CARsgen Therapeutics Presents Updated Multiple Myeloma Cell Therapy Data at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition

On December 6, 2020 CARsgen Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reported updated safety and efficacy results from its ongoing global clinical studies of CT053, an investigational chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) (Press release, Carsgen Therapeutics, DEC 6, 2020, View Source [SID1234572262]). The data were presented virtually in two oral sessions and one poster session at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) held December 5-8, 2020.

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CT053 is a CAR T-cell therapy that targets B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a protein expressed on the surface of malignant plasma cells in multiple myeloma. CT053 notably uses a fully human anti-BCMA scFv domain, hypothesized to reduce immunogenicity and improve safety. The results for a total of 58 patients treated with CT053 CAR T cells in three studies were presented at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting.

Two years of follow-up data for 24 patients with RRMM in poor clinical condition who received CT053 in three parallel investigator-initiated studies were shown in the oral presentation given by Siguo Hao, MD PhD, from Xinhua Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.1 Data from these studies in China demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 87.5%, with a median duration of response of 21.8 months, and median progression-free survival reached 18.8 months. The complete response/stringent complete response (CR/sCR) rate was 79.2% as defined by the International Myeloma Working Group Uniform Response Criteria for multiple myeloma. As of the June 30,2020 cutoff date, a total of 9 patients who had no evidence of myeloma in the bone marrow, known as minimal residual disease, continued to maintain CR/sCR. No grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome (CRS) events occurred, indicating the safety and tolerability of CT053 CAR T cells.

"We are encouraged by CT053’s remarkable duration of response given that response times to new multiple myeloma treatments generally shorten with each successive therapy. The treatment of CT053 was generally well tolerated in patients with refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma," shared Dr. Hao.

In the United States, 20 patients with RRMM have received CT053 in the ongoing Phase 1b single-arm, open, multicenter study (LUMMICAR STUDY 2).2 Shaji Kumar, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, gave the oral presentation reporting on these early data. As of the November 11, 2020 cutoff date, 20 heavily pretreated patients with RRMM [median 5 prior lines (range 3–11 lines); 25% extramedullary disease; 55% high-risk cytogenetics; 85% triple-refractory; 50% penta-refractory] received CT053: 14 patients received 1.5–1.8×108 cells and 6 patients received 2.5–3.0×108 cells. The patients tolerated treatment well with no grade 3 or higher CRS. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and the safety profile corresponded with that observed in the China studies. The first 18 patients who completed at least 8 weeks of efficacy follow-up experienced an ORR of 94% with a time to response of 1–3 months. Responses deepened after longer follow-up. The CAR T cells expanded well in vivo, and CAR copies were detected for at least 6 months.

"The CT053 data in the U.S. provide additional support that the fully human BCMA-specific scFv with fine-tuned binding affinity could be beneficial in managing patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma," summarized Hong Ma, MD, Senior Vice President Clinical Development, CARsgen Therapeutics. "We have observed early and deep responses with CT053 in the study."

Wenming Chen, MD PhD, from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, presented a poster reporting results from the ongoing a single-arm, open, multicenter Phase 1 clinical trial in China (LUMMICAR STUDY 1).3 As of the September 28, 2020 cutoff date, a total of 14 heavily pretreated patients with RRMM received CT053: 3 patients received 1.0×108 cells and 11 patients received 1.5×108 cells. The 14 patients tolerated treatment well. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred, no grade 3 or higher events of CRS or CRS-related encephalopathy were observed, and no anti-CT053 antibodies were detected. All 14 patients responded, resulting in an ORR of 100%.

"Our data showed that CT053 was well tolerated in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma and that significant and long-lasting responses were observed in patients despite heavy prior treatment," said Zonghai Li, Founder, President, CEO, and CSO of CARsgen Therapeutics. "The cells expanded well in vivo, and anti-CT053 immunogenicity was not detected. CT053 cells have the potential to be a breakthrough product for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma."

About CT053 and LUMMICAR
CT053 is a CAR T-cell therapy that targets B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a protein expressed on the surface of malignant and normal plasma cells in the blood. The CT053 construct utilizes a fully human anti-BCMA scFv domain, hypothesized to reduce immunogenicity and improve safety. CT053 T cells are proposed to recognize, bind, and eradicate multiple myeloma cells that express BCMA.

