On November 29, 2016 EMD Serono Inc., the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the US and Canada, and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE (link is external)) reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for Priority Review EMD Serono’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for avelumab (Press release, Pfizer, NOV 29, 2016, View Source [SID1234516831]). This review relates to avelumab’s proposed use in patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), based on tumor response results from the JAVELIN Merkel 200 trial. Avelumab is an investigational fully human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 monoclonal antibody and could be the first treatment indicated for metastatic MCC in the US, if approved.[*] MCC is a rare and aggressive skin cancer, which impacts approximately 2,500 Americans a year.[1],[2]

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"We are pleased the FDA has granted a Priority Review designation for avelumab," said Luciano Rossetti, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Head of Research & Development at the biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which in the US and Canada operates as EMD Serono. "There are currently no approved treatment options for metastatic MCC, and we are committed to working with the FDA to potentially bring the first approved cancer immunotherapy to patients with this aggressive disease."

The avelumab metastatic MCC BLA submission is supported by data from JAVELIN Merkel 200, a multicenter, single-arm, open-label, Phase II study of 88 patients with metastatic MCC, whose disease had progressed after at least one chemotherapy treatment.[1] The JAVELIN Merkel 200 study represents the largest data set of any anti-PD-L1/PD-1 antibody reported in this patient population. These data were presented in June 2016 at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and published in the Lancet Oncology in October 2016.[1]

"Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive disease, and patients face a very poor prognosis, with less than 20 percent surviving beyond five years," said Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Immuno-oncology, Early Development and Translational Oncology, Pfizer Global Product Development. "We are encouraged by the results of our Phase II trial and believe avelumab may have potential to be an important treatment option for patients living with this hard-to-treat skin cancer."

The FDA’s Priority Review status reduces the review time from 10 months to a goal of six months from the day of filing and is given to drugs that may offer major advances in treatment or may provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists. The FDA previously granted avelumab Orphan Drug Designation for MCC, as well as Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy Designations for the treatment of patients with metastatic MCC whose disease has progressed after at least one previous chemotherapy regimen. Breakthrough Therapy Designation is intended to expedite the development and review of treatments for serious or life-threatening disease where preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies for one or more endpoints.[3] Additionally, the European Medicines Agency has validated for review Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for avelumab, for the proposed indication of metastatic MCC.

The clinical development program for avelumab, known as JAVELIN, involves at least 30 clinical programs and more than 3,000 patients evaluated across more than 15 different tumor types. In addition to metastatic MCC, these cancers include breast, gastric/gastroesophageal junction, head and neck, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, melanoma, mesothelioma, non-small cell lung, ovarian, renal cell carcinoma and urothelial (primarily bladder).

*Avelumab is not approved for any indication in any market. This marks the first acceptance of an application by the US FDA to review the investigational product, avelumab.

On November 29, 2016 CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTR) reported positive updated results from its pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating aldoxorubicin compared to investigator’s choice in patients with relapsed or refractory soft tissue sarcomas (STS) (Press release, CytRx, NOV 29, 2016, View Source [SID1234516830]).

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The study, which enrolled 433 patients, demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) between aldoxorubicin and investigator’s choice therapy in 246 patients with leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma, (p=0.007). The hazard ratio (HR) was 0.62 (95% CI 0.44-0.88), representing a 38% reduction in the risk of tumor progression for patients receiving aldoxorubicin versus investigator’s choice. Leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma are the two most common types of STS and accounted for 57% of the patients enrolled in the trial.

Aldoxorubicin demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in PFS over investigator’s choice in 312 patients treated in North America (p=0.028; HR=0.71, 95% CI 0.53-0.97). Notably, aldoxorubicin performed better than investigator’s choice for the entire study population and narrowly missed statistical significance (p=0.12; HR=0.81, 95% CI 0.64-1.06). All responses were determined by an independent, blinded central lab assessment of scans.

"This data represents a major step forward for STS, a rare, highly complex and very difficult-to-treat group of cancers," commented Sant Chawla, M.D., F.R.A.C.P., Director of the Sarcoma Oncology Center in Santa Monica, California, and Principal Investigator for the Phase 3 trial. "These results are important because they demonstrate that treatment with aldoxorubicin can extend the time to progression in a clinically meaningful way. The trial design used was more stringent than any prior clinical trial in STS as it compared aldoxorubicin to real world alternatives. The control arm allowed trial investigators to select any one of the five most widely used treatments best suited for their patients’ specific type of STS. Unlike other clinical trials for relapsed or refractory STS which used either dacarbazine or placebo as the control, this study was biased in favor of choosing the best therapy for the patients, a truly unique study design."

CytRx plans to submit the results of this clinical trial for presentation at an upcoming major scientific meeting.

In the entire study population, aldoxorubicin achieved a statistically significant improvement in the disease control rate (DCR; defined as objective response rate (ORR) plus stable disease for at least 4 months) of 29.4% versus 20.5% for the patients treated with investigator’s choice (p=0.030). In North American patients, the benefit was even more pronounced with aldoxorubicin-treated patients exhibiting a DCR of 32.9%, compared to 19.2% for patients treated with investigator’s choice (p=0.007), an overall improvement of 71%. ORR in North American patients also favored aldoxorubicin over investigator’s choice, 8.7% versus 3.3% (p=0.058). Of note, no objective responses were observed in patients treated with Votrient (pazopanib). Patients continue to be followed for overall survival (OS), a secondary endpoint, and CytRx expects the OS data to be available in 2017.

