Arcus Biosciences to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

On August 21, 2019 Arcus Biosciences, Inc. (NYSE:RCUS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on creating innovative cancer immunotherapies, reported that the Company will participate in the following upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Arcus Biosciences, AUG 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234538915]):

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Citi’s 14th Annual Biotech Conference on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at 9:30 am Eastern Time in Boston. Terry Rosen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a panel discussion entitled, "New Targets in Cancer Immunotherapy and the Tumor Microenvironment."
Morgan Stanley 17th Annual Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at 11:10 am Eastern Time in New York. Terry Rosen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat.
A live audio webcast of each presentation will be available by visiting the "Investors" section of the Arcus website at www.arcusbio.com. A replay of the webcasts will be available for 30 days following the live event.

U.S. FDA Grants XTANDI® (enzalutamide) Application Priority Review for the Treatment of Men with Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer

On August 21, 2019 Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., "Astellas") and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the filing of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for XTANDI (enzalutamide) to add an indication for the treatment of men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) (Press release, Astellas, AUG 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234538914]). The application has also been granted Priority Review, a designation given to those applications for drugs that, if approved, may offer significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of serious conditions when compared to standard applications. XTANDI is currently indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

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The submission is based on results from the Phase 3 ARCHES trial presented at the 2019 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU) in February and published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology in July 2019. The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of XTANDI plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) versus ADT plus placebo in men with mHSPC. The primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) was met in the study.

Additionally, the submission is supported by data from ENZAMET, an Astellas-supported, investigator-sponsored Phase 3 research study led by the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) and sponsored by the University of Sydney. The ENZAMET trial evaluated XTANDI plus ADT versus ADT plus a standard nonsteroidal antiandrogen therapy (bicalutamide, nilutamide or flutamide) in men with mHSPC to provide an active control. The results were presented during the Plenary Session at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) was met in the ENZAMET trial. The safety analyses of the ARCHES and ENZAMET trials appear consistent with the safety profile of enzalutamide in previous clinical trials in CRPC.

"We are pleased to receive the Priority Review designation, which reflects the need for more treatment options for men living with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer," said Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Development Officer, Oncology, Pfizer Global Product Development. "The submission is supported by a strong data package, including two Phase 3 trials investigating XTANDI in men living with this form of prostate cancer."

"The complementary data from the ARCHES and ENZAMET trials in men with mHSPC take us another step closer to understanding XTANDI’s full potential in helping address unmet needs in prostate cancer," said Andrew Krivoshik, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Oncology Therapeutic Area Head at Astellas. "XTANDI is a current standard of care in castration-resistant prostate cancer and we look forward to working with the FDA to potentially make XTANDI available to men earlier in their prostate cancer journey."

Data from the ARCHES and ENZAMET studies have also been submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in Japan to potentially support an indication for XTANDI that includes men with mHSPC.

The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date, or target action date, in Q4 2019.

About Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer

In men with prostate cancer, the disease is considered metastatic once the cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lymph nodes, bladder and rectum.1 Men are considered hormone (or castration) sensitive if their disease still responds to medical or surgical treatment to lower testosterone levels.2 The prevalence of mHSPC in the U.S. in 2019 is estimated to be just over 40,000.3

About XTANDI (enzalutamide) capsules

XTANDI (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Important Safety Information for XTANDI for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)

Warnings and Precautions

Seizure occurred in 0.4% of patients receiving XTANDI in clinical studies. In a study of patients with predisposing factors for seizure, 2.2% of XTANDI-treated patients experienced a seizure. Patients in the study had one or more of the following pre-disposing factors: use of medications that may lower the seizure threshold; history of traumatic brain or head injury, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, Alzheimer’s disease, meningioma, or leptomeningeal disease from prostate cancer, unexplained loss of consciousness within the last 12 months, history of seizure, presence of a space occupying lesion of the brain, history of arteriovenous malformation, or history of brain infection. It is unknown whether anti-epileptic medications will prevent seizures with XTANDI. Advise patients of the risk of developing a seizure while taking XTANDI and of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause serious harm to themselves or others. Permanently discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop a seizure during treatment.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) In post-approval use, there have been reports of PRES in patients receiving XTANDI. PRES is a neurological disorder which can present with rapidly evolving symptoms including seizure, headache, lethargy, confusion, blindness, and other visual and neurological disturbances, with or without associated hypertension. A diagnosis of PRES requires confirmation by brain imaging, preferably MRI. Discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop PRES.

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

Ischemic Heart Disease In the placebo-controlled clinical studies, ischemic heart disease occurred more commonly in patients on the XTANDI arm compared to patients on the placebo arm (2.7% vs 1.2%). Grade 3-4 ischemic events occurred in 1.2% of patients on XTANDI versus 0.5% on placebo. Ischemic events led to death in 0.4% of patients on XTANDI compared to 0.1% on placebo. Monitor for signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease. Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Discontinue XTANDI for Grade 3-4 ischemic heart disease.