CT053 has received regenerative medicine advanced therapy (RMAT) and orphan drug designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and PRIority MEdicines (PRIME) and orphan drug designations from the European Medicines Agency.

CARsgen Therapeutics’ clinical development program for CT053 includes the clinical studies: LUMMICAR STUDY 1 (NCT03975907 Phase 1, China) and LUMMICAR STUDY 2 (NCT03915184 Phase 1b/2, United States and Canada). These are open-label, multicenter studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of CT053 in adult patients with RRMM. CT053 studies also include three investigator-initiated trials (NCT03380039; NCT03716856; NCT03302403 Phase 1, China). For more information, visit clinicaltrials.gov.

References:

Hao S, Jin J, Jiang S, et al. Two-year follow-up of investigator-initiated Phase 1 trials of the safety and efficacy of fully human anti-BCMA CAR T cells (CT053) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Blood. 2020;136(suppl 1):27–28. View Source
Kumar SK, Baz RC, Orlowski RZ, et al. Results from LUMMICAR–2: a Phase 1b/2 study of fully human B-cell maturation antigen-specific CAR T cells (CT053) in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. Blood. 2020;136(suppl 1):28–29. View Source
Chen W, Fu C, Cai Z, et al. Results from LUMMICAR-1: a Phase 1 study of fully human B-cell maturation antigen-specific CAR T cells (CT053) in Chinese subjects with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. Blood. 2020;136(suppl 1):49–50. View Source

Novel AML patient selection assay for AMV564, Amphivena’s lead therapeutic in hematology, presented at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2020 Annual Meeting

On December 6, 2020 Amphivena Therapeutics, a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing immunotherapeutics that restore anti-cancer immunity in patients, reported that data on a novel assay for selection of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients for treatment with AMV564, at the 62nd Annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2020), taking place virtually from December 5-8, 2020 (Press release, Amphivena Therapeutics, DEC 6, 2020, View Source [SID1234572261]).

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AMV564 is the lead candidate from the AMPHIVENA ReSTORETM (Relieve Suppression of T cells in Oncology and Reinvigorate Effectors) platform of bivalent T-cell engagers, and has been studied in 2 Ph1 clinical studies in relapsed/refractory AML (NCT03144245) and in patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies (NCT04128423). AMV564 selectively depletes both myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and leukemic blasts via avid binding to clustered CD33, has been well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities reported and has shown single-agent activity across both R/R AML and solid tumors.

This novel assay could identify patients most likely to experience deeper and more durable responses with AMV564 therapy

The assay leverages the selectivity of AMV564 in a screening format to identify AML patients in whom leukemic blasts are expressing CD33 in a predominantly clustered configuration. "While AMV564 has demonstrated early signs of efficacy and anti-leukemic blast activity across an unselected relapsed/refractory AML population, this novel assay could identify patients most likely to experience deeper and more durable responses with AMV564 monotherapy", said Curtis Ruegg, Ph.D., President and CEO of Amphivena.

Details of the Presentation:

Title:

Selectivity of T Cell Engager AMV564 Against Different Leukemic Blast Populations and Potential Application for Patient Selection

Authors:

Sarde, A. et al.

Abstract Number:

1976

Session:

Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Novel Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Poster II

Poster Viewing:

Sunday, December 6, 2020: 7:00 AM-3:30 PM EST

The abstract and presentation are available on the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, and Amphivena websites.

About AMV564

AMV564 relieves immune suppression via targeted depletion of immunosuppressive myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and drives T cell activation and polarization to restore anti-cancer immunity. To date, over 95 patients have received AMV564 across three Phase 1 clinical trials for patients with solid tumors, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

Combined Data from Multiple Phase 3 Studies of IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) Show Efficacy and Safety in High-Risk, Previously Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Real-World Data Indicating Low Biomarker Testing Rates for These Patients

On December 6, 2020 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), reported results from a long-term integrated analysis of two Phase 3 clinical studies and additional pooled analysis evaluating the effect of IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) based therapies for the first-line treatment of high-risk patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (Press release, AbbVie, DEC 6, 2020, View Source [SID1234572260]). The totality of data featured at the virtual 2020 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting continues to establish the treatment benefit of IMBRUVICA for CLL patients with or without high-risk disease.

