On June 9, 2017 XBiotech Inc. (NASDAQ:XBIT) reported that an Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) has performed its second prospectively planned, unblinded analysis of the Phase 3 XCITE study for the Company’s novel candidate antibody therapy for the treatment of colorectal cancer (Press release, XBiotech, JUN 9, 2017, View Source [SID1234519485]). The IDMC had no safety concerns from the unblinded analysis. However, the committee recommended the early termination of the study since the findings were not sufficient to meet efficacy or the threshold for continuation, which involved a prospectively defined acceptance boundary for the interim analysis of less than or equal to p = 0.08. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! John Simard, XBiotech President & CEO stated, "We are obviously disappointed with these findings. In the coming weeks, the Company plans to analyze the data extensively to further understand the primary and secondary endpoint data, as well as to identify populations that may have benefited from the therapy. These findings today will not affect our efforts to pursue approval of the therapy based on the successful completion of the European study, which demonstrated control of debilitating symptoms in colorectal cancer."
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Patients enrolled in the XCITE study were randomized 2:1 to receive Xilonix or placebo plus, in each case, best supportive care. Advanced colorectal cancer patients were required to have previous failed regimens that included flouropyrimidines, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and Cetuximab (or Panitumumab for patients with KRAS mutation). Patients were expected to continue in the study until there was evidence of radiographic progression. The patients were to be followed for up to 18 months in order to determine overall survival. The primary endpoint of this study was overall survival, with secondary endpoints including objective response rate, progression free survival, change in lean body mass and patient reported quality of life measures.
About True Human Therapeutic Antibodies
XBiotech’s True Human antibodies are derived without modification from individuals who possess natural immunity to certain diseases. With discovery and clinical programs across multiple disease areas, XBiotech’s True Human antibodies have the potential to harness the body’s natural immunity to fight disease with increased safety, efficacy and tolerability.
Astellas and Pfizer Announce Amendment to Clinical Research Protocol for Phase 3 PROSPER Trial of enzalutamide in Patients with Non-metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (pdf 446KB)
On June 9, 2017 Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Yoshihiko Hatanaka, "Astellas") and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported the amendment of the protocol for the registrational PROSPER trial, a multi-national, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of XTANDI (enzalutamide) in patients with non-metastatic (M0) Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) (Press release, Astellas, JUN 9, 2017, View Source [SID1234519482]). The primary endpoint remains the same: metastasis-free survival (MFS). The main purpose of the amendment is to revise the plan for the analyses of the primary and several secondary endpoints, which allows for a reduction in the target sample size to approximately 1,440, from 1,560 patients. The companies now anticipate PROSPER top-line results will be disclosed later this year. Previously the expected primary completion date for PROSPER was June 2019. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! "XTANDI is already a standard of care for men worldwide fighting metastatic castrationresistant prostate cancer, but we are continually looking to evaluate this medicine for men facing earlier stage disease," said Steven Benner, M.D., senior vice president and global therapeutic area head, oncology development, Astellas. "By amending the protocol for PROSPER, we hope to be able to accelerate the evaluation of the data in this area of medical need."
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"PROSPER is one of a number of large, randomized trials in our robust, registration-focused development program, where we are evaluating enzalutamide in different prostate cancer populations, including men with earlier stages of the disease," said Mace Rothenberg, MD, chief development officer, Oncology, Pfizer Global Product Development. "We look forward to 2 building upon the extensive body of clinical evidence that has been generated over the past five years and established XTANDI as a standard of care for men with metastatic CRPC."
XTANDI is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with metastatic CRPC, based on clinical studies showing statistically significant overall survival benefit versus placebo.
Details regarding the protocol amendment for PROSPER (NCT02003924) will be available on ClinicalTrials.gov.
About XTANDI (enzalutamide) capsules
XTANDI (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor that blocks multiple steps in the androgen receptor signaling pathway within the tumor cell. In preclinical studies, enzalutamide has been shown to competitively inhibit androgen binding to androgen receptors, and inhibit androgen receptor nuclear translocation and interaction with DNA. The clinical significance of this mechanism of action (MOA) is unknown.
