Astellas’ and Pfizer’s XTANDI® (enzalutamide) Reduced Risk of Death by 34% in Men with Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer in Phase 3 ARCHES Study

On September 17, 2021 Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., "Astellas") and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported ahead of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2021 that XTANDI (enzalutamide) improved overall survival (OS) in the ARCHES study in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC, also known as metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer) (Press release, Astellas, SEP 17, 2021, View Source [SID1234587870]). The Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared XTANDI plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) versus placebo plus ADT in men with mHSPC and OS was a key secondary endpoint.

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In the study, XTANDI plus ADT reduced the risk of death by 34% (n=1,150; hazard ratio [HR]=0.66; [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-0.81]; p<0.0001) compared to placebo plus ADT. Median OS, which represents the time from randomization to death due to any cause, was not reached in either treatment group. The safety profile in both study arms was consistent with findings from the primary analysis.

Pfizer-Astellas-Logo

Pfizer-Astellas-Logo
Results from the final analysis of the ARCHES trial will be presented virtually at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) by Andrew Armstrong, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Surgery, Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, and Director of Research in the Duke Cancer Institute’s Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers in Durham, North Carolina, U.S. (Abstract LBA25; September 18, 14:20 CEST).

"Overall survival benefit has been observed in patients treated with enzalutamide in three stages of advanced prostate cancer – metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and now in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer," said Dr. Armstrong. "The results from ARCHES provide valuable data on the clinical profile of enzalutamide in this earlier disease setting."

The primary results from the ARCHES trial were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2019. The study met its primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) as assessed by independent central review, finding that treatment with XTANDI plus ADT demonstrated a 61% reduction in the risk of radiographic disease progression or death compared with ADT alone in men with mHSPC (HR=0.39; [95% CI: 0.30-0.50]; p<0.001).1 The median follow-up time was 14.4 months. Median rPFS was not reached (NR) with XTANDI plus ADT (95% CI: NR to NR) versus 19.0 months (95% CI: 16.6-22.2 months) with placebo plus ADT. At the time of the primary analysis, OS data were not mature.

In the ARCHES primary analysis, Grade 3 or greater adverse events (AEs; defined as severe/disabling or life-threatening) were similar for patients receiving both XTANDI plus ADT and those who received placebo plus ADT (24.3% vs. 25.6%). Common AEs (occurring in at least 5% of patients) that were reported more often in patients treated with XTANDI plus ADT versus those treated with ADT alone included hot flush, fatigue, arthralgia, hypertension, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, asthenia and dizziness.

These data supported global regulatory approvals, including European Commission marketing authorization for mHSPC earlier this year.

About Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is considered metastatic once it has spread outside of the prostate gland to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones, lungs, and liver.2 Men are considered hormone- (or castration-) sensitive if their disease still responds to medical or surgical treatment to lower testosterone levels.3 Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) has a median survival of approximately 3-4 years for men starting treatment with ADT.4

ARCHES Trial
The company-sponsored, Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ARCHES trial (NCT02677896) enrolled 1,150 patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) at sites in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Patients in the trial were randomized to receive XTANDI 160 mg daily or placebo and continued on a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist or antagonist or had a history of bilateral orchiectomy.

The primary endpoint of the trial was radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) assessed by blinded independent central review. Radiographic progression-free survival was defined as the time from randomization to radiographic disease progression at any time or death within 24 weeks after study drug discontinuation. Radiographic disease progression was defined by identification of two or more new bone lesions on a bone scan with confirmation (Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 criteria) and/or progression in soft tissue disease. Patients were stratified by volume of disease (low vs. high) and prior docetaxel therapy for prostate cancer (no prior docetaxel, 1-5 cycles, or 6 prior cycles).

E.U.: About XTANDI (enzalutamide) and Important Safety Information
Enzalutamide is an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor indicated in the European Union for the treatment of adult men with:

Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in combination with ADT.
High-risk non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
Metastatic CRPC who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic after failure of androgen deprivation therapy in whom chemotherapy is not yet clinically indicated. It is also indicated in adult men with metastatic CRPC whose disease has progressed on or after docetaxel therapy.
For Important Safety Information for enzalutamide please see the full Summary of Product Characteristics at: View Source

U.S.: About XTANDI (enzalutamide) and Important Safety Information
XTANDI (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC).

