Plus Therapeutics Announces the Appointment of Industry Veteran, Norman LaFrance, M.D., as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer

On September 13, 2021 Plus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSTV) (the "Company"), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing innovative, targeted radiotherapeutics for rare and difficult-to-treat cancers, reported the appointment of Norman LaFrance, M.D. to the position of Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President (Press release, Cytori Therapeutics, SEP 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234587612]).

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"We are delighted to have Dr. LaFrance onboard as he brings several decades of highly relevant clinical, regulatory and commercial expertise to the Plus Therapeutics management team," stated Marc Hedrick, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Plus Therapeutics. "His proven track record in radiotherapeutics and drug development coupled with his commercial experience will be invaluable as we expand our pipeline, move key programs to late stage clinical development and best position the company for long-term regulatory and commercial success."

Dr. LaFrance’s appointment begins on or around December 8, 2021 and he joins the Company with nearly 40 years of experience as a nuclear medicine physician and as an executive in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Dr. LaFrance has a particular expertise in radiotherapeutic drug research and development as well as commercialization of molecular imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic products. He was most recently Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President, at Jubilant Pharma Ltd, responsible for all Pharma Medical & Regulatory Affairs activities.

"I am excited to join a company which reflects my passion to make an impact on patients with significant unmet medical needs," said Norman LaFrance, M.D. "From an industry perspective, it is clear that Plus Therapeutics’ focus on radiotherapeutics positions it firmly for long-term growth, and I am excited to lead development and expansion of its promising pipeline."

Prior to Jubilant Pharma, Ltd., Dr. LaFrance served as Global Chief Medical Officer at IBA Molecular from 2010 to 2012, and as Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer at Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals from 2007 to 2010. Prior to industry, Dr. LaFrance practiced medicine and held academic faculty appointments at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the departments of medicine and radiology and the Department of Radiological Sciences in the John Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. He is Double Board Certified with Fellowship status both in internal medicine and nuclear medicine, maintains active medical licensure in the U.S. along with active, professional society membership.

Dr. LaFrance received his bachelor of science and master of engineering degrees in nuclear engineering and science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his medial degree from the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson.

Lucence Presents Data at ESMO 2021 Showing Liquid Biopsy Detects Actionable Genomic Alterations in Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Immunotherapy

On September 13, 2021 Precision oncology company Lucence, reported in collaboration with researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is sharing data highlighting the capabilities of its amplicon-based liquid biopsy technology to detect and characterize genomic alterations in ctDNA in patients with late-stage bladder cancer undergoing immunotherapy (Press release, Lucence, SEP 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234587628]). The data will be presented as part of a virtual poster presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2021.

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Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are used as both first and second-line therapy for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). Most mUC patients do not respond, or develop resistance to, ICI and obtaining tissue biopsies before and throughout treatment is invasive and presents risks of complications.

The poster, Serial ctDNA alterations using amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify resistance mechanisms to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) (Presentation Number 709P), identifies ctDNA alterations pre- and post-ICI therapy using Lucence’s 80 gene amplicon-based liquid biopsy panel, LiquidHALLMARK, as a non-invasive method of exploring mechanisms of resistance to ICI.

The primary objective was to evaluate ctDNA alterations pre- and post-ICI therapy and to correlate these with response to ICI treatment. Out of 39 patients, the study found ​​ctDNA alterations in 96% of pre/post-ICI samples overall, suggesting that longitudinal ctDNA profiling using a sensitive assay may be a useful clinical alternative to invasive biopsies. Clearance of TP53 alterations during ICI therapy was associated with response, while emergence of BRCA1/2 or PIK3CA variants appeared to be associated with resistance.

"Using this sensitive assay, we non-invasively evaluated genomic alterations in ctDNA in patients with advanced urothelial cancer before and after immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy," said Guru Sonpavde, MD, the director of the bladder cancer program at Dana-Farber. "The emergence or disappearance of specific alterations during therapy was associated with resistance or response, respectively, suggesting this approach could be used to track disease status non-invasively, and provides insights into developing rational combinations of immunotherapy with targeted agents in a precision medicine approach."

"Profiling ctDNA in bladder cancer patients with liquid biopsy pre- and post-ICI therapy presents a compelling opportunity to non-invasively characterize response and resistance to therapy based on the molecular characteristics of an individual’s disease," said Dr. Min-Han Tan, MBBS, PhD, Founding CEO and Medical Director of Lucence. "Liquid biopsy allows us to identify actionable variants, such as FGFR fusions, with high sensitivity, without painful or risky biopsies, and can help us advance the development of personalized therapies in urothelial carcinoma."

Lucence’s LiquidHALLMARK panel covers a wide range of clinically relevant biomarkers, including mutations in 80 genes, fusions in 10 genes, and somatic variants in 15 cancer types. LiquidHALLMARK is powered by AmpliMarkTM, the Company’s proprietary amplicon-based sequencing technology, which uses a unique molecular barcode and error-correction technology to ensure test sensitivity across multiple mutation types for single nucleotide variants and fusion genes.

