FDA Grants Priority Review of ImmunoGen’s Supplemental Biologics License Application for ELAHERE® (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

On December 5, 2023 ImmunoGen, a leader in the expanding field of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancer, reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has filed the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) supporting the conversion of the accelerated approval of ELAHERE (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) for the treatment of patients with folate receptor alpha (FRα)-positive, platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have received one to three prior systemic treatment regimens to full approval (Press release, ImmunoGen, DEC 5, 2023, View Source [SID1234638156]). The application has been granted Priority Review designation with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of April 5, 2024.

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"With the FDA’s filing of our sBLA, we are one step closer to securing full approval of ELAHERE in the US and establishing this novel ADC as the standard of care in FRα-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer," said Michael Vasconcelles, MD, ImmunoGen’s Executive Vice President, Research, Development, and Medical Affairs. "This regulatory milestone, achieved just over one year after ELAHERE’s accelerated approval, underscores the significance of the confirmatory MIRASOL data and the broader data set seen to date with ELAHERE, as well as the urgency with which our teams worked to bring this potentially practice-changing therapy to eligible patients in need. We look forward to collaborating closely with the FDA throughout the review process."

The confirmatory Phase 3 MIRASOL trial of ELAHERE in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer forms the basis of the sBLA. Top-line data from the MIRASOL trial were disclosed in May 2023 and presented as a late-breaking abstract at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. In the MIRASOL trial, ELAHERE demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival, objective response rate, and overall survival compared to investigator’s choice (IC) of single-agent chemotherapy. ELAHERE demonstrated a tolerable safety profile compared to IC chemotherapy, consisting predominantly of low-grade ocular and gastrointestinal events.

ELAHERE was granted accelerated approval by the FDA in November 2022 based on data from the pivotal SORAYA trial. A Marketing Authorization Application for ELAHERE in Europe has been accepted by the European Medicines Agency and a New Drug Application in China has been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration of China.

ABOUT OVARIAN CANCER

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancers in the US. Each year, roughly 20,000 patients are diagnosed, and 13,000 patients will die. Most patients present with late-stage disease and will typically undergo surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the majority of patients eventually develop platinum-resistant disease, which is difficult to treat. In this setting, standard of care single-agent chemotherapies are associated with low response rates, short durations of response, and significant toxicities.

iBio, Inc. Announces Pricing of $4.5 Million Public Offering

On December 5, 2023 iBio, Inc., reported the pricing of its reasonable best efforts public offering of 2,250,000 of its shares of common stock (or common stock equivalents in lieu thereof) and accompanying Series C and Series D warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,250,000 shares of common stock at a combined public offering price of $2.00, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $4.5 million (Press release, iBioPharma, DEC 5, 2023, View Source [SID1234638155]). The Series C Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,250,000 shares of common stock and Series D Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,250,000 shares of common stock will have an exercise price of $2.00 per share, will be exercisable immediately following the date of issuance and will expire two years and five years from the original issuance date, respectively.

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The closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about December 7, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering primarily for working capital and general corporate purposes, including for research and development and other trial preparation expenses and, retention and severance payments to certain of its employees or former employees. The Company may also use a portion of the net proceeds to invest in or acquire other products, businesses or technologies, although it has no commitments or agreements with respect to any such investments or acquisitions as of the date of this press release.

A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as the lead placement agent for the offering. Brookline Capital Markets, a division of Arcadia Securities, LLC is acting as co-placement agent for the offering.

A registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (No. 333-275204) ("Form S-1"), relating to the offering was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and it was declared effective on December 4, 2023. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. Copies of the preliminary prospectus and, when available, copies of the final prospectus, relating to the offering may be obtained on the SEC’s website located at View Source Electronic copies of the final prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained, when available, from A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, 590 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (212) 624-2060, or by email at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

G1 Therapeutics Presents New Post Hoc Analyses Indicating That Patients Who Previously Received Trilaciclib Have Improved Overall Survival with Subsequent Anticancer Therapy

On December 5, 2023 G1 Therapeutics, Inc., a commercial-stage oncology company, reported the presentation of new data describing the long-term positive survival impact of previous treatment with trilaciclib and cytotoxic chemotherapy (gemcitabine/carboplatin; GCb) in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC) who participated in G1’s Phase 2 trial (NCT02978716) (Press release, G1 Therapeutics, DEC 5, 2023, View Source [SID1234638154]). The poster is being presented at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), held December 5th to 9th in San Antonio, TX, and is available on the G1 Therapeutics website here.