PFS, DCR and ORR data are summarized in the following table:

Phase 3 Aldoxorubicin Efficacy Results

N
Aldoxorubicin
Investigator’s Choice
P Value
All patients with Leiomyosarcoma and Liposarcoma (PFS)

246
HR = 0.62 (95% CI 0.44-0.88)
0.007




North American1 patients (PFS)

312
HR = 0.71 (95% CI 0.53-0.97)
0.028
Disease Control Rate (DCR)2

32.9%
19.2%
0.007
Objective Response Rate (ORR)

8.7%
3.3%
0.058
All patients (PFS)

433
HR = 0.81 (95% CI 0.64-1.06)
0.120
Disease Control Rate (DCR)2

29.4%
20.5%
0.030






1Per trial statistical analysis plan, North America is defined as United States, Canada and Australia and comprises 72% of total trial patients
2DCR=ORR + stable disease for ≥4 months
Pre-specified analyses were based on sarcoma histopathology and geography. The geographic analysis includes patients from North America (defined as the United States, Canada and Australia, per the trial statistical analysis plan). The 312 patients treated in North America comprise 72% of the total trial population, including 296 patients from the United States, 8 patients from Canada and 8 patients from Australia. The 246 patients with leiomyosarcoma or liposarcoma comprise 57% of the total trial population.

Aldoxorubicin did not cause clinically significant cardiac, renal, or hepatic toxicities. For the global trial population, the most commonly reported adverse events were neutropenia and anemia consistent with prior clinical trials with aldoxorubicin. Grade 3 or higher hypertension occurred in patients receiving Votrient (pazopanib). Grade 3 or higher adverse events were manageable with supportive care and occurred at a rate of 61% for patients receiving aldoxorubicin and 46% in patients treated with investigator’s choice. Importantly, treatment-emergent adverse events leading to discontinuation occurred in 4.2% of patients treated with aldoxorubicin, compared to 6.3% for patients receiving investigator’s choice. Serious adverse events, primarily febrile neutropenia that resolved and rarely led to treatment termination occurred more frequently in patients administered aldoxorubicin. Treatment-related deaths occurred in one aldoxorubicin-treated patient and in no patients receiving investigators’ choice drugs.

Based on these results, CytRx expects to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for aldoxorubicin as a treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory STS in 2017.

"These results show that globally leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma patients treated with aldoxorubicin exhibited significantly longer PFS than patients treated with both FDA-approved and commonly used therapies in the second-line setting," said Daniel Levitt, M.D., Ph.D., EVP and Chief Medical Officer of CytRx. "We are also very encouraged by the statistically significant improvements observed in North American STS patients treated with aldoxorubicin who exhibited both longer PFS and superior response rates."

"We are deeply grateful for the support and commitment of the sarcoma investigators, along with the patients and families who took part in or contributed to this Phase 3 trial," stated Steven A. Kriegsman, CytRx’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to sharing the data from these key patient populations with the FDA to support an NDA for aldoxorubicin as a second-line treatment for patients suffering with soft tissue sarcomas."

About the Phase 3 Clinical Trial

The randomized, controlled Phase 3 trial enrolled a total of 433 patients at 79 clinical sites. Patients with metastatic, locally advanced or unresectable soft tissue sarcomas who had either not responded to, or who had progressed following treatment with one or more systemic regimens of non-adjuvant chemotherapy were randomized 1:1 to be treated with aldoxorubicin or the investigator’s choice of an approved chemotherapeutic regimen, including doxorubicin, ifosfamide, dacarbazine, pazopanib (Votrient), or gemcitabine plus docetaxel. The primary endpoint of the study is PFS. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, response rates, disease control rates and safety.

About Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma is a cancer occurring in muscle, fat, blood vessels, tendons, fibrous tissues and connective tissue. It can arise anywhere in the body at any age. STS remains a high unmet medical need because of the difficulty in treating the more than 50 types of this aggressive cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2016 more than 12,300 new cases were diagnosed in the U.S. and approximately 5,000 Americans died from this disease. In addition, approximately 40,000 new cases and 13,000 deaths in the U.S. and Europe are part of a growing underserved market.

About Aldoxorubicin

Aldoxorubicin is a rationally-engineered cytotoxic which combines doxorubicin, a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, with a novel linker molecule that binds directly and specifically to circulating albumin, the most abundant protein in the bloodstream. Protein-hungry tumors concentrate albumin, which facilitates the delivery of the linker molecule with the attached doxorubicin to tumor sites. In the acidic environment of the tumor, but not the neutral environment of healthy tissues, doxorubicin is released. Typically, doxorubicin is delivered systemically and is highly toxic, which limits its dose to a level below its maximum therapeutic benefit. Doxorubicin also is associated with many side effects, especially the potential for damage to heart muscle at cumulative doses greater than 450 mg/m2. Using this acid-sensitive linker technology, aldoxorubicin delivers greater doses of doxorubicin (3 ½ to 4 times). To date, there has been no evidence of clinically significant effects of aldoxorubicin on heart muscle, even at cumulative doses of drug well in excess of 2,000 mg/m2. Aldoxorubicin is the first-ever single agent to show superiority over doxorubicin in a randomized clinical trial in first-line STS.

