Pfizer Invites Public to Listen to Webcast of Pfizer Discussion at Healthcare Conference

On November 21, 2018 Pfizer Inc. reported that it invites investors and the general public to listen to a webcast of a discussion with Chris Boshoff, senior vice president and head, Immuno-Oncology, Early Development and Translational Oncology, at the Evercore ISI HealthConX Conference on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 8:45 a.m. EST (Press release, Pfizer, NOV 21, 2018, View Source [SID1234531547]).

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To listen to the webcast, visit our web site at www.pfizer.com/investors. Information on accessing and pre-registering for the webcast will be available at www.pfizer.com/investors beginning today.

Visitors will be able to listen to an archived copy of the webcast at www.pfizer.com/investors

Roche announces FDA grants Venclexta accelerated approval for people with newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia or those who are ineligible for intensive induction chemotherapy

On November 21, 2018 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to Venclexta (venetoclax), in combination with a hypomethylating agent (azacitidine or decitabine), or low dose cytarabine (LDAC), for the treatment of people with newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), who are age 75 years or older, or for those ineligible for intensive induction chemotherapy due to coexisting medical conditions (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, NOV 21, 2018, View Source [SID1234531567]). AML is the most common type of aggressive leukaemia in adults and has the lowest survival rate for all types of leukaemia.

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"Today’s approval marks a significant advance for people with acute myeloid leukaemia, a highly aggressive and difficult-to-treat blood cancer," said Sandra Horning, MD, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "Many people with acute myeloid leukaemia are unable to tolerate standard intensive chemotherapy, and the Venclexta combination regimens represent important new options for these patients."

This accelerated approval was based on results from the M14-358 study and the M14-387 study in people newly-diagnosed with AML including those who were ineligible for intensive induction chemotherapy. In M14-358, the rate of complete remission (CR) was 37% (n=25/67) and the rate of complete remission with partial blood count recovery (CRh) was 24% (n=16/67) for those who received Venclexta plus azacitidine. For those who received Venclexta plus decitabine, the rate of CR was 54% (n=7/13) and the rate of CRh was 8% (n=1/13). M14-387 showed a CR rate of 21% (n=13/61) and a CRh rate of 21% (n=13/61) for those who received Venclexta in combination with LDAC.

The most common serious side effects of these regimens (occurring in at least 5% of patients) were low white blood cell count with fever, pneumonia, bacteria in the blood, inflammation of tissue under the skin, device-related infection, diarrhoea, fatigue, bleeding, localized infection, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and respiratory failure.

The FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program allows conditional approval of a medicine that fills an unmet medical need for a serious condition. This approval of Venclexta is based on surrogate endpoints that are reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, including CR and CRh. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit observed in confirmatory trials.
The supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) was granted Priority Review, a designation given to medicines that the FDA has determined to have the potential to provide significant improvements in the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of a disease. In addition, the FDA previously granted two Breakthrough Therapy Designations for Venclexta in people with previously untreated AML ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, either in combination with a hypomethylating agent or LDAC, based on results from these two studies. With this approval, Venclexta is available in the US for two forms of blood cancer.

Venclexta is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialised by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the US and commercialised by AbbVie outside of the US.

About the M14-358 study
The M14-358 study (NCT02203773) is an open-label, non-randomised, Phase Ib dose escalation and expansion study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Venclexta in combination with hypomethylating agents, azacitidine or decitabine, in newly-diagnosed people with AML who were 60 years or older, or ineligible to receive intensive induction chemotherapy due to coexisting medical conditions. Study endpoints included complete remission rates, overall survival and safety.

In M14-358, the rate of CR was 37% and the rate of CRh was 24% for those who received Venclexta plus azacitidine. The median follow-up for this group was 7.9 months (0.4-36 months). At the time of analysis, for patients who achieved a CR, the median observed time in remission was 5.5 months (0.4-30 months).
For those who received Venclexta plus decitabine, the rate of CR was 54% and the rate of CRh was 8%. The median follow-up for this group was 11 months (0.7-21 months). At the time of analysis, for patients who achieved a CR, the median observed time in remission was 4.7 months (1.0-18 months).
The observed time in remission for these regimens was defined as the time from the start of CR to the time of the data cut-off date or relapse from CR.
The most common adverse reactions with Venclexta plus azacitidine were nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, low white blood cell count with or without fever, low platelet count, bleeding, swelling in the arms, legs, hands and feet, vomiting, fatigue, rash and low red blood cell count.
The most common adverse reactions with Venclexta plus decitabine were low white blood cell count with or without fever, constipation, fatigue, low platelet count, stomach (abdominal) pain, dizziness, bleeding, nausea, pneumonia, infection in the blood, cough, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, pain in muscles or back, sore throat, swelling in the arms, legs hand and feet, fever and rash.
About the M14-387 study
The M14-387 study (NCT02287233) is an open-label, single-arm, Phase I/II dose escalation and expansion study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Venclexta in combination with LDAC in newly-diagnosed people with AML who were 60 years or older, or ineligible to receive intensive induction chemotherapy due to coexisting medical conditions. Study endpoints included complete remission rates, overall survival and safety.

