EFS) in patients with resectable stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In a prespecified interim analysis, Opdivo (nivolumab) plus chemotherapy showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in EFS compared to chemotherapy alone when given before surgery. This combination previously showed a significant improvement of pathologic complete response (pCR), the trial’s other primary endpoint. The safety profile of Opdivo plus chemotherapy was consistent with previously reported studies in NSCLC.
“While the intent of surgery is curative in resectable non-small cell lung cancer, between 30% to 55% of patients experience recurrence after surgery and ultimately succumb to the disease, presenting a strong need for additional options that can disrupt this cycle,” said Nicolas Girard, M.D., Ph.D., professor of respiratory medicine at Paris Saclay University and head of the Thorax Institute Curie Montsouris in Paris. “The positive event-free survival data seen with neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy is groundbreaking and can have important implications for how we treat resectable non-small cell lung cancer.”
“CheckMate -816 is the first Phase 3 trial with an immunotherapy-based combination to demonstrate a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit as a neoadjuvant treatment for patients with non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The combination of Opdivo plus chemotherapy first showed a statistically significant improvement in pathologic complete response rate without impacting surgical outcomes and has now extended the time patients live free of disease progression, recurrence or death,” said Abderrahim Oukessou, M.D., vice president, thoracic cancers development lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “The event-free survival data from CheckMate -816 strengthen the evidence for the potential of Opdivo-based therapies to improve long-term clinical outcomes when used in the earlier stages of non-metastatic cancers.”
About CheckMate -816
CheckMate -816 is a Phase 3 randomized, open label, multi-center trial evaluating Opdivo plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer, regardless of PD-L1 expression. For the primary analysis, 358 patients were randomized to receive either Opdivo 360 mg plus histology-based platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three doses, or platinum doublet chemotherapy every three weeks for three doses, followed by surgery. The primary endpoints of the trial are pathologic complete response (pCR) and event-free survival (EFS). Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), major pathologic response (MPR), and time to death or distant metastases.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body’s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers.
Opdivo’s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb’s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and China. In October 2015, the Company’s Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union.
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
OPDIVO® (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY.
For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com
Bristol Myers Squibb posts encouraging data from late-stage Opdivo lung cancer trial
Nov. 08, 2021 8:05 AM ET
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
By: Aakash Babu, SA News Editor7 Comments
- Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) announces that the company's Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial of Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Chemotherapy met the primary endpoint of improved event-free survival (EFS) in patients with resectable stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3766692-bristol-myers-squibb-posts-encouraging-data-from-late-stage-opdivo-lung-cancer-trial
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/BMY
BMY Dividend History
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/bmy/dividend-history
Libtayo® (cemiplimab)
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Opdivo (nivolumab) Plus Chemotherapy
Libtayo® (cemiplimab) approved in Canada for locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) patients
Oct. 29, 2021 7:00 AM ETSanofi (SNY)
Q3: 2021-10-28 Earnings Summary
TranscriptEPS of - misses by $1.17 | Revenue of $12.19B (10.12% Y/Y) beats by $370.16M
- The approval is based on data from the open-label, multi-center, non-randomized Study 16201
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 29, 2021 /CNW/ - Libtayo® (cemiplimab) is now approved in Canada for the treatment of adults with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) previously treated with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI).2 The approval of Libtayo follows the European Commission (EC) approval announced in June 2021 and the US in February 2021.3
"This is a game changer for patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma who no longer have treatment options," says Dr. Marcus Butler, University Health Network. "Again, we are finding that immunotherapy can benefit patients who previously had no options. Immunotherapy continues to be a pillar of cancer therapy."
With today's announcement, Libtayo is now offered as an immunotherapy option for three advanced cancers. In April 2019, Libtayo became the first immunotherapy option in Canada for adults with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation. In October 2021, the availability of Libtayo was expanded to include adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer expressing PD-L1 in ≥ 50% of tumour cells (Tumour Proportion Score [TPS] ≥ 50%), as determined by a validated test, with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations who have locally advanced NSCLC who are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, or metastatic NSCLC.4
"Canadians living with advanced basal cell carcinoma are in urgent need of access to new therapeutic options to treat this elusive yet serious skin cancer," says Kathy Barnard, skin cancer survivor and founder of Save Your Skin Foundation. "We applaud Health Canada's approval of Libtayo, which provides new hope for patients and their loved ones."
"Patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma face significant life-threatening challenges, including the physical and emotion devastation of the disease," says Annette Cyr, founder and chair of board of directors, Melanoma Network of Canada. "Beyond surgery and very limited therapeutic treatments, there are few options currently available. Today's approval of Libtayo by Health Canada provides a treatment option that gives our patient community and their families reason to hope."
About Study 1620
This Health Canada approval was based on data from Phase 2, Study 1620 that enrolled 132 patients with advanced BCC in an open-label, single arm trial.5 The major efficacy endpoints were confirmed objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) as assessed by independent central review (ICR).6 For patients with externally visible target lesions, ORR was determined by a composite endpoint that integrated ICR assessments of radiologic data (RECIST 1.1) and digital medical photography (WHO criteria).7
"BCC affects a significant number of people across Canada," says Carrie McElroy, Interim General Manager, Sanofi Genzyme, and Interim Sanofi Canada Country Lead. "The approval of Libtayo as another treatment option for those with advanced BCC is an important milestone and we are proud to be able to make this available to patients."
About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T-cells. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation.
The recommended dose of Libtayo is 350 mg administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every three weeks, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Libtayo is available as a single-dose 350 mg vial.8
The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Current clinical development programs include Libtayo in combination with chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC irrespective of PD-L1 expression and Libtayo monotherapy for advanced cervical cancer. Libtayo is also being investigated in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
Libtayo is being jointly developed by Sanofi and Regeneron under a global collaboration agreement.
SOURCE Sanofi Canada
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
October 28, 2021
Gilead Announces Clinical Trial Collaboration With Merck to Evaluate Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Patients With First-Line Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada) to evaluate the efficacy of Gilead’s Trop-2 targeting antibody-drug conjugate Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), as a first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead will sponsor a global Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate Trodelvy in combination with KEYTRUDA compared to standard of care KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy in first-line patients with locally advanced or metastatic TNBC.“Trodelvy has already been established as a preferred treatment option in second-line metastatic TNBC,” said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. “Looking ahead, we are excited about the opportunity to advance Trodelvy as a potential treatment for first-line metastatic TNBC. This helps further our ambition of displacing chemotherapy with Trodelvy to improve outcomes for people living with cancer.”Metastatic TNBC has the worst survival rate among breast cancer subtypes, and there is an urgent need for new therapies that improve patient outcomes. Trodelvy is an antibody-drug conjugate that specifically targets Trop-2 expressing cells to enable local delivery of a cytotoxic payload that selectively kills the targeted cells. The combination of Trodelvy with an immune-stimulating agent such as KEYTRUDA could provide a novel regimen in first-line metastatic TNBC.The Trodelvy U.S. Prescribing Information has a BOXED WARNING for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; see below for Important Safety Information.The combination of Trodelvy and KEYTRUDA has not been approved by any regulatory agency in any treatment setting. The safety and efficacy of this combination is under investigation and has not been established.KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
About TrodelvyTrodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate directed to the Trop-2 receptor, a protein overexpressed in multiple types of epithelial tumors, including metastatic TNBC and metastatic urothelial cancer (UC), where high expression is associated with poor survival and relapse. Beyond the approvals of Trodelvy in the United States, it is also approved in Australia, Canada, Great Britain and Switzerland for adults with metastatic TNBC. Trodelvy is also under multiple regulatory reviews worldwide, including the EU, as well as in Singapore and China through our partner Everest Medicines. Trodelvy continues to be developed for potential use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations and is also being developed as an investigational treatment for hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Additional evaluation across multiple solid tumors is also underway.In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:
- Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
- Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
U.S. Prescribing Information for Trodelvy including BOXED WARNING, is available at www.gilead.com.Trodelvy, Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211028006064/en/ Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Gilead and Merck ink collaboration agreement for Keytruda/Trodelvy breast cancer study
Oct. 28, 2021 4:19 PM ET Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) MRKBy: Aakash Babu, SA News Editor
- Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) has entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck (NYSE:MRK) to evaluate the efficacy of Trodelvy in combination with Keytruda as a first-line treatment for certain patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3760378-gilead-and-merck-ink-collaboration-agreement-for-keytrudatrodelvy-breast-cancer-study
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GILD
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://www.trodelvy.com/
Nemvaleukin Alfa in Combination With Pembrolizumab
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Alkermes Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for Nemvaleukin Alfa in Combination With Pembrolizumab for the Treatment of Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
- Second Fast Track Designation for Nemvaleukin -
DUBLIN, Oct. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alkermes plc (Nasdaq: ALKS) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to nemvaleukin alfa (nemvaleukin), the company's novel, investigational, engineered interleukin-2 (IL-2) variant immunotherapy, in combination with pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The FDA previously granted Fast Track designation and Orphan Drug designation to nemvaleukin for the treatment of mucosal melanoma.