Data at ESMO Congress 2021 Underscore Depth of Eisai’s Oncology Pipeline and Commitment to Cancer Care

On September 13, 2021 Eisai Inc. reported the presentation of 13 abstracts across multiple types of cancer from its oncology portfolio during the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2021, which is taking place virtually from September 16-21 (Press release, Eisai, SEP 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234587644]).

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Notable presentations from the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program evaluating KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) plus LENVIMA (lenvatinib) include a mini oral presentation on outcomes by histology and prior therapy from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-775/Study 309 trial in patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma (EC) (NCT03517449; Presentation #: 726MO), and two e-posters: one on outcomes by subgroup and toxicity update from the Phase 3 CLEAR/KEYNOTE-581 trial in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (NCT02811861; Presentation #: 660P) and an analysis on the association between biomarkers and clinical outcomes from the advanced EC cohort of KEYNOTE-146/Study 111 trial (NCT02501096; Presentation #: 796P). There is also a trial in progress (TiP) poster on the Phase 3 LEAP-017 trial assessing the combination versus standard of care in patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (NCT04776148; Presentation #: 506TiP).

"Building on the momentum of our two most recent milestones for the LEAP program, we’re honored to share additional data from KEYNOTE-775/Study 309 and CLEAR/KEYNOTE-581, which may be of interest to healthcare providers who treat patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma and advanced renal cell carcinoma," said Dr. Takashi Owa, Vice President, Chief Medicine Creation Officer and Chief Discovery Officer, Oncology Business Group at Eisai. "At Eisai, our human health care (hhc) mission is what drives our commitment to investigating and addressing the unmet needs of patients and their families, which is exemplified in our broad clinical program exploring the investigational use of lenvatinib in advanced cancers with poor prognoses and high unmet medical needs."

Additional data presentations from Eisai’s oncology pipeline include dose findings for two of the company’s eribulin-based compounds: E7130, a novel compound derived from total synthesis of halichondrin (NCT03444701; Presentation #: 545P) and E7389-LF, a new liposomal formulation of eribulin, in combination with nivolumab (NCT04078295; Presentation #: 980P), both in patients with advanced solid tumors; as well as for E7386, a CREB-binding protein (CBP)/β-catenin interaction inhibitor, in select solid tumors including colorectal cancer (NCT03833700; Presentation #: 473P).

"With these findings, doses were selected for the continued evaluation of the novel CBP/β-catenin inhibitor E7386 and for two of our eribulin-based molecules, the novel E7130 and new liposomal formulation of eribulin (also called ‘BOLD-LF’)," said Kirk Shepard, Chief Medical Officer & SVP, Head of Global Medical Affairs at Eisai. "Building on our scientific expertise, we continue to explore what’s possible in pursuit of our vision for a world without cancer—from new formulations and evolutions intended to optimize the delivery of eribulin to Wnt pathway modulation that we hypothesize may impact tumor resistance to anti-PD-1 antibodies. This demonstrates Eisai’s tireless commitment to pushing the edge of science to address unmet needs across the cancer continuum so that no patient is left behind."

In March 2018, Eisai and Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada), through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA. To date, more than 20 trials have been initiated under the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program, which is evaluating the combination across 13 different tumor types. For more information on the LEAP program, please visit clinicaltrials.gov.

This release discusses investigational compounds and investigational uses for FDA-approved products. It is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy and safety. There is no guarantee that any investigational compounds or investigational uses of FDA-approved products will successfully complete clinical development or gain FDA approval.

The full list of Eisai abstracts is included below. All e-poster abstracts were made available on Sunday, September 12, at 6:05 PM EDT. Abstracts accepted as mini oral presentations will be made available Thursday, September 16, at 6:05 PM EDT. E-posters will be available on demand via ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper)’s website starting Thursday, September 16.

Cancer Type(s)

Study/Trial

Abstract Name

Virtual Presentation Details

Lenvatinib Combinations (Plus Pembrolizumab or Everolimus)

Gynecologic Cancer

Study 309/ KEYNOTE-775

Outcomes by Histology and Prior Therapy With Lenvatinib Plus Pembrolizumab vs Treatment of Physician’s Choice in Patients With Advanced Endometrial Cancer (Study 309/KEYNOTE-775)