Falls and Fractures In the placebo-controlled clinical studies, falls occurred in 10% of patients treated with XTANDI compared to 4% of patients treated with placebo. Fractures occurred in 8% of patients treated with XTANDI and in 3% of patients treated with placebo. Evaluate patients for fracture and fall risk. Monitor and manage patients at risk for fractures according to established treatment guidelines and consider use of bone-targeted agents.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Safety and efficacy of XTANDI have not been established in females. XTANDI can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant female. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with XTANDI and for 3 months after the last dose of XTANDI. XTANDI should not be handled by females who are or may become pregnant.

Adverse Reactions

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

In the placebo-controlled study of metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) patients taking XTANDI who previously received docetaxel, Grade 3 and higher adverse reactions were reported among 47% of XTANDI patients and 53% of placebo patients. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported for 16% of XTANDI patients and 18% of placebo patients. In the placebo-controlled study of chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients, Grade 3-4 adverse reactions were reported in 44% of XTANDI patients and 37% of placebo patients. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported for 6% of both study groups. In the placebo-controlled study of non-metastatic CRPC (nmCRPC) patients, Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions were reported in 31% of XTANDI patients and 23% of placebo patients. Discontinuations with an adverse event as the primary reason were reported for 9% of XTANDI patients and 6% of placebo patients. In the bicalutamide-controlled study of chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients, Grade 3-4 adverse reactions were reported in 39% of XTANDI patients and 38% of bicalutamide patients. Discontinuations with an AE as the primary reason were reported for 8% of XTANDI patients and 6% of bicalutamide patients.

Lab Abnormalities: In the two placebo-controlled trials in patients with mCRPC, Grade 1-4 neutropenia occurred in 15% of XTANDI patients (1% Grade 3-4) and 6% of placebo patients (0.5% Grade 3-4). In the placebo-controlled trial in patients with nmCRPC, Grade 1-4 neutropenia occurred in 8% of patients receiving XTANDI (0.5% Grade 3-4) and in 5% of patients receiving placebo (0.2% Grade 3-4).

Hypertension: In the two placebo-controlled trials in patients with mCRPC, hypertension was reported in 11% of XTANDI patients and 4% of placebo patients. Hypertension led to study discontinuation in <1% of patients in each arm. In the placebo-controlled trial in patients with nmCRPC, hypertension was reported in 12% of patients receiving XTANDI and 5% of patients receiving placebo.

Drug Interactions

Effect of Other Drugs on XTANDI Avoid strong CYP2C8 inhibitors, as they can increase the plasma exposure to XTANDI. If co-administration is necessary, reduce the dose of XTANDI. Avoid strong CYP3A4 inducers as they can decrease the plasma exposure to XTANDI. If co-administration is necessary, increase the dose of XTANDI.

Effect of XTANDI on Other Drugs Avoid CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index, as XTANDI may decrease the plasma exposures of these drugs. If XTANDI is co-administered with warfarin (CYP2C9 substrate), conduct additional INR monitoring.

Please see Full Prescribing Information for additional safety information.

About the Enzalutamide Development Program

As part of Pfizer and Astellas’ ongoing commitment to the clinical development of enzalutamide, XTANDI is also being evaluated in the EMBARK trial, in men with high-risk non-metastatic HSPC. Details about EMBARK (NCT02319837) are available on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Onco360® Selected to Dispense Nubeqa® (darolutamide)

On August 21, 2019 Onco360, the nation’s largest independent Oncology Pharmacy, announced today that it was selected to be a specialty pharmacy network partner for Bayer’s new product Nubeqa (darolutamide) for the treatment of patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) (Press release, Onco360, AUG 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234538913]).

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"Onco360 is honored to be selected as a specialty pharmacy provider for Nubeqa patients," said Paul Jardina, President and CEO, Onco360. "The recent approval of Nubeqa provides another treatment option for patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). As a provider of this key treatment, Onco360 will utilize its expertise in service delivery, clinical, healthcare professional and community engagement, insurance and billing, and ongoing customer service to support the highly specialized needs of CRPC patients and their physicians."

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy and fifth leading cause of cancer in men worldwide. In 2018, an estimated 1.2 million men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 358,000 died from the disease worldwide. Prostate cancer results from the abnormal proliferation of cells within the prostate gland, which is part of a man’s reproductive system. It mainly affects men over the age of 50, and the risk increases with age. Treatment options range from surgery to radiation treatment to therapy using hormone-receptor antagonists (i.e. substances that stop the formation of testosterone or prevent its effect at the target location.) However, in nearly all cases, the cancer eventually becomes resistant to conventional hormone therapy.

CRPC is an advanced form of the disease, where the cancer keeps progressing even when the amount of testosterone is reduced to very low levels in the body. The field of treatment options for castration-resistant patients is rapidly evolving. However, until two years ago, there have been no FDA-approved treatment options for nmCRPC patients with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels despite a castrate testosterone level. About one-third of men with nmCRPC go on to develop metastases within two years. In men with progressive nmCRPC, a short PSA doubling time is correlated with shortened time to first metastasis and death.

Manufactured by Bayer, Nubeqa was approved by the U.S. FDA on July 30, 2019 Phase III ARAMIS trial, evaluating Nubeqa plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which demonstrated a highly significant improvement in the primary efficacy endpoint of metastasis-free survival (MFS), with a median of 40.4 months versus 18.4 months for placebo plus ADT (p<0.0001). Nubeqa was approved under the FDA’s Priority Review designation, which is reserved for medicines that may provide significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment for serious conditions.