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Results from an integrated analysis of two Phase 3 clinical trials (RESONATE-2 and iLLUMINATE) with up to 6.5 years of long-term follow-up investigating the use of IMBRUVICA-based therapies in patients with CLL/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with first-line treatment showed similar progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rates (ORR) in patients with or without high-risk genomic features (Abstract #2220).1

"We’re excited to present long-term follow-up results at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) congress across multiple studies, including our pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials RESONATE-2 and iLLUMINATE, which showed continued PFS and ORR benefits across high-risk patients with previously untreated CLL," said Danelle James, M.D., M.A.S., IMBRUVICA Clinical Development Lead, Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company.

Additionally, a pooled analysis across four clinical trials with up to 8 years of follow-up, including three Phase 3 studies (RESONATE-2, iLLUMINATE, E1912), and the Phase 2 PCYC-1122e study – sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) – showed that first-line treatment with IMBRUVICA-based therapies resulted in sustained, long-term efficacy with high 4-year PFS rates in high-risk CLL patients, defined as del(17p) or TP53 gene mutations (Abstract 2219).2

"The presence of del(17p) or TP53 gene mutation is a strong negative predictor of survival in patients with CLL, and testing for these markers is important so patients receive optimal therapy," said John Allan, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology and a member of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine and principal study investigator of the pooled analysis. "Although these patients remain at risk for disease progression, first-line treatment with ibrutinib based therapy may meaningfully improve the poor prognosis in this high-risk population."

The informCLL real-world prospective observational registry assessing treatment patterns will be featured in an oral presentation. Data from this real-world evidence study showed low testing rates for prognostic and biomarker features among patients with CLL.3 Further, when biomarker testing was performed, the selection of chemo-immunotherapy (CIT) continued for a considerable proportion of patients with del(17p)/TP53 mutational status, which is inconsistent with current guidelines (Abstract 547).4 As well, a retrospective, chart review study of real world patients featured as an oral presentation examined treatment patterns and time to next treatment (TTNT) in patients with CLL. Results showed high-risk patients with CLL treated with IMBRUVICA monotherapy had longer TTNT than those treated with CIT, and that IMBRUVICA therapy showed similar results in high risk and non-high-risk patients (Abstract 372).4

Abstract #2220: Outcomes of First-Line Ibrutinib in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and High-Risk Genomic Features With up to 6.5 Years Follow-up: Integrated Analysis of Two Phase 3 Studies (RESONATE-2 and iLLUMINATE)

Poster Presentation: Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. PST

Data were presented from an integrated analysis of two Phase 3 studies evaluating IMBRUVICA-based therapy in the first-line treatment of CLL/SLL (RESONATE-2 and iLLUMINATE) to better understand outcomes in patients with various high-risk genomic features, including integrated fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) cytogenetics and single gene mutations.

In RESONATE-2 (NCT01722487), patients aged ≥65 years without del(17p) were randomized to single-agent IMBRUVICA or chlorambucil. In iLLUMINATE (NCT02264574), patients aged ≥65 years, or <65 years with coexisting conditions or del(17p)/TP53 mutation, were randomized to IMBRUVICA plus obinutuzumab or chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab. The integrated analysis included 498 patients treated with first-line IMBRUVICA -based or chlorambucil-based therapy (n=249 each) with a median follow-up of 49.1 months. At 42 months, PFS rates were higher across high-risk genomic subgroups in patients treated with IMBRUVICA (63 to 82 percent) compared to those receiving chlorambucil with or without obinutuzumab (6 to 34 percent), and consistent PFS benefit with IMBRUVICA was observed across all high-risk genomic subgroups.1 When comparing IMBRUVICA-treated patients with specific high-risk genomic features versus those without, results showed that PFS and ORR were comparable in the different subgroups, including patients with unmutated versus mutated immunoglobin heavy chain variable (IGHV) (PFS Hazard Ratio [HR], 1.79, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.99-3.24) or mutated versus not mutated NOTCH1 (PFS HR, 1.05, 95% CI 0.65-1.69). 1 Results also showed improved outcomes for patients with del(17p)/TP53 mutated/BIRC3 mutated, the highest risk category (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.54-2.04). 1,[5]

At a median duration of IMBRUVICA treatment of 35.7 to 43.8 months across these high-risk subgroups, there were no meaningful differences in the rates of treatment-emergent AEs of any grade or Grade 3 or higher AEs compared to those of the overall population. 1