Mini Oral

Presentation #: 726MO

Nicoletta Colombo, MD

September 19, 2021

11:55 AM EDT

Study 111/ KEYNOTE-146

Association Between Biomarkers and Clinical Outcomes of Lenvatinib (L) + Pembrolizumab (P) in Advanced Endometrial Cancer (EC): Results From KEYNOTE-146/Study 111

ePoster

Presentation #: 796P

Vicky Makker, MD

Genitourinary Cancer

CLEAR/ KEYNOTE-581

Phase 3 CLEAR Trial in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (aRCC): Outcomes in Subgroups and Toxicity Update

ePoster

Presentation #: 660P

Toni Choueiri, MD

Gastrointestinal Cancer

LEAP-017

Pembrolizumab Plus Lenvatinib Versus Standard of Care for Previously Treated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC): Phase 3 LEAP-017 Study

ePoster

Presentation #: 506TiP

Takayuki Yoshino, MD, PhD

Solid Tumors

Preclinical study

The characterization of tumors associated with the antitumor activity of lenvatinib plus anti-PD-1 antibody combination therapy in a mouse syngeneic model panel

ePoster

Presentation #: 8P

Yoichi Ozawa, MD

Lenvatinib

Endocrine Cancer

Study 211

Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) analyses from Study 211-a phase 2 study in patients (pts) with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC) treated with 2 starting doses of lenvatinib (LEN)

ePoster

Presentation #: 1746P

Matthew Taylor, MD

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Real-world data

Comparison of medical costs and outcome between hepatectomy and radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

ePoster

Presentation #: 954P

Takeshi Terashima, MD

Eribulin & Pipeline

Breast Cancer

IRENE E7389-M044-504

Incidence and resolution of eribulin-induced peripheral neuropathy (IRENE) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer

ePoster

Presentation #: 304P

Marcus Schmidt, MD

Real-world data

Real World Study of Treatments Received and Treatment Satisfaction Among HER2- Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) Patients in EU3 and US

ePoster

Presentation #: 306P

Katie Lewis

Real World Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among HER2-negative (HER2-) Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) Patients in EU3 and US

ePoster

Presentation #: 305P

Katie Lewis

Solid Tumors

E7130-J081-101

First-in-human (FIH) study of E7130 in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors: primary result of dose-escalation part

ePoster

Presentation #: 545P

Toshihiko Doi, MD

BOLD-LF 120

Phase 1b study of a liposomal formulation of eribulin (E7389-LF) + nivolumab (Nivo) in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors

ePoster

Presentation #: 980P

Noboru Yamamoto, MD, PhD

Gastrointestinal Cancer

PENT 103

A phase 1 study of E7386, a CREB-binding protein (CBP)/β-catenin interaction inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors including colorectal cancer (CRC)

ePoster

Presentation #: 473P

Akihito Kawazoe, MD

About LENVIMA (lenvatinib) Capsules
LENVIMA is indicated:

For the treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)
In combination with pembrolizumab, for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
In combination with everolimus, for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy (RCC)
For the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
In combination with pembrolizumab, for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma (EC) that is not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.
LENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is a kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), KIT, and RET. Lenvatinib also exhibited antiproliferative activity in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines dependent on activated FGFR signaling with a concurrent inhibition of FGD-receptor substrate 2α (FRS2α) phosphorylation. The combination of lenvatinib and everolimus showed increased anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activity as demonstrated by decreases in human endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation, and VEGF signaling in vitro and decreases in tumor volume in mouse xenograft models of human renal cell cancer greater than with either drug alone. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, lenvatinib decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity in combination with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody compared to either treatment alone.

Important Safety Information

Warnings and Precautions

Hypertension. In DTC (differentiated thyroid cancer), hypertension occurred in 73% of patients on LENVIMA (44% grade 3-4). In RCC (renal cell carcinoma), hypertension occurred in 42% of patients on LENVIMA + everolimus (13% grade 3). Systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg occurred in 29% of patients, and 21% had diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg. In HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma), hypertension occurred in 45% of LENVIMA-treated patients (24% grade 3). Grade 4 hypertension was not reported in HCC.

Serious complications of poorly controlled hypertension have been reported. Control blood pressure prior to initiation. Monitor blood pressure after 1 week, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and then at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose when hypertension is controlled or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Cardiac Dysfunction. Serious and fatal cardiac dysfunction can occur with LENVIMA. Across clinical trials in 799 patients with DTC, RCC, and HCC, grade 3 or higher cardiac dysfunction occurred in 3% of LENVIMA-treated patients. Monitor for clinical symptoms or signs of cardiac dysfunction. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Arterial Thromboembolic Events. Among patients receiving LENVIMA or LENVIMA + everolimus, arterial thromboembolic events of any severity occurred in 2% of patients in RCC and HCC and 5% in DTC. Grade 3-5 arterial thromboembolic events ranged from 2% to 3% across all clinical trials.

Among patients receiving LENVIMA with pembrolizumab, arterial thrombotic events of any severity occurred in 5% of patients in CLEAR, including myocardial infarction (3.4%) and cerebrovascular accident (2.3%).