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The poster entitled, "Patients with Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Who Receive Trilaciclib Prior to Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Exhibit Improved Survival After Receiving Subsequent Anticancer Therapy" describes a post hoc analysis of data from G1 Therapeutics’ randomized Phase 2 mTNBC trial (NCT02978716; completed February 2020) indicating that patients with mTNBC who received trilaciclib with their cytotoxic chemotherapy during the trial and then received subsequent anticancer therapy (SACT) after trilaciclib discontinuation exhibit statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in median overall survival (OS) (32.7 months versus 12.8 months; p=0.001) and in median OS from start of first SACT (14.0 months versus 5.8 months; p=0.001) compared to those who received cytotoxic chemotherapy without trilaciclib and then received SACT. Administering trilaciclib with cytotoxic chemotherapy also led to improved survival in patients unable to receive SACT.

"These new analyses indicate that trilaciclib can protect the bone marrow and immune system against the harmful effects of cytotoxic therapy, leading to significantly improved survival outcomes among patients who receive subsequent anticancer therapies," said Raj Malik, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at G1 Therapeutics. "The findings are particularly relevant as we are evaluating the impact of trilaciclib on long-term endpoints including overall survival in PRESERVE 2, our ongoing pivotal Phase 3 mTNBC trial, with the interim overall survival analysis expected in the first quarter of 2024."

The Phase 2 trial (NCT02978716) enrolled patients who had received up to two prior chemotherapy regimens for locally recurrent or mTNBC. Participants were randomized into three groups: GCb alone on days 1 and 8 (n=34), trilaciclib prior to GCb on days 1 and 8 (n=33), or trilaciclib alone on days 1 and 8 and prior to GCb on days 2 and 9 (n=35). G1 conducted a post hoc survival analysis on data from patients in this Phase 2 TNBC trial who received additional anticancer therapies after discontinuation of study treatment with GCb with or without trilaciclib, to evaluate improvements in long-term outcomes; the two trilaciclib groups were combined for this analysis. The SACTs administered include gemcitabine, capecitabine, eribulin, taxane, carboplatin, and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Additionally, murine cancer models were utilized to quantify the infiltration of central memory T cells in the tumor microenvironment seven days after a single dose or seven daily doses of trilaciclib. Memory T cell recall responses (the ability of memory T cells to react rapidly on encounter with the same antigen after remission) were also evaluated.

Survival Outcomes

After a median follow-up of 12.7 months on study, deaths were observed in 22/43 patients in the trilaciclib plus GCb group and 17/20 patients in the GCb-only group (no trilaciclib). Median time on treatment was 5.5 months in the trilaciclib plus GCb group and 3.3 months in the GCb-only group.
Patients receiving SACT following trilaciclib plus GCb exhibited statistically significant (p=0.001) improvements in median (95% CI) OS (32.7 months; 15.3 – not estimable) compared to those receiving SACT following GCb alone (12.8 months; 8.3 – 17.8), with increasing separation of survival curves over time.
Median OS and progression-free survival (PFS) were higher in the prior trilaciclib plus GCb group compared with the prior GCb-only group, regardless of the type of SACT received.
Improved survival and sustained separation of curves were also observed in patients unable to receive SACT (trilaciclib, n = 25; placebo, n = 14), although the magnitude of benefit was smaller (median 9.4 vs 5.4 months).
Patients receiving SACT following trilaciclib plus GCb also exhibited statistically significant (p=0.001) improvements in median (95% CI) OS from start of the first SACT (14.0 months; 9.0 – not estimable) compared to those receiving SACT following GCb alone (5.8 months; 4.8 – 7.2).
Immune Surveillance Results

In addition, data from murine models indicate that trilaciclib-mediated transient cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibition may enhance tumor infiltration of CD8+ central memory T cells and boost memory T cell recall responses, further clarifying the mechanism by which trilaciclib improves long-term immune surveillance:

Compared with daily dosing, a single dose of trilaciclib resulted in an increase in the number of tumor infiltrating CD8+ central memory T cells in the tumor microenvironment on day seven.
Administering trilaciclib enhanced the efficacy of combination immunotherapy with α-PD-1 plus α-LAG3; seven of eight mice that received trilaciclib plus α-PD-1 and α-LAG3 survived (achieved a complete response) compared to three of eight mice that received treatment with α-PD-1 plus α-LAG3.
Following rechallenge in the opposite flank of the surviving mice, tumors implanted in those previously treated with trilaciclib grew to a smaller volume and regressed faster than controls, demonstrating the ability of trilaciclib to strengthen memory T cell recall responses.
Data generated across multiple preclinical and clinical studies to date indicate that trilaciclib has the greatest effect on longer term endpoints including OS rather than earlier efficacy measures. These new results contribute to the body of evidence suggesting that preserving bone marrow and immune system function during cytotoxic therapy and enhancing anti-tumor immunity and long-term immune surveillance by increasing the generation of certain memory T cells can allow patients to benefit while receiving trilaciclib, and after trilaciclib discontinuation when receiving SACT.

About Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S. Triple-negative breast cancer makes up approximately 15-20% of such diagnosed breast cancers. TNBC is cancer that tests negative for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and excess HER2 protein. Because mTNBC cells lack key growth-signaling receptors, patients do not respond well to medications that block estrogen, progesterone, or HER2 receptors. Instead, treating mTNBC typically involves chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. TNBC is considered to be more aggressive and have a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer. In general, survival rates tend to be lower with mTNBC compared to other forms of breast cancer, and mTNBC is also more likely than some other types of breast cancer to return after it has been treated, especially in the first few years after treatment. It also tends to be higher grade than other types of breast cancer.

Lilly to Present Final Overall Survival Analysis from the MONARCH 3 Study of Verzenio® (abemaciclib) and Additional Results from Its Breast Cancer Portfolio at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

On December 5, 2023 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) reported results from the MONARCH 3 clinical trial, which will be presented in a late-breaking presentation during the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) (Press release, Eli Lilly, DEC 5, 2023, View Source [SID1234638153]). MONARCH 3 evaluated Verzenio (abemaciclib) in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) compared to an AI alone as initial endocrine-based therapy for post-menopausal patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer. At eight years of follow-up, MONARCH 3 showed women taking Verzenio and an AI had a median overall survival (OS) of more than 5.5 years – an increase of 13.1 months compared to the control arm in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population (66.8 vs 53.7 months), although statistical significance for the OS outcome was not reached (HR, 0.804; 95% CI, 0.637-1.015; p=0.0664).

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For women with visceral organ metastases, data showed a median OS of more than five years, with an increase in median OS of 14.9 months in the Verzenio arm compared to the control arm (63.7 vs 48.8 months). This included those women whose breast cancer has spread to the liver or lungs. Patients with visceral disease are at an increased risk of disease progression and death compared to metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients without visceral metastases. The OS results for this subpopulation were also not statistically significant (HR, 0.758; 95% CI, 0.558-1.030; p=0.0757).

"At eight years of follow-up, when the natural history of metastatic breast cancer starts to substantially impact patient survival, it is highly encouraging to see abemaciclib combined with AI therapy deliver a meaningful survival difference of 13 months in the ITT population and more than 14 months in women at even higher risk due to visceral disease," said Stephen Johnston M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Breast Cancer Medicine and Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust (London, U.K.) and investigator on the MONARCH 3 trial. "Despite missing statistical significance, these data are clinically relevant and highly consistent with the overall body of evidence for abemaciclib in advanced or metastatic breast cancer."

The median progression free survival (PFS) benefit, the primary endpoint of the MONARCH 3 study, was maintained (29.0 vs 14.8 months; HR, 0.535; 95% CI, 0.429-0.668; nominal p<0.0001), with substantial difference in 6-year PFS rates (23.3% in the Verzenio arm vs 4.3% in the control arm). PFS statistical significance was achieved in an interim analysis in 2017, leading to global regulatory approvals for this indication in 2018. No new safety signals were observed with longer-term use.

"With a median OS of more than 5.5 years in patients treated with Verzenio in this study, these data further support the role of Verzenio in the survival of women with HR+, HER2- metastatic breast cancer," said David Hyman, M.D., chief medical officer, Lilly. "We remain confident in the differentiated profile of Verzenio and we look forward to sharing these results with the clinical community at SABCS and getting their perspective on these data and relevance for clinical practice."

The full results will be shared in a late-breaking presentation on Wednesday, December 6, 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CST in General Session 1, Hall 1.

Additional Verzenio data will be presented at SABCS. In early breast cancer (EBC), an oral presentation will provide results from genomic and transcriptomic profiling analyses of archived primary tumor tissue from patients with HR+, HER2-, node-positive, high risk EBC in the monarchE trial and associate it with the study’s ITT clinical outcomes. A poster spotlight discussion will show results from a pilot study exploring ctDNA detection using a tumor-informed assay in the monarchE trial to identify patients at high risk of recurrence. Other planned Verzenio disclosures in both MBC and EBC are listed in the table below.