On November 29, 2016 OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:OMED) reported initial first-in-human data from its ongoing Phase 1 clinical trials of anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific (OMP-305B83) and anti-RSPO3 (OMP-131R10) antibodies in two posters at the 28th EORTC-NCI-AACR (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Symposium being held in Munich, Germany (Press release, OncoMed, NOV 29, 2016, View Source [SID1234516827]).

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"In these first-in-human Phase 1 trials of our anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific and anti-RSPO3 antibodies we have accomplished the primary goal of defining the safety profiles and establishing the single-agent doses for these agents. We have also observed initial evidence of anti-tumor activity in patients treated to date," said Jakob Dupont, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of OncoMed. "Dual blockade of DLL4 and VEGF has shown synergies preclinically, and in the clinic we are seeing evidence of single-agent activity with partial responses in ovarian and uterine cancers and stable disease in about one-third of the Phase 1 patients treated. We look forward to completing these trials and, in the near future, initiating Phase 1b studies with the anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific in combination with standard of care in ovarian and colorectal cancers."

Dr. Dupont continued, "Data from the ongoing anti-RSPO3 Phase 1a/b trial show evidence of target engagement and some encouraging signals of prolonged stable disease. With a single-agent dose identified and a good understanding of the safety profile of anti-RSPO3, we are excited to continue enrolling the biomarker-selected and combination portions of this study. Overexpression of RSPO3 is associated with the growth of a number of solid tumors, including colorectal cancers, and we have developed a CLIA-validated assay and a custom liquid biopsy to identify tumors with RSPO3 high gene expression and gene fusions where responses to treatment may be more likely."

Anti-DLL4/VEGF Bispecific — Interim Phase 1a Data in Advanced Solid Tumors
As of the data cut off of October 17, 2016, a total of 51 patients with advanced solid tumors had received single-agent doses ranging from 0.5 to 12.5 mg/kg every three weeks in the ongoing Phase 1a clinical trial of OncoMed’s anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific antibody.

Safety and Pharmacokinetics: Anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific was generally well tolerated with hypertension, headache, fatigue and pulmonary hypertension being the most common drug-related toxicities. One dose-limiting toxicity of diverticulitis occurred at 2.5 mg/kg. Hypertension side effects were successfully managed with anti-hypertensives and most pulmonary hypertension adverse events were reversible and of mild to moderate severity. A dose of 7.5 mg/kg once every three weeks was set for the Phase 1a expansion cohort following the observation of Grade 3 and 4 toxicities at the 10 mg/kg dose. The anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific had a half-life of 14 days and anti-drug antibody response occurred primarily at low doses (≤3.5 mg/kg).

Efficacy: Two of the 46 patients (4%) evaluable for anti-tumor effects had unconfirmed partial responses, while another sixteen (35%) patients achieved stable disease. The partial responses occurred in patients with ovarian cancer and uterine carcinosarcoma. Five of eight evaluable ovarian patients had reductions in tumor volume and remained on therapy for 129, 170, 185, 309 and 323 days as of the data cut off.

Data from the ongoing Phase 1a trial of the anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific were presented in a poster titled, "A first-in-man Phase 1a study of the bispecific anti-DLL4/anti-VEGF antibody OMP-305B83 in patients with previously treated solid tumors "(Poster #P057; Abstract #87) by Dr. Kathleen Moore of the Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma.

Anti-RSPO3 — Interim Phase 1a/b Data in Advanced Solid Tumors and Colorectal Cancer
As of the data cut-off date of October 11, 2016, 23 patients in the anti-RSPO3 Phase 1a/b clinical trial were evaluable for safety and 15 patients were evaluable for anti-tumor activity. Interim safety, response, pharmacokinetics and biomarker data were included in the analyses in this ongoing clinical trial.

Safety and Pharmacokinetics: Anti-RSPO3 was generally well tolerated as a single agent with the most common adverse events being fatigue and nausea in sixteen subjects treated at doses ranging from 2.5 to 15 mg/kg every two weeks. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Based on evidence of target engagement observed by changes in serum biomarkers, a single-agent dose of 15.0 mg/kg every two weeks was selected. Anti-RSPO3 has an estimated half-life of 13 days.

Among seven safety-evaluable Phase 1b colorectal cancer patients who received anti-RSPO3 in combination with FOLFIRI (folinic acid, fluorouracil and irinotecan) chemotherapy the combination did not appear to exacerbate the toxicities of either drug. Dose-escalation continues in the combination portion of the trial.

Efficacy and Biomarkers: In the single-agent Phase 1a portion of the trial, five of eleven patients achieved stable disease and three of those five patients were RSPO3 high, with RSPO3 levels in a fourth patient slightly below the current cut point of OncoMed’s CLIA-validated biomarker assay. Three of the stable disease patients in the Phase 1a portion of the trial demonstrated prolonged stable disease of greater than 112 days as of the data cut off.