Permanently discontinue following an arterial thrombotic event. The safety of resuming after an arterial thromboembolic event has not been established, and LENVIMA has not been studied in patients who have had an arterial thromboembolic event within the previous 6 months.

Hepatotoxicity. Across clinical studies enrolling 1327 LENVIMA-treated patients with malignancies other than HCC, serious hepatic adverse reactions occurred in 1.4% of patients. Fatal events, including hepatic failure, acute hepatitis and hepatorenal syndrome, occurred in 0.5% of patients. In HCC, hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 8% of LENVIMA-treated patients (5% grade 3-5). Grade 3-5 hepatic failure occurred in 3% of LENVIMA-treated patients; 2% of patients discontinued LENVIMA due to hepatic encephalopathy, and 1% discontinued due to hepatic failure.

Monitor liver function prior to initiation, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Monitor patients with HCC closely for signs of hepatic failure, including hepatic encephalopathy. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Renal Failure or Impairment. Serious including fatal renal failure or impairment can occur with LENVIMA. Renal impairment was reported in 14% and 7% of LENVIMA-treated patients in DTC and HCC, respectively. Grade 3-5 renal failure or impairment occurred in 3% of patients with DTC and 2% of patients with HCC, including 1 fatal event in each study. In RCC, renal impairment or renal failure was reported in 18% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients (10% grade 3).

Initiate prompt management of diarrhea or dehydration/hypovolemia. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue for renal failure or impairment based on severity.

Proteinuria. In DTC and HCC, proteinuria was reported in 34% and 26% of LENVIMA-treated patients, respectively. Grade 3 proteinuria occurred in 11% and 6% in DTC and HCC, respectively. In RCC, proteinuria occurred in 31% of patients receiving LENVIMA + everolimus (8% grade 3). Monitor for proteinuria prior to initiation and periodically during treatment. If urine dipstick proteinuria ≥2+ is detected, obtain a 24-hour urine protein. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Diarrhea. Of the 737 LENVIMA-treated patients in DTC and HCC, diarrhea occurred in 49% (6% grade 3). In RCC, diarrhea occurred in 81% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients (19% grade 3). Diarrhea was the most frequent cause of dose interruption/reduction, and diarrhea recurred despite dose reduction. Promptly initiate management of diarrhea. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Fistula Formation and Gastrointestinal Perforation. Of the 799 patients treated with LENVIMA or LENVIMA + everolimus in DTC, RCC, and HCC, fistula or gastrointestinal perforation occurred in 2%. Permanently discontinue in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation of any severity or grade 3-4 fistula.

QT Interval Prolongation. In DTC, QT/QTc interval prolongation occurred in 9% of LENVIMA-treated patients and QT interval prolongation of >500 ms occurred in 2%. In RCC, QTc interval increases of >60 ms occurred in 11% of patients receiving LENVIMA + everolimus and QTc interval >500 ms occurred in 6%. In HCC, QTc interval increases of >60 ms occurred in 8% of LENVIMA-treated patients and QTc interval >500 ms occurred in 2%.

Monitor and correct electrolyte abnormalities at baseline and periodically during treatment. Monitor electrocardiograms in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or those who are taking drugs known to prolong the QT interval, including Class Ia and III antiarrhythmics. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery based on severity.

Hypocalcemia. In DTC, grade 3-4 hypocalcemia occurred in 9% of LENVIMA-treated patients. In 65% of cases, hypocalcemia improved or resolved following calcium supplementation with or without dose interruption or dose reduction. In RCC, grade 3-4 hypocalcemia occurred in 6% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients. In HCC, grade 3 hypocalcemia occurred in 0.8% of LENVIMA-treated patients. Monitor blood calcium levels at least monthly and replace calcium as necessary during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue depending on severity.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS). Across clinical studies of 1823 patients who received LENVIMA as a single agent, RPLS occurred in 0.3%. Confirm diagnosis of RPLS with MRI. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue depending on severity and persistence of neurologic symptoms.

Hemorrhagic Events. Serious including fatal hemorrhagic events can occur with LENVIMA. In DTC, RCC, and HCC clinical trials, hemorrhagic events, of any grade, occurred in 29% of the 799 patients treated with LENVIMA as a single agent or in combination with everolimus. The most frequently reported hemorrhagic events (all grades and occurring in at least 5% of patients) were epistaxis and hematuria. In DTC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 2% of LENVIMA-treated patients, including 1 fatal intracranial hemorrhage among 16 patients who received LENVIMA and had CNS metastases at baseline. In RCC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 8% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients, including 1 fatal cerebral hemorrhage. In HCC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 5% of LENVIMA-treated patients, including 7 fatal hemorrhagic events. Serious tumor-related bleeds, including fatal hemorrhagic events, occurred in LENVIMA-treated patients in clinical trials and in the postmarketing setting. In postmarketing surveillance, serious and fatal carotid artery hemorrhages were seen more frequently in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) than other tumors. Safety and effectiveness of LENVIMA in patients with ATC have not been demonstrated in clinical trials.

