U.S. FDA Grants Priority Review for a Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for XTANDI® (enzalutamide) in Non-Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)

On March 19, 2018 Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Yoshihiko Hatanaka, "Astellas") reported that a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for XTANDI (enzalutamide) has been accepted for filing and granted Priority Review designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Press release, Astellas Pharma US, MAR 19, 2018, View Source [SID1234525408]). If approved, the sNDA would expand the indication of XTANDI to include men with non-metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC), based on data from the Phase 3 PROSPER trial. XTANDI is currently indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic CRPC.

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The FDA grants Priority Review designation to applications for drugs that, if approved, may offer significant improvements in the safety and effectiveness of the treatment of serious conditions when compared to standard applications. Under Priority Review, the FDA aims to take action on an application within six months of receipt, as compared to ten months under standard review. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date assigned by the FDA is July 2018. In addition, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated the Type II Variation submitted for XTANDI seeking to expand the current indication to the same patient population and started the review process on March 5.
"Once cancer spreads and metastasizes, men with castration-resistant prostate cancer face a daunting prognosis and challenging odds," said Steven Benner, M.D., senior vice president and global therapeutic area head, Oncology Development, Astellas. "We’re pleased to see the FDA’s Priority Review designation as we work to potentially bring XTANDI to men living with non-metastatic CRPC."
"Treatment options have been limited for men with non-metastatic CRPC, in whom the only evidence of progressive disease is a rapidly rising PSA," said Mace Rothenberg, M.D., chief development officer, Oncology, Pfizer Global Product Development. "XTANDI is already established as a standard of care for men with metastatic CRPC. This milestone marks an important step toward our ability to bring XTANDI to CRPC patients in an earlier setting."
The PROSPER trial evaluated XTANDI plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) versus ADT alone in 1,401 patients with non-metastatic CRPC. The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that the use of XTANDI plus ADT significantly reduced the risk of developing metastasis or death compared to ADT alone. Adverse events in the PROSPER trial were higher in the enzalutamide plus ADT arm compared to ADT alone (87% vs. 77%), and were generally consistent with those reported in prior enzalutamide clinical trials in patients with metastatic CRPC. Results from the PROSPER trial were presented at the 2018 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU) in February.1 For more information on the PROSPER trial, go to www.clinicaltrials.gov.

The FDA approved XTANDI in 2012 for the treatment of patients with metastatic CRPC who had previously received docetaxel. In 2014, the FDA approved XTANDI to treat patients with metastatic CRPC.

About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide.2 More than 164,000 men in the United States are estimated to be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018.3 In the European Union, the estimated number of new prostate cancer cases in 2015 was 365,000.4
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) refers to the subset of men whose prostate cancer progresses despite castration levels of testosterone.5 Non-metastatic CRPC means there is no clinically detectable evidence of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body (metastases), and there is a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.6 Many men with non-metastatic CRPC and a rapidly rising PSA level go on to develop metastatic CRPC.7

About XTANDI (enzalutamide) capsules
XTANDI (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Important Safety Information for XTANDI
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 a study of patients with predisposing factors, seizures were reported in 2.2% of patients. See section 5.1 of the Prescribing Information for the list of predisposing factors. It is unknown whether anti-epileptic medications will prevent seizures with XTANDI. 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, hypertension, nausea, constipation, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, and weight loss.
In the placebo-controlled 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 the 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 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 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 co-administration 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.

Please see Full Prescribing Information for additional safety information.
About the Enzalutamide Development Program
Pfizer and Astellas are collaborating on a comprehensive development program that includes studies of enzalutamide across the full spectrum of advanced prostate cancer. Ongoing studies of enzalutamide in prostate cancer include the ARCHES trial in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and the EMBARK trial in non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer

Synlogic to Present Data at the American Association for Cancer Research 2018 Annual Meeting

On March 19, 2018 Synlogic, Inc., (Nasdaq: SYBX) a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company applying synthetic biology to probiotics to develop novel living medicines, reported that preclinical data from its immuno-oncology (IO) program will be presented at the upcoming annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) being held April 14 to 16, 2018, in Chicago (Press release, Synlogic, MAR 19, 2018, View Source [SID1234524892]).

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The two poster presentations featured at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) highlight the application of Synthetic Biotic medicines for the potential treatment of a variety of solid tumors. Abstracts can be found at www.aacr.org

Activation of Innate and Adaptive Immunity via Combinatorial Immunotherapy using Synthetic Biotic Medicines
Abstract Number: LB-131
Session Title:Late-Breaking Research: Immunology 1
Date/Time:Monday, April 16, 2018; 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central Time

Metabolic Modulation of the Tumor Microenvironment using Synthetic Biotic Medicines
Abstract Number: 2920
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: New Targets 2
Date/Time:Monday, April 16, 2018; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central Time
Session Location:McCormick Place South, Exhibit Hall A, Poster Section 40

Leap Therapeutics Provides DKN-01 Program Update and Announces Scientific Presentations at AACR Annual Meeting

On March 14, 2018 Leap Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:LPTX), a biotechnology company developing targeted and immuno-oncology therapeutics, reported its presented promising clinical data from the study evaluating DKN-01, Leap’s anti-DKK1 monoclonal antibody, as a monotherapy in patients with advanced esophagogastric cancer (Press release, Leap Therapeutics, MAR 19, 2018, View Source [SID1234524889]). In addition, Leap announced that the first patient has been enrolled in the study evaluating DKN-01 in patients with gynecological cancers. Leap also announced two upcoming scientific presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting.