Imlunestrant (investigational oral SERD)
Updated results from the EMBER study of imlunestrant monotherapy as well as imlunestrant in combination with Verzenio, with or without an AI, in patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+), HER2- advanced breast cancer will be presented in a spotlight poster discussion. With 5.5 months longer follow-up from the last disclosure, imlunestrant plus Verzenio with or without an AI resulted in an ORR of 62% and 32%, respectively, and a clinical benefit rate (CBR) of 79% and 71%, respectively. CBR is the percentage of patients with advanced or metastatic cancer who have achieved complete response, partial response and prolonged stable disease for 24 weeks or more. The most common TEAEs for patients treated with imlunestrant plus Verzenio were diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, and neutropenia. No safety signals related to ocular or cardiac toxicity were observed. Side effects from imlunestrant were generally low grade and there were few dose reductions or discontinuations of imlunestrant.

A full list of abstract titles and viewing details are listed below:

Medicine

Abstract Title

Presentation Details

Verzenio (abemaciclib)

MONARCH 3: Final overall survival results of abemaciclib plus a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor as first-line therapy in patients with HR+, HER2- advanced breast cancer

Abstract #: 1643629

Presentation ID: GS01-12

Session Type: Late Breaking Oral

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 6, 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CST

Presenter: M Goetz

Verzenio (abemaciclib)

Genomic and transcriptomic profiling of primary tumors from patients with HR+, HER2-, node-positive, high-risk early breast cancer in the monarchE trial

Abstract #: 1569529

Poster ID: GS03-06

Session Type: Oral

Date & Time: Friday, December 8, 9:35 – 9:45 a.m. CST

Presenter: N Turner

Verzenio (abemaciclib)

Results from a pilot study exploring ctDNA detection using a tumor-informed assay in the monarchE trial of adjuvant abemaciclib with endocrine therapy in HR+, HER2-, node-positive, high-risk early breast cancer

Abstract #: 1580352

Poster ID: PS06-01

Session Type: Poster Spotlight Discussion

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 6, 7:00 – 7:04 a.m. CST

Presenter: S Graff

Verzenio (abemaciclib)

Safety profiles of Chinese breast cancer patients who received abemaciclib in MONARCH plus and monarchE study

Abstract #: 1575371

Poster ID: PO1-13-01

Session Type: Poster Session 1

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 6, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

Presenter: Z Jiang

Verzenio (abemaciclib)

Real-world clinical outcomes in US patients with brain metastases secondary to HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer treated with abemaciclib

Abstract #: 1577336

Poster ID: PO1-17-01

Session Type: Poster Session 1

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 6, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

Presenter: W Mwangi

Verzenio (abemacliclib)

Circulating tumor DNA mutation landscape in HR+/HER2− patients with mBC treated with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors in the SCRUM-Japan MONSTAR-SCREEN study

Abstract #: 1549969

Poster ID: PO1-13-02

Session Type: Poster Session 1

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 6, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST

Presenter: M Hattori

Imlunestrant

Imlunestrant monotherapy and in combination with abemaciclib, with or without an aromatase inhibitor, in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), HER2-negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer (aBC): updated results from the EMBER study

Abstract #: 1545518

Poster ID: PS15-09

Session Type: Poster Spotlight Discussion

Date & Time: Thursday, December 7, 6:12 – 6:16 p.m. CST

Presenter: KL Jhaveri

About the MONARCH 3 Study
MONARCH 3 was a Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Verzenio in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) (anastrozole or letrozole), as initial endocrine-based therapy for postmenopausal women with HR+, HER2- advanced (locoregionally recurrent or metastatic) breast cancer who have had no prior systemic treatment for advanced disease. If neoadjuvant/adjuvant endocrine therapy was administered, a disease-free interval of more than 12 months since completion of endocrine therapy was required. A total of 493 patients were randomized 2:1 to receive 150 mg of Verzenio or placebo orally twice a day, without interruption, given in combination with either 1 mg of anastrozole or 2.5 mg of letrozole once daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint of the study was progression-free survival (PFS) and secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), and safety. OS is the only alpha-controlled secondary outcome measure, and this analysis is split among two populations (intent-to-treat [ITT] and the subgroup with visceral disease).