Important Safety Information
Contraindications XTANDI is not indicated for women. XTANDI can cause fetal harm and potential loss of pregnancy.
Warnings and Precautions
Seizure occurred in 0.5% of patients receiving XTANDI in clinical studies. In placebocontrolled studies, 8 of 1671 (0.5%) patients treated with XTANDI and 1 of 1243 (0.1%) patients treated with placebo experienced a seizure. In patients who previously received docetaxel, 7 of 800 (0.9%) patients treated with XTANDI experienced a seizure and no patients treated with placebo experienced a seizure. In a placebo-controlled study in chemotherapy-naïve patients, 1 of 871 (0.1%) treated with XTANDI and 1 of 844 (0.1%) patients treated with placebo experienced a seizure. In bicalutamide-controlled studies conducted in chemotherapy-naïve patients, 3 of 380 (0.8%) patients treated with XTANDI and 1 of 387 (0.3%) patients treated with bicalutamide experienced a seizure. Permanently discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop a seizure during treatment.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) In post approval use, there have been reports of PRES in patients receiving XTANDI. PRES is a neurological disorder which can present with rapidly evolving symptoms including seizure, headache, lethargy, confusion, blindness, and other visual and neurological disturbances, with or without associated hypertension. A diagnosis of PRES requires confirmation by brain imaging, preferably MRI. Discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop PRES.
Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) that occurred more commonly (≥ 2% over placebo) in the XTANDI patients from the two placebo-controlled clinical trials were asthenia/fatigue, back pain, decreased appetite, constipation, arthralgia, diarrhea, hot flush, upper respiratory tract infection, peripheral edema, dyspnea, musculoskeletal pain, weight decreased, headache, hypertension, and dizziness/vertigo. In the bicalutamide-controlled study of chemotherapy naïve patients, the most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) reported in XTANDI patients were asthenia/fatigue, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, hot flush, 3 hypertension, nausea, constipation, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, and weight loss.
In the study of patients taking XTANDI who previously received docetaxel, Grade 3 and higher adverse reactions were reported among 47% of XTANDI patients and 53% of placebo patients. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported for 16% of XTANDI patients and 18% of placebo patients. In the placebo-controlled study of chemotherapy-naïve patients, Grade 3-4 adverse reactions were reported in 44% of XTANDI patients and 37% of placebo patients. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported for 6% of both study groups. In the bicalutamide-controlled study of chemotherapy naïve patients, Grade 3-4 adverse reactions were reported in 38.8% of XTANDI patients and 37.6% of bicalutamide patients. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported for 7.6% of XTANDI patients and 6.3% of bicalutamide patients.
Lab Abnormalities: In the two placebo-controlled trials Grade 1-4 neutropenia occurred in 15% of XTANDI patients (1% Grade 3-4) and 6% of placebo patients (0.5% Grade 3-4). Grade 1-4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 6% of XTANDI patients (0.3% Grade 3-4) and 5% of placebo patients (0.5% Grade 3-4). Grade 1-4 elevations in ALT occurred in 10% of XTANDI patients (0.2% Grade 3-4) and 16% of placebo patients (0.2% Grade 3-4). Grade 1-4 elevations in bilirubin occurred in 3% of XTANDI patients (0.1% Grade 3-4) and 2% of placebo patients (no Grade 3-4).
Infections: In a study of patients taking XTANDI who previously received docetaxel, 1% of XTANDI patients compared to 0.3% of placebo patients died from infections or sepsis. In the placebo-controlled study of chemotherapy-naïve patients, 1 patient in each treatment group (0.1%) had an infection resulting in death.
Falls (including fall-related injuries) occurred in 9% of XTANDI patients and 4% of placebo patients in the two placebo-controlled trials. Falls were not associated with loss of consciousness or seizure. Fall-related injuries were more severe in XTANDI patients, and included non-pathologic fractures, joint injuries, and hematomas. Hypertension occurred in 11% of XTANDI patients and 4% of placebo patients in the two placebo-controlled trials. No patients experienced hypertensive crisis. Medical history of hypertension was balanced between arms. Hypertension led to study discontinuation in < 1% of all patients in each arm.