Abstract #2219: Long-Term Efficacy of First-Line Ibrutinib Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) With 4 Years of Follow-Up in Patients With TP53 Aberrations (del(17p) or TP53 mutation): a Pooled Analysis from 4 Clinical Trials

Poster Presentation: Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. PST

A pooled analysis of data across four studies to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of first-line IMBRUVICA-based therapy in patients with CLL bearing TP53 aberrations were presented. Eighty-nine patients with TP53 aberrations receiving first-line IMBRUVICA treatment were included in this pooled analysis. Median age was 65 years, and 69 percent of patients were male. Forty-five patients received IMBRUVICA as a single agent and 44 patients received IMBRUVICA in combination with an anti-CD20 agent.2

At 48 months, the PFS rate was 79 percent among these high-risk patients treated with IMBRUVICA-based therapy. 2 Median duration of IMBRUVICA treatment was 46 months. With a median follow-up of 50 months, median PFS was not reached (95% CI: 67 months to not estimable). 2

At the current follow-up, 46 percent of patients with TP53 aberrations remained on IMBRUVICA treatment. Reasons for treatment discontinuation were progressive disease (20 percent), study closure (12 percent), adverse events (AEs; 10 percent), withdrawal by patient (7 percent), death (3 percent), and other (1 percent). 2

Grade 3 or greater AEs of clinical interest with up to 8 years of treatment with IMBRUVICA were infection (22 percent), most commonly pneumonia (7 percent); hypertension (13 percent), atrial fibrillation (12 percent), and major hemorrhage (7 percent).2

Abstract #547: Real-World Prognostic Biomarker Testing, Treatment Patterns, and Dosing Among 1,461 Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL) from the informCLL Prospective Observational Registry

Oral Presentation: Monday, December 7, 2020 at 8:15 a.m. PST

Results from the informCLL real-world prospective observational registry assessing treatment patterns in the era of novel agents were presented in an oral session.

The registry fully enrolled with 1,461 patients, of whom 855 (59 percent) were previously untreated and 606 (41 percent) were relapsed/refractory.4 Community-based practices enrolled 93 percent of the patients. 4 Patient demographics include a median age of 71 years; majority were male (64 percent), and 88 percent had an ECOG performance statue of 0/1.4 Median follow-up for previously untreated patients was 14.9 months and 15.3 months for relapsed/refractory patients.4

Results showed the most common index treatment was IMBRUVICA; and CIT was the next most widely used treatment regimen for one-third of patients.4 Data also showed that prognostic biomarker testing rates were poor, especially for TP53 and IGHV mutational status.4 Data from the informCLL study also indicates a ‘knowledge gap’ in terms of importance of prognostic marker testing and appropriate selection of therapies for patients with high-risk disease.4

Abstract #372: Clinical Outcomes Among Real-World Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Initiating First-Line Ibrutinib or Chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) Stratified by Risk Status: Results from a US Retrospective Chart Review Study

Oral Presentation: Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. PST

Results from a retrospective study comparing clinical outcomes in high-risk and non-high-risk patients with CLL receiving IMBRUVICA compared to those receiving chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) as first-line therapy were presented.

The analysis was performed by evaluating medical records from more than 40 U.S. clinical practices, included 271 patients with high-risk disease and 245 patients with non-high-risk CLL.3 Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics were balanced within each pair of comparison groups. 3 The median (range) follow-up for high-risk patients treated with IMBRUVICA compared to CIT was 33.3 versus 35.3 months, respectively.3 Additionally, the median (range) duration of first-line therapy for patients treated with IMBRUVICA was 28.6 months compared to 5.5 months for patients treated with CIT. 3

The weighted analysis showed that high-risk patients treated with IMBRUVICA had significantly longer median TTNT and were 54 percent less likely to start a new treatment compared to high-risk patients treated with CIT (HR [95% CI]: 0.46 [0.34-0.62], p<0.01).3 During the available follow-up, more weighted high-risk patients treated with IMBRUVICA had only one line of treatment compared to weighted high-risk patients treated with CIT (74.7% vs 47.2%, respectively); more non-high-risk CIT patients had only one line of treatment compared to high-risk CIT patients (69.9% vs 45.8%, respectively); and more non-high-risk IMBRUVICA patients had only one line of treatment compared to high-risk IMBRUVICA patients (91.5% vs 81.7%, respectively).

