Lilly’s CYRAMZA® (ramucirumab) Receives FDA Approval as First-Line Treatment for Metastatic EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On May 29, 2020 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved CYRAMZA (ramucirumab injection, 10 mg/mL solution), in combination with erlotinib, for the first-line treatment of people with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) mutations (Press release, Eli Lilly, MAY 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234558742]). With this approval, CYRAMZA has now received six FDA approvals to treat certain types of lung, liver, stomach and colorectal cancers.

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CYRAMZA plus erlotinib is the first and only FDA-approved anti-VEGFR/EGFR TKI combination therapy for metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC. This approval is based on the efficacy and safety from the global, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 RELAY trial. In the RELAY study, CYRAMZA, a VEGF receptor 2 antagonist, in combination with erlotinib, a globally approved EGFR-targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) – the time patients lived without their cancer growing or spreading after starting treatment – compared to placebo in combination with erlotinib [19.4 months in the CYRAMZA-containing arm compared to 12.4 months in the placebo-containing arm (HR=0.59; 95% CI, 0.46, 0.76; p<0.0001)]. The PFS treatment effect was consistent across exon 19 and exon 21 subgroups. The overall safety profile observed in the RELAY study was consistent with that of its individual components. RELAY is the second positive Phase 3 trial of CYRAMZA in metastatic NSCLC. The first was REVEL, which supported the approval of CYRAMZA plus docetaxel as a treatment for people with metastatic NSCLC whose cancer has progressed after prior platinum-based chemotherapy.

"The approval of this new first-line metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer regimen, which inhibits the VEGFR and EGFR pathways together, is an important milestone in the treatment of this disease. It is wonderful that patients now have multiple options for initial therapy capable of delaying disease progression for considerably longer than erlotinib, which has been our traditional standard approach," said Edward Garon, M.D., David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, and North America lead investigator of the RELAY trial. "Ramucirumab, in combination with erlotinib, is a welcomed first-line option to offer our patients with metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer."

"This CYRAMZA combination regimen represents a new and meaningful treatment option for people with metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, and we are proud that it has been approved by the FDA for patients with this disease and the doctors who treat them," said Anne White, president of Lilly Oncology. "Today’s approval underscores Lilly’s continued commitment to people living with lung cancer and to delivering meaningful medicines that are tailored for those with advanced or metastatic cancers. It also further reinforces the value that CYRAMZA can provide in treating certain advanced or metastatic cancers."

Fifty percent of people with NSCLC present with advanced or metastatic disease at diagnosis.1 The five-year survival rate for metastatic NSCLC patients is six percent.2 In the U.S., it is estimated that approximately 15 percent of people diagnosed with NSCLC have an EGFR mutation.3

"We’re encouraged by CYRAMZA’s latest approval, which represents one step towards our goal of making EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer into a manageable chronic disease," said Ivy Elkins, cofounder of EGFR Resisters. "Each new treatment option gives hope to those living with this disease and provides oncologists with more options that may help slow the spread of this deadly cancer, which is an important goal for many patients."

The labeling for CYRAMZA contains warnings and precautions for hemorrhage and gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage, including severe and sometimes fatal events; GI perforations, a potentially fatal event; impaired wound healing; arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs), including serious and sometimes fatal events; hypertension; infusion-related reactions (IRR) including severe and life-threatening reactions; worsening of pre-existing hepatic impairment; Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES); proteinuria including nephrotic syndrome; thyroid dysfunction; and embryo-fetal toxicity. CYRAMZA should be permanently discontinued in patients who experience severe bleeding, a GI perforation, an ATE, uncontrolled hypertension, Grade 3 or 4 IRR, PRES, or nephrotic syndrome. Withhold CYRAMZA for 28 days prior to elective surgery. Do not administer CYRAMZA for at least two weeks following a major surgical procedure and until adequate wound healing.

The most common adverse reactions (all grades) observed in CYRAMZA with erlotinib-treated patients at a rate of ≥30% of patients and ≥2% higher than placebo with erlotinib-treated patients were infections, hypertension, stomatitis, proteinuria, alopecia, and epistaxis. The most common laboratory abnormalities ≥30% and ≥2% higher than the placebo were increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate aminotransferase, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. Please see Important Safety Information below.

In addition to a recent approval for CYRAMZA in the European Union based on the RELAY results, Lilly has made a submission in Japan with regulatory action expected by the end of 2020.

Click here to view the EGFR-mutated NSCLC fact sheet.
Click here to view the CYRAMZA product photo.
Click here to view the CYRAMZA logo.

About the RELAY Trial
RELAY is a global randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study of CYRAMZA in combination with erlotinib, compared to placebo in combination with erlotinib, as a first-line treatment in previously untreated patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations. EGFR-targeting TKIs are the current standard treatment options for EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Erlotinib, the TKI included in the RELAY trial regimen, is a globally approved treatment option for this type of lung cancer.

Initiated in 2015, the study randomized 449 patients across North America, Europe and Asia. The primary endpoint of the RELAY trial is PFS; key secondary endpoints include safety, overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), and overall survival (OS). On the primary endpoint of investigator-assessed PFS, CYRAMZA plus erlotinib (N=224) demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in median PFS – the time patients lived without their cancer growing or spreading after starting treatment – by seven months compared to placebo plus erlotinib (N=225) [19.4 months in the CYRAMZA-containing arm compared to 12.4 months in the placebo-containing arm (HR=0.59; 95% CI, 0.46, 0.76; p<0.0001)]. The PFS treatment effect was consistent across exon 19 and exon 21 subgroups. At the time of the final analysis of PFS, OS data were not mature as only 26 percent of planned events for the final analysis had occurred (HR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.53, 1.30). A final OS analysis is planned when at least 300 events have occurred.

