ME NewsWire/Business Wire
SUMMIT, N.J. - Monday, June 2nd 2014
2014 ASCO Annual Meeting
Celgene
Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) today announced updated Overall Survival
(OS) results from a post-hoc analysis of its phase III MPACT (Metastatic
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial) study of ABRAXANE®
(paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension)
(albumin-bound) in combination with gemcitabine in treatment-naïve
patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. A poster discussion of the
analysis is scheduled for Sunday, June 1st at 11:30 am CT at the 50th
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago,
Ill.
The extended data cutoff occurred at final database lock in
May 2013 and allowed for an OS analysis of mature data from 90% of the
patients in the study. The extended analysis showed that ABRAXANE plus
gemcitabine demonstrated an improvement in OS in the intent-to-treat
population compared to patients that received gemcitabine alone [(median
OS of 8.7 vs. 6.6. months) (HR0.72, P<0.0001), a difference of 2.1
months]. The analysis showed survival up to 3.5 years in the ABRAXANE
plus gemcitabine group (3% of patients alive vs 0% with gemcitabine
alone). One- and 2- year survival rates were consistent with the primary
analysis.
The analysis also showed that the treatment effect on
OS for pre-specified subgroups analyzed in the trial remained consistent
across patient subgroups. Specifically, patients with Karnofsky
Performance Status (KPS) KPS 90-100 had a higher median OS on ABRAXANE
plus gemcitabine as compared to gemcitabine alone [median OS 9.7 months
vs. 7.9 months (HR 0.77, P=0.0053)]. Patients with KPS 70-80 also
maintained a benefit [median OS 7.6 months vs. 4.3 months (HR 0.59,
P<0.0001)].
This updated analysis also evaluated the
prognostic effects of CA19-9 and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).
Both elevated CA19-9 and elevated NLR were associated with poorer
survival. Further, treatment with ABRAXANE plus gemcitabine appeared to
reduce the effect of CA19-9 as a poor prognostic factor, as similar
overall survival was observed regardless of CA19-9 level.
In the
MPACT study, the most common grade = 3 treatment-related adverse events
in the study for ABRAXANE plus gemcitabine vs. gemcitabine alone were
neutropenia, peripheral neuropathy and fatigue. In the ABRAXANE plus
gemcitabine arm 17% of patients had grade 3 peripheral neuropathy (no
cases of grade 4; 54% had any-grade peripheral neuropathy). Seven
percent of patients on the ABRAXANE plus gemcitabine arm that received
the average treatment duration experienced Grade 3 neuropathy. The
median time to improvement of grade 3 peripheral neuropathy to grade = 1
was 29 days, and 44% of patients resumed treatment with ABRAXANE. Grade
= 3 fatigue occurred in 18% of patients. The primary results of the
MPACT study from the pre-specified analysis from September 2012 were
published in the New England Journal of Medicine in the October 31st
2013 edition.
Details of the poster presentation at ASCO:
Abstract: #4027/Poster #46: Analyses of updated overall survival (OS)
and prognostic effect of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and CA
19-9 from the phase III MPACT study of nab-paclitaxel (nab-P) plus
gemcitabine (Gem) versus Gem for patients (pts) with metastatic
pancreatic cancer (PC). Poster: Sunday, June 1st, 8:00–11:00AM CDT,
Location: E 354b; Poster discussion: Sunday, June 1st, 11:30AM–12:45PM
CDT, Location: E Hall D2.
These results are from a post-hoc investigational analysis.
About the MPACT Study
In
the MPACT (Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial) study, a
Celgene-sponsored, open-label, randomized, international study, a total
of 861 patients were randomized 1:1 (431 patients to the
ABRAXANE/gemcitabine group and 430 patients to the gemcitabine group).
The primary endpoint for the study was overall survival. Secondary
endpoints were progression-free survival and overall response rate
determined by independent radiological review. Other endpoints included
progression-free survival and overall response rate as determined by the
investigator, and the safety and tolerability of the combination in
this patient population.
About Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic
cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S.
and Europe. The pancreas is composed of two main cell types: exocrine
and endocrine. Adenocarcinoma is a sub-type of exocrine tumors and
accounts for about 95% of cancers of the pancreas. For all stages of
pancreatic cancer combined, the five-year survival rate in U.S. is about
6% and 5.7% in the EU. For metastatic pancreatic cancer, the five-year
survival is approximately 1% in the U.S.
About ABRAXANE®
ABRAXANE
is an albumin-bound form of paclitaxel that is manufactured using
patented nab® technology. ABRAXANE is formulated with albumin, a human
protein, and is free of solvents.
In September 2013, the U.S. 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.
Important Safety Information Based on Approved U.S. Label
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 a clinical study, Grade 3-4
neutropenia occurred in 38% of patients with pancreatic cancer
Monitor for myelotoxicity by performing complete blood cell counts
frequently, including prior to dosing on Days 1, 8, and 15 for
pancreatic cancer
Do not administer ABRAXANE to patients with baseline absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) of less than 1500 cells/mm3
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 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
For pancreatic adenocarcinoma, ABRAXANE is not recommended for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment
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
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
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
The use of ABRAXANE has not been studied in patients with renal impairment
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Withhold ABRAXANE if bilirubin =1.26 x ULN or if AST > 10 x ULN
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 at
http://abraxane.com/downloads/Abraxane_PrescribingInformation.pdf
About Celgene
Celgene
Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated
global pharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery,
development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the
treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein
regulation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com. Follow
us on Twitter @Celgene as well.
Forward-Looking Statements
This
press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally
statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can
be identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes,"
"intends," "estimates," "plans," "will," “outlook” and similar
expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s
current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as
of the date they are made. Celgene Corporation undertakes no obligation
to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or
future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking
statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are
difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual
results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the
forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of
factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in Celgene
Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other reports filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts
For Celgene:
Investors:
908-673-9628
investors@celgene.com
Media:
908-673-2275
media@celgene.com
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