On September 8, 2017 Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) reported that data from multiple studies evaluating investigational uses of ABRAXANE (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) will be presented during the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2017 Annual Meeting between September 8-12 in Madrid, Spain (Press release, Celgene, SEP 8, 2017, View Source [SID1234520420]).

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"The data presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) highlight investigational uses of ABRAXANE to potentially treat patients with particularly challenging diseases, either alone or in combination with other agents," said Nadim Ahmed, President, Hematology and Oncology for Celgene. "Through these data, we are able to continue advancing our understanding and treatment of these cancers especially in patient populations with historically limited treatment options."

In advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), abstracts from three studies in the ABOUND program continue to evaluate investigational uses of ABRAXANE. ABOUND 2L+ is a Phase II trial evaluating second-line monotherapy or combination treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor or epigenetic therapy. ABOUND.SQM is a Phase III study evaluating ABRAXANE as combination treatment with carboplatin as induction therapy for those with squamous disease. ABOUND 70+ is a Phase IV study evaluating the first-line treatment of ABRAXANE + carboplatin in patients 70 years and older.

Additionally, updated data from the Phase II LAPACT study evaluating the investigational use of ABRAXANE in patients with locally advanced, non-resectable pancreatic cancer will be presented.

Selected abstracts include*:

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract LBA48; Oral; Friday, September 8, 4:00 p.m., Madrid Auditorium, ABOUND.2L+: nab-paclitaxel (nap-P) +/- CC-486 or durvalumab in previously treated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Morgensztern)

Abstract 1369P; Poster; Saturday, September 9, 1:15 p.m., Hall 8, nab-Paclitaxel/carboplatin (nab-P/C) induction therapy in squamous (SCC) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): interim safety results from ABOUND.sqm (Gridelli)

Abstract 1366P; Poster; Saturday, September 9, 1:15 p.m., Hall 8, Effect of nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin (nab-P/C) induction therapy on quality of life (QoL) of patients with squamous (SCC) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (ABOUND.sqm) (Ponce Aix)

Abstract 1367P; Poster; Saturday, September 9, 1:15 p.m., Hall 8, Quality of Life (QoL) in Elderly NSCLC Patients (pts) Treated with nab-Paclitaxel/Carboplatin (nab-P/C) in the ABOUND.70+ Trial (Langer)

Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract 622PD; Poster Discussion; Monday, September 11, 4:30 p.m., Cordoba Auditorium, nab-Paclitaxel (nab-P) plus gemcitabine (G) for patients (Pts) with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC): Interim efficacy and safety results from the Phase 2 LAPACT Trial (Philip)

Abstract 730P; Poster; Saturday, September 9, 1:15 p.m., Hall 8, Interim Health-Related Quality of Life (QoL) From LAPACT, a Phase 2 Trial of nab-Paclitaxel (nab-P) Plus Gemcitabine (G) for Patients (pts) With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer (LAPC) (Portales)

In advanced NSCLC, Abraxane is not approved for use as monotherapy or in combination with CC-486 or durvalumab. Abraxane is also not approved for use as a second-line therapy in advanced NSCLC. Abraxane is not approved for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The safety and efficacy of the agents and/or uses under investigation have not been established. There is no guarantee that the agents will receive health authority approval or become commercially available in any country for the uses being investigated.

*All times Central European Standard Time (CEST)

A complete listing of abstracts can be found on the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) website at View Source

About ABRAXANE (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound)

ABRAXANE is an albumin-based nanotechnology therapy approved for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, advanced non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic pancreatic cancer in the United States, Europe and other markets around the world. It contains albumin-bound paclitaxel nanoparticles and is manufactured using patented nab technology. ABRAXANE is formulated with albumin, a human protein, and is free of solvents.

ABRAXANE was first approved in January 2005 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated. In Europe, ABRAXANE was approved in January 2008 as monotherapy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in adult patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic disease and for whom standard, anthracycline containing therapy is not indicated. ABRAXANE is now approved in more than 50 countries for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

In October 2012, ABRAXANE was approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in combination with carboplatin, in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy. ABRAXANE is also approved for the treatment of NSCLC in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.

In September 2013, the FDA approved ABRAXANE as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, in combination with gemcitabine. In December 2013, ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine was approved for first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in Europe. ABRAXANE is also approved for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer in more than 40 countries.