RELAY Trial Efficacy Results Supporting Approval

Endpoint

CYRAMZA + erlotinib

N=224

Placebo + erlotinib

N=225

Progression-Free Survival (primary outcome measure)

Number of events (%)a

122 (55%)

158 (70%)

Median – months (95% CI)

19.4 (15.4, 21.6)

12.4 (11.0, 13.5)

Hazard Ratio (95% CI)

0.59 (0.46, 0.76)

Stratified Log-rank p-value

<0.0001

Overall Response Rate (Complete Response + Partial Response) (secondary outcome measure)

Rate – percent (95% CI)

76% (71, 82)

75% (69, 80)

Duration of Response (DoR) (secondary outcome measure)

N=171

N=168

Median – months (95% CI)

18.0 (13.9, 19.8)

11.1 (9.7, 12.3)

Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval

a 4 of 122 events in CYRAMZA-treated patients and 1 of 158 events in placebo-treated patients were deaths.

Treatment discontinuation of all study drugs due to adverse reactions occurred in 13 percent of CYRAMZA with erlotinib-treated patients, with increased alanine aminotransferase (1.4%) and paronychia (1.4%) being the most common. The most common adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation of CYRAMZA were proteinuria (8.6%) and hyperbilirubinemia (6%).

Detailed RELAY efficacy and safety results were published in The Lancet Oncology.

Notes to Editors

About Lung Cancer and EGFR Mutations
Globally, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, killing nearly 1.8 million people worldwide each year.4 In the U.S., lung cancer is the second most common cancer (not counting skin cancer) and the leading cause of cancer death, responsible for almost 25 percent of all cancer deaths – more than those from colorectal, breast and prostate cancers combined.5 It is estimated that there will be 228,820 new cases of lung cancer and 135,720 deaths from lung cancer in the U.S. in 2020.4 Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is much more common than other types of lung cancer and accounts for about 85 percent of all lung cancers.6 Stage IV NSCLC is a very difficult-to-treat cancer and the prognosis is poor for metastatic NSCLC.7 Fifty percent of NSCLC patients present with advanced or metastatic disease at diagnosis.1 The five-year survival rate for metastatic NSCLC is six percent.2

EGFR is a protein that helps cells grow and divide. When the EGFR gene is mutated it can cause the protein to be overactive, causing cells to grow and divide more quickly. EGFR mutations may occur in 10 to 35 percent of NSCLC tumors globally.8 In the U.S., it is estimated that approximately 15 percent of people diagnosed with NSCLC have an EGFR mutation.3 Activating EGFR mutations are found in about 10 to 20 percent of Caucasian patients with lung adenocarcinomas and in up to 40 to 60 percent of Asian patients.9,10,11 Regardless of ethnicity, these mutations are commonly found in females, non-smokers and those with adenocarcinoma histology.12,13 The most common activating mutations in EGFR are deletions within exon 19 and a substitution in exon 21 (L858R). These mutations are present in 90 percent of EGFR-mutated NSCLC tumors. The presence of these activating EGFR mutations in advanced NSCLC is associated with sensitivity to small-molecule EGFR TKIs.10,11

About CYRAMZA (ramucirumab)
In the U.S., CYRAMZA (ramucirumab) has six FDA approvals to treat four different types of cancers. CYRAMZA is being investigated in a broad global development program that has enrolled more than 15,000 patients across more than 100 trials worldwide. These include several studies investigating CYRAMZA in combination with other anti-cancer therapies for the treatment of multiple tumor types. To date, more than 150,000 patients have been treated with CYRAMZA.

CYRAMZA is an antiangiogenic therapy. It is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Receptor 2 antagonist that binds specifically to VEGFR-2, thereby blocking the binding of the receptor ligands (VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D) – which may slow tumor growth. CYRAMZA inhibited angiogenesis in an in vivo animal model.

About Angiogenesis and VEGF Protein
Angiogenesis is the process of making new blood vessels. In a person with cancer, angiogenesis creates new blood vessels that give a tumor its own blood supply, allowing it to grow and spread.

Some tumors create proteins called VEGF. These proteins attach to the VEGF receptors of blood vessel cells causing new blood vessels to form around the tumors, enabling growth. Blocking the VEGF protein from binding to the receptors located on the surface of blood vessels helps to inhibit tumor growth by slowing angiogenesis and the blood supply that feeds tumors. Of the three known VEGF receptors, VEGF Receptor 2 is linked most closely to VEGF-induced tumor angiogenesis.

INDICATIONS FOR CYRAMZA
Gastric Cancer
CYRAMZA, as a single agent, or in combination with paclitaxel, is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma with disease progression on or after prior fluoropyrimidine- or platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
CYRAMZA, in combination with erlotinib, for first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) mutations.

CYRAMZA, in combination with docetaxel, is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving CYRAMZA.