Drug Interactions
Effect of Other Drugs on XTANDI Avoid strong CYP2C8 inhibitors, as they can increase the plasma exposure to XTANDI. If co-administration is necessary, reduce the dose of XTANDI. Avoid strong CYP3A4 inducers as they can decrease the plasma exposure to XTANDI. If coadministration is necessary, increase the dose of XTANDI.
Effect of XTANDI on Other Drugs Avoid CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index, as XTANDI may decrease the plasma exposures of these drugs. If XTANDI is co-administered with warfarin (CYP2C9 substrate), conduct additional INR monitoring.
Inovio Begins Phase 3 Clinical Trial of VGX-3100 for the Treatment of HPV-Related Cervical Pre-Cancer
On June 8, 2017 Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:INO) reported that it has commenced its phase 3 clinical program to evaluate the efficacy of Inovio’s DNA-based immunotherapy, VGX-3100, to treat cervical dysplasia caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) (Press release, Inovio, JUN 8, 2017, View Source [SID1234519479]). Inovio’s study will assess the efficacy of VGX-3100 in regressing cervical HSIL (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions), a direct precursor to cervical cancer, and eliminating the HPV infection that causes these lesions. The pivotal data from this program will support the potential licensure of VGX-3100 as the first immunotherapy for this disease.
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Inovio satisfied the FDA’s request for information relating to its CELLECTRA 5PSP delivery device, resulting in the FDA removing the clinical hold on this program. Inovio plans to immediately begin recruiting patients for the phase 3 trial.
Inovio’s phase 3 program, named REVEAL (Randomized Evaluation of VGX-3100 and Electroporation for the Treatment of Cervical HSIL), will consist of a primary study (REVEAL 1) and confirmatory study (REVEAL 2), as per FDA general guidance for phase 3 programs, to be conducted in parallel. The studies will each enroll 198 patients in more than 100 study centers globally. Mark Einstein, MD, MS, FACS, FACOG, Professor and Chair Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health Assistant Dean, Clinical Research Unit, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, is Principal Investigator for the studies.
The REVEAL studies are prospective, randomized (2:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating adult women with HPV 16/18 positive biopsy-proven cervical HSIL, otherwise known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3. The primary endpoint is regression of cervical HSIL AND virologic clearance of HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 in the cervix. The studies will evaluate cervical tissue changes at approximately 9 months after beginning a three dose regimen of VGX-3100 administered at months 0, 1, and 3. Secondary endpoints include safety; tolerability; regression of CIN 2/3 to CIN 1 or normal; virologic clearance of HPV; efficacy measured by non-progression to cancer; and clearance of HPV from non-cervical anatomic locations.
VGX-3100 has the potential to be the first treatment for HPV infection of the cervix and the first non-surgical treatment for pre-cancerous cervical lesions. VGX-3100 stimulates a specific immune response to HPV-16 and HPV-18, targeting the infection and destroying pre-cancerous cells. There are no treatments available for HPV infection and surgery is the only approved treatment for cervical HSIL. While surgery is effective at removing dysplastic lesions, it does not treat the underlying HPV infection and carries increased risk of cervical incompetence and pre-term birth, which can result in fetal morbidity and mortality. VGX-3100 demonstrated in a phase 2b study (published in The Lancet) its ability to clear HPV-16 and HPV-18 infection and pre-cancerous lesions.
Dr. Mark Bagarazzi, Inovio’s Chief Medical Officer, said, "Despite the availability of preventive HPV vaccines for over a decade, HPV-related cervical HSIL and cancers remain a widely prevalent problem. Unfortunately, current treatments are invasive and do not address the underlying HPV infection. VGX-3100 has the potential to be a first-in-class HPV-specific immunotherapy offering women the prospect of preventing cervical cancer without undergoing an invasive surgical procedure that may compromise their reproductive health. We are pleased to be able to immediately begin recruiting patients at the first 15 sites by the end of this month."