In the Phase 1b portion of the trial, three of four evaluable subjects who received the combination of anti-RSPO3 and FOLFIRI achieved stable disease.

Data from the anti-RSPO3 Phase 1a/b were presented in a poster titled: "Initial results from a Phase 1a/b study of OMP-131R10, a first-in-class anti-RSPO3 antibody, in advanced solid tumors and previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC)" (Poster #P039; Abstract #68) by Dr. Pamela Munster of the University of California, San Francisco.

Both posters from the 28th EORTC-NCI-AACR (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Symposium are available on OncoMed’s website at www.oncomed.com.

About Anti-DLL4/VEGF
The anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific antibody (OMP-305B83) is designed to combine the anti-cancer stem cell, dysangiogenesis and immunotherapy mechanisms of anti-DLL4 with the anti-angiogenic activity of an anti-VEGF agent. It was developed utilizing OncoMed’s BiMAb bispecific platform technology, which enables the design of bispecific antibodies comparable to traditional monoclonal antibodies but possessing dual target-binding specificity. OncoMed initiated the single-agent study of its anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific in January 2015 in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. Dose escalation is complete in the Phase 1a trial and enrollment in an expansion cohort is ongoing. The bispecific antibody is part of OncoMed’s collaboration with Celgene.

About Anti-RSPO3
Anti-RSPO3 (OMP-131R10) is believed to be the first drug candidate in its class to target the R-spondin-LGR pathway, an important cancer stem cell pathway identified by OncoMed researchers. OncoMed is currently enrolling patients in an ongoing Phase 1a/b clinical trial of anti-RSPO3 that was started in July 2015. The Phase 1a/b trial initially enrolled patients with advanced refractory solid tumors and includes an expansion arm for biomarker-selected patients to receive single-agent therapy. The Phase 1b portion, which began enrollment in January 2016, is testing anti-RSPO3 with FOLFIRI in patients with second-line metastatic colorectal cancer. Anti-RSPO3 is part of OncoMed’s collaboration with Celgene.

On November 29, 2016 Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CBMG) ("CBMG" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biomedicine firm engaged in the development of effective immunotherapies for cancer and stem cell therapies for degenerative diseases, reported the approval and commencement of patient enrollment in China for its CARD-1 ("CAR-T Against DLBCL") Phase I clinical trial utilizing its optimized proprietary C-CAR011 construct of CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for the treatment of patients with refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) (Press release, Cellular Biomedicine Group, NOV 29, 2016, View Source [SID1234516825]). The CARD-1 trial has begun enrollment with final data expected to be available in the second half of 2017. Based on the CARD-1 results, CBMG expects to initiate a larger Phase II clinical trial as soon as practicable.

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"Our CARD-1 trial represents the first CBMG-sponsored clinical trial after CBMG’s acquisition of its CAR-T technology and data from the PLA General Hospital (PLAGH, also known as 301 Hospital) in Beijing. We are proud of this major corporate milestone where CBMG has taken existing technology and improved it with proprietary optimization and initiated new clinical trials in China," said Tony (Bizuo) Liu, Chief Executive Officer of CBMG. "We believe we are one of the very few companies that uniquely possesses internal viral vector production and transduction capabilities within our own integrated GMP facility. This allows CBMG to move quickly and efficiently from R&D to manufacturing CAR-T cells for clinical use."

According to a recent large, multi-cohort dataset analysis, patients with refractory DLBCL have clinical response rates of only 20%-30% with a median overall survival of approximately six months. These poor refractory DLBCL patient outcomes represent a significant unmet medical need. CBMG’s CARD-1 Phase I dose-escalation trial will use the traditional 3×3 design to evaluate the safety, efficacy and persistence of C-CAR011 in refractory DLBCL patients.

"DLBCL is the largest subtype of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), and those refractory patients whose treatment has failed have limited options and a very poor prognosis compared to relapsed patients who had previously responded to treatment," said Dr. Jianyong Li from Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital in Nanjing China, the Principal Investigator for the CARD-1 trial. "I am excited to be able to participate in the trial of C-CAR011 which may someday provide a treatment option for these refractory patients."

"We are very excited as CARD-1 represents the first of a planned series of clinical trials utilizing CBMG’s optimized CAR-T drug candidates," said Dr. Yihong Yao, Chief Scientific Officer of CBMG. "We look forward to announcing additional trials and CAR-T candidates in the future."

About the CARD-1 Clinical Trial

CARD-1 is a Phase I single-site, single-arm dose-escalating trial consisting of three patient cohorts using escalating C-CAR011 cell dosing levels with three patients in each cohort. The primary end points are Dose-Limiting Toxicity (DLT) and Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (TEAE). Secondary endpoints will measure Overall Response Rate (Complete plus Partial Responses) at 4 weeks and 12 weeks and Disease Control Rate (Complete plus Partial Responses plus Stable Disease) at 12 weeks according to the International Working Group (IWG) revised criteria. The trial summary is registered with clinicaltrials.gov under the number NCT02976857.