Colorectal Cancer
CYRAMZA, in combination with FOLFIRI (irinotecan, folinic acid, and fluorouracil), is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with disease progression on or after prior therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin, and a fluoropyrimidine.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma
CYRAMZA, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) of ≥400 ng/mL and have been treated with sorafenib.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR CYRAMZA (ramucirumab)
Warnings and Precautions

Hemorrhage

CYRAMZA increased the risk of hemorrhage and gastrointestinal hemorrhage, including Grade ≥3 hemorrhagic events. In 2137 patients with various cancers treated with CYRAMZA, the incidence of all Grade hemorrhage ranged from 13-55%. Grade 3-5 hemorrhage incidence ranged from 2-5%.
Patients with gastric cancer receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were excluded from enrollment in REGARD and RAINBOW; therefore, the risk of gastric hemorrhage in CYRAMZA-treated patients with gastric tumors receiving NSAIDs is unknown.
Patients with NSCLC receiving therapeutic anticoagulation or with evidence of major airway invasion by cancer were excluded from REVEL. In addition, patients with NSCLC with a recent history of gross hemoptysis, those receiving chronic therapy with NSAIDs or other anti-platelet therapy other than once daily aspirin or with radiographic evidence of major blood vessel invasion or intratumor cavitation were excluded from REVEL and RELAY; therefore the risk of pulmonary hemorrhage in these groups of patients is unknown.
Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA in patients who experience severe (Grade 3 or 4) bleeding.
Gastrointestinal Perforations

CYRAMZA can increase the risk of gastrointestinal perforation, a potentially fatal event. In 2137 patients with various cancers treated with CYRAMZA, the incidence of all Grade and Grade 3-5 gastrointestinal perforations ranged from <1-2%.
Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA in patients who experience a gastrointestinal perforation.
Impaired Wound Healing

CYRAMZA has the potential to adversely affect wound healing. CYRAMZA has not been studied in patients with serious or non-healing wounds.
Withhold CYRAMZA for 28 days prior to elective surgery. Do not administer CYRAMZA for at least 2 weeks following a major surgical procedure and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of CYRAMZA after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.
Arterial Thromboembolic Events (ATEs)

Serious, sometimes fatal, ATEs, including myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, cerebrovascular accident, and cerebral ischemia, occurred across clinical trials. In 2137 patients with various cancers treated with CYRAMZA, the incidence of all Grade ATE was 1-3%. Grade 3-5 ATE incidence was <1-2%.
Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA in patients who experience an ATE.
Hypertension

An increased incidence of severe hypertension occurred in patients receiving CYRAMZA. Across five clinical studies, excluding RELAY, in 1916 patients with various cancers treated with CYRAMZA, the incidence of all Grade hypertension ranged from 11-26%. Grade 3-5 hypertension incidence ranged from 6-15%. In 221 patients with NSCLC receiving CYRAMZA in combination with erlotinib in the RELAY study, the incidence of new or worsening hypertension was higher (45%), as was the incidence of Grade 3-5 hypertension (24%). Of the patients experiencing new or worsening hypertension in RELAY (N=100 CYRAMZA and erlotinib; N=27 placebo and erlotinib), 13% of those treated with CYRAMZA and erlotinib required initiation of 3 or more antihypertensive medications compared to 4% of patients treated with placebo and erlotinib.
Control hypertension prior to initiating treatment with CYRAMZA. Monitor blood pressure every two weeks or more frequently as indicated during treatment. Withhold CYRAMZA for severe hypertension until medically controlled. Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA for medically significant hypertension that cannot be controlled with antihypertensive therapy or in patients with hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy.
Infusion-Related Reactions (IRR)

IRR, including severe and life-threatening IRR, occurred in CYRAMZA clinical trials. Symptoms of IRR included rigors/tremors, back pain/spasms, chest pain and/or tightness, chills, flushing, dyspnea, wheezing, hypoxia, and paresthesia. In severe cases, symptoms included bronchospasm, supraventricular tachycardia, and hypotension. In 2137 patients with various cancers treated with CYRAMZA in which premedication was recommended or required, the incidence of all Grade IRR ranged from <1- 9%. Grade 3-5 IRR incidence was <1%.
Premedicate prior to each CYRAMZA infusion. Monitor patients during the infusion for signs and symptoms of IRR in a setting with available resuscitation equipment. Reduce the infusion rate by 50% for Grade 1-2 IRR. Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA for Grade 3- 4 IRR.
Worsening of Pre-existing Hepatic Impairment

Clinical deterioration, manifested by new onset or worsening encephalopathy, ascites, or hepatorenal syndrome, was reported in patients with Child-Pugh B or C cirrhosis who received single agent CYRAMZA. Use CYRAMZA in patients with Child-Pugh B or C cirrhosis only if the potential benefits of treatment are judged to outweigh the risks of clinical deterioration.
Based on safety data from REACH-2, in patients with Child-Pugh A liver cirrhosis, the pooled incidence of hepatic encephalopathy and hepatorenal syndrome was higher for patients who received CYRAMZA (6%) compared to patients who received placebo (0%).
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)

PRES (also known as Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome [RPLS]) has been reported in <0.1% of 2137 patients with various cancers treated with CYRAMZA. Symptoms of PRES include seizure, headache, nausea/vomiting, blindness, or altered consciousness, with or without associated hypertension.
Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA in patients who develop PRES. Symptoms may resolve or improve within days, although some patients with PRES can experience ongoing neurologic sequelae or death.
Proteinuria Including Nephrotic Syndrome

In 2137 patients with various cancers treated with CYRAMZA, the incidence of all Grade proteinuria ranged from 3-34%. Grade ≥3 proteinuria (including 4 patients with nephrotic syndrome) incidence ranged from <1-3%.
Monitor for proteinuria. Withhold CYRAMZA for urine protein levels that are 2 or more grams over 24 hours. Reinitiate CYRAMZA at a reduced dose once the urine protein level returns to less than 2 grams over 24 hours. Permanently discontinue CYRAMZA for urine protein levels greater than 3 grams over 24 hours or in the setting of nephrotic syndrome.
Thyroid Dysfunction

In 2137 patients with various cancers treated with CYRAMZA, the incidence of Grade 1-2 hypothyroidism ranged from <1-3%; there were no reports of Grade 3-5 hypothyroidism. Monitor thyroid function during treatment with CYRAMZA.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