Dr. J. Joseph Kim, Inovio’s President and CEO, said, "Initiating our REVEAL phase 3 program marks a milestone for Inovio, for the next generation of DNA-based immunotherapies, and for women’s health. Combining this first phase 3 program with our previously announced phase 2 clinical trial of VGX-3100 for HPV-related vulvar neoplasia and our checkpoint inhibitor-based combination study with MedImmune/AstraZeneca targeting HPV associated cancers, Inovio is well positioned to comprehensively treat HPV-associated diseases across the continuum of HPV infection through to cancer in both men and women. Adding our recently announced collaborative immuno-oncology combination studies with Regeneron and Genentech, 2017 is a transformative year that is laying the foundation for multiple opportunities for important efficacy data."
About HPV and Cervical HSIL
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with over 14 million new infections annually. While many of these are transient infections, persistent high-risk infections can cause the formation of pre-cancerous lesions. Left untreated, women diagnosed with cervical HSIL are at increased risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers, with more than 400,000 new cases of HPV 16/18 cervical HSIL annually in the US and Europe. Cervical cancer is a major global health problem, causing 260,000 deaths annually. While cervical HSIL and cervical cancer are the most well-known HPV related diseases, HPV is also a major cause of HSIL and cancer in the entire anogenital region and oropharynx. Currently there are no treatments available for HPV infection and surgery is the only approved treatment for cervical HSIL. While surgery is effective at removing lesions, it does not treat the underlying HPV infection and it carries increased risk of cervical incompetence and pre-term birth, which can result in fetal morbidity and mortality.
About VGX-3100
VGX-3100 is a DNA-based immunotherapy under investigation for the treatment of HPV-16 and HPV-18 infection and pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix (phase 3) and vulva (phase 2). VGX-3100 has the potential to be the first approved treatment for HPV infection of the cervix and the first non-surgical treatment for pre-cancerous cervical lesions. VGX-3100 works by stimulating a specific immune response to HPV-16 and HPV-18, which targets the infection and causes destruction of pre-cancerous cells. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b study in 167 adult women with histologically documented HPV 16/18 cervical HSIL (CIN2/3), treatment with VGX-3100 resulted in a statistically significantly greater decrease in cervical HSIL and clearance of HPV infection vs. placebo. The most common side effect was injection site pain, and no serious adverse events were reported. VGX-3100 utilizes the patient’s own immune system to clear HPV-16 and HPV-18 infection and pre-cancerous lesions without the increased risks associated with surgery, such as loss of reproductive health and negative psychosocial impacts.
2X ONCOLOGY OBTAINS INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG APPLICATION FOR 2X-111 GLUTATHIONE ENHANCED PEGYLATED LIPOSOMAL DOXORUBICIN
On June 8, 2017 2X Oncology, Inc. ("2X" or the "Company"), a precision medicine company developing targeted therapeutics to address significant unmet needs in women’s cancer, reported that it has obtained the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for 2X-111 (doxorubicin hydrochloride and glutathione) from 2-BBB Medicines B.V., assuming all future development and ownership of the drug (Press release, 2X Oncology, JUN 8, 2017, View Source [SID1234526104]).
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2X-111 is being developed as a new treatment option for women with brain metastases from breast cancer and for patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an orphan-designated condition.
George O. Elston, CEO of 2X Oncology, said, "Having this IND in place is an important step as we focus on initiating Phase 2 clinical trials of 2X-111 in GBM and brain metastases from breast cancer later this year.
"These studies will employ our proprietary DRP companion diagnostic to identify patients based on their unique tumor mRNA expression and treat those most likely to respond to and benefit from therapy," Mr. Elston added.
"Patient selection based on the unique genetic properties of a tumor is an important new direction in the treatment of cancer, and we are pleased to have this capability for our programs and patients."
The Drug Response Predictor (DRP) technology utilizes messenger RNA (mRNA) from patient biopsies and uses proprietary analytics to create a unique fingerprint of relevant genes based on a tumor’s sensitivity, or resistance, to a compound. DRPs are specific for each product and have been validated in over 40 clinical studies.