About Metastatic Breast Cancer
Advanced breast cancer includes metastatic breast cancer, meaning cancer that has spread from the breast tissue to other parts of the body, and locally or regionally advanced breast cancer, meaning the cancer has grown outside the organ where it started but has not yet spread to other parts of the body.1 Of all early-stage breast cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S., approximately 30% will become metastatic2 and an estimated 6-10% of all new breast cancer cases are initially diagnosed as being metastatic.3 Survival is lower among women with a more advanced stage of disease at diagnosis: five-year relative survival is 99% for localized disease, 86% for regional disease, and 30% for metastatic disease.4 Other factors, such as tumor size, also impact five-year survival estimates.4

About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, according to GLOBOCAN. The estimated 2.3 million new cases indicate that 1 in every 8 cancers diagnosed in 2020 is breast cancer. With approximately 685,000 deaths in 2020, breast cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death worldwide.5 In the U.S., it is estimated that there will be more than 300,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 2023. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the U.S.6

About Verzenio (abemaciclib)
Verzenio (abemaciclib) is approved to treat people with certain HR+, HER2- breast cancers in the adjuvant and advanced or metastatic setting. Verzenio is the first and only CDK4/6 inhibitor approved to treat node-positive, high risk early breast cancer (EBC) patients.7 For HR+, HER2- breast cancer, The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends consideration of two years of abemaciclib (Verzenio) added to endocrine therapy as a Category 1 treatment option in the adjuvant setting.8 NCCN also includes Verzenio plus endocrine therapy as a preferred treatment option for HR+, HER2- metastatic breast cancer.8

The collective results of Lilly’s clinical development program continue to differentiate Verzenio as a CDK4/6 inhibitor. In HR+, HER2-, high risk EBC, Verzenio has shown a persistent and deepening benefit beyond the two-year treatment period in the monarchE trial, the only adjuvant study designed to investigate a CDK4/6 inhibitor specifically in a node-positive, high risk EBC population.9 In HR+, HER2-, metastatic breast cancer, Verzenio has demonstrated statistically significant overall survival in the Phase 3 MONARCH 2 study.10 Verzenio has shown a consistent and generally manageable safety profile across clinical trials. In addition to breast cancer, Lilly is studying Verzenio in different forms of difficult-to-treat prostate cancer.

Verzenio is an oral tablet taken twice daily and available in strengths of 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg. Discovered and developed by Lilly researchers, Verzenio was first approved in 2017 and is currently authorized for use in more than 90 counties around the world. For full details on indicated uses of Verzenio in HR+, HER2- breast cancer, please see full Prescribing Information, available at www.Verzenio.com.

INDICATIONS FOR VERZENIO
VERZENIO is a kinase inhibitor indicated:

in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.
in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy.
as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy and prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR VERZENIO (abemaciclib)
Severe diarrhea associated with dehydration and infection occurred in patients treated with Verzenio. Across four clinical trials in 3691 patients, diarrhea occurred in 81 to 90% of patients who received Verzenio. Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 8 to 20% of patients receiving Verzenio. Most patients experienced diarrhea during the first month of Verzenio treatment. The median time to onset of the first diarrhea event ranged from 6 to 8 days; and the median duration of Grade 2 and Grade 3 diarrhea ranged from 6 to 11 days and 5 to 8 days, respectively. Across trials, 19 to 26% of patients with diarrhea required a Verzenio dose interruption and 13 to 23% required a dose reduction.

Instruct patients to start antidiarrheal therapy, such as loperamide, at the first sign of loose stools, increase oral fluids, and notify their healthcare provider for further instructions and appropriate follow-up. For Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea, or diarrhea that requires hospitalization, discontinue Verzenio until toxicity resolves to ≤Grade 1, and then resume Verzenio at the next lower dose.

Neutropenia, including febrile neutropenia and fatal neutropenic sepsis, occurred in patients treated with Verzenio. Across four clinical trials in 3691 patients, neutropenia occurred in 37 to 46% of patients receiving Verzenio. A Grade ≥3 decrease in neutrophil count (based on laboratory findings) occurred in 19 to 32% of patients receiving Verzenio. Across trials, the median time to first episode of Grade ≥3 neutropenia ranged from 29 to 33 days, and the median duration of Grade ≥3 neutropenia ranged from 11 to 16 days. Febrile neutropenia has been reported in <1% of patients exposed to Verzenio across trials. Two deaths due to neutropenic sepsis were observed in MONARCH 2. Inform patients to promptly report any episodes of fever to their healthcare provider.

Monitor complete blood counts prior to the start of Verzenio therapy, every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, monthly for the next 2 months, and as clinically indicated. Dose interruption, dose reduction, or delay in starting treatment cycles is recommended for patients who develop Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia.

Severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis can occur in patients treated with Verzenio and other CDK4/6 inhibitors. In Verzenio-treated patients in EBC (monarchE), 3% of patients experienced ILD or pneumonitis of any grade: 0.4% were Grade 3 or 4 and there was one fatality (0.1%). In Verzenio-treated patients in MBC (MONARCH 1, MONARCH 2, MONARCH 3), 3.3% of Verzenio-treated patients had ILD or pneumonitis of any grade: 0.6% had Grade 3 or 4, and 0.4% had fatal outcomes. Additional cases of ILD or pneumonitis have been observed in the postmarketing setting, with fatalities reported.