The study showed the rate of CR and CRh was 21% for those who received Venclexta plus LDAC. The median follow-up for this group was 6.5 months (0.3-34 months). At the time of analysis, for patients who achieved a CR, the median observed time in remission was 6.05 months (0.3-25 months). The observed time in remission for this regimen was defined as the time from the start of CR to the time of the data cut-off date or relapse from CR.
The most common adverse reactions with Venclexta in combination with LDAC were nausea, low platelet count, bleeding, low white blood cell count with or without fever, diarrhoea, fatigue, constipation and difficulty breathing.
About Venclexta (venetoclax)
Venclexta is a first-in-class targeted medicine designed to selectively bind and inhibit the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein. In some blood cancers and other tumours, BCL-2 builds up and prevents cancer cells from dying or self-destructing, a process called apoptosis. Venclexta blocks the BCL-2 protein and works to restore the process of apoptosis.

Venclexta is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialised by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the US and by AbbVie outside of the US. Together, the companies are committed to research with Venclexta, which is currently being studied in clinical trials across several types of blood and other cancers.

In the US, Venclexta has been granted four Breakthrough Therapy Designations by the FDA: in combination with Rituxan for people with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL); as a monotherapy for people with relapsed or refractory CLL with 17p deletion; in combination with hypomethylating agents (azacitidine or decitabine) for people with untreated acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy; and in combination with low-dose cytarabine for people with untreated AML ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

Venclexta is approved in more than 50 countries. Roche and AbbVie are currently working with regulatory agencies around the world to bring this medicine to additional eligible patients in need.

About Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive form of leukaemia that starts in immature forms of blood-forming cells, known as myeloid cells, found in the bone marrow. [1] AML is the most common type of aggressive leukaemia in adults. It has the lowest survival rates of all types of leukaemia.[2] Even with the best available therapies, older patients aged 65 and over have survival rates comparable to patients with advanced lung cancer, with a five year overall survival rate of <5%.[3;4] Approximately 20,000 people in the US and 18,000 in Europe are diagnosed with AML each year. [5;6]

Updated: AbbVie to Highlight Breadth of Innovative Science and Ongoing Commitment to Blood Cancer Patients with New Data From Studies of Ibrutinib and Venetoclax at 2018 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition

On November 20, 2018 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, reported that data from nearly 40 abstracts, including 13 oral presentations and more than 20 poster presentations, will be presented during the upcoming 60th ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting & Exposition, December 1-4, in San Diego (Press release, AbbVie, NOV 20, 2018, View Source [SID1234531490]).

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Investigators will present data from the Phase 3 iLLUMINATE trial, which evaluates the safety and efficacy of ibrutinib (Imbruvica) in combination with obinutuzumab vs. chlorambucil in combination with obinutuzumab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who have not received a prior treatment. In addition, seven-year data on patients treated with ibrutinib will be presented, marking the longest follow-up study for a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. IMBRUVICA is a once-daily, first-in-class Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor that is administered orally, and is jointly developed and commercialized by Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company, and Janssen Biotech, Inc.

"AbbVie’s data at the annual ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting shows the progress we’re making in collaboration with scientists, doctors and patients, toward transforming the standard of care in numerous blood cancers," said Neil Gallagher, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, head of global oncology development, AbbVie. "We are pleased to share important updates from our ibrutinib and venetoclax programs, where we continue to see the positive impact these two first-in-class medicines are having in treating blood cancers."

Among the oral presentations is one featuring updated data from the pivotal Phase 3 MURANO study of venetoclax in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL, providing an additional year of follow-up data of sustained benefits (progression-free survival and minimal residual disease) for patients taking the fixed-duration treatment regimen of approximately two years.1

AbbVie also will present data from multiple studies evaluating its compounds alone or in novel combinations across other blood cancers and hematologic diseases. These include CLL, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), multiple myeloma (MM) and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM), among others.