Consider the risk of severe or fatal hemorrhage associated with tumor invasion or infiltration of major blood vessels (eg, carotid artery). Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Impairment of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Suppression/Thyroid Dysfunction. LENVIMA impairs exogenous thyroid suppression. In DTC, 88% of patients had baseline thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level ≤0.5 mU/L. In patients with normal TSH at baseline, elevation of TSH level >0.5 mU/L was observed post baseline in 57% of LENVIMA-treated patients. In RCC and HCC, grade 1 or 2 hypothyroidism occurred in 24% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients and 21% of LENVIMA-treated patients, respectively. In patients with normal or low TSH at baseline, elevation of TSH was observed post baseline in 70% of LENVIMA-treated patients in HCC and 60% of LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients in RCC.

Monitor thyroid function prior to initiation and at least monthly during treatment. Treat hypothyroidism according to standard medical practice.

Impaired Wound Healing. Impaired wound healing has been reported in patients who received LENVIMA. Withhold LENVIMA for at least 1 week prior to elective surgery. Do not administer for at least 2 weeks following major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of LENVIMA after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ). ONJ has been reported in patients receiving LENVIMA. Concomitant exposure to other risk factors, such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, dental disease, or invasive dental procedures, may increase the risk of ONJ.

Perform an oral examination prior to treatment with LENVIMA and periodically during LENVIMA treatment. Advise patients regarding good oral hygiene practices and to consider having preventive dentistry performed prior to treatment with LENVIMA and throughout treatment with LENVIMA.

Avoid invasive dental procedures, if possible, while on LENVIMA treatment, particularly in patients at higher risk. Withhold LENVIMA for at least 1 week prior to scheduled dental surgery or invasive dental procedures, if possible. For patients requiring invasive dental procedures, discontinuation of bisphosphonate treatment may reduce the risk of ONJ.

Withold LENVIMA if ONJ develops and restart based on clinical judgement of adequate resolution.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity. Based on its mechanism of action and data from animal reproduction studies, LENVIMA can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of lenvatinib during organogenesis at doses below the recommended clinical doses resulted in embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, and teratogenicity in rats and rabbits. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus and advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LENVIMA and for at least 30 days after the last dose.

Adverse Reactions
In DTC, the most common adverse reactions (≥30%) observed in LENVIMA-treated patients were hypertension (73%), fatigue (67%), diarrhea (67%), arthralgia/myalgia (62%), decreased appetite (54%), decreased weight (51%), nausea (47%), stomatitis (41%), headache (38%), vomiting (36%), proteinuria (34%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (32%), abdominal pain (31%), and dysphonia (31%). The most common serious adverse reactions (≥2%) were pneumonia (4%), hypertension (3%), and dehydration (3%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions in 68% of LENVIMA-treated patients; 18% discontinued LENVIMA. The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) resulting in dose reductions were hypertension (13%), proteinuria (11%), decreased appetite (10%), and diarrhea (10%); the most common adverse reactions (≥1%) resulting in discontinuation of LENVIMA were hypertension (1%) and asthenia (1%).

In RCC, the most common adverse reactions (≥20%) observed in LENVIMA + pembrolizumab-treated patients were fatigue (63%), diarrhea (62%), musculoskeletal pain (58%), hypothyroidism (57%), hypertension (56%), stomatitis (43%), decreased appetite (41%), rash (37%), nausea (36%), decreased weight (30%), dysphonia (30%), proteinuria (30%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (29%), abdominal pain (27%), hemorrhagic events (27%), vomiting (26%), constipation (25%), hepatotoxicity (25%), headache (23%), and acute kidney injury (21%). The most common serious adverse reactions (≥2%) were hemorrhagic events (5%), diarrhea (4%), hypertension (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), pneumonitis (3%), vomiting (3%), acute kidney injury (2%), adrenal insufficiency (2%), dyspnea (2%), and pneumonia (2%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.3% of patients receiving LENVIMA in combination with pembrolizumab, including cardio-respiratory arrest (0.9%), sepsis (0.9%), and one case (0.3%) each of arrhythmia, autoimmune hepatitis, dyspnea, hypertensive crisis, increased blood creatinine, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, myasthenic syndrome, myocarditis, nephritis, pneumonitis, ruptured aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 51% of patients receiving LENVIMA and pembrolizumab. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients were hemorrhagic events (5%), diarrhea (4%), hypertension (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), pneumonitis (3%), vomiting (3%), acute kidney injury (2%), adrenal insufficiency (2%), dyspnea (2%), and pneumonia (2%). Permanent discontinuation of LENVIMA, pembrolizumab, or both due to an adverse reaction occurred in 37% of patients; 26% LENVIMA only, 29% pembrolizumab only, and 13% both drugs. The most common adverse reactions (≥2%) leading to permanent discontinuation of LENVIMA, pembrolizumab, or both were pneumonitis (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), hepatotoxicity (3%), acute kidney injury (3%), rash (3%), and diarrhea (2%). Dose interruptions of LENVIMA, pembrolizumab, or both due to an adverse reaction occurred in 78% of patients receiving LENVIMA in combination with pembrolizumab. LENVIMA was interrupted in 73% of patients and both drugs were interrupted in 39% of patients. LENVIMA was dose reduced in 69% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) resulting in dose reduction or interruption of LENVIMA were diarrhea (26%), fatigue (18%), hypertension (17%), proteinuria (13%), decreased appetite (12%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (11%), nausea (9%), stomatitis (9%), musculoskeletal pain (8%), rash (8%), increased lipase (7%), abdominal pain (6%), and vomiting (6%), increased ALT (5%), and increased amylase (5%).

