"We focus on blood cancers that have high unmet medical need, such as multiple myeloma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, to make a positive impact for patients who desperately need more options," said
Key data include findings from clinical trials in multiple myeloma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Waldenström macroglobulinemia and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Notable abstracts and satellite symposia of interest include:
Kyprolis
In multiple myeloma, full results will be presented as a late-breaking oral presentation from the Phase 3 head-to-head ENDEAVOR trial evaluating Kyprolis and dexamethasone compared to Velcade® (bortezomib) and dexamethasone, as well as results from the Phase 1/2 CHAMPION-1 study and a secondary analysis from the pivotal Phase 3 ASPIRE study.
BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab)
Blinatumomab data at EHA will focus on targeted patient populations within relapsed/refractory ALL to better understand response to treatment.
Oprozomib
Updated results will be featured from three dose escalation studies of oprozomib, a novel oral proteasome inhibitor; one in combination with dexamethasone in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma, and two as a single agent in patients with hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma and Waldenström macroglobulinemia, respectively.
Nplate
Interim results from the PLATON trial, an observational clinical practice study of Nplate in patients with ITP, will be presented, focusing on the effect of Nplate on platelet counts in ITP patients in clinical practice, as well as the tolerability of Nplate.
About Kyprolis® (carfilzomib) for Injection
On July 20, 2012, the U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval of Kyprolis for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory agent (IMiD) and have demonstrated disease progression on or within 60 days of completion of the last therapy. Approval was based on response rate. Clinical benefit, such as improvement in survival or symptoms, has not been verified. Kyprolis is under regulatory review by the
Kyprolis is a product of Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Onyx Pharmaceuticals is a subsidiary of Amgen and holds development and commercialization rights to Kyprolis globally, excluding Japan. Kyprolis is also approved for use in Argentina, Israel and Mexico. For more information about Kyprolis, visit www.kyprolis.com.
Important Safety Information Regarding Kyprolis® (carfilzomib) for Injection
This safety information is specific to the current U.S. approved indication, which is based on Phase 2 studies.
Safety data have been evaluated in 526 patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma who received single-agent Kyprolis. There were 37 deaths in the Phase 2 studies, or 7 percent of patients. The most common causes of death, other than disease progression, were cardiac events (5 patients), end-organ failure (4 patients) and infection (4 patients). Important warnings and precautions include cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary complications, infusion reactions, tumor lysis syndrome, thrombocytopenia, hepatic toxicity, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura / hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS), posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), and embryo-fetal toxicity.
Death due to cardiac arrest has occurred within a day of Kyprolis administration. Patients with New York Heart Association Class III and IV heart failure, myocardial infarction in the preceding 6 months and conduction abnormalities uncontrolled by medications were not eligible for the clinical trials. These patients may be at greater risk for cardiac complications.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was reported in 2 percent of patients treated with Kyprolis and was Grade 3 or greater in less than 1 percent of patients. Dyspnea was reported in 35 percent of patients enrolled in clinical trials. Grade 3 dyspnea occurred in 5 percent; no Grade 4 events and 1 death (Grade 5) was reported.
Infusion reactions, characterized by a spectrum of systemic symptoms including fever, chills, arthralgia, myalgia, facial flushing, facial edema, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, hypotension, syncope, chest tightness, or angina can occur immediately following or up to 24 hours after administration of Kyprolis. Administration of dexamethasone prior to Kyprolis reduces the incidence and severity of reactions. Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) occurred following Kyprolis administration in <1 percent of patients. Patients with multiple myeloma and a high tumor burden should be considered to be at greater risk for TLS.
Thrombocytopenia following Kyprolis administration resulted in a dose reduction in 1 percent of patients and discontinuation of treatment with Kyprolis in <1 percent of patients.
Cases of hepatic failure, including fatal cases, have been reported (<1 percent). Kyprolis can cause elevations of serum transaminases and bilirubin.
Cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) including fatal outcome have been reported in patients who received KYPROLIS.
PRES, formerly termed Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), is a neurological disorder, which can present with seizure, headache, lethargy, confusion, blindness, altered consciousness, and other visual and neurological disturbances, along with hypertension, and the diagnosis is confirmed by neuro-radiological imaging (MRI). Cases of PRES have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women using Kyprolis. Females of reproductive potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with Kyprolis.
The most common serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, acute renal failure, pyrexia and congestive heart failure. The most common adverse reactions (incidence of 30 percent or greater) observed in clinical trials of patients with multiple myeloma were fatigue, anemia, nausea, thrombocytopenia, dyspnea, diarrhea and pyrexia. Serious adverse reactions were reported in 45 percent of patients.
Full prescribing information is available at www.kyprolis.com.
About BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab)
BLINCYTO is the first
Important U.S. Product Information
BLINCYTO is indicated for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
This indication is approved under accelerated approval. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in subsequent trials.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGICAL TOXICITIES
Contraindications
BLINCYTO is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to blinatumomab or to any component of the product formulation.
Warnings and Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Dosage and Administration Guidelines
Please see full Prescribing Information and medication guide for BLINCYTO at www.BLINCYTO.com.
About Nplate® (romiplostim)
Nplate is approved in over 50 countries worldwide, including the U.S.,
Nplate is the first
In the U.S., Nplate is indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins or splenectomy. Nplate is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or any cause of thrombocytopenia other than chronic ITP. Nplate should be used only in patients with ITP whose degree of thrombocytopenia and clinical condition increase the risk for bleeding. Nplate should not be used in an attempt to normalize platelet counts.
In the EU, Nplate is indicated for the treatment of splenectomized adult chronic ITP patients who are refractory to other treatments (e.g., corticosteroids, immunoglobulins). Nplate may be considered as a second-line treatment for adult non-splenectomized ITP patients for whom surgery is contraindicated.
Nplate was named as a recipient of the U.S. Prix Galien 2009 "Best Biotechnology Product" award and also received the 2009 Scrip Awards for "Best New Drug." Nplate has also been honored with numerous awards throughout the EU, including a 2010 Prix Galien in
For more information about Nplate, please visit www.Nplate.com.
Important U.S. Nplate Safety Information
The USPI for Nplate lists the following Warnings and Precautions: The risks associated with Nplate include progression of MDS to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in patients with MDS, thrombotic/thromboembolic complications, and lack or loss of response to Nplate. The USPI also notes that Nplate administration may increase the risk for development or progression of reticulin fiber formation within the bone marrow. In the placebo-controlled studies, headache was the most commonly reported adverse drug reaction.
Important EU Nplate Safety Information
The EU Summary of Product Characteristics for Nplate lists the following Special Warnings and Precautions: Reoccurrence of thrombocytopenia and bleeding after cessation of treatment, increased bone marrow reticulin, thrombotic/thromboembolic complications, progression of existing MDS (in patients with MDS), medication errors, loss of response to Nplate, and effects on red and white blood cells.
The most common adverse reactions observed include hypersensitivity reactions (including cases of rash, urticarial and angioedema) and headache. As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity.
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