Warnings and Precautions

Seizure occurred in 0.5% of patients receiving XTANDI in seven randomized clinical trials. In a study of patients with predisposing factors for seizure, 2.2% of XTANDI-treated patients experienced a seizure. It is unknown whether anti-epileptic medications will prevent seizures with XTANDI. Patients in the study had one or more of the following predisposing factors: use of medications that may lower the seizure threshold, history of traumatic brain or head injury, history of cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, and Alzheimer’s disease, meningioma, or leptomeningeal disease from prostate cancer, unexplained loss of consciousness within the last 12 months, history of seizure, presence of a space occupying lesion of the brain, history of arteriovenous malformation, or history of brain infection. Advise patients of the risk of developing a seizure while taking XTANDI and of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause serious harm to themselves or others. Permanently discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop a seizure during treatment.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) There have been reports of PRES in patients receiving XTANDI. PRES is a neurological disorder that 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.

Hypersensitivity reactions, including edema of the face (0.5%), tongue (0.1%), or lip (0.1%) have been observed with XTANDI in seven randomized clinical trials. Pharyngeal edema has been reported in post-marketing cases. Advise patients who experience any symptoms of hypersensitivity to temporarily discontinue XTANDI and promptly seek medical care. Permanently discontinue XTANDI for serious hypersensitivity reactions.

Ischemic Heart Disease In the combined data of four randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies, ischemic heart disease occurred more commonly in patients on the XTANDI arm compared to patients on the placebo arm (2.9% vs 1.3%). Grade 3-4 ischemic events occurred in 1.4% of patients on XTANDI versus 0.7% on placebo. Ischemic events led to death in 0.4% of patients on XTANDI compared to 0.1% on placebo. Monitor for signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease. Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Discontinue XTANDI for Grade 3-4 ischemic heart disease.

Falls and Fractures occurred in patients receiving XTANDI. Evaluate patients for fracture and fall risk. Monitor and manage patients at risk for fractures according to established treatment guidelines and consider use of bone-targeted agents. In the combined data of four randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies, falls occurred in 11% of patients treated with XTANDI compared to 4% of patients treated with placebo. Fractures occurred in 10% of patients treated with XTANDI and in 4% of patients treated with placebo.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity The safety and efficacy of XTANDI have not been established in females. XTANDI can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant female. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with XTANDI and for 3 months after the last dose of XTANDI.

Adverse Reactions (ARs)
In the data from the four randomized placebo-controlled trials, the most common ARs (≥ 10%) that occurred more frequently (≥ 2% over placebo) in XTANDI-treated patients were asthenia/fatigue, back pain, hot flush, constipation, arthralgia, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and hypertension. In the bicalutamide-controlled study, the most common ARs (≥ 10%) reported in XTANDI-treated patients were asthenia/fatigue, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, hot flush, hypertension, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, and weight loss.

In AFFIRM, the placebo-controlled study of metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) patients who previously received docetaxel, Grade 3 and higher ARs were reported among 47% of XTANDI-treated patients. Discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs) were reported for 16% of XTANDI-treated patients. In PREVAIL, the placebo-controlled study of chemotherapy-naive mCRPC patients, Grade 3-4 ARs were reported in 44% of XTANDI patients and 37% of placebo patients. Discontinuations due to AEs were reported for 6% of XTANDI-treated patients. In TERRAIN, the bicalutamide-controlled study of chemotherapy-naive mCRPC patients, Grade 3-4 ARs were reported in 39% of XTANDI patients and 38% of bicalutamide patients. Discontinuations with an AE as the primary reason were reported for 8% of XTANDI patients and 6% of bicalutamide patients.

In PROSPER, the placebo-controlled study of non-metastatic CRPC (nmCRPC) patients, Grade 3 or higher ARs were reported in 31% of XTANDI patients and 23% of placebo patients. Discontinuations with an AE as the primary reason were reported for 9% of XTANDI patients and 6% of placebo patients.

