Roche’s Tecentriq as a first-line monotherapy helped certain people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer live longer compared with chemotherapy

On September 12, 2019 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported positive data from the Phase III IMpower110 study evaluating Tecentriq (atezolizumab) as a first-line (initial) monotherapy compared with cisplatin or carboplatin and pemetrexed or gemcitabine (chemotherapy) in advanced non-squamous and squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without ALK or EGFR mutations (Wild-Type or WT) (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, SEP 12, 2019, View Source [SID1234539486]). The study met its primary endpoint in an interim analysis showing that Tecentriq monotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant overall survival (OS) benefit in people with high PD-L1 expression (TC3/IC3-WT), compared with chemotherapy alone. Safety for Tecentriq appeared to be consistent with its known safety profile and no new safety signals were identified. The study will continue to final analysis for patients with lower levels of PD-L1 expression.

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"We are encouraged that Tecentriq monotherapy has shown a significant survival benefit over chemotherapy as an initial treatment in people with squamous or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with high PD-L1 expression," said Sandra Horning, MD, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "These findings reinforce the potential of Tecentriq to play an important role in the treatment of multiple forms of lung cancer, and we look forward to discussing these data with health authorities."

Roche will now submit these data to global health authorities, including the FDA and EMA, and will discuss how best to bring this option to patients as quickly as possible. These data will be presented at an upcoming medical congress.

Currently, Roche has nine Phase III lung cancer studies underway evaluating Tecentriq as a monotherapy or in combination with other medicines across different types of lung cancer. 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.

About the IMpower110 study
IMpower110 is a Phase III, randomised, open-label study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tecentriq monotherapy compared with cisplatin or carboplatin and pemetrexed or gemcitabine (chemotherapy) in programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-selected, chemotherapy-naive participants with advanced non-squamous or squamous NSCLC without ALK or EGFR mutations (Wild-Type or WT).

A total of 572 people (555 WT) were enrolled and were randomised 1:1 to receive:

Tecentriq monotherapy, until loss of clinical benefit (as assessed by the investigator) or
Cisplatin or carboplatin (per investigator discretion) combined with either pemetrexed (non-squamous) or gemcitabine (squamous), followed by maintenance therapy with pemetrexed alone (non-squamous) or best supportive care (squamous) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or death.
The primary efficacy endpoint is OS by PD-L1 subgroup (TC3/IC3-WT; TC2/3/ IC2/3-WT; and TC1,2,3/IC1,2,3-WT), as determined by the SP142 assay test. Key secondary endpoints include investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DoR).

About NSCLC
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally.1 Each year 1.76 million people die as a result of the disease; this translates into more than 4,800 deaths worldwide every day.1 Lung cancer can be broadly divided into two major types: NSCLC and small cell lung cancer. NSCLC is the most prevalent type, accounting for around 85% of all cases.2 NSCLC comprises non-squamous and squamous-cell lung cancer, the squamous form of which is characterised by flat cells covering the airway surface when viewed under a microscope.2

About Tecentriq (atezolizumab)
Tecentriq is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called 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 (CIT) 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 development of Tecentriq and its clinical programme is based on our greater understanding of how the immune system interacts with tumours and how harnessing a person’s immune system combats cancer more effectively.

Tecentriq is approved in the US, EU and countries around the world, either alone or in combination with targeted therapies and/or chemotherapies in various forms of non-small cell and small cell lung cancer, certain types of metastatic urothelial cancer, and in PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

About Roche in cancer immunotherapy
For more than 50 years, Roche has been developing medicines with the goal to redefine treatment in oncology. Today, we’re investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options that help a person’s own immune system fight cancer.

By applying our seminal research in immune tumour profiling within the framework of the Roche-devised cancer immunity cycle, we are accelerating and expanding the transformative benefits with Tecentriq to a greater number of people living with cancer. Our cancer immunotherapy development programme takes a comprehensive approach in pursuing the goal of restoring cancer immunity to improve outcomes for patients.

To learn more about the Roche approach to cancer immunotherapy please follow this link: View Source

Celgene Announces Phase 3 QUAZAR® AML-001 Study of CC-486 as Maintenance Therapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia Met Primary and Key Secondary Endpoints

On September 12, 2019 Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) reported top-line results from the international phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, QUAZAR AML-001 (Press release, Celgene, SEP 12, 2019, View Source [SID1234539485]). The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of investigational therapy CC-486 as maintenance therapy in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who achieved first complete response (CR) or complete response with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) with induction chemotherapy (with or without consolidation). The study demonstrated that maintenance treatment with CC-486 resulted in a highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival compared to placebo. The key secondary endpoint of relapse-free survival (RFS) also showed a statistically significant improvement.