Important Safety Information

WARNING – NEUTROPENIA

• Do not administer ABRAXANE therapy to patients who have baseline neutrophil counts of less than 1500 cells/mm3. In order to monitor the occurrence of bone marrow suppression, primarily neutropenia, which may be severe and result in infection, it is recommended that frequent peripheral blood cell counts be performed on all patients receiving ABRAXANE

• Note: An albumin form of paclitaxel may substantially affect a drug’s functional properties relative to those of drug in solution. DO NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR OR WITH OTHER PACLITAXEL FORMULATIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Neutrophil Counts

ABRAXANE should not be used in patients who have baseline neutrophil counts of < 1500 cells/mm3
Hypersensitivity

Patients who experience a severe hypersensitivity reaction to ABRAXANE should not be rechallenged with the drug
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hematologic Effects

Bone marrow suppression (primarily neutropenia) is dose-dependent and a dose-limiting toxicity of ABRAXANE. In clinical studies, Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 34% of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), 47% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 38% of patients with pancreatic cancer
Monitor for myelotoxicity by performing complete blood cell counts frequently, including prior to dosing on Day 1 (for MBC) and Days 1, 8, and 15 (for NSCLC and for pancreatic cancer)
Do not administer ABRAXANE to patients with baseline absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) of less than 1500 cells/mm3
In the case of severe neutropenia ( < 500 cells/mm3 for 7 days or more) during a course of ABRAXANE therapy, reduce the dose of ABRAXANE in subsequent courses in patients with either MBC or NSCLC
In patients with MBC, resume treatment with every-3-week cycles of ABRAXANE after ANC recovers to a level > 1500 cells/mm3 and platelets recover to a level > 100,000 cells/mm3
In patients with NSCLC, resume treatment if recommended at permanently reduced doses for both weekly ABRAXANE and every-3-week carboplatin after ANC recovers to at least 1500 cells/mm3 and platelet count of at least 100,000 cells/mm3 on Day 1 or to an ANC of at least 500 cells/mm3 and platelet count of at least 50,000 cells/mm3 on Days 8 or 15 of the cycle
In patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, withhold ABRAXANE and gemcitabine if the ANC is less than 500 cells/mm3 or platelets are less than 50,000 cells/mm3 and delay initiation of the next cycle if the ANC is less than 1500 cells/mm3 or platelet count is less than 100,000 cells/mm3 on Day 1 of the cycle. Resume treatment with appropriate dose reduction if recommended
Nervous System

Sensory neuropathy is dose- and schedule-dependent
The occurrence of Grade 1 or 2 sensory neuropathy does not generally require dose modification
If ≥ Grade 3 sensory neuropathy develops, withhold ABRAXANE treatment until resolution to Grade 1 or 2 for MBC or until resolution to ≤ Grade 1 for NSCLC and pancreatic cancer followed by a dose reduction for all subsequent courses of ABRAXANE
Sepsis

Sepsis occurred in 5% of patients with or without neutropenia who received ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine
Biliary obstruction or presence of biliary stent were risk factors for severe or fatal sepsis
If a patient becomes febrile (regardless of ANC), initiate treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics
For febrile neutropenia, interrupt ABRAXANE and gemcitabine until fever resolves and ANC ≥1500 cells/mm3, then resume treatment at reduced dose levels
Pneumonitis

Pneumonitis, including some cases that were fatal, occurred in 4% of patients receiving ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine
Monitor patients for signs and symptoms and interrupt ABRAXANE and gemcitabine during evaluation of suspected pneumonitis
Permanently discontinue treatment with ABRAXANE and gemcitabine upon making a diagnosis of pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity

Severe and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions, have been reported
Patients who experience a severe hypersensitivity reaction to ABRAXANE should not be rechallenged with this drug
Hepatic Impairment

Because the exposure and toxicity of paclitaxel can be increased with hepatic impairment, administration of ABRAXANE in patients with hepatic impairment should be performed with caution
Patients with hepatic impairment may be at an increased risk of toxicity, particularly from myelosuppression, and should be monitored for development of profound myelosuppression
For MBC and NSCLC, the starting dose should be reduced for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment
For pancreatic adenocarcinoma, ABRAXANE is not recommended for patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin > 1.5 x ULN and AST ≤10 x ULN)
Albumin (Human)