Monitor patients for pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD or pneumonitis. Symptoms may include hypoxia, cough, dyspnea, or interstitial infiltrates on radiologic exams. Infectious, neoplastic, and other causes for such symptoms should be excluded by means of appropriate investigations. Dose interruption or dose reduction is recommended in patients who develop persistent or recurrent Grade 2 ILD or pneumonitis. Permanently discontinue Verzenio in all patients with Grade 3 or 4 ILD or pneumonitis.

Grade ≥3 increases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (2 to 6%) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (2 to 3%) were reported in patients receiving Verzenio. Across three clinical trials in 3559 patients (monarchE, MONARCH 2, MONARCH 3), the median time to onset of Grade ≥3 ALT increases ranged from 57 to 87 days and the median time to resolution to Grade <3 was 13 to 14 days. The median time to onset of Grade ≥3 AST increases ranged from 71 to 185 days and the median time to resolution to Grade <3 ranged from 11 to 15 days.

Monitor liver function tests (LFTs) prior to the start of Verzenio therapy, every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, monthly for the next 2 months, and as clinically indicated. Dose interruption, dose reduction, dose discontinuation, or delay in starting treatment cycles is recommended for patients who develop persistent or recurrent Grade 2, or any Grade 3 or 4 hepatic transaminase elevation.

Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) were reported in 2 to 5% of patients across three clinical trials in 3559 patients treated with Verzenio (monarchE, MONARCH 2, MONARCH 3). VTE included deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pelvic venous thrombosis, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, subclavian and axillary vein thrombosis, and inferior vena cava thrombosis. In clinical trials, deaths due to VTE have been reported in patients treated with Verzenio.

Verzenio has not been studied in patients with early breast cancer who had a history of VTE. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and treat as medically appropriate. Dose interruption is recommended for EBC patients with any grade VTE and for MBC patients with a Grade 3 or 4 VTE.

Verzenio can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, based on findings from animal studies and the mechanism of action. In animal reproduction studies, administration of abemaciclib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis caused teratogenicity and decreased fetal weight at maternal exposures that were similar to the human clinical exposure based on area under the curve (AUC) at the maximum recommended human dose. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Verzenio and for 3 weeks after the last dose. Based on findings in animals, Verzenio may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential. There are no data on the presence of Verzenio in human milk or its effects on the breastfed child or on milk production. Advise lactating women not to breastfeed during Verzenio treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants.

The most common adverse reactions (all grades, ≥10%) observed in monarchE for Verzenio plus tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor vs tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, with a difference between arms of ≥2%, were diarrhea (84% vs 9%), infections (51% vs 39%), neutropenia (46% vs 6%), fatigue (41% vs 18%), leukopenia (38% vs 7%), nausea (30% vs 9%), anemia (24% vs 4%), headache (20% vs 15%), vomiting (18% vs 4.6%), stomatitis (14% vs 5%), lymphopenia (14% vs 3%), thrombocytopenia (13% vs 2%), decreased appetite (12% vs 2.4%), ALT increased (12% vs 6%), AST increased (12% vs 5%), dizziness (11% vs 7%), rash (11% vs 4.5%), and alopecia (11% vs 2.7 %).

The most frequently reported ≥5% Grade 3 or 4 adverse reaction that occurred in the Verzenio arm vs the tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor arm of monarchE were neutropenia (19.6% vs 1%), leukopenia (11% vs <1%), diarrhea (8% vs 0.2%), and lymphopenia (5% vs <1%).

Lab abnormalities (all grades; Grade 3 or 4) for monarchE in ≥10% for Verzenio plus tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor with a difference between arms of ≥2% were increased serum creatinine (99% vs 91%; .5% vs <.1%), decreased white blood cells (89% vs 28%; 19.1% vs 1.1%), decreased neutrophil count (84% vs 23%; 18.7% vs 1.9%), anemia (68% vs 17%; 1% vs .1%), decreased lymphocyte count (59% vs 24%; 13.2 % vs 2.5%), decreased platelet count (37% vs 10%; .9% vs .2%), increased ALT (37% vs 24%; 2.6% vs 1.2%), increased AST (31% vs 18%; 1.6% vs .9%), and hypokalemia (11% vs 3.8%; 1.3% vs 0.2%).