"This Fast Track designation in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer highlights the potential clinical utility of nemvaleukin in combination with pembrolizumab in this difficult-to-treat disease for which there is no approved immunotherapy and there remains significant need for new treatment options," said Craig Hopkinson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Research & Development at Alkermes. "We are excited to initiate our planned ARTISTRY-7 phase 3 trial in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, as we advance nemvaleukin toward potential registration and seek to help patients living with this disease."
Fast Track is an FDA process designed to facilitate the development, and expedite the review, of potential therapies that seek to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. A drug candidate that receives Fast Track designation is eligible for more frequent communication with the FDA throughout the drug development process and a rolling and/or priority review of its marketing application if relevant criteria are met. For more information on Fast Track designation, please visit the FDA's website, available at https://www.fda.gov/patients/fast-track-breakthrough-therapy-accelerated-approval-priority-review/fast-track.
About Nemvaleukin Alfa (nemvaleukin)
Nemvaleukin is an investigational, novel, engineered fusion protein comprised of modified interleukin-2 (IL-2) and the high affinity IL-2 alpha receptor chain, designed to preferentially expand tumor-killing immune cells while avoiding the activation of immunosuppressive cells by selectively binding to the intermediate-affinity IL-2 receptor complex. The selectivity of nemvaleukin is designed to leverage the proven anti-tumor effects of existing IL-2 therapy while mitigating certain limitations.
About the ARTISTRY Clinical Development Program
ARTISTRY is an Alkermes-sponsored clinical development program evaluating nemvaleukin as a potential immunotherapy for cancer. The ARTISTRY program is comprised of multiple clinical trials evaluating intravenous and subcutaneous dosing of nemvaleukin, both as a monotherapy and in combination with the anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with advanced solid tumors. Ongoing trials in the ARTISTRY program include: ARTISTRY-1, ARTISTRY-2, ARTISTRY-3 and ARTISTRY-6.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alkermes-receives-fda-fast-track-designation-for-nemvaleukin-alfa-in-combination-with-pembrolizumab-for-the-treatment-of-platinum-resistant-ovarian-cancer-301407169.html
SOURCE Alkermes plc
FDA grants Fast Track status to Alkermes' nemvaleukin in ovarian cancer
Oct. 25, 2021 7:10 AM ET Alkermes plc (ALKS) By: Aakash Babu, SA News Editor
- The U.S FDA has granted Fast Track designation to Alkermes' (NASDAQ:ALKS) to nemvaleukin alfa for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3757334-fda-grants-fast-track-status-to-alkermes-nemvaleukin-in-ovarian-cancer
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/ALKS
- https://www.alkermes.com/
- https://www.keytruda.com/
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/MRK
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB)
Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in Combination With KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
October 25, 2021 at 12:59 AM EDT
SECOND DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) PHASE 3 EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS TRIAL TO DEMONSTRATE SIGNIFICANT DISEASE IMPROVEMENTS, UNDERSCORING ROLE OF TYPE 2 INFLAMMATION IN THIS COMPLEX DISEASE
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and PARIS, Oct. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --
Dupixent 300 mg weekly significantly improved the ability to swallow and reduced eosinophils in the esophagus compared to placebo, reinforcing positive results from first Phase 3 trial
Eosinophilic esophagitis is a progressive disease that damages the esophagus and impairs the ability to swallow; 90% of trial participants had at least one coexisting type 2 inflammatory condition such as asthma or atopic dermatitis
Dupixent is the only biologic medicine to show positive, clinically meaningful Phase 3 results in these patients; regulatory filings planned for 2022
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi today announced results from a second Phase 3 trial assessing the investigational use of Dupixent® (dupilumab) in patients 12 years and older with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The trial met its co-primary endpoints in patients taking Dupixent 300 mg weekly, showing significant improvements in clinical (Dysphagia Symptom Questionnaire) and histologic disease measures compared to placebo. In September 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to Dupixent for the treatment of patients 12 years and older with EoE.