ABRAXANE contains albumin (human), a derivative of human blood
Use in Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category D

ABRAXANE can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman
If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus
Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving ABRAXANE
Use in Men

Men should be advised not to father a child while receiving ABRAXANE
ADVERSE REACTIONS

Randomized Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Study

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) with single-agent use of ABRAXANE vs paclitaxel injection in the MBC study are alopecia (90%, 94%), neutropenia (all cases 80%, 82%; severe 9%, 22%), sensory neuropathy (any symptoms 71%, 56%; severe 10%, 2%), abnormal ECG (all patients 60%, 52%; patients with normal baseline 35%, 30%), fatigue/asthenia (any 47%, 39%; severe 8%, 3%), myalgia/arthralgia (any 44%, 49%; severe 8%, 4%), AST elevation (any 39%, 32%), alkaline phosphatase elevation (any 36%, 31%), anemia (any 33%, 25%; severe 1%, < 1%), nausea (any 30%, 22%; severe 3%, < 1%), diarrhea (any 27%, 15%; severe < 1%, 1%) and infections (24%, 20%), respectively
Sensory neuropathy was the cause of ABRAXANE discontinuation in 7/229 (3%) patients
Other adverse reactions of note with the use of ABRAXANE vs paclitaxel injection included vomiting (any 18%, 10%; severe 4%, 1%), fluid retention (any 10%, 8%; severe 0%, < 1%), mucositis (any 7%, 6%; severe < 1%, 0%), hepatic dysfunction (elevations in bilirubin 7%, 7%), hypersensitivity reactions (any 4%, 12%; severe 0%, 2%), thrombocytopenia (any 2%, 3%; severe < 1%, < 1%), neutropenic sepsis ( < 1%, < 1%), and injection site reactions ( < 1%, 1%), respectively. Dehydration and pyrexia were also reported
Renal dysfunction (any 11%, severe 1%) was reported in patients treated with ABRAXANE (n=229)
In all ABRAXANE-treated patients (n=366), ocular/visual disturbances were reported (any 13%; severe 1%)
Severe cardiovascular events possibly related to single-agent ABRAXANE occurred in approximately 3% of patients and included cardiac ischemia/infarction, chest pain, cardiac arrest, supraventricular tachycardia, edema, thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary emboli, and hypertension
Cases of cerebrovascular attacks (strokes) and transient ischemic attacks have been reported
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Study

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin are anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, alopecia, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, and fatigue
The most common serious adverse reactions of ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin for NSCLC are anemia (4%) and pneumonia (3%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of ABRAXANE are neutropenia (3%), thrombocytopenia (3%), and peripheral neuropathy (1%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction of ABRAXANE are neutropenia (24%), thrombocytopenia (13%), and anemia (6%)
The most common adverse reactions leading to withholding or delay in ABRAXANE dosing are neutropenia (41%), thrombocytopenia (30%), and anemia (16%)
The following common (≥10% incidence) adverse reactions were observed at a similar incidence in ABRAXANE plus carboplatin-treated and paclitaxel injection plus carboplatin-treated patients: alopecia (56%), nausea (27%), fatigue (25%), decreased appetite (17%), asthenia (16%), constipation (16%), diarrhea (15%), vomiting (12%), dyspnea (12%), and rash (10%); incidence rates are for the ABRAXANE plus carboplatin treatment group
Adverse reactions with a difference of ≥2%, Grade 3 or higher, with combination use of ABRAXANE and carboplatin vs combination use of paclitaxel injection and carboplatin in NSCLC are anemia (28%, 7%), neutropenia (47%, 58%), thrombocytopenia (18%, 9%), and peripheral neuropathy (3%, 12%), respectively
Adverse reactions with a difference of ≥5%, Grades 1-4, with combination use of ABRAXANE and carboplatin vs combination use of paclitaxel injection and carboplatin in NSCLC are anemia (98%, 91%), thrombocytopenia (68%, 55%), peripheral neuropathy (48%, 64%), edema peripheral (10%, 4%), epistaxis (7%, 2%), arthralgia (13%, 25%), and myalgia (10%, 19%), respectively
Neutropenia (all grades) was reported in 85% of patients who received ABRAXANE and carboplatin vs 83% of patients who received paclitaxel injection and carboplatin
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Study