Additionally, the majority of patients received a small molecular inhibitor therapy as second-line treatment. The most common second-line agents were IMBRUVICA monotherapy in the CIT groups (high-risk: 86.5%; non-HR: 83.7%) and venetoclax in the patients treated with first-line IMBRUVICA, either as monotherapy (high-risk: 37.5%; non-high-risk: 28.6%) or in combination with rituximab (high-risk: 28.1%; non-high-risk: 28.6%).

Results from the Kaplan-Meyer analysis showed that weighted high-risk IMBRUVICA patients had significantly longer median TTNT and were 54 percent less likely to start a new treatment compared to high-risk CIT patients (HR 95% CI: 0.46 [0.34-0.62]; p<0.01). For the high-risk patients receiving CIT versus non-high-risk patients receiving CIT, high-risk patients had a significantly shorter median TTNT and were 2.43 times more likely to start a new treatment (HR [95% CI]: 2.43 [1.58-3.47]; p<0.01). 3 No significant differences were noted in TTNT between high-risk and non-high-risk groups receiving IMBRUVICA, with median TTNT not reached (HR [95% CI]: 2.2 [0.96-4.96]; p=0.06). 3

About IMBRUVICA

IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) is an oral, once-daily medicine that works differently than chemotherapy as it blocks a protein called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). The BTK protein sends important signals that tell B cells to mature and produce antibodies. BTK signaling is needed by specific cancer cells to multiply and spread.6,7 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

Since its launch in 2013, IMBRUVICA has received 11 FDA approvals across six disease areas: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with or without 17p deletion (del17p); small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with or without del17p; Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM); previously-treated patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)*; previously-treated patients with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) who require systemic therapy and have received at least one prior anti-CD20-based therapy* – and previously-treated patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of one or more lines of systemic therapy.9

IMBRUVICA is now approved in more than 100 countries and has been used to treat more than 200,000 patients worldwide across its approved indications. IMBRUVICA is the only FDA-approved medicine in WM and cGVHD. IMBRUVICA has been granted four Breakthrough Therapy Designations from the U.S. FDA. This designation is intended to expedite the development and review of a potential new drug for serious or life-threatening diseases. IMBRUVICA was one of the first medicines to receive FDA approval via the Breakthrough Therapy Designation pathway.

In early 2019, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN ), a not-for-profit alliance of 28 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education, recommends ibrutinib (IMBRUVICA) as a preferred regimen for the initial treatment of CLL/SLL. In February 2020, the NCCN Guidelines were updated to elevate IMBRUVICA with or without rituximab from other recommended regimens to a preferred regimen for the treatment of relapsed/refractory MCL. In September 2020, the NCCN guidelines were updated to elevate IMBRUVICA with or without rituximab as the only Category 1 preferred regimen for treatment-naïve WM patients.

IMBRUVICA is being studied alone and in combination with other treatments in several blood and solid tumor cancers and other serious illnesses. IMBRUVICA is the most comprehensively studied BTK inhibitor, with more than 150 ongoing clinical trials. There are approximately 30 ongoing company-sponsored trials, 10 of which are in Phase 3, and more than 100 investigator-sponsored trials and external collaborations that are active around the world. For more information, visit www.IMBRUVICA.com.

*Accelerated approval was granted for the MCL and MZL indications based on overall response rate. Continued approval for MCL and MZL may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

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.

Important Side Effect Information

Before taking IMBRUVICA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have had recent surgery or plan to have surgery. Your healthcare provider may stop IMBRUVICA for any planned medical, surgical, or dental procedure.
have bleeding problems.
have or had heart rhythm problems, smoke, or have a medical condition that increases your risk of heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
have an infection.
have liver problems.
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. IMBRUVICA can harm your unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test before starting treatment with IMBRUVICA. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with IMBRUVICA.
Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with IMBRUVICA and for 1 month after the last dose.
Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control, such as condoms, during treatment with IMBRUVICA and for 1 month after the last dose.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed during treatment with IMBRUVICA and for 1 week after the last dose.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking IMBRUVICA with certain other medicines may affect how IMBRUVICA works and can cause side effects.

How should I take IMBRUVICA?

Take IMBRUVICA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
Take IMBRUVICA 1 time a day.
Swallow IMBRUVICA capsules or tablets whole with a glass of water.
Do not open, break or chew IMBRUVICA capsules.
Do not cut, crush or chew IMBRUVICA tablets.
Take IMBRUVICA at about the same time each day.
If you miss a dose of IMBRUVICA take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose of IMBRUVICA at your regular time on the next day. Do not take extra doses of IMBRUVICA to make up for a missed dose.
If you take too much IMBRUVICA call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
What should I avoid while taking IMBRUVICA?

