On September 11, 2018 The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson reported the publication of new patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data demonstrating that adding ERLEADA (apalutamide) to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) who were at high-risk for development of metastases did not have a significant impact on individuals’ overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, SEP 11, 2018, View Source [SID1234529399]). These data from the pivotal SPARTAN study, in which ERLEADA significantly prolonged median metastasis-free survival (MFS), while preserving HRQoL, and delaying the decrease in HRQoL associated with symptomatic progression, were published today in The Lancet Oncology.
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"Prostate cancer treatment can often result in unwelcomed side effects that can impact or disrupt patients’ everyday lives," said Fred Saad, M.D., FRCS, Professor and Chairman of Urology, University of Montreal Hospital Center, and SPARTAN investigator and author of the study. "As clinicians, we want to monitor and measure the impact of new treatments to see if there is an effect on patients’ overall health and well-being. The fact that a treatment such as apalutamide can be added to current standard of care, prolonging metastasis-free survival without significantly impacting HRQoL, is a significant advance for patients with nmCRPC and for clinicians who treat them."
In February 2018, ERLEADA received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of patients with nmCRPC, making it the first androgen receptor inhibitor approved for patients with this disease state in the U.S. The SPARTAN study was a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study conducted in 1,207 patients with nmCRPC and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time ≤10 months during
continuous ADT.
1 Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive ERLEADA in combination with ADT or placebo in combination with ADT.
1 All patients received a concomitant gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) agonist or had a bilateral orchiectomy. The primary endpoint of this study was MFS.
The Lancet Oncology publication includes prospective data from the treatment phase and the post-progression follow-up phase for the PRO exploratory endpoints as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Prostate (FACT-P) and the EuroQol fivedimension, three-level (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaires.1 The FACT-P PRO questionnaire assessed prostate cancer symptoms, pain-related symptoms and overall HRQoL.
1 The EQ-5D-3L questionnaire evaluated mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain, discomfort, anxiety or
depression and health-state.
"Men with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer are at significant risk for developing metastases and dying from the disease. To date, this patient population has been understudied, and data on health-related quality of life in such men are scarce," said Andree Amelsberg, M.D., Vice President, Oncology Medical Affairs, at Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC. "Patient-reported outcomes data are gaining importance as healthcare systems place greater emphasis on patient experience with treatment. Amongst men in this patient population, maintaining quality of life is an important endpoint. In this exploratory analysis of the SPARTAN results, we are pleased to see that patients reported they did not experience notable disruptive changes after ERLEADA was added to their standard of care."
About the SPARTAN Study
SPARTAN (NCT01946204) was a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, that evaluated ERLEADA in combination with ADT in men with nmCRPC with a rapidly rising PSA (PSADT≤10 months).2 The SPARTAN study enrolled 1,207 patients
who were randomized 2:1 to receive either ERLEADA orally at a dose of 240 mg once daily in combination with ADT (n=806) or placebo once daily in combination with ADT (n=401). Study results were announced earlier this year at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Genitourinary Annual Meeting Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU), and published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine. Warnings and Precautions include seizure, falls and fractures.2 In the SPARTAN study, the most common adverse reactions (≥10%) were fatigue, hypertension, rash, diarrhea, nausea, weight decreased, arthralgia, fall, hot flush, decreased appetite, fracture and peripheral edema.2
About Non-Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) refers to a disease stage when the cancer no longer responds to medical or surgical treatments that lower testosterone, but has not yet been discovered in other parts of the body using a total body bone scan or CT scan.3 Features include: lack of detectable metastatic disease;3
rapidly rising prostate-specific antigen while on ADT and serum testosterone level below 50 ng/dL.4,5 Ninety percent of patients with nmCRPC will eventually develop bone metastases, which can lead to pain, fractures and spinal cord compression.6 The relative five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed at a distant stage prostate cancer is 30
percent.7 It is critical to delay the onset of metastasis in patients with nmCRPC.
About ERLEADA
ERLEADA (apalutamide) is an androgen receptor (AR) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.2 The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Prostate Cancer include apalutamide as a treatment option for patients with non-metastatic (M0) CRPC with a category 1 recommendation (especially for those with a PSA doubling time ≤10 months)*.8
Additionally, the AUA Guidelines for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) were recently updated to include apalutamide (ERLEADA) with continued androgen deprivation as a treatment option for patients with asymptomatic nmCRPC. It is included as one of the options clinicians should offer to patients with nmCRPC who are at high-risk for developing metastatic disease (Standard; Evidence Level Grade A)**.9
*Category 1: Based upon high-level evidence, there is uniform NCCN consensus that the intervention is appropriate. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Prostate Cancer V.2.2018. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Accessed March 12, 2018. To view the most recent and complete version of the NCCN Guidelines, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use, or application, and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.