The trial will be conducted by Dr. Jianyong Li at the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital in Nanjing China. The Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital (also known as the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Research Institute and the Red Cross Hospital of Jiangsu) was founded in 1936 and performs medical treatment, provides education, and conducts advanced research. The hospital has 3,000 beds and over 4,000 employees with total floor space of 3 million square feet covering 50 acres. The Department of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical University is located inside the hospital, offering clinical medicine doctoral degree and postdoctoral research programs, with 45 teaching and research sections and more than 200 professors. The hospital maintains cooperative relationships with other research hospitals and laboratories in countries such as the US, Japan, Canada, Australia and Italy.

About C-CAR011
CBMG’s proprietary anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) construct represents advancement over CBMG’s prior CBM-C19.1 construct. C-CAR011 is entirely engineered and manufactured in CBMG’s own GMP manufacturing facility in China.

About Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) with DLBCL representing approximately 30% of newly diagnosed NHL cases in the United States and an even higher percentage of newly diagnosed NHL cases in China. DLBCL is an aggressive form of lymphoma that advances quickly and occurs in both men and women although slightly more common in men. The incidence of DLBCL increases with age with most patients over the age of 60. The current treatment options include chemotherapy, anti-CD20 targeted therapy, radiation and stem cell transplantation. However, for patients with refractory DLBCL (failed to respond to treatment) the poor clinical response rates of 20%-30% with median overall survival of approximately 6 months represents a significant unmet medical need.

On November 29, 2016 ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Iclusig (ponatinib) full approval for the treatment of adult patients with chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) for whom no other tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is indicated; and for the treatment of adult patients with T315I-positive CML (chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase) or T315I positive Ph+ ALL (Press release, Ariad, NOV 29, 2016, View Source [SID1234516823]). Iclusig was initially approved in December 2012 under the FDA’s accelerated approval program, which provides patients earlier access to promising new drugs that treat serious conditions based on a surrogate endpoint while the company conducts additional studies to confirm the drug’s clinical benefit. The therapy was granted the FDA’s orphan drug designation because it is intended to treat a rare disease or condition.

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This full approval and label update is based on 48-month follow-up data (as of August 2015) from the pivotal Phase 2 PACE clinical trial of Iclusig in heavily pretreated patients with resistant or intolerant CML or Ph+ ALL. These data were presented at the 2016 meetings of the American Society for Clinical Oncology and the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper).

"The data on Iclusig continue to show that with a minimum follow-up of 48 months, many chronic phase CML patients in the PACE trial have retained long-term cytogenetic and molecular responses," stated Timothy P. Clackson, Ph.D., president of research and development and chief scientific officer at ARIAD. "We are pleased to have received full approval of this medicine that was discovered and developed by ARIAD scientists to address rare cancers for patients who may have no other targeted treatment option. With this label update we are also now able to communicate to physicians that patients have experienced deep responses on Iclusig, measured by major molecular response (MMR). We are continuing our efforts to understand the optimal Iclusig dose for patients with the OPTIC (Optimizing Ponatinib Treatment In CML) post-marketing study."

"The longer follow up of the PACE study confirms the clinical benefit of ponatinib in this setting. We had learned from the initial report of the high response rate with ponatinib among CML patients with resistance or intolerance to prior therapies. The four-year follow-up and updated safety profile demonstrate durability of responses in this heavily pre-treated population. These results solidify ponatinib as an important and valuable treatment option for refractory patients with CML where no other TKI therapy is appropriate, including those who have the T315I mutation," stated Jorge Cortes, M.D., professor and deputy chair, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and a leading investigator in the PACE trial.

"Prior to the approval of Iclusig, there were patients with CML for whom no targeted treatment was available, either because they had developed resistance mutations or intolerance to other approved treatments. For these patients, we now have a better understanding of the long-term treatment profile of Iclusig," stated Greg Stephens, executive director of the National CML Society. "We have been impressed by the major molecular responses some patients have been able to achieve on Iclusig and by ARIAD’s commitment to supporting patient and caregiver needs."

Four-Year PACE Trial Data Included in Labeling Update

The efficacy and safety of ponatinib in CML and Ph+ ALL patients resistant or intolerant to dasatinib or nilotinib, or with the T315I mutation, were evaluated in the PACE trial. A total of 449 patients were treated with ponatinib at a starting dose of 45 mg/day. An estimated 93 percent of patients previously received two or more approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and 56 percent of all patients had received three or more approved TKIs. Enrollment in the PACE trial was completed in October 2011.