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CC-486 was well-tolerated and there were no unexpected safety events in QUAZAR AML-001. This phase 3 study enrolled 472 patients, randomized 1:1 to receive either oral CC-486 300mg or placebo once daily for 14 days of a 28-day cycle plus best supportive care until disease relapse.

"AML remains a deadly blood cancer where most patients are not curable and less than 30% of patients survive five years1," said Jay Backstrom, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer for Celgene. "The CC-486 QUAZAR AML-001 study is the first phase 3 trial to demonstrate that the addition of maintenance therapy has the potential to extend overall survival in a broad population of patients with newly diagnosed AML who have achieved remission with induction chemotherapy."

Data from QUAZAR AML-001 will be submitted to a future medical meeting. Celgene also plans regulatory submissions for CC-486 beginning in the first half of 2020.

CC-486 is an investigational compound and not approved for any use in any geography.

About QUAZAR AML-001

Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of CC-486 as AML maintenance therapy in patients who achieved first CR or complete response with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) with induction chemotherapy (with or without consolidation) The primary endpoint of the study was overall survival. Key secondary endpoints included relapse-free survival (RFS), safety and tolerability, healthcare resource utilization and patient-reported outcomes per the FACIT-Fatigue Scale and EQ-5D questionnaire. The study enrolled 472 patients, randomized 1:1 to receive either oral CC-486 300mg or placebo once daily for 14 days of a 28-day cycle plus best supportive care until disease progression.

About CC-486

CC-486 is a cytidine nucleoside analogue and incorporates into DNA and RNA. The main mechanism of action is thought to cause DNA hypomethylation and direct cytotoxicity on abnormal hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow. Hypomethylation may restore normal function to genes that are critical for differentiation and proliferation. The antineoplastic effect of CC-486 is hypothesized to cause death of rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells that are no longer responsive to normal growth control mechanism.

About AML

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal blast cells that are supposed to grow into different types of blood cells. It may present in multiple subtypes based on the maturity of the cancer cells at diagnosis.2 There will be an estimated 21,450 new cases of AML in the United States this year, accounting for 1.2% of all cancer cases, with an estimated 10,920 deaths resulting from the disease. There are an estimated 61,048 people living with AML in the United States.3

NOXXON Initiates Patient Recruitment for Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Combining NOX-A12 & Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Brain Cancer Patients

On September 12, 2019 NOXXON Pharma N.V. (Paris:ALNOX) (Euronext Growth Paris: ALNOX), a biotechnology company focused on improving cancer treatments by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), reported the start of recruitment of newly diagnosed brain cancer patients in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial combining the CXCL12 inhibitor NOX-A12 with radiotherapy (Press release, NOXXON, SEP 12, 2019, View Source [SID1234539484]). NOX-A12 is thought to inhibit the influx of "repair cells" from the bone marrow to the tumor, an unwanted consequence of radiotherapy that leads to a replacement of the destroyed blood vessels within the tumor which ultimately results in a recurrence of the disease.

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The safety and first efficacy data obtained in this study will support the definition of a Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) for this new treatment approach to guide further clinical developments. The non-invasive assessment of the changes in tumor vascularization by MRI is expected to confirm the predicted mechanism mode of action for the inhibition of CXCL12 in combination with radiotherapy.

"NOX-A12 combined with radiotherapy is a novel and promising approach with the potential to effectively treat brain cancer patients for which there are currently no optimal therapies. The demand from the clinical community to test this combination has been very strong and we are pleased to initiate this trial. We expect data from the first cohort of patients to be available in mid-2020," said Jarl-Ulf Jungnelius, Chief Medical Officer of NOXXON.

The trial will be conducted at three hospitals in Germany. Up to three escalating doses of NOX-A12 will be administered in combination with standard radiotherapy to newly diagnosed patients with brain tumors who would not benefit from the current standard of care of chemoradiotherapy and whose tumors cannot be fully resected by surgery. The main objective of the study is to assess the safety and tolerability of this combination. Secondary endpoints include activity of the therapy, assessed through the monitoring of tumor vascularization by MRI scans, progression-free survival, overall survival and rates of response.

CEO of NOXXON, Aram Mangasarian, will host a webinar on September 23, 2019 at 03.00 p.m. CEST, and will be joined by Dr. Frank Giordano, Vice Chairman of Radiation Oncology Department at University Medical Centre Mannheim for the presentation and Q&A session. To join the webinar, please send an email to [email protected].