The most common adverse reactions (all grades, ≥10%) observed in MONARCH 3 for Verzenio plus anastrozole or letrozole vs anastrozole or letrozole, with a difference between arms of ≥2%, were diarrhea (81% vs 30%), fatigue (40% vs 32%), neutropenia (41% vs 2%), infections (39% vs 29%), nausea (39% vs 20%), abdominal pain (29% vs 12%), vomiting (28% vs 12%), anemia (28% vs 5%), alopecia (27% vs 11%), decreased appetite (24% vs 9%), leukopenia (21% vs 2%), creatinine increased (19% vs 4%), constipation (16% vs 12%), ALT increased (16% vs 7%), AST increased (15% vs 7%), rash (14% vs 5%), pruritus (13% vs 9%), cough (13% vs 9%), dyspnea (12% vs 6%), dizziness (11% vs 9%), weight decreased (10% vs 3.1%), influenza-like illness (10% vs 8%), and thrombocytopenia (10% vs 2%).

The most frequently reported ≥5% Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions that occurred in the Verzenio arm vs the placebo arm of MONARCH 3 were neutropenia (22% vs 1%), diarrhea (9% vs 1.2%), leukopenia (7% vs <1%)), increased ALT (6% vs 2%), and anemia (6% vs 1%).

Lab abnormalities (all grades; Grade 3 or 4) for MONARCH 3 in ≥10% for Verzenio plus anastrozole or letrozole with a difference between arms of ≥2% were increased serum creatinine (98% vs 84%; 2.2% vs 0%), decreased white blood cells (82% vs 27%; 13% vs 0.6%), anemia (82% vs 28%; 1.6% vs 0%), decreased neutrophil count (80% vs 21%; 21.9% vs 2.6%), decreased lymphocyte count (53% vs 26%; 7.6% vs 1.9%), decreased platelet count (36% vs 12%; 1.9% vs 0.6%), increased ALT (48% vs 25%; 6.6% vs 1.9%), and increased AST (37% vs 23%; 3.8% vs 0.6%).

The most common adverse reactions (all grades, ≥10%) observed in MONARCH 2 for Verzenio plus fulvestrant vs fulvestrant, with a difference between arms of ≥2%, were diarrhea (86% vs 25%), neutropenia (46% vs 4%), fatigue (46% vs 32%), nausea (45% vs 23%), infections (43% vs 25%), abdominal pain (35% vs 16%), anemia (29% vs 4%), leukopenia (28% vs 2%), decreased appetite (27% vs 12%), vomiting (26% vs 10%), headache (20% vs 15%), dysgeusia (18% vs 2.7%), thrombocytopenia (16% vs 3%), alopecia (16% vs 1.8%), stomatitis (15% vs 10%), ALT increased (13% vs 5%), pruritus (13% vs 6%), cough (13% vs 11%), dizziness (12% vs 6%), AST increased (12% vs 7%), peripheral edema (12% vs 7%), creatinine increased (12% vs <1%), rash (11% vs 4.5%), pyrexia (11% vs 6%), and weight decreased (10% vs 2.2%).

The most frequently reported ≥5% Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions that occurred in the Verzenio arm vs the placebo arm of MONARCH 2 were neutropenia (25% vs 1%), diarrhea (13% vs 0.4%), leukopenia (9% vs 0%), anemia (7% vs 1%), and infections (5.7% vs 3.5%).

Lab abnormalities (all grades; Grade 3 or 4) for MONARCH 2 in ≥10% for Verzenio plus fulvestrant with a difference between arms of ≥2% were increased serum creatinine (98% vs 74%; 1.2% vs 0%), decreased white blood cells (90% vs 33%; 23.7% vs .9%), decreased neutrophil count (87% vs 30%; 32.5% vs 4.2%), anemia (84% vs 34%; 2.6% vs .5%), decreased lymphocyte count (63% vs 32%; 12.2% vs 1.8%), decreased platelet count (53% vs 15%; 2.1% vs 0%), increased ALT (41% vs 32%; 4.6% vs 1.4%), and increased AST (37% vs 25%; 3.9% vs 4.2%).

The most common adverse reactions (all grades, ≥10%) observed in MONARCH 1 with Verzenio were diarrhea (90%), fatigue (65%), nausea (64%), decreased appetite (45%), abdominal pain (39%), neutropenia (37%), vomiting (35%), infections (31%), anemia (25%), thrombocytopenia (20%), headache (20%), cough (19%), constipation (17%), leukopenia (17%), arthralgia (15%), dry mouth (14%), weight decreased (14%), stomatitis (14%), creatinine increased (13%), alopecia (12%), dysgeusia (12%), pyrexia (11%), dizziness (11%), and dehydration (10%).

The most frequently reported ≥5% Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions from MONARCH 1 with Verzenio were diarrhea (20%), neutropenia (24%), fatigue (13%), and leukopenia (5%).