Updated data on CP-CML patients (n=270) from the ongoing trial indicate that with a minimum follow-up of 48 months (data as of August 3, 2015), 110 patients continued to receive ponatinib. Additional data for CP-CML patients include:

55 percent of CP-CML patients achieved major cytogenetic response (MCyR) (primary endpoint) at any time.
The median duration of MCyR (range 2.7 to 50+ months) has not been reached.
39 percent of patients achieved a major molecular response (MMR) at any time.
The median duration of MMR (range 1.7 to 50+ months) has not been reached.
With four years of follow-up, 33 percent (150/449) of all patients experienced arterial occlusive events (AOE). Twenty-one percent of patients experienced cardiac vascular, 12 percent experienced peripheral vascular and 9 percent experienced cerebrovascular arterial occlusive events, with some patients experiencing more than one type of AOE. Twenty-two percent experienced arterial occlusive serious adverse reactions (12% cardiac vascular, 8% peripheral vascular and 7% cerebrovascular).
Six percent of all patients experienced a venous thromboembolic event.
The most common any-grade treatment-emergent adverse events occurring in ≥ 20 percent of CP-CML patients included hypertension (69%), rash (63%), abdominal pain (48%), fatigue (47%), headache (43%), arterial ischemia (42%), dry skin (42%), constipation (41%), arthralgia (32%), nausea (28%), pyrexia (26%), peripheral neuropathy (24%), myalgia (24%), pain in extremity (23%), back pain (21%), diarrhea (20%). Post-marketing cases of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome have been reported.
OPTIC Post-Marketing Trial

ARIAD is currently enrolling patients in the OPTIC post-marketing trial of Iclusig (ponatinib) which is expected to inform the optimal dosing of Iclusig. This randomized, dose-ranging trial is enrolling patients with CP-CML who are resistant to at least two approved TKIs. Patients are randomized equally to receive once-daily administration of 45 mg (cohort A), 30 mg (cohort B) or 15 mg (cohort C) of ponatinib. Patients in cohorts A and B will have their daily dose reduced to 15 mg upon achievement of MCyR. The primary endpoint of the trial is MCyR by 12 months for each cohort. ARIAD expects initial data from the OPTIC trial to be submitted to the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting in 2017.

About Iclusig (ponatinib) tablets
Iclusig is a kinase inhibitor. The primary target for Iclusig is BCR-ABL, an abnormal tyrosine kinase that is expressed in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). Iclusig was designed using ARIAD’s computational and structure-based drug-design platform specifically to inhibit the activity of BCR-ABL. Iclusig targets not only native BCR-ABL but also its isoforms that carry mutations that confer resistance to treatment, including the T315I mutation, which has been associated with resistance to other approved TKIs. Iclusig is approved in the U.S., EU, Australia, Switzerland, Israel, Canada and Japan.

In the U.S., Iclusig is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the:

Treatment of adult patients with chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) for whom no other tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is indicated.
Treatment of adult patients with T315I-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase) or T315I-positive Ph+ ALL.
Limitations of use:

Limitations of use: Iclusig is not indicated and is not recommended for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase CML.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Based on the Phase 2 48 mo. follow-up analysis (N=449), except where noted

IMPORTANT U.S. SAFETY INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE BOXED WARNING
WARNING: ARTERIAL OCCLUSION, VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM, HEART FAILURE, and HEPATOTOXICITY

See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.

Arterial occlusion has occurred in at least 35% of Iclusig (ponatinib)-treated patients including fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, stenosis of large arterial vessels of the brain, severe peripheral vascular disease, and the need for urgent revascularization procedures. Patients with and without cardiovascular risk factors, including patients less than 50 years old, experienced these events. Interrupt or stop Iclusig immediately for arterial occlusion. A benefit-risk consideration should guide a decision to restart Iclusig.
Venous Thromboembolism has occurred in 6% of Iclusig-treated patients. Monitor for evidence of thromboembolism. Consider dose modification or discontinuation of Iclusig in patients who develop serious venous thromboembolism.
Heart Failure, including fatalities occurred in 9% of Iclusig treated patients. Monitor cardiac function. Interrupt or stop Iclusig for new or worsening heart failure.
Hepatotoxicity, liver failure and death have occurred in Iclusig-treated patients. Monitor hepatic function. Interrupt Iclusig if hepatotoxicity is suspected.
Warnings and Precautions

Arterial Occlusions: Arterial occlusions, including fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, stenosis of large arterial vessels of the brain, severe peripheral vascular disease have occurred in at least 35% of Iclusig-treated patients from the phase 1 and phase 2 trials. In the phase 2 trial, 33% (150/449) of Iclusig-treated patients experienced a cardiac vascular (21%), peripheral vascular (12%), or cerebrovascular (9%) arterial occlusive event; some patients experienced more than 1 type of event. Fatal and life-threatening events have occurred within 2 weeks of starting treatment, with doses as low as 15 mg per day. Iclusig can also cause recurrent or multi-site vascular occlusion. Patients have required revascularization procedures. The median time to onset of the first cardiac vascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular arterial occlusive events was 193, 526, and 478 days, respectively. Patients with and without cardiovascular risk factors, some age 50 years or younger, experienced these events. The most common risk factors observed with these events were hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and history of cardiac disease. Arterial occlusive events were more frequent with increasing age and in patients with a history of ischemia, hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia. In patients suspected of developing arterial occlusive events, interrupt or stop Iclusig.

Venous Thromboembolism: Venous thromboembolic events occurred in 6% (25/449) of Iclusig-treated patients with an incidence rate of 5% (13/270 CP-CML), 4% (3/85 AP-CML), 10% (6/62 BP-CML) and 9% (3/32 Ph+ ALL). Events included: deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, superficial thrombophlebitis, and retinal vein thrombosis with vision loss. Consider dose modification or discontinuation of Iclusig in patients who develop serious venous thromboembolism.