CYRAMZA can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with CYRAMZA and for 3 months after the last dose.
Lactation

Because of the potential risk for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children from ramucirumab, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with CYRAMZA and for 2 months after the last dose.
Adverse Reactions

REGARD:

The most common adverse reactions (all Grades) observed in single agent CYRAMZA-treated gastric cancer patients at a rate of ≥5% and ≥2% higher than placebo were hypertension (16% vs 8%), diarrhea (14% vs 9%), headache (9% vs 3%), and hyponatremia (6% vs 2%).
The most common serious adverse reactions with CYRAMZA were anemia (3.8%) and intestinal obstruction (2.1%). Red blood cell transfusions were given to 11% of CYRAMZA-treated patients vs 8.7% of patients who received placebo.
Clinically relevant adverse reactions reported in ≥1% and <5% of CYRAMZA-treated patients in REGARD were neutropenia (4.7%), epistaxis (4.7%), rash (4.2%), intestinal obstruction (2.1%), and arterial thromboembolic events (1.7%).
Across clinical trials of CYRAMZA administered as a single agent, clinically relevant adverse reactions (including Grade ≥3) reported in CYRAMZA-treated patients included proteinuria, gastrointestinal perforation, and IRR. In REGARD, according to laboratory assessment, 8% of CYRAMZA-treated patients developed proteinuria vs 3% of placebo-treated patients. Two patients discontinued CYRAMZA due to proteinuria. The rate of gastrointestinal perforation in REGARD was 0.8% and the rate of IRR was 0.4%.
RAINBOW:

The most common adverse reactions (all Grades) observed in patients treated with CYRAMZA with paclitaxel at a rate of ≥5% and ≥2% higher than placebo with paclitaxel were fatigue/asthenia (57% vs 44%), neutropenia (54% vs 31%), diarrhea (32% vs 23%), epistaxis (31% vs 7%), hypertension (25% vs 6%), peripheral edema (25% vs 14%), stomatitis (20% vs 7%), proteinuria (17% vs 6%), thrombocytopenia (13% vs 6%), hypoalbuminemia (11% vs 5%), and gastrointestinal hemorrhage events (10% vs 6%).
The most common serious adverse reactions with CYRAMZA with paclitaxel were neutropenia (3.7%) and febrile neutropenia (2.4%); 19% of patients who received CYRAMZA with paclitaxel received granulocyte colony-stimulating factors.
Adverse reactions resulting in discontinuation of any component of the CYRAMZA with paclitaxel combination in ≥2% of patients in RAINBOW were neutropenia (4%) and thrombocytopenia (3%).
Clinically relevant adverse reactions reported in ≥1% and <5% of patients receiving CYRAMZA with paclitaxel were sepsis (3.1%), including 5 fatal events, and gastrointestinal perforations (1.2%), including 1 fatal event.
REVEL:

The most common adverse reactions (all Grades) observed in patients treated with CYRAMZA with docetaxel at a rate of ≥5% and ≥2% higher than placebo with docetaxel were neutropenia (55% vs 46%), fatigue/asthenia (55% vs 50%), stomatitis/mucosal inflammation (37% vs 19%), epistaxis (19% vs 7%), febrile neutropenia (16% vs 10%), peripheral edema (16% vs 9%), thrombocytopenia (13% vs 5%), lacrimation increased (13% vs 5%), and hypertension (11% vs 5%).
The most common serious adverse reactions with CYRAMZA with docetaxel were febrile neutropenia (14%), pneumonia (6%), and neutropenia (5%). The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors was 42% in CYRAMZA with docetaxel- treated patients versus 37% in patients who received placebo with docetaxel.
Treatment discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred more frequently in CYRAMZA with docetaxel-treated patients (9%) than in placebo with docetaxel-treated patients (5%). The most common adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation of CYRAMZA were IRR (0.5%) and epistaxis (0.3%).
For patients with non-squamous histology, the overall incidence of pulmonary hemorrhage was 7% and the incidence of Grade ≥3 pulmonary hemorrhage was 1% for CYRAMZA with docetaxel compared to 6% overall incidence and 1% for Grade ≥3 pulmonary hemorrhage for placebo with docetaxel. For patients with squamous histology, the overall incidence of pulmonary hemorrhage was 10% and the incidence of Grade ≥3 pulmonary hemorrhage was 2% for CYRAMZA with docetaxel compared to 12% overall incidence and 2% for Grade ≥3 pulmonary hemorrhage for placebo with docetaxel.
Clinically relevant adverse reactions reported in ≥1% and <5% of CYRAMZA with docetaxel-treated patients in REVEL were hyponatremia (4.8%) and proteinuria (3.3%).
RELAY:

The most common adverse reactions (all Grades) observed in patients treated with CYRAMZA with erlotinib at a rate of ≥ 5% and ≥2% higher than placebo with erlotinib were infections (81% vs 76%), diarrhea (70% vs 71%), hypertension (45% vs 12%), stomatitis (42% vs 36%), alopecia (34% vs 20%), epistaxis (34% vs 12%), proteinuria (34% vs 8%), peripheral edema (23% vs 4%), headache (15% vs 7%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (10% vs 3%), gingival bleeding (9% vs 1%), and pulmonary hemorrhage (7% vs 2%).
The most common serious adverse reactions with CYRAMZA with erlotinib were pneumonia (3.2%), cellulitis (1.8%), and pneumothorax (1.8%). Red blood cell transfusions were given to 3.2% of CYRAMZA-treated patients versus 0 patients who received placebo.
Treatment discontinuation of all study drugs due to adverse reactions occurred in 13% of CYRAMZA with erlotinib-treated patients, with increased alanine aminotransferase (1.4%) and paronychia (1.4%) being the most common. The most common adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation of CYRAMZA were proteinuria (8.6%) and hyperbilirubinemia (6%).
Of the 221 patients who received CYRAMZA with erlotinib, 119 (54%) were 65 and over, while 29 (13%) were 75 and over. Adverse reactions occurring at a 10% or higher incidence in patients receiving CYRAMZA with erlotinib and with a 10% or greater difference between patients aged 65 or older compared to patients aged less than 65 years were: diarrhea (75% versus 65%), hypertension (50% versus 40%), increased ALT (49% versus 35%), increased AST (49% versus 33%), stomatitis (46% versus 36%), decreased appetite (32% versus 19%), dysgeusia (23% versus 12%), and weight loss (19% versus 6%).
RAISE:

The most common adverse reactions (all Grades) observed in patients treated with CYRAMZA with FOLFIRI at a rate of ≥5% and ≥2% higher than placebo with FOLFIRI were diarrhea (60% vs 51%), neutropenia (59% vs 46%), decreased appetite (37% vs 27%), epistaxis (33% vs 15%), stomatitis (31% vs 21%), thrombocytopenia (28% vs 14%), hypertension (26% vs 9%), peripheral edema (20% vs 9%), proteinuria (17% vs 5%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (13% vs 5%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage events (12% vs 7%), and hypoalbuminemia (6% vs 2%). Twenty percent of patients treated with CYRAMZA with FOLFIRI received granulocyte colony- stimulating factors.
The most common serious adverse reactions with CYRAMZA with FOLFIRI were diarrhea (3.6%), intestinal obstruction (3.0%), and febrile neutropenia (2.8%).
Treatment discontinuation of any study drug due to adverse reactions occurred more frequently in CYRAMZA with FOLFIRI-treated patients (29%) than in placebo with FOLFIRI-treated patients (13%). The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of any component of CYRAMZA with FOLFIRI as compared to placebo with FOLFIRI were neutropenia (12.5% vs 5.3%) and thrombocytopenia (4.2% vs 0.8%). The most common adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation of CYRAMZA were proteinuria (1.5%), and gastrointestinal perforation (1.7%).
Clinically relevant adverse reaction reported in ≥1% and <5% of patients receiving CYRAMZA with FOLFIRI was gastrointestinal perforation (1.7%), including 4 fatal events.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were evaluated in 224 patients (115 CYRAMZA with FOLFIRI-treated patients and 109 placebo with FOLFIRI-treated patients) with normal baseline TSH levels. Increased TSH levels were observed in 53 (46%) patients treated with CYRAMZA with FOLFIRI compared with 4 (4%) patients treated with placebo with FOLFIRI.
REACH-2:

The most common adverse reactions (all Grades) observed in single agent CYRAMZA-treated HCC patients at a rate of ≥10% and ≥2% higher than placebo were fatigue (36% vs 20%), peripheral edema (25% vs 14%), hypertension (25% vs 13%), abdominal pain (25% vs 16%), decreased appetite (23% vs 20%), proteinuria (20% vs 4%), nausea (19% vs 12%), ascites (18% vs 7%), headache (14% vs 5%), epistaxis (14% vs 3%), insomnia (11% vs 6%), pyrexia (10% vs 3%), vomiting (10% vs 7%), and back pain (10% vs 7%).
The most common serious adverse reactions with CYRAMZA were ascites (3%) and pneumonia (3%).
Treatment discontinuations due to adverse reactions occurred in 18% of CYRAMZA-treated patients, with proteinuria being the most frequent (2%).
Clinically relevant adverse reactions reported in ≥1% and <10% of CYRAMZA-treated patients in REACH-2 were IRR (9%), hepatic encephalopathy (5%) including 1 fatal event, and hepatorenal syndrome (2%) including 1 fatal event.
RB-P HCP ISI 29MAY2020

Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information for CYRAMZA.

About Lilly Oncology
For more than 50 years, Lilly has been dedicated to delivering life-changing medicines and support to people living with cancer and those who care for them. Lilly is determined to build on this heritage and continue making life better for all those affected by cancer around the world. To learn more about Lilly’s commitment to people with cancer, please visit www.LillyOncology.com.

EORTC 1325-MG/Keynote 054: Pembrolizumab versus placebo after complete resection of high-risk stage III melanoma: New recurrence-free survival results at three-year median follow-up

On May 29, 2020 EORTC reported that Eggermont presented the updated efficacy results of the phase III double-blind EORTC 1325/KEYNOTE-054 trial to evaluate pembrolizumab vs placebo in patients with resected high-risk stage III melanoma (Press release, EORTC, MAY 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234558741]).

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Patients with stage III melanoma usually undergo surgery to remove the primary melanoma and the nearby metastasized lymph nodes. However, successful removal of melanoma through surgery, does not guarantee that patients will be cancer free. Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody, has been shown to stimulate the body’s immune system to remove remaining melanoma cells. After recovery from the lymph node surgery, the phase III double-blind EORTC 1325/KEYNOTE-054 study compared the administration of pembrolizumab and placebo, for a maximum of year. In 2018, at a 1.25-year median follow-up, this study showed that pembrolizumab treatment yielded a 43% reduction of their risk of melanoma recurrence or death as compared to placebo treatment, i.e. prolonging recurrence-free survival. These findings led to the approval of pembrolizumab for resected high-risk stage III melanoma patients by EMA in 2018 and by FDA in 2019.