In ARCHES, the placebo-controlled study of metastatic CSPC (mCSPC) patients, Grade 3 or higher AEs were reported in 24% of XTANDI-treated patients. Permanent discontinuation due to AEs as the primary reason was reported in 5% of XTANDI patients and 4% of placebo patients.

Lab Abnormalities: Lab abnormalities that occurred in ≥ 5% of patients, and more frequently (> 2%) in the XTANDI arm compared to placebo in the pooled, randomized, placebo-controlled studies are neutrophil count decreased, white blood cell decreased, hyperglycemia, hypermagnesemia, hyponatremia, and hypercalcemia.

Hypertension: In the combined data from four randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials, hypertension was reported in 12% of XTANDI patients and 5% of placebo patients. 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 Pfizer Oncology
At Pfizer Oncology, we are committed to advancing medicines wherever we believe we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with cancer. Today, we have an industry-leading portfolio of 24 approved innovative cancer medicines and biosimilars across more than 30 indications, including breast, genitourinary, colorectal, blood and lung cancers, as well as melanoma.

Tachyon Announces Presentation at the 2021 ESMO Annual Meeting

On September 17, 2021 Tachyon Therapeutics, Inc. ("Tachyon" or "the Company"), a research and development biotechnology company, reported an abstract presentation of the Company’s lead product candidate, TACH101, at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) ("ESMO") Annual Meeting. ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) is being held virtually from September 16-21, 2021 (Press release, Tachyon Therapeutics, SEP 17, 2021, View Source [SID1234587904]).

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"Triple negative breast cancer represents nearly 20% of all breast cancers and is a highly aggressive subtype that continues to have poor prognosis due to lack of effective treatments," stated Frank Perabo, MD, PhD, CEO of Tachyon Therapeutics. "Large-scale genomic analysis projects show that KDM4 is amplified in about 25% of triple negative breast cancer cases, making KDM4 an attractive epigenetic target for this cancer type. We are anticipating to study TACH101 in the near future in clinical trials."

Highlights from the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) abstract are summarized below:

Abstract #210P

TACH101 was potent in killing a Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) cell line (MDA-MB-231) with an IC50 of 0.0035 µM.
TACH101 treatment of MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells caused cell-cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis with an EC50 of 0.132 µM.
In vivo, TACH101 inhibited tumor growth in the COH70 TNBC xenograft model with tumor growth inhibition > 85%.
Gene expression analysis of TACH101-treated tumors show that Protein Phosphatase 1 Regulatory subunit 10 (PPP1R10 or PNUTS), a key regulator of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and p53, was a direct target of KDM4 and was significant downregulated after 24 hours of treatment.
The poster presentation of Abstract #210P is available for viewing on the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting website at View Source

Gritstone Announces Private Placement Financing of $55.0 Million

On September 16, 2021 Gritstone bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next generation cancer and infectious disease immunotherapies and vaccines, reported a $55.0 million private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing from the sale of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock at a price per share of $11.00 (Press release, Gritstone Oncology, SEP 16, 2021, View Source [SID1234592013]). Gross proceeds from the PIPE financings total $55.0 million, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses. The PIPE is being led by Frazier Life Sciences Public Fund, with additional participation from Redmile Group and Gilead Sciences.

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"As long-term backers of Gritstone, we continue to be impressed by the company’s progress and emergence as a leader in development of next generation immunotherapies and vaccines for cancer and infectious diseases," said Jamie Brush, M.D., General Partner and Portfolio Manager of the Frazier Life Sciences Public Fund. "We believe Gritstone’s EDGE platform and integrated vaccine manufacturing capabilities uniquely position the company to rapidly expand into infectious disease vaccine development with a potentially refrigerator stable self-amplifying mRNA vaccine platform. This financing will help ensure Gritstone has the resources to move quickly in this exciting new area, and we are excited to support the company in its next phase of growth."

The closing of the PIPE financing is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by September 17, 2021. Cowen served as the sole placement agent for the PIPE financing.

The securities sold in this private placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the U.S. except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. Gritstone bio has agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering the resale of the shares of common stock issued in this private placement.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a 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.