In RCC, the most common adverse reactions (≥30%) observed in LENVIMA + everolimus–treated patients were diarrhea (81%), fatigue (73%), arthralgia/myalgia (55%), decreased appetite (53%), vomiting (48%), nausea (45%), stomatitis (44%), hypertension (42%), peripheral edema (42%), cough (37%), abdominal pain (37%), dyspnea (35%), rash (35%), decreased weight (34%), hemorrhagic events (32%), and proteinuria (31%). The most common serious adverse reactions (≥5%) were renal failure (11%), dehydration (10%), anemia (6%), thrombocytopenia (5%), diarrhea (5%), vomiting (5%), and dyspnea (5%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions or interruption in 89% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) resulting in dose reductions were diarrhea (21%), fatigue (8%), thrombocytopenia (6%), vomiting (6%), nausea (5%), and proteinuria (5%). Treatment discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 29% of patients.

In HCC, the most common adverse reactions (≥20%) observed in LENVIMA-treated patients were hypertension (45%), fatigue (44%), diarrhea (39%), decreased appetite (34%), arthralgia/myalgia (31%), decreased weight (31%), abdominal pain (30%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (27%), proteinuria (26%), dysphonia (24%), hemorrhagic events (23%), hypothyroidism (21%), and nausea (20%). The most common serious adverse reactions (≥2%) were hepatic encephalopathy (5%), hepatic failure (3%), ascites (3%), and decreased appetite (2%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions or interruption in 62% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) resulting in dose reductions were fatigue (9%), decreased appetite (8%), diarrhea (8%), proteinuria (7%), hypertension (6%), and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (5%). Treatment discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 20% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (≥1%) resulting in discontinuation of LENVIMA were fatigue (1%), hepatic encephalopathy (2%), hyperbilirubinemia (1%), and hepatic failure (1%).

In EC, the most common adverse reactions (≥20%) observed in LENVIMA and pembrolizumab–treated patients were hypothyroidism (67%), hypertension (67%), fatigue (58%), diarrhea (55%), musculoskeletal disorders (53%), nausea (49%), decreased appetite (44%), vomiting (37%), stomatitis (35%), decreased weight (34%), abdominal pain (34%), urinary tract infection (31%), proteinuria (29%), constipation (27%), headache (26%), hemorrhagic events (25%), palmar–plantar erythrodysesthesia (23%), dysphonia (22%), and rash (20%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.7% of those treated with LENVIMA and pembrolizumab, including 2 cases of pneumonia, and 1 case of the following: acute kidney injury, acute myocardial infarction, colitis, decreased appetite, intestinal perforation, lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, malignant gastrointestinal obstruction, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and right ventricular dysfunction. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 50% of patients receiving LENVIMA and pembrolizumab. Serious adverse reactions with frequency ≥3% were hypertension (4.4%), and urinary tract infection (3.2%). Discontinuation of LENVIMA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 26% of patients. The most common (≥1%) adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of LENVIMA were hypertension (2%), asthenia (1.8%), diarrhea (1.2%), decreased appetite (1.2%), proteinuria (1.2%), and vomiting (1.2%). Dose reductions of LENVIMA due to adverse reactions occurred in 67% of patients. The most common (≥5%) adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction of LENVIMA were hypertension (18%), diarrhea (11%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (9%), proteinuria (7%), fatigue (7%), decreased appetite (6%), asthenia (5%), and weight decreased (5%). Dose interruptions of LENVIMA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 58% of these patients. The most common (≥2%) adverse reactions leading to interruption of LENVIMA were hypertension (11%), diarrhea (11%), proteinuria (6%), decreased appetite (5%), vomiting (5%), increased alanine aminotransferase (3.5%), fatigue (3.5%), nausea (3.5%), abdominal pain (2.9%), decreased weight (2.6%), urinary tract infection (2.6%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (2.3%), asthenia (2.3%), and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (2%).