You should not drink grapefruit juice, eat grapefruit, or eat Seville oranges (often used in marmalades) during treatment with IMBRUVICA. These products may increase the amount of IMBRUVICA in your blood.
What are the possible side effects of IMBRUVICA?

IMBRUVICA may cause serious side effects, including:

Bleeding problems (hemorrhage) are common during treatment with IMBRUVICA, and can also be serious and may lead to death. Your risk of bleeding may increase if you are also taking a blood thinner medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of bleeding, including: blood in your stools or black stools (looks like tar), pink or brown urine, unexpected bleeding, or bleeding that is severe or that you cannot control, vomit blood or vomit looks like coffee grounds, cough up blood or blood clots, increased bruising, dizziness, weakness, confusion, change in your speech, or a headache that lasts a long time or severe headache.
Infections can happen during treatment with IMBRUVICA. These infections can be serious and may lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have fever, chills, weakness, confusion, or other signs or symptoms of an infection during treatment with IMBRUVICA.
Decrease in blood cell counts. Decreased blood counts (white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells) are common with IMBRUVICA, but can also be severe. Your healthcare provider should do monthly blood tests to check your blood counts.
Heart rhythm problems (ventricular arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter). Serious heart rhythm problems and death have happened in people treated with IMBRUVICA, especially in people who have an increased risk for heart disease, have an infection, or who have had heart rhythm problems in the past. Tell your healthcare provider if you get any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as feeling as if your heart is beating fast and irregular, lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or you faint. If you develop any of these symptoms, your healthcare provider may do a test to check your heart (ECG) and may change your IMBRUVICA dose.
High blood pressure (hypertension). New or worsening high blood pressure has happened in people treated with IMBRUVICA. Your healthcare provider may start you on blood pressure medicine or change current medicines to treat your blood pressure.
Second primary cancers. New cancers have happened during treatment with IMBRUVICA, including cancers of the skin or other organs.
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm, seizure, and sometimes death. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check you for TLS.
The most common side effects of IMBRUVICA in adults with B-cell malignancies (MCL, CLL/SLL, WM and MZL) include:

diarrhea
tiredness
muscle and bone pain

rash
bruising

The most common side effects of IMBRUVICA in adults with cGVHD include:

tiredness
bruising
diarrhea

mouth sores (stomatitis)
muscle spasms
nausea

pneumonia

Diarrhea is a common side effect in people who take IMBRUVICA. Drink plenty of fluids during treatment with IMBRUVICA to help reduce your risk of losing too much fluid (dehydration) due to diarrhea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of IMBRUVICA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of IMBRUVICA

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use IMBRUVICA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give IMBRUVICA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about IMBRUVICA that is written for health professionals.

Please click here for full Prescribing 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 View Source

BerGenBio Presents Updated Clinical Data From Two Phase II Studies Of Bemcentinib in AML and MDS Patients At Ash 2020

On December 6, 2020 BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, selective AXL kinase inhibitors for severe unmet medical need, reported that it will present updated clinical data from two Phase II studies of bemcentinib in acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, in two poster sessions at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting being held virtually from 5-8 December 2020 (Press release, BerGenBio, DEC 6, 2020, View Source [SID1234572259]).

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Dr Sonja Loges will provide an update from the Company’s Phase II study of bemcentinib (BGBC003) in combination with low dose cytarabine (LDAC) in elderly previously treated, relapsed and refractory AML patients.

The data indicates that treatment with the bemcentinib-LDAC combination shows promising efficacy in relapsed patients who are unfit for intensive chemotherapy. Of 11 evaluable relapsed patients a response rate of 45% to date has observed. CR/CRi rate was 36% with durable responses observed, and clinical benefit observed in eight patients (73%) to date. Although the study is ongoing, patients remain on drug, with median treatment of 6.2 months in CR patients.

The Company is currently undertaking an in-depth translational research program aiming to identify predictive molecular and biological factors associated with response.