"This trial gives insight into how terrible this disease can be, with more than a third of patients having previously required invasive endoscopic dilations that can temporarily reduce symptoms but carry the risk of rupturing the esophagus," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron and a principal inventor of Dupixent. "Dupixent, which blocks the IL-4 and IL-13 pathways, has now shown compelling results across a spectrum of diseases where there has been great unmet need. In fact, our positive Phase 3 data in six different diseases help confirm our early hypothesis that IL-4 and IL-13 are the main drivers of allergic or type 2 inflammation and disease, whether manifested in the gastrointestinal tract as eosinophilic esophagitis, the respiratory tract as asthma or nasal polyps, or the skin as atopic dermatitis, chronic spontaneous urticaria, or prurigo nodularis."
EoE is a chronic and progressive type 2 inflammatory disease that damages the esophagus and prevents it from working properly. At times, swallowing the smallest quantity of food or taking a sip of water can be a painful and worrisome choking experience. Those with EoE live with anxiety and frustration from having a constantly evolving list of trigger foods to avoid. Dilation (physical expansion) of the esophagus, which is used to address narrowing, is often painful. In severe cases, a feeding tube is the only option to ensure proper caloric intake and weight gain. People with EoE may have poor quality of life and are more likely to experience depression, especially as they age, than people without EoE. In the U.S. there are approximately 160,000 patients with EoE who are currently treated, of whom approximately 48,000 have failed multiple treatments.
"The current standard of care for people with eosinophilic esophagitis may only provide limited relief of their symptoms. Efforts to develop a treatment that targets an underlying cause of the disease has eluded the field for some time, resulting in an incredible unmet need," said Naimish Patel, M.D. Head of Global Development, Immunology and Inflammation at Sanofi. "We are encouraged that Dupixent, which targets IL-4 and IL-13, was able to reduce inflammation in the esophagus and provided significant relief when swallowing for patients taking the weekly dose. We look forward to continuing to study Dupixent's potential role in addressing the underlying type 2 inflammation that can lead to eosinophilic esophagitis."
In this trial, 80 patients were enrolled into a Dupixent 300 mg weekly treatment group and 79 patients were enrolled into the placebo group. The co-primary endpoints at 24 weeks assessed patient-reported measures of difficulty swallowing (change from baseline in the Dysphagia Symptom Questionnaire, or DSQ), and esophageal inflammation (proportion of patients achieving peak esophageal intraepithelial eosinophil count of ≤6 eos/high power field [hpf]).
Patients treated with Dupixent 300 mg weekly experienced the following changes by week 24 compared to placebo:
- 64% reduction in disease symptoms from baseline compared to 41% for placebo (p=0.0008). Dupixent patients experienced a 23.78 point improvement on the 0-84 DSQ scale, compared to a 13.86 point improvement for placebo (p<0.0001); baseline DSQ scores were approximately 38 and 36 points, respectively.