Among the most common (≥20%) adverse reactions in the phase III study, those with a ≥5% higher incidence in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared with the gemcitabine group are neutropenia (73%, 58%), fatigue (59%, 46%), peripheral neuropathy (54%, 13%), nausea (54%, 48%), alopecia (50%, 5%), peripheral edema (46%, 30%), diarrhea (44%, 24%), pyrexia (41%, 28%), vomiting (36%, 28%), decreased appetite (36%, 26%), rash (30%, 11%), and dehydration (21%, 11%)
Of these most common adverse reactions, those with a ≥2% higher incidence of Grade 3-4 toxicity in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared with the gemcitabine group, respectively, are neutropenia (38%, 27%), fatigue (18%, 9%), peripheral neuropathy (17%, 1%), nausea (6%, 3%), diarrhea (6%, 1%), pyrexia (3%, 1%), vomiting (6%, 4%), decreased appetite (5%, 2%), and dehydration (7%, 2%)
Thrombocytopenia (all grades) was reported in 74% of patients in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group vs 70% of patients in the gemcitabine group
The most common serious adverse reactions of ABRAXANE (with a ≥1% higher incidence) are pyrexia (6%), dehydration (5%), pneumonia (4%), and vomiting (4%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of ABRAXANE were peripheral neuropathy (8%), fatigue (4%), and thrombocytopenia (2%)
The most common adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction of ABRAXANE are neutropenia (10%) and peripheral neuropathy (6%)
The most common adverse reactions leading to withholding or delay in ABRAXANE dosing are neutropenia (16%), thrombocytopenia (12%), fatigue (8%), peripheral neuropathy (15%), anemia (5%), and diarrhea (5%)
Other selected adverse reactions with a ≥5% higher incidence for all-grade toxicity in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared to the gemcitabine group, respectively, are asthenia (19%, 13%), mucositis (10%, 4%), dysgeusia (16%, 8%), headache (14%, 9%), hypokalemia (12%, 7%), cough (17%, 7%), epistaxis (15%, 3%), urinary tract infection (11%, 5%), pain in extremity (11%, 6%), arthralgia (11%, 3%), myalgia (10%, 4%), and depression (12%, 6%)
Other selected adverse reactions with a ≥2% higher incidence for Grade 3-4 toxicity in the ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group compared to the gemcitabine group are thrombocytopenia (13%, 9%), asthenia (7%, 4%), and hypokalemia (4%, 1%)
Postmarketing Experience With ABRAXANE and Other Paclitaxel Formulations

Severe and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with ABRAXANE. The use of ABRAXANE in patients previously exhibiting hypersensitivity to paclitaxel injection or human albumin has not been studied
There have been reports of congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction, and atrioventricular block with ABRAXANE, primarily among individuals with underlying cardiac history or prior exposure to cardiotoxic drugs
There have been reports of extravasation of ABRAXANE. Given the possibility of extravasation, it is advisable to monitor closely the ABRAXANE infusion site for possible infiltration during drug administration
DRUG INTERACTIONS

Caution should be exercised when administering ABRAXANE concomitantly with medicines known to inhibit or induce either CYP2C8 or CYP3A4
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether paclitaxel is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother
Pediatric

The safety and effectiveness of ABRAXANE in pediatric patients have not been evaluated
Geriatric

A higher incidence of epistaxis, diarrhea, dehydration, fatigue, and peripheral edema was found in patients 65 years or older who received ABRAXANE for MBC in a pooled analysis of clinical studies
Myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, and arthralgia were more frequent in patients ≥65 years of age treated with ABRAXANE and carboplatin in NSCLC
Diarrhea, decreased appetite, dehydration, and epistaxis were more frequent in patients 65 years or older compared with patients younger than 65 years old who received ABRAXANE and gemcitabine in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas
Renal Impairment

There are insufficient data to permit dosage recommendations in patients with severe renal impairment or end stage renal disease (estimated creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min)
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Do not administer ABRAXANE to any patient with total bilirubin greater than 5 x ULN or AST greater than 10 x ULN
For MBC and NSCLC, reduce starting dose in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment
For adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, do not administer ABRAXANE to patients who have moderate to severe hepatic impairment
Dose reductions or discontinuation may be needed based on severe hematologic, neurologic, cutaneous, or gastrointestinal toxicity
Monitor patients closely
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.

Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for full European prescribing information.