Lab abnormalities (all grades; Grade 3 or 4) for MONARCH 1 with Verzenio were increased serum creatinine (99%; .8%), decreased white blood cells (91%; 28%), decreased neutrophil count (88%; 26.6%), anemia (69%; 0%), decreased lymphocyte count (42%; 13.8%), decreased platelet count (41%; 2.3%), increased ALT (31%; 3.1%), and increased AST (30%; 3.8%).

Strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors increased the exposure of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites to a clinically meaningful extent and may lead to increased toxicity. Avoid concomitant use of ketoconazole. Ketoconazole is predicted to increase the AUC of abemaciclib by up to 16-fold. In patients with recommended starting doses of 200 mg twice daily or 150 mg twice daily, reduce the Verzenio dose to 100 mg twice daily with concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors other than ketoconazole. In patients who have had a dose reduction to 100 mg twice daily due to adverse reactions, further reduce the Verzenio dose to 50 mg twice daily with concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors. If a patient taking Verzenio discontinues a strong CYP3A inhibitor, increase the Verzenio dose (after 3 to 5 half-lives of the inhibitor) to the dose that was used before starting the inhibitor. With concomitant use of moderate CYP3A inhibitors, monitor for adverse reactions and consider reducing the Verzenio dose in 50 mg decrements. Patients should avoid grapefruit products.

Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers and consider alternative agents. Coadministration of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers decreased the plasma concentrations of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites and may lead to reduced activity.

With severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C), reduce the Verzenio dosing frequency to once daily. The pharmacokinetics of Verzenio in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr <30 mL/min), end stage renal disease, or in patients on dialysis is unknown. No dosage adjustments are necessary in patients with mild or moderate hepatic (Child-Pugh A or B) and/or renal impairment (CLcr ≥30-89 mL/min).

Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for Verzenio.

AL HCP ISI 12OCT2021

About the EMBER Study
This global, first-in-human, open-label Phase 1a/b trial evaluates imlunestrant alone or in combination with other anticancer therapies in participants with ER+ advanced breast cancer or endometrioid endometrial cancer. The trial includes a Phase 1a dose escalation phase and a Phase 1b dose expansion phase. The Phase 1a dose escalation enrolls patients with ER+, HER2- advanced breast cancer who have received up to three prior treatment regimens and ER+ EEC who have progressed after prior platinum-based therapy. The dose escalation phase followed an i3+3 design with imlunestrant administered orally in 28-day cycles. As dose cohorts were cleared, additional patient enrollment to cleared dose levels was permitted. The primary objective of the Phase 1a portion is to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose. Secondary objectives include assessments of safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-tumor activity (objective response rate [ORR] and clinical benefit rate [CBR], as assessed per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST v1.1]).

About Imlunestrant
Imlunestrant (LY3484356) is an investigational, next-generation oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) with pure antagonistic properties. The estrogen receptor (ER) is the key therapeutic target for patients with ER+/HER2- breast cancer. Novel degraders of ER may overcome endocrine therapy resistance while providing consistent oral pharmacology and convenience of administration. Imlunestrant was specifically designed to deliver continuous estrogen receptor target inhibition throughout the dosing period and regardless of ESR1 mutational status. Imlunestrant is currently being studied in several clinical studies.

Curis Enters into Agreement for Emavusertib / Pembrolizumab Combination Study in Melanoma

On December 5, 2023 Curis, a biotechnology company focused on the development of emavusertib (CA-4948), an orally available, small molecule IRAK4 inhibitor, reported that it has entered into an investigator-initiated clinical trial agreement with the University of Florida to study the combination of emavusertib and pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic melanoma (Press release, Curis, DEC 5, 2023, View Source [SID1234638152]).

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Curis is responsible for supply of emavusertib.
Merck is responsible for supply of pembrolizumab and clinical study costs.
Both companies retain 100% of the commercial rights to their respective programs.
This announcement builds on the preclinical findings recently published for this combination by researchers at the University of Florida who, with the University of Chicago, will be the initial clinical investigators for this study.

"We are pleased to advance the novel combination of emavusertib (IRAK4) and pembrolizumab (anti-PD1) in metastatic melanoma," said James Dentzer, President and CEO of Curis. "We are grateful to Merck for their financial support of this study and are excited to begin the exploration of emavusertib’s potential as an add-on to standard of care in solid tumor malignancies."

The study, "A Phase 1/2 Study of Oral IRAK-4 Inhibitor CA-4948 in Combination With Pembrolizumab Following Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Patients With Melanoma Brain Metastases" (NCT05669352) is expected to begin enrollment in first half 2024.