Details about AbbVie’s oral presentations are as follows:

Abstract

Oral Presentation Timing

Ibrutinib

Ibrutinib Treatment in Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia: Follow-up Efficacy and Safety from the iNNOVATE Study; Buske et al.; Abstract #149

Saturday, December 1; 1:00 p.m. PT

The iR2 Regimen (Ibrutinib, Lenalidomide, and Rituximab) Is Active with a Manageable Safety Profile in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Non-Germinal Center-like Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma; Ramchandren et al.; Abstract #402

Sunday, December 2; 1:15 p.m. PT

Up to 7 Years of Follow-up of Single-Agent Ibrutinib in the Phase 1b/2 PCYC-1102 Trial of First Line and Relapsed/Refractory Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma; Byrd et al.; Abstract #3133

Sunday, December 2; 6:00-8:00 p.m. PT*

Ibrutinib + Obinutuzumab Versus Chlorambucil + Obinutuzumab as First-Line Treatment in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia or Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL): Results from Phase 3 iLLUMINATE; Moreno et al.; Abstract #691

Monday, December 3; 10:30 a.m. PT

Venetoclax


Durability of Responses on Continuous Therapy and Following Drug Cessation in Deep Responders with Venetoclax and Rituximab; Brander et al.; Abstract #183

Saturday, December 1; 2:30 p.m. PT

MURANO Trial Establishes Feasibility of Time-Limited Venetoclax-Rituximab (VenR) Combination Therapy in Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL); Seymour et al.; Abstract #184

Saturday, December 1; 2:45 p.m. PT

Venetoclax with Low-Dose Cytarabine Induces Rapid, Deep, and Durable Responses in Previously Untreated Older Adults with AML Ineligible for Intensive Chemotherapy; Wei et al.; Abstract #284

Sunday, December 2; 7:45 a.m. PT

Venetoclax in Combination with Hypomethylating Agents Induces Rapid, Deep, and Durable Responses in Patients with AML Ineligible for Intensive Therapy; Pollyea et al.; Abstract #285

Sunday, December 2; 8:00 a.m. PT

Phase 2 Study of Venetoclax Plus Carfilzomib and Dexamethasone in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma; Costa et al.; Abstract #303

Sunday, December 2; 8:00 a.m. PT

Safety and Efficacy of Venetoclax Combined with Rituximab, Ifosfamide, Carboplatin and Etoposide Chemoimmunotherapy (VICER) for Treatment of Relapsed Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: Results from the Phase 1 Study; Caimi et al.; Abstract #397

Sunday, December 2; 12:00 p.m. PT

Combination of Enasidenib and Venetoclax Shows Superior Anti-Leukemic Activity Against IDH2 Mutated AML in Patient-Derived Xenograft Models; Cathelin et al.; Abstract #562

Monday, December 3; 7:45 a.m. PT

First Prospective Data on Impact of Minimal Residual Disease on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes after Venetoclax Plus Rituximab Versus Bendamustine Plus Rituximab: Phase 3 MURANO Study; Kater et al.; Abstract #695

Monday, December 3; 11:30 a.m. PT

Venetoclax Plus Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine and Prednisolone (R-CHOP) Improves Outcomes in BCL-2 Positive First-Line Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): First Safety, Efficacy and Biomarker Analyses from the Phase 2 CAVALLI Study; Morschhauser et al.; Abstract #782

Monday, December 3; 3:00 p.m. PT

Safety, Efficacy, Pharmacokinetic (PK) and Biomarker Analysis of BCL-2 Inhibitor Venetoclax (Ven) Plus MDM2 Inhibitor Idasanutlin (idasa) in Patients (pts) with Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) AML: A Phase Ib, Non-Randomized, Open-Label Study; Daver et al.; Abstract #767

Monday, December 3; 3:45 p.m. PT

*Poster Presentation

About VENCLEXTA/VENCLYXTO (venetoclax)
VENCLEXTA/VENCLYXTO (venetoclax) is a first-in-class medicine that selectively binds and inhibits the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein.2 In some blood cancers and other cancerous tumors, BCL-2 builds up and prevents cancer cells from undergoing their natural death or self-destruction process, which is called apoptosis.2 VENCLEXTA/VENCLYXTO targets the BCL-2 protein and works to restore the process of apoptosis.

VENCLEXTA/VENCLYXTO is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S. Together, the companies are committed to BCL-2 research and to studying venetoclax in clinical trials across several blood and other cancers.