Dr Sonja Loges, Principal Investigator on the trial commented "The current prognosis for relapsed AML patients is very bleak, so we are pleased to see such a positive clinical benefit rate in relapsed second line patients with many patients remaining on drug for extended durations. We are currently undertaking an analysis to identify the suspected immune based factors that potentiate the effects of the drug in certain patients. We hope that this will enable us to identify specific biomarkers that will help us decide which patients may benefit most from treatment with bemcentinib."

Details of this Poster presentation as follows:

Title: The Combination of AXL Inhibitor Bemcentinib and Low Dose Cytarabine Is Well Tolerated and Efficacious in Elderly Relapsed AML Patients: Update from the Ongoing BGBC003 Phase II Trial (NCT02488408)

Date: Sunday, December 6, 2020

Session name: 613. Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Clinical Studies: Poster II

Time: 7.00am – 3.30pm (Pacific Time) / 4.00pm – 12.30am (CET)

Abstract: View Source

An update will also be presented from the fully recruited investigator sponsored BERGAMO Phase II Trial investigating bemcentinib monotherapy in patients having relapsed treatment with hypomethelating agents (HMAs) with High Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (HR-MDS) or Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

The primary endpoint of overall response rate (ORR) was met, with the MDS cohort achieving a 36% response rate, while 8.3% of patients with AML achieved stable disease. Three patients remain on drug, with median treatment exceeding 8 months. A comprehensive translational research program is ongoing to identify and verify soluble plasma biomarkers, including sAXL, that continue to be predictive of response.

Richard Godfrey, Chief Executive Officer of BerGenBio, said: "We are pleased to continue sharing updates from our phase II clinical studies assessing bemcentinib with the scientific and medical community. Data from both of the studies being presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) continue to show encouraging results in patients with a very poor prognosis with current treatment options. We believe these data provide further validation for our clinical development strategy in these indications as we prepare to progress bemcentinib into late stage randomised trials."

Details of this Poster presentations as follows:

Title: Efficacy and Safety of Bemcentinib in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes or Acute Myeloid Leukemia Failing Hypomethylating Agents

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2020

Session name: 637 Myelodysplastic Syndromes – Clinical Studies: Poster I Hematology Disease Topics & Pathways: Diseases, Therapies, MDS, Myeloid Malignancies, Clinically relevant

Time: 7.00am – 3.30pm (Pacific Time) / 4.00pm – 12.30am (CET)

Abstract: View Source

Presentations will be made available at our website www.bergenbio.com under Investors/Presentations at the date of the conference.

-End-

About AML and the BGBC003 trial

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a rapidly progressing blood cancer. AML is the most common form of acute leukaemia in adults, where malignant AML blasts interfere with the normal functioning of the bone marrow leading to a multitude of complications like anaemia, infections and bleeding. AML is diagnosed in over 20,000 patients in the US annually and is rapidly lethal if left untreated. Successful treatment typically requires intensive chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation, and relapse and resistance are common. Consequently, there is an urgent need for effective novel therapies in relapsed/refractory patients, particularly those that are ineligible for intensive therapy or bone marrow transplant.

The BGBC003 trial is a phase Ib/II multi-centre open label study of bemcentinib in combination with cytarabine (part B2) and low dose decitabine (part B3 & B5) in patients with AML who are unsuitable for intensive chemotherapy as a result of advanced age or existing-co-morbidities.

For more information please access trial NCT02488408 at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About MDS

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are stem cell disorders characterised by a decreased ability of the bone marrow to produce normal blood cells and platelets. MDS is associated with increased risk of developing AML and immune dysfunctions are seen in patients both with lower and higher-risk MDS. Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are the standard of care for patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome not eligible for intensive chemotherapy or allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, the majority of patients do not respond to these agents or relapse, and face a dismal outcome with very limited treatment options available. Hence, there is an urgent need for novel therapies to treat MDS

About AXL

AXL kinase is a cell membrane receptor and an essential mediator of the biological mechanisms underlying life-threatening diseases. In cancer, AXL suppresses the body’s immune response to tumours and drives cancer treatment failure across many indications. AXL inhibitors, therefore, have potential high value at the centre of cancer combination therapy, addressing significant unmet medical needs and multiple high-value market opportunities. Research has also shown that AXL mediates other aggressive diseases.