**Standard: Directive statement that an action should (benefits outweigh risks/burdens) or should not (risks/burdens outweigh benefits) be taken based on Grade A or B evidence.
**Evidence Level: A designation indicating the certainty of the results as high, moderate, or low (A, B, or C, respectively) based on AUA nomenclature and methodology.
INDICATION
ERLEADA (apalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. ERLEADA IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION2
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Pregnancy — ERLEADA (apalutamide) can cause fetal harm and potential loss of
pregnancy.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Falls and Fractures — In a randomized study (SPARTAN), falls and fractures occurred in 16% and 12% of patients treated with ERLEADA compared to 9% and 7% treated with placebo, respectively. Falls were not associated with loss of consciousness or seizure. Evaluate patients for fracture and fall risk. Monitor and manage patients at risk for
fractures according to established treatment guidelines and consider use of bone targeted agents.
Seizure — In a randomized study (SPARTAN), 2 patients (0.2%) treated with ERLEADA experienced a seizure. Permanently discontinue ERLEADA in patients who develop a seizure during treatment. It is unknown whether anti-epileptic medications will prevent seizures with ERLEADA. Advise patients of the risk of developing a seizure while receiving ERLEADA and of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause harm to themselves or others.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Adverse Reactions — The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) were fatigue, hypertension, rash, diarrhea, nausea, weight decreased, arthralgia, fall, hot flush, decreased appetite, fracture, and peripheral edema.
Laboratory Abnormalities — All Grades (Grade 3-4)
• Hematology — anemia ERLEADA 70% (0.4%), placebo 64% (0.5%); leukopenia ERLEADA 47% (0.3%), placebo 29% (0%); lymphopenia ERLEADA 41% (2%), placebo 21% (2%)
• Chemistry — hypercholesterolemia ERLEADA 76% (0.1%), placebo 46% (0%); hyperglycemia ERLEADA 70% (2%), placebo 59% (1%); hypertriglyceridemia ERLEADA 67% (2%), placebo 49% (0.8%); hyperkalemia ERLEADA 32% (2%), placebo 22% (0.5%)
Rash — Rash was most commonly described as macular or maculo-papular. Adverse reactions were 24% with ERLEADA versus 6% with placebo. Grade 3 rashes (defined as covering > 30% body surface area [BSA]) were reported with ERLEADA treatment (5%) versus placebo (0.3%).
The onset of rash occurred at a median of 82 days. Rash resolved in 81% of patients within a median of 60 days (range: 2 to 709 days) from onset of rash. Four percent of patients treated with ERLEADA received systemic corticosteroids. Rash recurred in approximately half of patients who were re-challenged with ERLEADA.Hypothyroidism was reported for 8% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 2% of patients treated with placebo based on assessments of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) every 4 months. Elevated TSH occurred in 25% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 7% of patients treated with placebo. The median onset was day 113. There were no Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions. Thyroid replacement therapy, when clinically indicated, should be initiated or dose-adjusted.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Effect of Other Drugs on ERLEADA — Co-administration of a strong CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 inhibitor is predicted to increase the steady-state exposure of the active moieties. No initial dose adjustment is necessary; however, reduce the ERLEADA dose based on tolerability [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].
Effect of ERLEADA on Other Drugs — ERLEADA is a strong inducer of CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, and a weak inducer of CYP2C9 in humans. Concomitant use of ERLEADA with medications that are primarily metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2C19, or CYP2C9 can result in lower exposure to these medications. Substitution for these medications is recommended when possible or evaluate for loss of activity if medication is continued. Concomitant administration ERLEADA with medications that are substrates of UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) can result in decreased exposure. Use caution if substrates of UGT must be co-administered with ERLEADA and evaluate for loss of activity.
P-gp, BCRP or OATP1B1 substrates — Apalutamide is a weak inducer of P-glycoprotein (P- gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) clinically. Concomitant use of ERLEADA with medications that are substrates of P-gp, BCRP, or OATP1B1 can result in lower exposure of these medications. Use caution if substrates of P-gp, BCRP or OATP1B1 must be co-administered with ERLEADA and evaluate for loss of activity if medication is continued.