VENCLEXTA/VENCLYXTO is approved in more than 50 countries, including the U.S. AbbVie and Roche are currently working with regulatory agencies around the world to bring this medicine to additional eligible patients in need.

Important VENCLEXTA (venetoclax tablets) US Safety Information2

What is the most important information I should know about VENCLEXTA?
VENCLEXTA can cause serious side effects, including:
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure, the need for dialysis treatment, and may lead to death. Your health care provider will do tests to check your risk of getting TLS before starting and during treatment with VENCLEXTA to help reduce your risk of TLS. You may also need to receive intravenous (IV) fluids into your vein. Your health care provider will do blood tests in your first 5 weeks of treatment to check you for TLS during treatment with VENCLEXTA. It is important to keep your appointments for blood tests. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any symptoms of TLS during treatment with VENCLEXTA, including fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, confusion, shortness of breath, seizures, irregular heartbeat, dark or cloudy urine, unusual tiredness, or muscle or joint pain.

Drink plenty of water when taking VENCLEXTA to help reduce your risk of getting TLS. Drink 6 to 8 glasses (about 56 ounces total) of water each day, starting 2 days before your first dose, on the day of your first dose of VENCLEXTA, and each time your dose is increased.

Who should not take VENCLEXTA?

Certain medicines must not be taken when you first start taking VENCLEXTA and while your dose is being slowly increased because of the risk of increased tumor lysis syndrome.

Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. VENCLEXTA and other medicines may affect each other, causing serious side effects.
Do not start new medicines during treatment with VENCLEXTA without first talking with your health care provider.
Before taking VENCLEXTA, tell your health care provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Have kidney or liver problems.
Have problems with your body salts or electrolytes, such as potassium, phosphorus, or calcium.
Have a history of high uric acid levels in your blood or gout.
Are scheduled to receive a vaccine. You should not receive a "live vaccine" before, during or after treatment with VENCLEXTA until your health care provider tells you it is okay. If you are not sure about the type of immunization or vaccine, ask your health care provider. These vaccines may not be safe or may not work as well during treatment with VENCLEXTA.
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. VENCLEXTA may harm your unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, your health care provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with VENCLEXTA, and you should use effective birth control during treatment and for 30 days after the last dose of VENCLEXTA. If you become pregnant or think you are pregnant, tell your health care provider right away.
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VENCLEXTA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with VENCLEXTA.
What should I avoid while taking VENCLEXTA?
You should not drink grapefruit juice, eat grapefruit, Seville oranges (often used in marmalades), or starfruit while you are taking VENCLEXTA. These products may increase the amount of VENCLEXTA in your blood.

What are the possible side effects of VENCLEXTA?
VENCLEXTA can cause serious side effects, including:

Low white blood cell count (neutropenia). Low white blood cell counts are common with VENCLEXTA, but can also be severe. Your health care provider will do blood tests to check your blood counts during treatment with VENCLEXTA. Tell your health care provider right away if you have a fever or any signs of an infection while taking VENCLEXTA.
The most common side effects of VENCLEXTA when used in combination with rituximab include low white blood cell count, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, tiredness, and nausea.

The most common side effects of VENCLEXTA when used alone include low white blood cell count, diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, low red blood cell count, tiredness, low platelet count, muscle and joint pain, swelling of your arms, legs, hands, and feet, and cough.

VENCLEXTA may cause fertility problems in males. This may affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of VENCLEXTA. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

People are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The full U.S. prescribing information, including Medication Guide, for VENCLEXTA can be found here. Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information.

About IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) in the U.S.3
IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) is a first-in-class, oral, once-daily therapy that mainly works by inhibiting a protein called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). BTK is a key signaling molecule in the B-cell receptor signaling complex that plays an important role in the survival and spread of malignant B cells.4 IMBRUVICA blocks signals that tell malignant B cells to multiply and spread uncontrollably.

IMBRUVICA is a once-daily, first-in-class Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor that is administered orally, and is jointly developed and commercialized by Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company, and Janssen Biotech, Inc.