Use in Specific Populations
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, advise women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment and for at least 1 week after the last dose. LENVIMA may impair fertility in males and females of reproductive potential.

No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild (CLcr 60-89 mL/min) or moderate (CLcr 30-59 mL/min) renal impairment. LENVIMA concentrations may increase in patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe (CLcr 15-29 mL/min) renal impairment. Reduce the dose for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe renal impairment. There is no recommended dose for patients with HCC and severe renal impairment. LENVIMA has not been studied in patients with end-stage renal disease.

No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with HCC and mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A). There is no recommended dose for patients with HCC with moderate (Child-Pugh B) or severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment. No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and mild or moderate hepatic impairment. LENVIMA concentrations may increase in patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe hepatic impairment. Reduce the dose for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe hepatic impairment.

LENVIMA (lenvatinib) is available as 10 mg and 4 mg capsules.

Please see Prescribing information for LENVIMA (lenvatinib) at View Source

About HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) Injection
HALAVEN (eribulin mesylate) injection (0.5 mg/mL) is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) who have previously received at least 2 chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of metastatic disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting.

Discovered and developed by Eisai, eribulin is a synthetic analog of halichondrin B, a natural product that was isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai. First in the halichondrin class, eribulin is a microtubule dynamics inhibitor. Eribulin is believed to work primarily via a tubulin-based mechanism that causes prolonged and irreversible mitotic blockage, ultimately leading to apoptotic cell death. Additionally, in preclinical studies of human breast cancer, eribulin demonstrated complex effects on the tumor biology of surviving cancer cells, including increases in vascular perfusion resulting in reduced tumor hypoxia, and changes in the expression of genes in tumor specimens associated with a change in phenotype, promoting the epithelial phenotype, opposing the mesenchymal phenotype. Eribulin has also been shown to decrease the migration and invasiveness of human breast cancer cells.

Important Safety Information

Warnings and Precautions

Neutropenia: Severe neutropenia (ANC <500/mm3) lasting >1 week occurred in 12% of patients with mBC. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 5% of patients with mBC and 2 patients (0.4%) died from complications. Patients with mBC with elevated liver enzymes >3 × ULN and bilirubin >1.5 × ULN experienced a higher incidence of Grade 4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia than patients with normal levels. Monitor complete blood cell counts prior to each dose, and increase the frequency of monitoring in patients who develop Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias. Delay administration and reduce subsequent doses in patients who experience febrile neutropenia or Grade 4 neutropenia lasting >7 days.

Peripheral Neuropathy: Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 8% of patients with mBC (Grade 4=0.4%) and 22% developed a new or worsening neuropathy that had not recovered within a median follow-up duration of 269 days (range 25-662 days). Neuropathy lasting >1 year occurred in 5% of patients with mBC. Patients should be monitored for signs of peripheral motor and sensory neuropathy. Withhold HALAVEN in patients who experience Grade 3 or 4 peripheral neuropathy until resolution to Grade 2 or less.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: HALAVEN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with HALAVEN and for at least 2 weeks following the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with HALAVEN and for 3.5 months following the final dose.

QT Prolongation: Monitor for prolonged QT intervals in patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, drugs known to prolong the QT interval, and electrolyte abnormalities. Correct hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia prior to initiating HALAVEN and monitor these electrolytes periodically during therapy. Avoid in patients with congenital long QT syndrome.

Adverse Reactions
In patients with mBC receiving HALAVEN, the most common adverse reactions (≥25%) were neutropenia (82%), anemia (58%), asthenia/fatigue (54%), alopecia (45%), peripheral neuropathy (35%), nausea (35%), and constipation (25%). Febrile neutropenia (4%) and neutropenia (2%) were the most common serious adverse reactions. The most common adverse reaction resulting in discontinuation was peripheral neuropathy (5%).

Use in Specific Populations
Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from eribulin mesylate, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with HALAVEN and for 2 weeks after the final dose.

Hepatic and Renal Impairment: A reduction in starting dose is recommended for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment and/or moderate or severe renal impairment.

For more information about HALAVEN, click here for the full Prescribing Information.

HALAVEN is a registered trademark used by Eisai Inc. under license from Eisai R&D Management Co., Ltd.

About the Eisai and Merck Strategic Collaboration
In March 2018, Eisai and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA. Under the agreement, the companies will jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA.

In addition to ongoing clinical studies evaluating the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination across several different tumor types, the companies have jointly initiated new clinical studies through the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program and are evaluating the combination in 13 different tumor types (endometrial carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, urothelial cancer, biliary tract cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, glioblastoma, and pancreatic cancer) across more than 20 clinical trials.

GT Biopharma, Inc. Presentation as of September 10, 2021

On September 13, 2021 GT Biopharma, Inc. Presented the Corporate Presentation (Presentation, GT Biopharma, SEP 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234587661]).