PER® Global to Present a Medical Crossfire®: Leveraging the Lung Cancer Team in Stage 3 NSCLC With Immuno-Oncology Strategies

On August 21, 2019 PER Global, a worldwide leading resource for continuing medical education (CME), reported that it will host the live CME-accredited Medical Crossfire: Leveraging the Lung Cancer Team in Stage III NSCLC With Immuno-Oncology Strategies, adjunct to the IASLC 2019 World Conference on Lung Cancer (Press release, Physicians’ Education Resource, AUG 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234538912]). The program will take place on Sunday, 08 Sept. 2019 from 11:30 a.m. to 13:30 p.m. in Hall 6 at Fira de Barcelona – Gran Via venue in Spain.

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The Medical Crossfire will be chaired by Naiyer A. Rizvi, M.D., professor of medicine; director, thoracic oncology; co-director, cancer immunotherapy program; and the Price Family Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

"The contemporary treatment of NSCLC requires the coordination and cooperation of the full treatment team," said Phil Talamo, president of PER Global. "Through our Medical Crossfire format, we will bring together pathology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology to foster a detailed discussion of the current and future of care for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)."

The variety of treatment options for patients with NSCLC continue to evolve, further complexifying the treatment landscape for this multifaceted illness. This program will feature a multidisciplinary faculty, world-renowned experts in medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgery. Current standards of care in patients with unresectable stage 3 NSCLC will be addressed, including the current and future roles of biomarkers and management of immune-related adverse events. Throughout the program, expert Medical Crossfire discussion panels will illustrate how experts address challenges in the implementation of immunotherapy for patients with locally advanced NSCLC.

The faculty panel includes the following experts:

Keith M. Kerr, FRCPath, consultant pathologist, department of pathology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, and professor of pulmonary pathology, Aberdeen University Medical School.
Suresh Senanm, MRCP, FRCR, Ph.D., professor of clinical experimental radiotherapy, department of radiation oncology. Amsterdam University Medical Center.
Rolf A. Stahel, M.D., professor in the oncology clinic, University Hospital Zurich.
This live activity is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) for 2 European CME credits for physicians. Through an agreement between the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EACCME credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. For more information and to register, click here.

ROZLYTREK™ (entrectinib), FDA Approved for Hard-to-Treat NTRK Fusion-Positive Tumors, Available at Biologics by McKesson

On August 21, 2019 Biologics by McKesson, an independent specialty pharmacy for oncology and other rare and complex therapeutic areas, was selected by Genentech as a specialty pharmacy provider for ROZLYTREK (entrectinib) for the treatment of hard-to-treat and rare NTRK fusion-positive tumors (Press release, McKesson, AUG 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234538911]).

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ROZLYTREK, approved by the FDA on August 15, 2019, is an oral therapy for the treatment of adults with ROS1-positive, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The FDA also granted accelerated approval for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with solid tumors that have a neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusion without a known acquired resistance mutation, are metastatic or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity and have progressed following treatment or have no satisfactory alternative therapy. In February 2019, the FDA accepted, with Priority Review, a New Drug Application (NDA) for ROZLYTREK based on findings from an integrated analysis of the phase II STARTRK-2, phase I STARTRK-1, and phase I ALKA-372-001 trials, which demonstrated a 57.4% overall response rate in patients with NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors.

"Combining comprehensive genomic profiling with targeted therapies provides patients with precision medicine to treat their specific cancer," said Ann Steagall, director of Clinical Policy, Biologics. "This represents a breakthrough in cancer treatment, and this is the first therapy of its kind offered by Biologics. We are excited to work with Genentech to help make this important new therapy available to patients."

The FDA has approved two oral oncology therapies based on tumor genetics rather than the organ of origin of the disease. VITRAKVI (larotrectinib) was approved in November of 2018 for the treatment of solid tumors that exhibited a NTRK gene fusion. Now the FDA approved ROZLYTREK for the treatment of cancers harboring not only a TRK mutation but also ROS1 and ALK mutations. This represents a paradigm shift in the oral cancer therapy landscape. By approving these therapies as "tissue agnostic," the FDA recognizes the key role mutations play in response to therapy. Historically, cell type and organ of origin have been the key drivers of therapy decision making.

Biologics is committed to and recognized for its high level of customer service as well as its innovative, high-touch and multidisciplinary patient-centric approach. Each team includes a pharmacist with in-depth knowledge of therapies, an experienced nurse and a financial counselor who is familiar with various financial assistance programs and organizations that help patients. This highly-skilled care team works together to develop individualized care plans that address each patient’s unique clinical, financial and emotional needs and streamlines communication back to the treating provider, enabling high-quality care and differentiated outcomes. In addition, the Biologics team works closely with payers to ensure patients can access the specialty medications they need.

Physicians may submit prescriptions to Biologics via phone (800.850.4306), fax (800.823.4506) or eScribe. For electronic prescribing systems, physicians may search for Biologics within their EMR system.