Heart Failure: Fatal or serious heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction occurred in 6% of Iclusig-treated patients (29/449). Nine percent of patients (39/449) experienced any grade of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction. The most frequently reported heart failure events were congestive cardiac failure and decreased ejection fraction (14 patients each; 3%). Monitor patients for signs or symptoms consistent with heart failure and treat as clinically indicated, including interruption of Iclusig. Consider discontinuation if serious heart failure develops.

Hepatotoxicity: Iclusig can cause hepatotoxicity, including liver failure and death. Fulminant hepatic failure leading to death occurred in a patient within one week of starting Iclusig. Two additional fatal cases of acute liver failure also occurred. The fatal cases occurred in patients with BP-CML or Ph+ ALL. Severe hepatotoxicity occurred in all disease cohorts, with 11% (50/449) experiencing grade 3 or 4 hepatotoxicity. The most common forms of hepatotoxicity were elevations of AST or ALT (54% all grades, 8% grade 3 or 4, 5% not reversed at last follow-up), bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. Hepatotoxic events were observed in 29% of patients. The median time to onset of hepatotoxicity event was 3 months. Monitor liver function tests at baseline, then at least monthly or as clinically indicated. Interrupt, reduce or discontinue Iclusig as clinically indicated.

Hypertension: Treatment-emergent elevation of systolic or diastolic blood pressure (BP) occurred in 68% (306/449) of Iclusig-treated patients. Fifty-three patients (12%) experienced treatment-emergent symptomatic hypertension as a serious adverse reaction, including hypertensive crisis. Patients may require urgent clinical intervention for hypertension associated with confusion, headache, chest pain, or shortness of breath. In patients with baseline systolic BP<140 mm Hg and baseline diastolic BP<90 mm Hg, 80% (229/285) experienced treatment-emergent hypertension; 44% (124/285) developed Stage 1 hypertension, 37% developed Stage 2 hypertension. In 132 patients with Stage 1 hypertension at baseline, 67% (88/132) developed Stage 2 hypertension. Monitor and manage blood pressure elevations during Iclusig use and treat hypertension to normalize blood pressure. Interrupt, dose reduce, or stop Iclusig if hypertension is not medically controlled. In the event of significant worsening, labile or treatment-resistant hypertension, interrupt treatment and consider evaluating for renal artery stenosis.

Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis occurred in 7% (31/449, 6% serious or grade 3/4) of Iclusig-treated patients. The incidence of treatment-emergent lipase elevation was 42% (16% grade 3 or greater). Pancreatitis resulted in discontinuation or treatment interruption in 6% of patients (26/449). The median time to onset of pancreatitis was 14 days. Twenty-three of the 31 cases of pancreatitis resolved within 2 weeks with dose interruption or reduction. Check serum lipase every 2 weeks for the first 2 months and then monthly thereafter or as clinically indicated. Consider additional serum lipase monitoring in patients with a history of pancreatitis or alcohol abuse. Dose interruption or reduction may be required. In cases where lipase elevations are accompanied by abdominal symptoms, interrupt treatment with Iclusig and evaluate patients for pancreatitis. Do not consider restarting Iclusig until patients have complete resolution of symptoms and lipase levels are less than 1.5 x ULN.

Increased Toxicity in Newly Diagnosed Chronic Phase CML: In a prospective randomized clinical trial in the first-line treatment of newly diagnosed patients with chronic phase (CP) CML, single agent Iclusig 45 mg once-daily increased the risk of serious adverse reactions 2-fold compared to single agent imatinib 400 mg once-daily. The median exposure to treatment was less than 6 months. The trial was halted for safety in October 2013. Arterial and venous thrombosis and occlusions occurred at least twice as frequently in the Iclusig arm compared to the imatinib arm. Compared to imatinib-treated patients, Iclusig-treated patients exhibited a greater incidence of myelosuppression, pancreatitis, hepatotoxicity, cardiac failure, hypertension, and skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders. Iclusig is not indicated and is not recommended for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed CP-CML.

Neuropathy: Peripheral and cranial neuropathy have occurred in Iclusig-treated patients. Overall, 20% (90/449) of Iclusig-treated patients experienced a peripheral neuropathy event of any grade (2%, grade 3/4). The most common peripheral neuropathies reported were paresthesia (5%, 23/449), neuropathy peripheral (4%, 19/449), hypoesthesia (3%, 15/449), dysgeusia (2%, 10/449), muscular weakness (2% 10/449) and hyperesthesia (1%, 5/449). Cranial neuropathy developed in 2% (10/449) of Iclusig-treated patients (<1%, 3/449 – grade 3/4). Of the patients who developed neuropathy, 26% (23/90) developed neuropathy during the first month of treatment. Monitor patients for symptoms of neuropathy, such as hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, paresthesia, discomfort, a burning sensation, neuropathic pain or weakness. Consider interrupting Iclusig and evaluate if neuropathy is suspected.