IMBRUVICA is FDA-approved in six distinct patient populations: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM), along with previously-treated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), previously-treated marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) and previously-treated chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).3

IMBRUVICA was first approved for adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy in November 2013.
Soon after, IMBRUVICA was initially approved in adult CLL patients who have received at least one prior therapy in February 2014. By July 2014, the therapy received approval for adult CLL patients with 17p deletion, and by March 2016, the therapy was approved as a frontline CLL treatment.
IMBRUVICA was approved for adult patients with WM in January 2015.
In May 2016, IMBRUVICA was approved in combination with bendamustine and rituximab (BR) for adult patients with CLL/SLL.
In January 2017, IMBRUVICA was approved for adult patients with MZL who require systemic therapy and have received at least one prior anti-CD20-based therapy.
In August 2017, IMBRUVICA was approved for adult patients with cGVHD that failed to respond to one or more lines of systemic therapy.
In August 2018, IMBRUVICA plus rituximab was approved for adult patients with WM.
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.

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.5 IMBRUVICA was one of the first medicines to receive FDA approval via the new Breakthrough Therapy Designation pathway.

IMBRUVICA is being studied alone and in combination with other treatments in several blood and solid tumor cancers and other serious illnesses. IMBRUVICA has one of the most robust clinical oncology development programs for a single molecule in the industry, with more than 130 ongoing clinical trials. There are approximately 30 ongoing company-sponsored trials, 14 of which are in Phase 3, and more than 100 investigator-sponsored trials and external collaborations that are active around the world. To date, more than 120,000 patients around the world have been treated with IMBRUVICA in clinical practice and clinical trials.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hemorrhage: Fatal bleeding events have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA. Grade 3 or higher bleeding events (intracranial hemorrhage [including subdural hematoma], gastrointestinal bleeding, hematuria, and post-procedural hemorrhage) have occurred in 3% of patients, with fatalities occurring in 0.3% of 1,011 patients exposed to IMBRUVICA in clinical trials. Bleeding events of any grade, including bruising and petechiae, occurred in 44% of patients treated with IMBRUVICA.

The mechanism for the bleeding events is not well understood.

IMBRUVICA may increase the risk of hemorrhage in patients receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapies and patients should be monitored for signs of bleeding.

Consider the benefit-risk of withholding IMBRUVICA for at least 3 to 7 days pre and post-surgery depending upon the type of surgery and the risk of bleeding.

Infections: Fatal and non-fatal infections (including bacterial, viral, or fungal) have occurred with IMBRUVICA therapy. Grade 3 or greater infections occurred in 24% of 1,011 patients exposed to IMBRUVICA in clinical trials. Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA. Consider prophylaxis according to standard of care in patients who are at increased risk for opportunistic infections.

Monitor and evaluate patients for fever and infections and treat appropriately.

Cytopenias: Treatment-emergent Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias including neutropenia (23%), thrombocytopenia (8%), and anemia (3%) based on laboratory measurements occurred in patients with B-cell malignancies treated with single agent IMBRUVICA.

Monitor complete blood counts monthly.

Cardiac Arrhythmias: Fatal and serious cardiac arrhythmias have occurred with IMBRUVICA therapy. Grade 3 or greater ventricular tachyarrhythmias occurred in 0.2% of patients, and Grade 3 or greater atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter occurred in 4% of 1,011 patients exposed to IMBRUVICA in clinical trials. These events have occurred particularly in patients with cardiac risk factors, hypertension, acute infections, and a previous history of cardiac arrhythmias.

Periodically monitor patients clinically for cardiac arrhythmias. Obtain an ECG for patients who develop arrhythmic symptoms (e.g., palpitations, lightheadedness, syncope, chest pain) or new onset dyspnea. Manage cardiac arrhythmias appropriately, and if it persists, consider the risks and benefits of IMBRUVICA treatment and follow dose modification guidelines.

Hypertension: Hypertension has occurred in 12% of 1,011 patients treated with IMBRUVICA in clinical trials with a median time to onset of 5 months (range, 0.03 to 22 months). Monitor patients for new onset hypertension or hypertension that is not adequately controlled after starting IMBRUVICA. Adjust existing anti-hypertensive medications and/or initiate anti-hypertensive treatment as appropriate.

Second Primary Malignancies: Other malignancies (9%) including non-skin carcinomas (2%) have occurred in 1,011 patients treated with IMBRUVICA in clinical trials. The most frequent second primary malignancy was non-melanoma skin cancer (6%).

Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Tumor lysis syndrome has been infrequently reported with IMBRUVICA therapy. Assess the baseline risk (e.g., high tumor burden) and take appropriate precautions.