X4 Pharmaceuticals to Present Phase 2a Data for Mavorixafor in Combination with Axitinib at European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2019 Congress

On September 12, 2019 X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: XFOR), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases, reported it will present clinical data on its lead product candidate, mavorixafor (X4P-001), in combination with Inlyta (axitinib) at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2019 Congress, taking place September 27 – October 1 in Barcelona, Spain (Press release, X4 Pharmaceuticals, SEP 12, 2019, View Source [SID1234539483]). The presentation will detail final safety and efficacy results from the Company’s Phase 2a portion of an open-label Phase 1/2 clinical trial of mavorixafor in combination with axitinib in patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

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Details of the presentation are as follows:

Abstract #2521: Safety and Efficacy of the Oral CXCR4 Inhibitor X4P-001 + Axitinib in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients: An Analysis of Subgroup Responses by Prior Treatment
Date and Time: Monday, September 30, 2019; 8:45 – 9:45 AM CEST
Session Type: Poster Discussion Session, Discussion 2 – Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)
Presentation #: 1186PD
Location: Malaga Auditorium, Hall 5

Details of the investor conference call and webcast are as follows:

Time and Date: Monday, September 30 at 8:00 AM EDT / 2:00 PM CEST
US Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (866) 721-7655
International Dial-In Number: (409) 216-0009 / Spain 0934923253
Conference ID: 4787329
Webcast: A live audio webcast of the conference call may be accessed in the "Investors" section of the Company’s website at the following link.

About Mavorixafor

X4 Pharmaceuticals’ lead product candidate, mavorixafor (X4P-001), is a potential first-in-class, once-daily, oral inhibitor of CXCR4, currently in Phase 3 development for the treatment of WHIM syndrome, a rare, inherited, primary immunodeficiency disease caused by genetic mutations in the CXCR4 receptor gene. Mavorixafor has demonstrated proof of concept in WHIM syndrome in a Phase 2 trial, including clinically meaningful increases in neutrophil and lymphocyte biomarker counts, as well as a trend of reduction in infection rates and wart burden, and a favorable safety profile. Mavorixafor was designated orphan drug status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2018 and by the European Commission in 2019 for the treatment of WHIM syndrome, and is also in development for the treatment of Severe Congenital Neutropenia (SCN), Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM), and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Clovis Oncology to Highlight Expanded Data from Rubraca® (rucaparib) TRITON and ARIEL Clinical Programs in Prostate and Ovarian Cancers at the ESMO Congress 2019

On September 12, 2019 Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLVS) reported that three posters highlighting studies from the Rubraca (rucaparib) clinical development program will be presented at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) (European Society for Medical Oncology) Congress 2019, September 27 – October 1, 2019, in Barcelona, Spain (Press release, Clovis Oncology, SEP 12, 2019, View Source [SID1234539482]).

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The accepted abstracts summarize clinical trials in which Rubraca is being evaluated as a single agent in advanced ovarian and prostate cancers. These posters include updated results from the ongoing Phase 2 TRITON2 clinical trial of Rubraca in advanced mCRPC and additional analyses of data from the Study 10, ARIEL2 and ARIEL3 clinical trials in advanced ovarian cancer, which evaluated safety and efficacy in the treatment and maintenance settings.

The data from the TRITON2 trial will be presented in a poster by Professor Ray McDermott, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Tallaght University Hospital and Cancer Trials Ireland, and have been selected for inclusion in a poster discussion session on Sunday, September 29. TRITON2 is an ongoing international, multicenter, open-label, Phase 2 trial of Rubraca in men with advanced prostate cancer with a deleterious BRCA gene mutation (germline or somatic) or deleterious mutation in other homologous recombination repair genes in the metastatic castration-resistant setting.

"We look forward to presenting an updated look at the TRITON2 prostate cancer data at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper), with a primary focus on patient populations with a deleterious BRCA gene mutation, as well as mutations of other homologous recombination repair genes," said Patrick J. Mahaffy, President and CEO of Clovis Oncology. "We continue to prepare to file a supplemental NDA for Rubraca in BRCA-mutant advanced prostate cancer by the end of the year."

In October 2018, Clovis Oncology announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for Rubraca for the treatment of adult patients with BRCA1/2-mutated mCRPC who have received at least one prior androgen receptor-directed therapy and taxane-based chemotherapy.