- Nearly 10 times as many Dupixent patients achieved histological disease remission: 59% of patients achieved histological disease remission compared to 6% of placebo patients (p<0.0001). This was measured by the proportion of patients who achieved a peak esophageal intraepithelial eosinophil count of ≤6 eos/hpf; mean baseline peak levels were 89 and 84 eos/hpf, respectively.
About the Dupixent Eosinophilic Esophagitis Trial
The Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in adolescents and adults with EoE. The second trial (Part B) enrolled 240 patients aged 12 years and older with EoE, as determined by histological and patient-reported measures. Following the first Phase 3 trial (Part A), in which Dupixent 300 mg weekly was evaluated compared to placebo, the second confirmatory trial evaluated Dupixent 300 mg weekly or every two weeks compared to placebo for a 24-week treatment period.
The clinical trial program is ongoing, with patients from the first and second trials continuing into a 28-week long-term extension trial (Part C). Full results from this trial will be available in 2022.
About Dupixent
Dupixent, which was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. IL-4 and IL-13 are key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in atopic dermatitis, asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).
Dupixent is currently approved in the U.S., Europe, Japan and other countries around the world for use in specific patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, as well as certain patients with asthma or CRSwNP in different age populations. Dupixent is also approved in one or more of these indications in more than 60 countries around the world and more than 300,000 patients have been treated globally.
U.S. Indications
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat people aged 6 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 years of age.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in people aged 6 years and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- https://www.dupixent.com/
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com
SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron/Sanofi's Dupixent meets main goals in late-stage inflammatory disease trial
Oct. 25, 2021 6:45 AM ET Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), SNY
By: Aakash Babu, SA News Editor
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) announce that Dupixent met the co-primary endpoints in a late-stage trial of patients 12 years and older with eosinophilic esophagitis ((EoE)), a chronic and progressive type 2 inflammatory disease.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3757309-regeneronsanofis-dupixent-meets-main-goals-in-late-stage-inflammatory-disease-trial
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/SNY
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/REGN
- https://www.dupixent.com/
- https://www.regeneron.com/
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival in 1st-line advanced biliary tract cancer in TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial at interim analysis
PUBLISHED25 October 2021
25 October 2021 7:00 BST
First immunotherapy combination to demonstrate superior clinical outcomes over standard of care in a global, randomised trial in this setting
Positive high-level results from the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial showed Imfinzi (durvalumab), in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) benefit versus chemotherapy alone as a 1st-line treatment for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC).
At a predefined interim analysis, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee concluded that the trial met the primary endpoint by demonstrating an improvement in OS in patients treated with Imfinzi plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone. The combination also demonstrated an improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate, key secondary endpoints.
Imfinzi plus chemotherapy was well tolerated, had a similar safety profile versus the comparator arm and did not increase the discontinuation rate due to adverse events compared to chemotherapy alone.
BTC is a group of rare and aggressive cancers that occur in the bile ducts and gallbladder.1,2 Incidence of BTC often depends on the prevalence of common risk factors for each type within a geographical region.
Approximately 50,000 people in the US, Europe and Japan and about 210,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with BTC each year.3-5 These patients have a poor prognosis, with approximately only 5% to 15% of all patients with BTC surviving five years.4 In December 2020, Imfinzi was granted Orphan Drug Designation in the US for the treatment of BTC.
Do-Youn Oh, MD, PhD, Professor, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, and principal investigator in the TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial, said: “Patients with advanced biliary tract cancer are in dire need of new treatments as progress in the 1st-line setting has remained largely stagnant for more than 10 years. TOPAZ-1 is the first Phase III trial to show that adding an immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy delivers a meaningful overall survival benefit for patients in this setting. Today’s exciting results are a major step forward in treating this disease and represent new hope for our patients.”
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “We are delighted TOPAZ-1 has been unblinded early due to clear evidence of efficacy for Imfinzi plus chemotherapy, which has also demonstrated a strong safety profile. We have now delivered two positive gastrointestinal cancer trials in a row for Imfinzi, following the HIMALAYA trial in liver cancer. We believe the significant survival benefit demonstrated marks a new era of immunotherapy treatment in this devastating disease, and it advances our commitment to improving long-term survival for patients across these cancers where treatment options are limited.”