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DKN-01 Monotherapy in Patients with Esophagogastric Cancer
Data presented today at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference included 16 patients with advanced esophagogastric cancer who were treated with DKN-01 monotherapy. Central imaging review identified two patients (12.5%) with a best response of a partial response and five patients (31.3%) with stable disease, representing a total disease control rate of 43.8%. This cohort of patients had received many different lines of prior therapy. One patient who had failed prior investigational immunotherapies, including a PD-L1 antagonist and IDO inhibitor, had a partial response on DKN-01 monotherapy and remained on study for over a year.

"The results of the DKN-01 monotherapy cohort demonstrate promising single agent activity in a very difficult to treat population of heterogeneous esophagogastric cancer. This data, in addition to the encouraging activity we have seen with DKN-01 in preclinical models and in patients in combination with chemotherapy, provides a strong foundation for our ongoing study in combination with the anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda," commented Cynthia Sirard, MD, Vice President of Clinical Development for Leap.

DKN-01 Gynecologic Malignancies Study

Leap also announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating DKN-01 as a monotherapy and in combination with paclitaxel chemotherapy in patients with advanced endometrioid gynecologic malignancies. The study is part of Leap’s strategy to treat cancer patients with documented mutations of the Wnt signaling pathway, a biomarker identified in patients who have responded to DKN-01 therapy. Data presented today by Leap demonstrates that uterine cancer patients with these mutations often have elevated intratumoral levels of DKK1.

"Mutations of the Wnt pathway, particularly beta-catenin, are highly prevalent in endometrioid gynecologic cancers, and often thought to be a driver of an aggressive subgroup of the disease," commented Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an investigator on the study. "We are excited to begin this trial of DKN-01, which has shown promising activity in patients with Wnt signaling mutations in other solid tumor malignancies."

The study is a Phase 2 basket study evaluating DKN-01 as a monotherapy and in combination with paclitaxel in patients with relapsed/refractory endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) or endometrioid ovarian cancer (EOC). The study contains four groups and is designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacodynamics of DKN-01 monotherapy and combination therapy in both EEC and EOC, with each group following a 2-stage Simon Minimax design. The study will enroll approximately 94 patients, of which ~ 50% will be required to have documented activating mutations of beta-catenin or other Wnt signaling alterations.

Upcoming Presentation at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting
Additionally, Leap announced two poster session presentations at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, being held April 14 – 18, 2018, in Chicago, IL.

Abstract Number and Title: 1710 / 5 – DKN-01, a therapeutic DKK1 neutralizing antibody, has immune modulatory activity in nonclinical tumor models

Session Title: Immune Response to Therapies 2

Session Date and Time: April 16, 2018, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Session Location: McCormick Place, Poster Section 32

Abstract Number and Title: 1699 / 24 – Treatment with agonist anti-GITR antibody after chemotherapy enhances tumor immunity

Session Title: Immune Checkpoints 1

Session Date and Time: April 16, 2018, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Session Location: McCormick Place, Poster Section 31

Cellectar Biosciences Granted Orphan Drug Designation for CLR 131 to Treat Neuroblastoma

On March 19, 2018 Cellectar Biosciences (Nasdaq: CLRB), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of cancer, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development has granted Orphan Drug Designation to CLR 131, the company’s lead Phospholipid Drug Conjugate (PDC) product candidate, for the treatment of neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer (Press release, Cellectar Biosciences, MAR 19, 2018, View Source [SID1234524884]).

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"Neuroblastoma is the third most common childhood cancer for which there are currently no approved treatments for children with relapsed or refractory disease," stated John Friend, M.D., chief medical officer of Cellectar. "The FDA’s granting of orphan drug designation for CLR 131 highlights the significant need for new treatments for children with neuroblastoma, and we believe that the targeted delivery of CLR 131 represents a promising novel approach to its treatment."

Orphan drug designation provides seven year market exclusivity benefit, increased engagement and assistance from the FDA, tax credits for certain research, research grants and a waiver of the New Drug Application user fee. Neuroblastoma is recognized by the FDA as an orphan disease, usually defined as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people nationwide.

The FDA previously accepted the Company’s Investigational New Drug application for a Phase 1 open-label, dose-escalating study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single intravenous administration of CLR 131 in up to 30 children and adolescents with cancers including neuroblastoma, sarcomas, lymphomas (including Hodgkin’s lymphoma) and malignant brain tumors. Cellectar expects to initiate this study during the second quarter of 2018.

H3 Biomedicine to Present at the BioCentury Annual Future Leaders in the Biotech Industry Conference

On March 19, 2018 H3 Biomedicine Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery and development of next generation cancer medicines using its data science and precision chemistry product engine, reported that management will present an overview of the company at the BioCentury 25th Annual Future Leaders in the Biotech Industry Conference on Friday, March 23, 2018, at 10:15 a.m. EST at the Millennium Broadway Hotel & Conference Center in New York (Press release, H3 Biomedicine, MAR 19, 2018, View Source [SID1234524968]).

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