Additional analyses of data from the Study 10, ARIEL2 and ARIEL3 clinical trials, which supported the European Union (EU) and FDA approvals of Rubraca for women with advanced ovarian cancer in the treatment and maintenance settings, will also be presented.

The three Rubraca abstracts from Clovis Oncology that have been accepted for either poster discussion or poster presentation at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2019 include:

Title: Preliminary results from the TRITON2 study of rucaparib in patients (pts) with DNA damage repair (DDR)-deficient metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): updated analyses (abstract 846PD)
Presenter: Professor Ray McDermott, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Tallaght University Hospital and Cancer Trials Ireland
Session: Poster discussion session, genitourinary tumors, prostate
Date/Time: Sunday 29 September, 08:30–09:45 CEST
Location: Malaga Auditorium (Hall 5)

As the subject of a poster discussion session, this poster will be on display for the duration of the congress in Hall 3 beginning at 07:30 CEST on Saturday, September 28 2019.

Title: Effect of response to last platinum-based chemotherapy in patients (pts) with platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian carcinoma in the Phase 3 study ARIEL3 of rucaparib maintenance treatment (abstract 1001P)
Presenter: Professor Jonathan A. Ledermann, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London and UCL Hospitals, London, UK
Session: Poster display session 2
Date/Time: Sunday 29 September, 12:00–13:00 CEST
Location: Poster Area (Hall 4)

Title: Integrated safety analysis of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor rucaparib in patients (pts) with ovarian cancer in the treatment and maintenance settings (abstract 1002P)
Presenter: Dr. Rebecca S. Kristeleit, University College London and UCL Hospitals, London, UK
Session: Poster display session 2
Date/Time: Sunday 29 September, 12:00–13:00 CEST
Location: Poster Area (Hall 4)

Specific program times and locations are subject to change by ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper). Clovis Oncology’s Rubraca poster presentations will be available online at View Source once they are presented at the meeting.

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 U.S. FDA Approved Indications

Rubraca is indicated as monotherapy 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.

Rubraca is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious BRCA mutations (germline and/or somatic) associated epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies and selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for Rubraca.

Select Important Safety Information

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) occur uncommonly in patients treated with Rubraca, and are potentially fatal adverse reactions. In approximately 1100 treated patients, MDS/AML occurred in 12 patients (1.1%), including those in long-term follow-up. Of these, five occurred during treatment or during the 28-day safety follow-up (0.5%). The duration of Rubraca treatment prior to the diagnosis of MDS/AML ranged from 1 month to approximately 28 months. The cases were typical of secondary MDS/cancer therapy-related AML; in all cases, patients had received previous platinum-containing regimens and/or other DNA-damaging agents. Do not start Rubraca until patients have recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy (≤Grade 1).

Monitor complete blood counts for cytopenia at baseline and monthly thereafter for clinically significant changes during treatment. For prolonged hematological toxicities (>4 weeks), interrupt Rubraca or reduce dose (see Dosage and Administration [2.2] in full Prescribing Information) and monitor blood counts weekly until recovery. If the levels have not recovered to Grade 1 or less after 4 weeks, or if MDS/AML is suspected, refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations, including bone marrow analysis and blood sample cytogenetic analysis. If MDS/AML is confirmed, discontinue Rubraca.

Based on its mechanism of action and findings from animal studies, Rubraca can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Apprise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose of Rubraca.

Most common adverse reactions in ARIEL3 (≥20%; Grade 1–4) were nausea (76%), fatigue/asthenia (73%), abdominal pain/distention (46%), rash (43%), dysgeusia (40%), anemia (39%), AST/ALT elevation (38%), constipation (37%), vomiting (37%), diarrhea (32%), thrombocytopenia (29%), nasopharyngitis/upper respiratory tract infection (29%), stomatitis (28%), decreased appetite (23%) and neutropenia (20%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities in ARIEL3 (≥25%; Grade 1–4) were increase in creatinine (98%), decrease in hemoglobin (88%), increase in cholesterol (84%), increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (73%), increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (61%), decrease in platelets (44%), decrease in leukocytes (44%), decrease in neutrophils (38%), increase in alkaline phosphatase (37%) and decrease in lymphocytes (29%).

Most common adverse reactions in Study 10 and ARIEL2 (≥ 20%; Grade 1–4) were nausea (77%), asthenia/fatigue (77%), vomiting (46%), anemia (44%), constipation (40%), dysgeusia (39%), decreased appetite (39%), diarrhea (34%), abdominal pain (32%), dyspnea (21%) and thrombocytopenia (21%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities in Study 10 and ARIEL2 (≥ 35%; Grade 1–4) were increase in creatinine (92%), increase in ALT (74%), increase in AST (73%), decrease in hemoglobin (67%), decrease in lymphocytes (45%), increase in cholesterol (40%), decrease in platelets (39%) and decrease in absolute neutrophil count (35%).