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Results from masitinib study AB12003 in prostate cancer have been presented at the 2021 American Urological Association

On September 13, 2021 AB Science SA (Euronext – FR0010557264 – AB) reported that results from masitinib study AB12003 in metastatic castrate refractory prostate cancer, have been presented as a podium presentation at the 2021 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting by Dr Michel Pavic (Director of the Hematology and Oncology Unit at University of Sherbrooke, Canada) (Press release, AB Science, SEP 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234591052]). The AUA Annual Meeting, the largest gathering of urological professionals in the world, was held from September 10–13 as a virtual platform this year.

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Masitinib is positioned in combination with docetaxel as a first-line treatment of metastatic Castrate Refractory Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) eligible to chemotherapy. Although localized disease is associated with high survival rates, metastatic prostate cancer still represents an unmet medical need with a 5-years survival rate of about 30% [2]. There is currently no drug registered for use in combination with standard treatment of docetaxel.

"Results from study AB12003 indicate that the combination of masitinib plus docetaxel may provide a new first-line treatment option for mCRPC patients with low metastatic involvement. This is particularly striking because for years there have been many unsuccessful combination therapy trials with docetaxel in this indication," said Michel Pavic, a senior investigator on study AB12003. "Masitinib represents an innovative approach, being a small molecule drug that targets mast cell and macrophage activity. These are innate immune cells that are increasingly recognized as being critical components of the tumor microenvironment and associated with prostate cancer progression."

A prerecorded podium presentation entitled ‘Masitinib Plus Docetaxel as First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Castrate Refractory Prostate Cancer: Results from Study AB12003’ was presented on Sunday 12th September as part of the Late-Breaking Malignant Abstract Session (LBA02). The abstract has been published in the Journal of Urology [1] (View Source). Highlights from the presentation included:

Masitinib (6.0 mg/kg/day) plus docetaxel confers a significant PFS benefit in mCRPC patients with ALP ≤ 250 IU/ml. Hazard ratio of 0.79 [0.64;0.97] (p=0.0087), corresponding to a 21% reduction in risk of progression relative to control.
Assessment of PFS rates was convergent with this primary outcome; 12, 18, and 24-month PFS rates showed significant improvement in favor of masitinib plus docetaxel relative to control: 1.6-fold (p=0.0035), 1.9-fold (p=0.0001) and 1.9-fold (p=0.0028), respectively.
A progressively greater masitinib treatment effect was observed for lower baseline ALP levels (less advanced metastatic disease), with a significant 47% reduced risk of progression in patients with ALP≤100 IU/mL (hazard ratio=0.53, p=0.002).
No PFS benefit was observed for the overall population.
The masitinib plus docetaxel safety profile was acceptable with respect to control; consistent with the known masitinib profile (neutropenia, anemia, diarrhea, and skin reactions) with no new safety signals observed.

AB12003 Study Design

AB12003 was a prospective, placebo controlled, double blind, randomized, phase 3 trial, evaluating MAS (6.0 mg/kg/d) in combination with docetaxel (IV 75 mg/m² plus prednisone for up to 10 cycles) as a first-line treatment of metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Eligible patients were chemo-naïve with confirmed mCRCP, who had progressed on previous abiraterone treatment or were indicated for docetaxel treatment, and had a ECOG ≤1. Primary analysis was performed on a pre-specified targeted subgroup, defined as patients with baseline alkaline phosphatase levels (ALP) ≤250 IU/ml, and on the overall population. Primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS) (PCWG2 definition). The study was successful if improvement in median PFS relative to control reached a 3.9% level of significance for the target subgroup (alpha split with fallback procedure to conserve overall type-I error at 5% for the overall study cohort). Primary analysis was based on 450 patients in the targeted subgroup (ALP ≤ 250 IU/ml). There was a total of 712 patients in the overall study cohort.

Reference

[1] Pavic M, Hermine O, Spaeth D. Masitinib Plus Docetaxel as First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Castrate Refractory Prostate Cancer: Results from Study AB12003. Journal of Urology, Volume 206, Issue Supplement 3, September 2021, Page: e1179

[2] Cancer stat facts: prostate cancer. National Cancer Institute/ Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Accessed September 10, 2021. View Source

About masitinib
Masitinib is a orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets mast cells and macrophages, important cells for immunity, through inhibiting a limited number of kinases. Based on its unique mechanism of action, masitinib can be developed in a large number of conditions in oncology, in inflammatory diseases, and in certain diseases of the central nervous system. In oncology due to its immunotherapy effect, masitinib can have an effect on survival, alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Through its activity on mast cells and microglia and consequently the inhibition of the activation of the inflammatory process, masitinib can have an effect on the symptoms associated with some inflammatory and central nervous system diseases and the degeneration of these diseases.