About Bemcentinib

Bemcentinib (formerly known as BGB324), is a potentially first-in-class selective AXL inhibitor in a broad phase II clinical development programme. Ongoing clinical trials are investigating bemcentinib in multiple solid and haematological tumours, in combination with current and emerging therapies (including immunotherapies, targeted therapies and chemotherapy), and as a single agent. Bemcentinib targets and binds to the intracellular catalytic kinase domain of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and inhibits its activity. Increase in AXL function has been linked to key mechanisms of drug resistance and immune escape by tumour cells, leading to aggressive metastatic cancers.

Antengene Announces Acceptance of IND Application in China for ATG-010 (selinexor) in Combination with R-GDP (SR-GDP) for the Treatment of rrDLBCL in a Global Phase 2/3 Study

On December 6, 2020 Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing global first-in-class and/or best-in class therapeutics in hematology and oncology, reported that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has accepted the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for ATG-010 (selinexor) combined with R-GDP (SR-GDP) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (rrDLBCL) (Press release, Antengene, DEC 6, 2020, View Source [SID1234572258]). The trial is a global Phase 2/3, multicenter, randomized study aiming to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ATG-010 in combination with R-GDP (SR-GDP) in patients with rrDLBCL (Code: XPORT-DLBCL-030).

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ATG-010 is a first-in-class and only-in-class oral selective inhibitor of nuclear export, developed by Antengene and Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: KPTI). In July 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ATG-010 in combination with low-dose dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (rrMM). After its initial approval of rrMM, FDA approved ATG-010 as a single-agent for the treatment of rrDLBCL in June 2020. In China, Antengene is conducting a registrational Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ATG-010 in the treatment of patients with rrDLBCL who have received at least 2 but no more than 5 previous systemic regimens and the first patient was dosed in April 2020.

The Phase 2 part of the study aims to identify the optimal dose of ATG-010 (40mg or 60mg) in combination with R-GDP and will also evaluate the SR-GDP regimen against an active R-GDP comparator arm. The Phase 3 part of the study contains three arms and aims to evaluate the selected optimal dose of ATG-010 in combination with R-GDP for up to 6 cycles followed by continuous ATG-010 (SR-GDP→S) until disease progression versus the selected optimal dose of ATG-010 in combination with R-GDP for up to 6 cycles followed by placebo (SR-GDP→P) until disease progression and versus standard R-GDP with matching placebo for up to 6 cycles followed by placebo (PR-GDP→P) until disease progression. The study will be conducted at multiple international centers across 11 countries, located in China, U.S., Europe, Australia and other locations. Up to 501 patients will be enrolled and treated in the Phase 2/3 study.

"The submission of NDAs for ATG-010 in multiple APAC markets in the past few weeks has marked a significant milestone for Antengene as our lead product candidate, ATG-010, advances towards commercial stage. This IND acceptance of ATG-010 in a new therapy for rrDLBCL marks another important milestone for Antengene, demonstrating our commitment to bringing innovative oncology therapies to cancer patients worldwide." Dr. Jay Mei, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Antengene, commented, "We look forward to harnessing the power of Antengeners to extend the lives and improve the quality of life of patients by discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapies."

About ATG-010 (selinexor, XPOVIO)

ATG-010 (selinexor, XPOVIO) is a first-in-class and only-in-class oral selective inhibitor of nuclear export compound, developed by Antengene and Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: KPTI). In July 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ATG-010 in combination with low-dose dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (rrMM) and in June 2020 approved ATG-010 as a single-agent for the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (rrDLBCL). ATG-010 is so far the first and only oral SINE compound approved by the FDA. ATG-010 is also being evaluated in several other mid-and later-phase clinical trials across multiple solid tumor indications, including liposarcoma and endometrial cancer. In November 2020, at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society 2020 Annual Meeting (CTOS 2020), Antengene’s partner, Karyopharm Therapeutics, presented positive results from the Phase 3 randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, cross-over SEAL study evaluating single agent, oral ATG-010 versus matching placebo in patients with liposarcoma. Karyopharm also recently announced that the ongoing Phase 3 SIENDO study of ATG-010 in patients with endometrial cancer passed planned interim futility analysis and that Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) recommended the study should proceed as planned without any modifications. Top-line SIENDO study results are expected in the second half of 2021.

Antengene is conducting two registrational Phase 2 clinical trials of ATG-010 in China for relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (MARCH) and for relapsed refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (SEARCH), and has initiated clinical trials for high prevalence cancer types in the Asia Pacific region including peripheral T-cell lymphoma and NK/T-cell lymphoma (TOUCH) and KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (TRUMP).