In this study, 1019 patients were randomized to pembrolizumab (514 patients) or placebo (505 patients). A dose of 200 mg was given every three weeks for over a year or until there was disease recurrence or unacceptable toxicity. Two primary endpoints were assessed, recurrence free survival from randomization in the overall population and those patients with PD-L1 positive tumours. This abstract presents, a new, up-to-date evaluation of recurrence free survival at a 3-year median follow up.

Professor Eggermont showed that, adjuvant administration of pembrolizumab provided a sustained prolongation of recurrence free survival compared to placebo. In the overall population, the 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was 64% (pembrolizumab group) vs 44% (placebo group). The improvement was consistent across all tumour and stage subgroups. Importantly, in BRAFmutant patients the RFS rate difference was 25% (62% vs 37%) and in BRAFwild type patients it was 16% (62%-46%), demonstrating a significant benefit irrespective of mutational status In the overall population, the 3-year cumulative incidence of distant metastasis as the first recurrence was 22% (pembrolizumab group) vs 37% (placebo group). These results confirm the clinical utility of pembrolizumab in the adjuvant setting in resected high-risk stage III melanoma.

"Pembrolizumab adjuvant therapy provides a clear and sustained relapse free survival benefit to stage III melanoma patients irrespective of stage subgroup or mutational status. We expect these benefits to be also consistent across endpoints at long term follow up" said Professor Alexander M.M. Eggermont, study chair of this study, Chief Scientific Officer and Professor of Surgical Oncology at Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Research Funding: Merck
Session Type: Oral Abstract Session
Session Title: Melanoma/Skin Cancers
Track: Melanoma/Skin Cancers
Subtrack: Other
Abstract #: 10000
Clinical Trial Registry Number: NCT02362594
Citation: J Clin Oncol 38: 2020 (suppl; abstr 10000)
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.10000

Chi-Med to Discuss Select Global Clinical Trial Data Presented at ASCO20

On May 29, 2020 Hutchison China MediTech Limited ("Chi-Med") (Nasdaq/AIM: HCM) reported that new and updated analyses on the ongoing studies of savolitinib and surufatinib at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)20 Virtual Scientific Program, May 29-31, 2020 (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, MAY 29, 2020, https://www.chi-med.com/chi-med-to-discuss-select-global-clinical-trial-data-presented-at-asco20/ [SID1234558740]). Chi-Med will hold a conference call and audio webcast on Monday, June 1, 2020, at 1 p.m. GMT / 8 a.m. EDT / 8 p.m. HKT to review select clinical data and discuss development plan next steps.

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A live audio webcast of the call will be broadcast via Chi-Med’s website at www.chi-med.com/event. Investors may participate in the call using one of the following dial-in numbers: 1‑866‑213‑0992 (U.S. toll-free) / 0800‑032‑2849 (U.K. toll-free) / +852-2112-1888 (Hong Kong). Additional dial-in numbers are also available at Chi-Med’s website. Please use participant access code "6929001#."

Savolitinib, a potent, highly selective oral inhibitor of mesenchymal epithelial transition receptor ("MET")

In clinical studies to date, involving over 1,000 patients, savolitinib has shown promising clinical efficacy in patients with MET gene alterations in multiple tumor types with an acceptable safety profile.

Presentation Title: Phase II study of savolitinib in patients with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma ("PSC") and other types of non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC") harboring MET exon 14 skipping
Authors: S Lu, J Fang, X Li, L Cao, J Zhou, Q Guo, Z Liang, Y Cheng, L Jiang, N Yang, Z Han, J Shi, Y Chen, H Xu, H Zhang, D Zhang, J Li, L Wang, Y Ren, W Su
Abstract Link: 9519
This is an ongoing China Phase II study of savolitinib monotherapy in NSCLC patients with MET exon 14 skipping mutations who have failed prior systemic therapy or are unable to receive chemotherapy (clinicaltrials.gov number NCT02897479), in which savolitinib demonstrated promising anti-tumor activity and acceptable tolerability. Approximately 35% of patients in the study have an aggressive subtype of NSCLC, PSC).[i] Treatment naïve patients accounted for approximately 40% of the treated patients while the remainder received prior treatments.

As of March 31, 2020, confirmed responses were seen in 49.2% of efficacy evaluable patients and disease control were seen in 93.4% of efficacy evaluable patients.

Data were not mature for Duration of Response ("DoR"), Progression Free Survival ("PFS") and Overall Survival ("OS"). Median DoR was 9.6 months (95% confidence interval ["CI"] 5.5–not reached ["NR"]) with maturity of 40%. Median PFS was 6.9 months (95% CI 4.2–19.3) with maturity of 50%. Median OS was 14.0 months (95% CI: 9.7–NR) with maturity of 46%. Efficacy observations were consistent across subgroups in this analysis.

Clinical data indicate an acceptable safety profile of savolitinib in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who had MET exon 14 skipping mutations, with a low rate of adverse event ("AE") related discontinuations of 14.3%.

On May 29, 2020, a new drug application ("NDA") for savolitinib in this setting was accepted for review by the China National Medical Products Administration.

Presentation Title: SAVOIR: A phase III study of savolitinib versus sunitinib in patients with MET-driven papillary renal cell carcinoma ("PRCC")
Authors: TK Choueiri, DYC Heng, JL Lee, M Cancel, RB Verheijen, A Mellemgaard, L Ottesen, MM Frigault, A L’Hernault, Z Szijgyarto, S Signoretti, L Albiges
Abstract Link: 5002
In this global study of savolitinib monotherapy compared with sunitinib in patients with MET-driven, locally advanced or metastatic PRCC, savolitinib demonstrated encouraging efficacy and an improved safety profile versus sunitinib (NCT03091192). This Phase III study was stopped in late 2018 due to confounding results from a separate, external, retrospective observational study. 60 randomized patients (33 savolitinib, 27 sunitinib) were followed through August 19, 2019. Although patient numbers and follow-up were limited, savolitinib demonstrated encouraging efficacy versus sunitinib, with fewer grade ≥3 AEs and fewer dose modifications. Based on these data, AstraZeneca and Chi-Med are actively evaluating the opportunity to restart clinical work in PRCC for monotherapy savolitinib.