The data will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting and shared with health authorities.
TOPAZ-1
TOPAZ-1 is a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) versus placebo in combination with chemotherapy as a 1st-line treatment in 685 patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic BTC including intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and gallbladder cancer (ampullary carcinoma was excluded).
The trial is being conducted in more than 145 centres across 17 countries including in the US, Europe, South America and several countries in Asia including South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and China. The primary endpoint is OS and key secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, objective response rate and safety.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved for previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries. Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, liver cancer, BTC, oesophageal cancer, gastric and gastroesophageal cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and other solid tumours.
Please visit astrazeneca.com
AstraZeneca says late-stage trial for Imfinzi in biliary tract cancer met primary endpoint
Oct. 25, 2021 8:50 AM ET AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) By: Dulan Lokuwithana, SA News Editor2 Comments
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) announced positive interim results from a Phase III trial for Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus standard-of-care chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC).
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab
Imfinzi plus tremelimumab significantly improved overall survival in HIMALAYA Phase III trial in 1st-line unresectable liver cancer
PUBLISHED15 October 2021
15 October 2021 07:00 BST
Trial met primary endpoint of overall survival with a single priming dose of tremelimumab plus Imfinzi every four weeks vs. sorafenib
Imfinzi monotherapy met the overall survival endpoint of non-inferiority vs. sorafenib
Positive high-level results from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial showed a single, high priming dose of tremelimumab added to Imfinzi (durvalumab) demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) benefit versus sorafenib as a 1st-line treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had not received prior systemic therapy and were not eligible for localised treatment. This novel dose and schedule of tremelimumab, an anti-CTLA4 antibody, and Imfinzi is called the STRIDE regimen (Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab). The combination demonstrated a favourable safety profile, and the addition of tremelimumab to Imfinzi did not increase severe hepatic toxicity.
Imfinzi alone demonstrated non-inferior OS to sorafenib with a numerical trend in favour of Imfinzi and an improved tolerability profile compared to sorafenib.
Liver cancer, of which HCC is the most common type, is the third leading cause of cancer death and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide with approximately 900,000 people diagnosed each year.1-2 Only 7% of patients with advanced disease survive five years.3
Ghassan Abou-Alfa, MD, MBA, Attending Physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and principal investigator in the HIMALAYA Phase III trial, said: “HIMALAYA is the first Phase III trial to add a novel single priming dose of an anti-CTLA4 antibody to another checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab. This serves to boost the patient’s own immune system against their liver cancer, aiming to maximise long-term survival with minimal side effects. This is very exciting news for our patients.”
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “Inhibition of CTLA-4 has shown the ability to drive benefit particularly in the tail of the survival curve in several settings. This is the first time a dual immunotherapy regimen has improved overall survival as a 1st-line treatment for patients with unresectable liver cancer for whom treatment options are limited and long-term outcomes are poor.”
The data from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting.
Imfinzi and tremelimumab were granted Orphan Drug Designations in the US for the treatment of HCC in 2020. Tremelimumab was also granted orphan designation in the EU in HCC in 2020.
HIMALAYA
HIMALAYA was a randomised, open-label, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi monotherapy and the STRIDE regimen, comprising a single priming dose of tremelimumab 300mg added to Imfinzi 1500mg followed by Imfinzi every four weeks versus sorafenib, a standard-of-care multi-kinase inhibitor, in a total of 1,324 patients with unresectable, advanced HCC who had not been treated with prior systemic therapy and were not eligible for locoregional therapy (treatment localised to the liver and surrounding tissue).
The trial was conducted in 190 centres across 16 countries, including in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. The primary endpoint was OS for STRIDE versus sorafenib and key secondary endpoints included OS for Imfinzi versus sorafenib, objective response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) for STRIDE and for Imfinzi alone.
Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.
Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy and is the global standard of care in this setting based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial.
Imfinzi is also approved for previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in several countries. Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 100,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.