Ocular Toxicity: Serious ocular toxicities leading to blindness or blurred vision have occurred in Iclusig-treated patients. Retinal toxicities including macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, and retinal hemorrhage occurred in 2% of Iclusig-treated patients. Conjunctival irritation, corneal erosion or abrasion, dry eye, conjunctivitis, conjunctival hemorrhage, hyperaemia and edema or eye pain occurred in 14% of patients. Visual blurring occurred in 6% of patients. Other ocular toxicities include cataracts, periorbital edema, blepharitis, glaucoma, eyelid edema, ocular hyperaemia, iritis, iridocyclitis, and ulcerative keratitis. Conduct comprehensive eye exams at baseline and periodically during treatment.

Hemorrhage: Serious hemorrhage events including fatalities, occurred in 6% (28/449) of patients treated with Iclusig. Hemorrhage occurred in 28% (124/449) of patients. The incidence of serious bleeding events was higher in patients with AP-CML, BP-CML, and Ph+ ALL. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage and subdural hematoma were the most commonly reported serious bleeding events occurring in 1% (4/449) each. Most hemorrhagic events, but not all, occurred in patients with grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Interrupt Iclusig for serious or severe hemorrhage and evaluate.

Fluid Retention: Fluid retention events judged as serious occurred in 4% (18/449) of patients treated with Iclusig. One instance of brain edema was fatal. For fluid retention events occurring in >2% of the patients (treatment-emergent), serious cases included: pleural effusion (7/449, 2%), pericardial effusion (4/449, 1%), and edema peripheral (2/449, <1%).

In total, fluid retention occurred in 31% of the patients. The most common fluid retention events were peripheral edema (17%), pleural effusion (8%), pericardial effusion (4%) and peripheral swelling (3%).

Monitor patients for fluid retention and manage patients as clinically indicated. Interrupt, reduce, or discontinue Iclusig as clinically indicated.

Cardiac arrhythmias: Arrhythmias occurred in 19% (86/449) of Iclusig-treated patients, of which 7% (33/449) were grade 3 or greater. Arrhythmia of ventricular origin was reported in 3% (3/86) of all arrhythmias, with one case being grade 3 or greater. Symptomatic bradyarrhythmias that led to pacemaker implantation occurred in 1% (3/449) of Iclusig-treated patients.

Atrial fibrillation was the most common arrhythmia and occurred in 7% (31/449) of patients, approximately half of which were grade 3 or 4. Other grade 3 or 4 arrhythmia events included syncope (9 patients; 2.0%), tachycardia and bradycardia (2 patients each 0.4%), and electrocardiogram QT prolonged, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia, atrioventricular block complete, cardio-respiratory arrest, loss of consciousness, and sinus node dysfunction (1 patient each 0.2%). For 27 patients, the event led to hospitalization.

In patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of slow heart rate (fainting, dizziness) or rapid heart rate (chest pain, palpitations or dizziness), interrupt Iclusig and evaluate.

Myelosuppression: Myelosuppression was reported as an adverse reaction in 59% (266/449) of Iclusig-treated patients and grade 3/4 myelosuppression occurred in 50% (226/449) of patients. The incidence of these events was greater in patients with AP-CML, BP-CML, and Ph+ ALL than in patients with CP-CML.
Severe myelosuppression (Grade 3 or 4) was observed early in treatment, with a median onset time of 1 month (range <1-40 months). Obtain complete blood counts every 2 weeks for the first 3 months and then monthly or as clinically indicated, and adjust the dose as recommended.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Two patients (<1%, one with AP-CML and one with BP-CML) treated with Iclusig developed serious tumor lysis syndrome. Hyperuricemia occurred in 7% (31/449) of patients. Due to the potential for tumor lysis syndrome in patients with advanced disease, ensure adequate hydration and treat high uric acid levels prior to initiating therapy with Iclusig.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS): Postmarketing cases of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS—also known as Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)) have been reported in Iclusig-treated patients. RPLS is a neurological disorder that can present with signs and symptoms such as seizure, headache, decreased alertness, altered mental functioning, vision loss, and other visual and neurological disturbances. Hypertension is often present and diagnosis is made with supportive findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. If RPLS is diagnosed, interrupt Iclusig treatment and resume treatment only once the event is resolved and if the benefit of continued treatment outweighs the risk of RPLS.

Compromised Wound Healing and Gastrointestinal Perforation: Since Iclusig may compromise wound healing, interrupt Iclusig for at least 1 week prior to major surgery. Serious gastrointestinal perforation (fistula) occurred in one patient 38 days post-cholecystectomy.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on its mechanism of action and findings from animal studies, Iclusig can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of ponatinib to pregnant rats during organogenesis caused adverse developmental effects at exposures lower than human exposures at the recommended human dose. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Iclusig and for 3 weeks after the last dose.

Most Common Adverse Reactions: Overall, the most common non-hematologic adverse reactions (≥20%) were abdominal pain, rash, constipation, headache, dry skin, fatigue, hypertension, pyrexia, arthralgia, nausea, diarrhea, lipase increased, vomiting, myalgia and pain in extremity. Hematologic adverse reactions included thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, and leukopenia.

Please see the full U.S. Prescribing Information for Iclusig, including the Boxed Warning.

Iclusig is a registered trademark of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.