Savolitinib patients had not reached median OS at data cut-off, compared to 13.2 months for sunitinib patients (hazard ratio ["HR"] 0.51; 95% CI: 0.21–1.17; p=0.110). Median PFS was 7.0 months for savolitinib patients, compared to 5.6 for sunitinib patients (HR 0.71; 95% CI 0.37–1.36; p=0.313).

Responses were observed in 27% and 7% of savolitinib and sunitinib patients, respectively. This difference did not reach statistical significance due to the small sample size. None of the 9 responders on savolitinib treatment experienced disease progression as of data cut-off, compared to 1 of 2 responders on sunitinib treatment. Sunitinib response rate was in range with previous studies.[ii],[iii]

Grade ≥3 AEs were reported in 42% of savolitinib patients versus 81% of sunitinib patients, with AEs leading to dose modification in 30% and 74% of savolitinib and sunitinib patients, respectively.

Surufatinib, an oral selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), and colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R)

In clinical studies to date, involving over 900 patients, surufatinib has demonstrated robust efficacy and safety profile, including in two randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multi-center Phase III studies in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor ("pNET") and non-pancreatic (extra-pancreatic) neuroendocrine tumor patients ("epNET"). In the U.S. surufatinib was granted Fast Track Designations for development in pNET and epNET, and Orphan Drug Designation for pancreatic NET. In China a New Drug Application ("NDA") is under review and a second is in preparation.

Presentation Title: Efficacy and safety of surufatinib in U.S. patients with neuroendocrine tumors ("NET")
Authors: A Dasari, D Li, MW Sung, C Tucci, JS Kauh, MK Kania, AS Paulson
Abstract Link: 4610
Preliminary data from the two NET cohorts in the ongoing US Phase Ib trial for surufatinib demonstrated promising efficacy irrespective of prior lines of therapy, with a manageable safety profile comparable with the larger pool of surufatinib safety data (NCT02549937).

As of April 21, 2020, 16 patients with pNET were treated for a median of 7.1 months (range 2.0-17.5) and 16 patients with epNET were treated for a median of 4.9 months (range of 1.0-10.2). All 32 patients have pretreated progressive NETs (median prior lines of treatment: 3; range 1-8).

Confirmed response was observed in 18.8% of pNET patients; all remaining patients have stable disease (including 1 unconfirmed response), for disease control rate ("DCR") of 100%. In the epNET cohort all patients had stable disease (including 1 unconfirmed response).

Marker Therapeutics Reports Interim Results of its MultiTAA-Specific T Cell Therapy in Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma at the 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Virtual Annual Meeting

On May 29, 2020 Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRKR), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company specializing in the development of next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumor indications, reported updated clinical results from an ongoing investigator-sponsored Phase 1 trial led by the Baylor College of Medicine, evaluating the Company’s MultiTAA-specific T cell therapy in patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Press release, TapImmune, MAY 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234558739]). Data from a cohort of patients receiving MultiTAA-specific T cell therapy in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy in the first-line setting (Arm A), were reviewed today by lead investigator, Brandon G. Smaglo, M.D., FACP, as part of a poster session during the 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Virtual Annual Meeting. ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) is being held from Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, 2020.

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Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

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"Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer today, with the mortality rate remaining relatively unchanged over the past several decades despite ongoing research and treatment advances," said Dr. Brandon G. Smaglo. "With a growing body of data, we continue to be encouraged by the potential of MultiTAA-specific T cell therapy, in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy, to safely produce durable responses in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. In this study, a number of patient responses occurred after the period in which a chemotherapy-driven response would typically occur, suggesting MultiTAA’s potential to produce added benefit in this patient population. Additionally, we also observed induction of the endogenous immune system – or epitope spreading – suggesting that the benefits of MultiTAA may extend beyond the targeted antigens and further contribute to a long-lasting anti-tumor effect."

Presentation Title:

"A phase I trial targeting advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer using a combination of standard chemotherapy and adoptively transferred nonengineered, multiantigen specific T cells in the first-line setting (TACTOPS)"

Study Design:

Arm A is evaluating the safety and potential efficacy of using MultiTAA-specific T cells in the first-line setting for chemo-responsive patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Patients in Arm A receive at least three months of standard-of-care chemotherapy (gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel or FOLFIRINOX) – the period during which a response to chemotherapy would typically occur – before receiving up to six administrations of MultiTAA-specific T cells in conjunction with chemotherapy.

Summary of Interim Results

Between June 2018 and December 2019, 13 patients have been treated, each of whom received up to 6 monthly infusions of 1×107 MultiTAA-specific T cells/m2 in conjunction with ongoing first-line chemotherapy and without prior protocol-associated lymphodepletion. For 12 of the 13 patients, sufficient cells for all six planned doses were generated; two doses were available for the remaining patient.