In 1st-line Stage IV NSCLC, positive results from the POSEIDON Phase III trial showed Imfinzi plus chemotherapy with a short course of tremelimumab 75mg demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS and PFS compared to chemotherapy.
As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with NSCLC, SCLC, bladder cancer, HCC, biliary tract cancer (BTC), oesophageal cancer, gastric and gastroesophageal cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and other solid tumours.
Tremelimumab
Tremelimumab is a human monoclonal antibody and potential new medicine that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Tremelimumab blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T-cell activation, priming the immune response to cancer and fostering cancer cell death.
Tremelimumab is being tested in a clinical trial programme in combination with Imfinzi in NSCLC, SCLC, bladder cancer and liver cancer.
Please visit astrazeneca.com
AstraZeneca's Imfinzi + tremelimumab improved overall survival in Phase III liver cancer study
Oct. 15, 2021 6:36 AM ET AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) By: Mamta Mayani, SA News Editor1 Comment
- AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) announces positive results from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial in patienst with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had not received prior systemic therapy and were not eligible for localised treatment.
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3753142-astrazenecas-imfinzi-tremelimumab-improved-overall-survival-in-phase-iii-liver-cancer-study
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/AZN
- https://www.imfinzi.com/
- https://www.astrazeneca.com/
Tecentriq® (atezolizumab)
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy
Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus tremelimumab
Friday, Oct 15, 2021
FDA Approves Genentech’s Tecentriq as Adjuvant Treatment for Certain People With Early Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Tecentriq is the first and only cancer immunotherapy approved for treatment of NSCLC in the adjuvant setting
Approval based on the Phase III IMpower010 study showing adjuvant Tecentriq improved disease-free survival by more than one-third in PD-L1-positive Stage II-IIIA lung cancer, compared with best supportive care.
South San Francisco, CA -- October 15, 2021 --
Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) as adjuvant treatment following surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy for adults with Stage II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1≥1%, as determined by an FDA-approved test.
“Tecentriq is now the first and only cancer immunotherapy available for adjuvant treatment of NSCLC, introducing a new era where people diagnosed with early lung cancer may have the opportunity to receive immunotherapy to increase their chances for cure,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “Today’s landmark approval gives physicians and patients a new way to treat early lung cancer that has the potential to significantly reduce risk of cancer recurrence, after more than a decade with limited treatment advances in this setting.”
“Too many patients with early-stage lung cancer experience disease recurrence following surgery. Now, the availability of immunotherapy following surgery and chemotherapy offers many patients new hope and a powerful new tool to reduce their risk of cancer relapse,” said Bonnie Addario, Co-founder and Chair, GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. “With this approval, it is more important than ever to screen for lung cancer early and test for PD-L1 at diagnosis to help bring this advance to the people who can benefit.”
The approval is based on results from an interim analysis of the Phase III IMpower010 study that showed treatment with Tecentriq following surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death by 34% (hazard ratio [HR]=0.66, 95% CI: 0.50-0.88) in people with Stage II-IIIA (UICC/AJCC 7th edition) NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1≥1%, compared with best supportive care (BSC). Safety data for Tecentriq were consistent with its known safety profile and no new safety signals were identified. Fatal and serious adverse reactions occurred in 1.8% and 18%, respectively, of patients receiving Tecentriq. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (>1%) were pneumonia (1.8%), pneumonitis (1.6%), and pyrexia (1.2%).
The review of this application was conducted under the FDA’s Project Orbis initiative, which provides a framework for concurrent submission and review of oncology medicines among international partners. According to the FDA, collaboration among international regulators may allow patients with cancer to receive earlier access to products in other countries where there may be significant delays in regulatory submissions. Simultaneous applications were submitted to regulators in the United States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and Australia under Project Orbis. Additionally, the FDA reviewed and approved the supplemental application under its Real-Time Oncology Review pilot program, which aims to explore a more efficient review process to ensure safe and effective treatments are available to patients as early as possible.