"We expect data from these studies in 2018 which, if positive, can position this program for possible accelerated approval filings shortly thereafter," Mr. Elston concluded.
Formerly known as 2B3-101, 2X-111 improves on commercially available PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin products with an additional glutathione coating that safely enhances drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier. Doxorubicin is an anthracycline that inhibits the growth of many cancerous cell lines, including glioblastoma and breast cancer cell lines. It is among the most widely used anti-cancer agents.
An abstract on the predictive ability of the DRP in treating advanced breast cancer with a similar anthracycline, epirubicin, was presented in a poster session at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.
The abstract describes a retrospective-prospective blinded study which evaluated the ability of the DRP to predict the efficacy of epirubicin in a cohort of 135 metastatic breast cancer patients. The DRP was significantly associated with progression free survival in this study. The estimated median time to progression for a patient with a DRP value of 25% was 7 months, versus 13 months for a patient with a DRP value of 75%.
Mr. Elston will discuss 2X-111 and other 2X pipeline drugs at the Jefferies 2017 Global Healthcare Conference on June 9, 2017, at 10:00am EDT. The presentation will be available as a live webcast and archived for post-listening on the Company’s website.
About Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
Breast cancer is the second most common common cause of brain metastases, with metastases occurring in 10–16 % of patients[1]. Patients who develop brain metastases tend to have poor prognosis with short overall survival. Furthermore, brain metastases are a major cause of morbidity, associated with progressive neurologic deficits that result in a reduced quality of life.
About Glioblastoma Multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common class of malignant primary brain tumors and one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. This highly invasive and proliferative cancer resists standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Current therapeutic strategies for the treatment of GBM fail to demonstrate adequate efficacy and/or are generally palliative. Median overall survival is 12 to 14 months
OncoSec Granted Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA for the Treatment of Unresectable Metastatic Melanoma
On June 8, 2017 OncoSec Medical Incorporated ("OncoSec") (NASDAQ: ONCS), a company developing DNA-based intratumoral cancer immunotherapies, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation for pIL-12, otherwise known as tavokinogene telsaplasmid, for the treatment of unresectable metastatic melanoma (Press release, OncoSec Medical, JUN 8, 2017, View Source [SID1234519481]). Tavokinogene telsaplasmid is the active biologic agent in OncoSec’s lead product candidate, ImmunoPulse IL-12. The Orphan Drug status will provide OncoSec with eligibility for certain development incentives, including tax credits for clinical testing, exemption from a prescription drug user fee, and seven years of market exclusivity. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! "This is an important regulatory milestone for OncoSec as we advance ImmunoPulse IL-12 toward commercialization," said Punit Dhillon, CEO and President of OncoSec. "We are diligently working to address a significant unmet medical need in melanoma patients who are progressing or have progressed after treatment with anti-PD-1."
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OncoSec is initiating the registration-directed PISCES trial, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ImmunoPulse IL-12 and the approved anti-PD-1 agent, pembrolizumab, in patients with metastatic melanoma following disease progression on previous treatment with an anti-PD-1 therapy.
The FDA grants Orphan Drug Designation status to products that treat rare diseases, providing incentives to sponsors developing drugs or biologics. The FDA defines rare diseases as those affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. at any given time. For a drug to qualify for orphan drug designation both the drug and the disease must meet certain criteria specified in Section 525 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 USC 360aa). The receipt of Orphan Drug Designation status does not change the regulatory requirements or process for obtaining marketing approval.
About PISCES
PISCES (Anti-PD-1 IL-12 Stage III/IV Combination Electroporation Study) will be a Phase II multicenter study of ImmunoPulse IL-12 in combination with KEYTRUDA in patients with histological diagnosis of melanoma with progressive locally advanced or metastatic disease defined as Stage III or Stage IV. Eligible patients will be those with Stage III/IV metastatic melanoma who are progressing or have progressed on an approved anti-PD-1 therapy. The primary endpoint for this registration-directed trial is best overall response rate (BORR).