·Out of the 13 evaluable patients (best overall response):

o4 patients experienced objective responses after administration of MultiTAA cells;

§1 patient experienced a radiographic complete response occurring at month 9 after starting chemotherapy;

§3 patients experienced partial responses per RECIST occurring at 6-9 months after starting chemotherapy;

o6 patients experienced stable disease;

o1 patient experienced a mixed response (some lesions increased in size and others decreased for a net zero change in size of tumor lesions);

o2 patients experienced disease progression;

·For 9 of the 13 patients, the cancer was controlled for a period longer than historical controls relative to the type of chemotherapy used
·5 patients enrolled in the study were not administered MultiTAA-specific T cells, either because of disease progression (4 patients) which made them ineligible for treatment, or because insufficient starting material from the patient was available for manufacturing (1 patient);
·Evidence of epitope-spreading was observed in all responders, suggesting that the MultiTAA T cell therapy triggered the recruitment of a broader endogenous immune system response for improved anti-tumor activity;
·No infusion-related reactions, cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity was observed.

Mythili Koneru, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Marker Therapeutics commented: "We are pleased with these interim results, which demonstrate the potential of our therapy to simultaneously recognize and target multiple antigens. As the tumor microenvironment varies from patient to patient, the ability to address these differences may offer a significant benefit to patients. While these results represent a small patient population, we look forward to generating additional data that may support MultiTAA’s future development in this challenging disease area."

The TACTOPS poster and corresponding recorded presentation by Dr. Smaglo will be available on demand through the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)20 Virtual Scientific Program on the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) website beginning on May 29, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

Conference Call and Webcast
Marker will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, June 1st at 8:00 am EDT featuring Dr. Brandon Smaglo, as well as Marker senior management, to discuss the data. The webcast will be accessible in the Investors section of the Company’s website at markertherapeutics.com. Individuals can participate in the conference call by dialing 877-407-8913 (domestic) or 201-689-8201 (international).

The archived webcast will be available for replay on the Marker website following the event.

About MultiTAA-Specific T Cell Therapy

Marker’s Multi-Antigen Targeted (MultiTAA) platform is a novel, non-genetically modified cell therapy approach that selectively expands tumor-specific T cells from a patient’s blood capable of recognizing a broad range of tumor antigens. In early clinical trials, the multi-antigen approach has been well tolerated and shown to enhance tumor destroying capability and is one of the first therapies to consistently demonstrate epitope spreading – inducing the patient’s own T cells to expand, potentially contributing to a lasting anti-tumor effect. Unlike other cell therapies which require pre-conditioning regimens and hospitalization, MultiTAA is designed to be administered in an outpatient setting.

TG Therapeutics Announces Final Results of the GENUINE Phase 3 Study Evaluating Ublituximab plus Ibrutinib in Previously Treated High-Risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia at the 56th American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting

On May 29, 2020 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TGTX), reported the final results from the GENUINE Phase 3 study evaluating the combination of ublituximab, the Company’s novel glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, plus ibrutinib compared to ibrutinib alone in patients with previously treated high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at the 56thAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meeting (Press release, TG Therapeutics, MAY 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234558738]).

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Michael S. Weiss, the Company’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, "We are extremely pleased with the final results of the GENUINE Phase 3 trial presented today. Not only is this the first randomized trial to show a PFS benefit with the addition of an anti-CD20 antibody to ibrutinib, compared to ibrutinib monotherapy, it was also highly encouraging to see the combination significantly improved overall response rate, complete response rate, and importantly increased the rates of undetectable minimal residual disease." Mr. Weiss continued, "We believe these data support the potential of combination therapies to improve outcomes for patients with high risk CLL, especially those with 17p deletion/TP53 mutation, who continue to progress more rapidly than those without high risk cytogenetics."

Details of the data presentation are included below.

Presentation Title: Effect of Adding Ublituximab to Ibrutinib on PFS, ORR, and MRD Negativity in Previously Treated High-Risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Final Results of the GENUINE Phase III Study

The GENUINE trial is an open-label, multicenter, randomized, Phase III study in relapsed or refractory high-risk CLL (del17p, del11q, or TP53mutation). This presentation includes data from 117 patients treated with either ublituximab plus ibrutinib (n=59) or ibrutinib alone (n=58). As of the cut-off date of September 1, 2019, patients had a median follow-up time of 41.9 months. The primary endpoint for this trial was overall response rate (ORR) as determined by an independent review committee (IRC). The secondary endpoints included progression free survival (PFS) and complete response (CR) rate as determined by an IRC, and undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD) assessed by central lab.

Efficacy and safety highlights include:

The addition of ublituximab to ibrutinib compared to ibrutinib monotherapy significantly improved ORR (93% compared to 78%; p=0.019), complete response/complete response with incomplete blood count recovery (CR/CRi) rate (20% vs. 5%; p=0.024), and increased rates of uMRD (46% vs. 7%; p<0.001) in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL with high-risk cytogenetics
At a median follow-up of 41.9 months, median PFS was not reached in the ublituximab plus ibrutinib arm and was 35.9 months in the ibrutinib monotherapy arm (hazard ratio 0.46), with del17p/TP53mut patients seeing the greatest difference in PFS
The addition of ublituximab to ibrutinib did not significantly alter the known safety profile of ibrutinib however the combination resulted in slightly higher rates of neutropenia (36% compared to 21%) and atrial fibrillation (14% compared to 7%)
The data presented is available on the Publications page, located within the Pipeline section, of the Company’s website at www.tgtherapeutics.com/publications.cfm.

ABOUT THE GENUINE PHASE 3 STUDY
The GENUINE Phase 3 study is a randomized, open label, multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ublituximab plus ibrutinib compared to ibrutinib alone in adult patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who received at least one prior therapy for their disease.

Patients received ibrutinib orally at 420 mg once daily in both arms and in the combination arm those patients also received intravenous infusions of ublituximab at 900 mg dosed on days 1, 8 and 15 of cycle 1 and day 1 of cycles 2-6. Patients in the combination arm who had not progressed received quarterly infusions of ublituximab maintenance at 900 mg.