Tecentriq has previously shown clinically meaningful benefit in various types of lung cancer, with six currently approved indications in the U.S. In addition to becoming the first approved cancer immunotherapy for adjuvant NSCLC, Tecentriq was also the first approved cancer immunotherapy for front-line treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in combination with carboplatin and etoposide (chemotherapy). Tecentriq also has four approved indications in advanced NSCLC as either a single agent or in combination with targeted therapies and/or chemotherapies. Tecentriq is available in three dosing options, providing the flexibility to choose administration every two, three or four weeks.
Genentech has an extensive development program for Tecentriq, including multiple ongoing and planned Phase III studies across different lung, genitourinary, skin, breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, and head and neck cancers. This includes studies evaluating Tecentriq both alone and in combination with other medicines, as well as studies in metastatic, adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings across various tumor types.
About the IMpower010 study
IMpower010 is a Phase III, global, multicenter, open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Tecentriq compared with BSC, in participants with Stage IB-IIIA NSCLC (UICC/AJCC 7th edition), following surgical resection and up to 4 cycles of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The study randomized 1,005 people with a ratio of 1:1 to receive either Tecentriq for 1 year (16 cycles), unless disease recurrence or unacceptable toxicity occurred, or BSC. The primary endpoint is investigator-determined DFS in the PD-L1-positive Stage II-IIIA, all randomized Stage II-IIIA and intent-to-treat (ITT) Stage IB-IIIA populations. Key secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS) in the overall study population, ITT Stage IB-IIIA NSCLC.
About Tecentriq ® (atezolizumab)
Tecentriq is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called PD-L1. Tecentriq is designed to bind to PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, Tecentriq may enable the re-activation of T cells. Tecentriq may also affect normal cells.
Tecentriq U.S. Indications
Tecentriq is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with:
A type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- TECENTRIQ may be used alone as a treatment for their lung cancer:
- to help prevent their lung cancer from coming back after their tumor(s) has been removed by surgery and they have received platinum-based chemotherapy, and
- they have stage 2 to 3A NSCLC (patients should talk to their healthcare provider about what these stages mean), and
- their cancer tests positive for “PD-L1”.
- Tecentriq may be used alone as their first treatment when their lung cancer:
- has spread or grown, and
- their cancer tests positive for “high PD-L1”, and
- their tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR” or “ALK” gene
- Tecentriq may be used with the medicines bevacizumab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin as their first treatment when their lung cancer:
- has spread or grown, and
- is a type called “non-squamous NSCLC,” and
- their tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR” or “ALK” gene
- Tecentriq may be used with the medicines paclitaxel protein-bound and carboplatin as their first treatment when their lung cancer:
- has spread or grown, and
- is a type called “non-squamous NSCLC,” and
- their tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR” or “ALK” gene
- Tecentriq may also be used when their lung cancer:
- has spread or grown, and
- they have tried chemotherapy that contains platinum, and it did not work or is no longer working
- if their tumor has an abnormal “EGFR” or “ALK” gene, they should have also tried an FDA-approved therapy for tumors with these abnormal genes, and it did not work or is no longer working
A type of lung cancer called small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
- Tecentriq may be used with the chemotherapy medicines carboplatin and etoposide as their first treatment when their lung cancer:
- is a type called “extensive-stage small cell lung cancer,” which means that it has spread or grown
It is not known if Tecentriq is safe and effective in children.
Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for additional Important Safety Information.
Please see http://www.Tecentriq.com for full Prescribing Information and additional Important Safety Information.
For more information visit http://www.gene.com/cancer-immunotherapy.
For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.
Genentech's Tecentriq gets FDA expanded approval for lung cancer indication
Oct. 15, 2021 12:42 PM ET
By: Aakash Babu, SA News Editor
- The U.S. FDA has approved Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY +0.9%) company Genentech's Tecentriq (atezolizumab) as an adjuvant treatment following surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy for certain adults with Stage II-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- https://seekingalpha.com/news/3753331-genentechs-tecentriq-gets-fda-expanded-approval-for-lung-cancer-indication
- https://www.tecentriq.com/
- https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/RHHBY
- https://www.gene.com/