Co-administration of Rubraca can increase the systemic exposure of CYP1A2, CYP3A, CYP2C9, or CYP2C19 substrates, which may increase the risk of toxicities of these drugs. Adjust dosage of CYP1A2, CYP3A, CYP2C9, or CYP2C19 substrates, if clinically indicated. If co-administration with warfarin (a CYP2C9 substrate) cannot be avoided, consider increasing frequency of international normalized ratio monitoring. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breast-fed children from Rubraca, advise lactating women not to breastfeed during treatment with Rubraca and for 2 weeks after the last dose. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Clovis Oncology, Inc. at 1-844-258-7662.

Click here for full Prescribing Information and additional Important Safety Information.

Rubraca (rucaparib) EU Authorized Use and Important Safety Information

Rubraca is indicated as monotherapy for the 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.

Rubraca is indicated as monotherapy treatment of adult patients with platinum sensitive, relapsed or progressive, BRCA mutated (germline and/or somatic), high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who have been treated with two or more prior lines of platinum-based chemotherapy, and who are unable to tolerate further platinum-based chemotherapy.

Efficacy of Rubraca as treatment for relapsed or progressive EOC, FTC, or PPC has not been investigated in patients who have received prior treatment with a PARP inhibitor. Therefore, use in this patient population is not recommended.

Summary warnings and precautions:

Haematological toxicity

During treatment with Rubraca, events of myelosuppression (anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia) may be observed and are typically first observed after 8-10 weeks of treatment with Rubraca. These reactions are manageable with routine medical treatment and/or dose adjustment for more severe cases. Complete blood count testing prior to starting treatment with Rubraca, and monthly thereafter, is advised. Patients should not start Rubraca treatment until they have recovered from haematological toxicities caused by previous chemotherapy (≤ CTCAE Grade 1).

Supportive care and institutional guidelines should be implemented for the management of low blood counts for the treatment of anaemia and neutropenia. Rubraca should be interrupted or dose reduced according to Table 1 (see section 4.2) and blood counts monitored weekly until recovery. If the levels have not recovered to CTCAE Grade 1 or better after 4 weeks, the patient should be referred to a haematologist for further investigations.

Myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukaemia

Myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukaemia (MDS/AML), including cases with fatal outcome, have been reported in patients who received Rubraca. The duration of therapy with Rubraca in patients who developed MDS/AML varied from less than 1 month to approximately 28 months.

If MDS/AML is suspected, the patient should be referred to a haematologist for further investigations, including bone marrow analysis and blood sampling for cytogenetics. If, following investigation for prolonged haematological toxicity, MDS/AML is confirmed, Rubraca should be discontinued.

Photosensitivity

Photosensitivity has been observed in patients treated with Rubraca. Patients should avoid spending time in direct sunlight because they may burn more easily during Rubraca treatment; when outdoors, patients should wear a hat and protective clothing, and use sunscreen and lip balm with sun protection factor (SPF) of 50 or greater.

Gastrointestinal toxicities

Gastrointestinal toxicities (nausea and vomiting) are frequently reported with Rubraca, are generally low grade (CTCAE Grade 1 or 2),and may be managed with dose reduction (refer to Table 1) or interruption. Antiemetics, such as 5-HT3 antagonists, dexamethasone, aprepitant and fosaprepitant, can be used as treatment for nausea/vomiting and may also be considered for prophylactic (i.e., preventative) use prior to starting Rubraca. It is important to proactively manage these events to avoid prolonged or more severe events of nausea/vomiting which have the potential to lead to complications such as dehydration or hospitalisation.

Embryofetal toxicity

Rubraca can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman based on its mechanism of action and findings from animal studies. In an animal reproduction study, administration of Rubraca to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in embryo-fetal toxicity at exposures below those in patients receiving the recommended human dose of 600 mg twice daily (see section 5.3).

Pregnancy/contraception

Pregnant women should be informed of the potential risk to a foetus. Women of reproductive potential should be advised to use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose of Rubraca (see section 4.6). A pregnancy test before initiating treatment is recommended in women of reproductive potential.

Click here to access the current Summary of Product Characteristics. Healthcare professionals should report any suspected adverse reactions via their national reporting systems.