Targovax ASA: Poster at European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)

On September 16, 2021 Targovax ASA (OSE: TRVX), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing immune activators to target hard-to-treat solid tumors, reported that the poster "A pilot study of Engineered Adenovirus ONCOS-102 in combination with pembrolizumab (pembro) in checkpoint inhibitor refractory advanced or unresectable melanoma" is now available at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) congress website and on the Company’s website (Press release, Targovax, SEP 16, 2021, View Source [SID1234587806]). The poster will be presented as an e-poster at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) congress by Dr Alexander N. Shoushtari, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

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The poster presents the pilot study of ONCOS-102 in combination with pembrolizumab (pembro) in checkpoint inhibitor refractory advanced or unresectable melanoma. The poster concludes that co-administration of ONCOS-102 and pembrolizumab is safe and feasible for patients with melanomas progressing on PD-1 blockade. Rapid clinical objective responses were seen in patients treated both sequentially and in combination, and immune markers demonstrating induction of beneficial tumor microenvironment changes support the role of ONCOS-102 as a complementary treatment with aPD1 and other IO modalities.

E-poster title: A pilot study of Engineered Adenovirus ONCOS-102 in combination with pembrolizumab (pembro) in checkpoint inhibitor refractory advanced or unresectable melanoma
E-poster number: 1083P
Presenter: Dr Alexander N. Shoushtari, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

clinical-collaboration-with-Amgen

On September 16, 2021 Boehringer Ingelheim reported a clinical phase I collaboration with Amgen to evaluate the combination of BI 1701963, the first and most advanced SOS1::pan-KRAS inhibitor exhibiting activity against a broad spectrum of KRAS alleles, and LUMAKRAS (sotorasib), the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved KRASG12C inhibitor for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (Press release, Boehringer Ingelheim, SEP 16, 2021, View Source [SID1234587821]). The trial will investigate potential synergistic effects of this combination, possibly improving therapeutic outcomes beyond those of KRASG12C inhibitor therapy alone, specifically for people living with lung and colorectal cancers.

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Preclinical data suggest that the combination of a KRASG12C inhibitor with a SOS1::pan-KRAS inhibitor may result in increased anti-tumor activity in KRAS G12C-driven cancers based on the complementary mechanisms of these targeted oncology agents.1,2 By shifting the equilibrium from active KRAS towards the inactive form, SOS1::pan-KRAS inhibitors have the potential to sensitize KRAS G12C-mutant tumors to covalent KRASG12C inhibitors that bind to inactive KRAS. In addition, SOS1 inhibitors block feedback reactivation which occurs upon pathway inhibition.

"We are excited to partner with Amgen, who have pioneered KRAS G12C inhibition, and to further expand our program to make a difference for people living with KRAS-driven cancers," said Francesco Di Marco, Ph.D., Corporate Senior Vice President, Global Therapy Area Head Oncology at Boehringer Ingelheim. "Boehringer Ingelheim follows an ‘all-in’ research approach to taking cancer on, including the first and most advanced SOS1::pan-KRAS inhibitor which we investigate in several combinations and cancer types to realize even more opportunities to deliver potential therapeutic benefits to cancer patients."

Under the terms of the non-exclusive collaboration, Amgen will be the sponsor of the trial and Boehringer Ingelheim and Amgen will jointly share the costs of and oversee clinical development for the combined therapy.

About BI 1701963
BI 1701963 is an investigational, orally available small molecule, that binds to the catalytic domain of SOS1 preventing the interaction with inactive KRAS. This reduces the formation of active KRAS and in consequence inhibits MAPK pathway signaling in KRAS-dependent cancers. SOS1 inhibition also simultaneously blocks feedback driven reactivation of the MAPK pathway. The selective inhibition of SOS1 is a therapeutic concept that could allow KRAS blockade irrespective of KRAS mutation type (pan-KRAS approach). SOS1::KRAS inhibitors exhibit activity on a broad spectrum of KRAS alleles, including all major G12D/V/C and G13D oncoproteins, as published by Hofmann MH, et al. in Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper). BI 1701963 is currently being evaluated in phase I clinical trials in patients with advanced KRAS-mutated cancers to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, and preliminary efficacy of BI 1701963 alone and in combination with MEK inhibitors, KRASG12C inhibitors or irinotecan.