Monitor patients closely and treat as appropriate.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on findings in animals, IMBRUVICA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise women to avoid becoming pregnant while taking IMBRUVICA and for 1 month after cessation of therapy. If this drug is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus. Advise men to avoid fathering a child during the same time period.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

B-cell malignancies: The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients with B-cell malignancies (MCL, CLL/SLL, WM and MZL) were thrombocytopenia (58%)*, neutropenia (58%)*, diarrhea (42%), anemia (39%)*, rash (31%), musculoskeletal pain (31%), bruising (31%), nausea (28%), fatigue (27%), hemorrhage (23%), and pyrexia (20%).

The most common Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (≥5%) in patients with B-cell malignancies (MCL, CLL/SLL, WM and MZL) were neutropenia (36%)*, thrombocytopenia (15%)*, and pneumonia (10%).

Approximately 6% (CLL/SLL), 14% (MCL), 14% (WM) and 10% (MZL) of patients had a dose reduction due to adverse reactions. Approximately 4%-10% (CLL/SLL), 9% (MCL), and 7% (WM [5%] and MZL [13%]) of patients discontinued due to adverse reactions.

cGVHD: The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients with cGVHD were fatigue (57%), bruising (40%), diarrhea (36%), thrombocytopenia (33%)*, stomatitis (29%), muscle spasms (29%), nausea (26%), hemorrhage (26%), anemia (24%)*, and pneumonia (21%).

The most common Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (≥5%) reported in patients with cGVHD were fatigue (12%), diarrhea (10%), neutropenia (10%)*, pneumonia (10%), sepsis (10%), hypokalemia (7%), headache (5%), musculoskeletal pain (5%), and pyrexia (5%).

Twenty-four percent of patients receiving IMBRUVICA in the cGVHD trial discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions. Adverse reactions leading to dose reduction occurred in 26% of patients.

*Treatment-emergent decreases (all grades) were based on laboratory measurements and adverse reactions.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

CYP3A Inhibitors: Dose adjustments may be recommended.

CYP3A Inducers: Avoid coadministration with strong CYP3A inducers.

SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Hepatic Impairment (based on Child-Pugh criteria): Avoid use of IMBRUVICA in patients with severe baseline hepatic impairment. In patients with mild or moderate impairment, reduce IMBRUVICA dose.

AVEO Oncology to Present at the 30th Annual Piper Jaffray Healthcare Conference

On November 20, 2018 AVEO Oncology (NASDAQ:AVEO) reported that Michael Bailey, president and chief executive officer, will present at the 30th Annual Piper Jaffray Healthcare Conference in New York on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time (Press release, AVEO, NOV 20, 2018, View Source [SID1234531508]). The conference is being held at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel.

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A live webcast of the presentation can be accessed by visiting the investors section of the Company’s website at www.aveooncology.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived for 30 days following the presentation date.

Cernostics Secures Additional Patents for Proprietary Barrett’s Esophagus Clinical Diagnostics

On November 20, 2018 Cernostics, developer of next-generation cancer diagnostics and prognostics, reported that it has received a U.S. Patent and a European Notice to Grant for the company’s TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus Assay, adding protection to previously awarded foundational, platform patents granted in 2014 (Press release, Cernostics, NOV 20, 2018, View Source [SID1234531530]).

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Earlier this month, Cernostics received notification from the European Patent Office that claims will be issued for its patent entitled "Systems and Compositions for Diagnosing Barrett’s Esophagus and Methods for Using the Same." This notice comes on the heels of a recent issuance of a corresponding U.S. patent (U.S. Patent No. 10,018,631).

Cernostics’ recent patent claims relate to the company’s clinical test for predicting disease progression in patients with BE and assessment of the likelihood that BE may further develop into esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The patents support a multiplexed evaluation of how protein biomarkers are expressed in various gastrointestinal tissue specimens obtained from BE patients.

Cernostics’ CEO, Mike Hoerres, says, "Our TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus Assay was developed as a Laboratory Developed Test for the US market and can be developed as an In Vitro Diagnostic for ex-U.S. markets to assess progression of Barrett’s to esophageal cancer. This technology may help clinicians determine personalized care pathways – establishing which BE patients will likely benefit from endoscopic eradication therapies and what are optimal surveillance intervals for future endoscopies."

About Barrett’s

BE affects more than three million Americans, occurring when chronic exposure to stomach acid causes the esophageal cell lining to deteriorate and undergo changes that can create an environment for cancer. Without treatment, Barrett’s can lead to EAC, with a poor 5-year survival of less than 20%[1]. Today, Barrett’s is commonly managed by surveillance, involving regular endoscopic procedures with biopsy, monitoring disease progression, and GERD-related drug therapy to control symptoms and prevent esophageal injury.