CTI BioPharma Reports Third Quarter 2015 Financial Results

On November 5, 2015 CTI BioPharma Corp. (NASDAQ and MTA: CTIC) reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 (Press release, CTI BioPharma, NOV 5, 2015, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2107565 [SID:1234508027]).

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"We are focused on preparing our NDA submission for pacritinib and are on track to submit our application to the FDA this quarter," said James A. Bianco, M.D., CTI BioPharma’s President and CEO. "We also remain committed to completing the second Phase 3 trial of pacritinib, PERSIST-2, which we believe could serve as a post-approval confirmatory trial in the event our NDA application is accepted and approved under accelerated approval. Additionally, we look forward to upcoming data presentations of pacritinib and tosedostat studies at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in December."

Third Quarter 2015 and Recent Highlights

In September 2015, announced plans to submit a new drug application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with partner Baxalta Inc. for pacritinib, an investigational oral kinase inhibitor with specificity for JAK2, FLT3, IRAK1 and CSF1R for the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis, in the fourth quarter of 2015 and to request accelerated approval for the treatment of patients with intermediate and high-risk myelofibrosis with low platelet counts of less than 50,000 per microliter (< 50,000/uL) for whom there are no approved drugs. Priority review of the application will be requested at the time of NDA submission.
In September 2015, completed registered direct offering resulting in net proceeds of approximately $15.1 million and in October 2015, completed underwritten public offering resulting in net proceeds of approximately $46.5 million.
In November 2015, announced the upcoming presentations of data highlighting pacritinib and tosedostat at the 57th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) to be held December 5-8, 2015, in Orlando, FL.

Third Quarter 2015 Financial Results

Total revenues for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $1.0 million and $4.8 million, respectively, compared to $39.5 million and $42.3 million for the same periods in 2014. The decrease in total revenue is primarily due to recognition of milestone payments in 2014, specifically a $20.0 million development milestone payment received from Baxalta for completion of enrollment in the PERSIST-1 Phase 3 clinical trial of pacritinib and $17.3 million from an upfront payment under the PIXUVRI collaboration agreement with Servier. Net product revenues of PIXUVRI for the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $0.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively, compared to $2.0 million and $4.4 million for the same periods in 2014. The decrease in net product sales was primarily related to the pricing and volume variances between the periods presented as well as the decline in average exchange rate of the euro for our euro-denominated sales.

The non-GAAP operating loss, which excludes non-cash share-based compensation expense, for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $26.1 million and $77.5 million, respectively, compared to non-GAAP operating income of $11.3 million and a non-GAAP operating loss of $29.8 million for the same periods in 2014. The GAAP operating loss for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $32.0 million and $90.5 million, respectively, compared to a GAAP operating income of $7.5 million and operating loss of $46.9 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in operating loss for the nine-month period is predominantly associated with the Phase 3 development program for pacritinib and the PIX306 post-authorization Phase 3 trial for PIXUVRI as well as the milestone and the upfront payments received in the 2014 periods as mentioned above. Non-cash share-based compensation expense for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $5.9 million and $13.0 million, respectively, compared to $3.8 million and $17.0 million for the same periods in 2014. For information on CTI BioPharma’s use of the aforementioned non-GAAP measure and a reconciliation of such measure to GAAP operating loss, see the section below entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Net loss for the third quarter of 2015 was $32.6 million, or $(0.19) per share, compared to a net income of $4.6 million, or $0.03 per share, for the same period in 2014. Net loss for the first nine months of 2015 was $93.8 million, or $(0.54) per share, compared to a net loss of $51.8 million, or $(0.36) per share, for the same period in 2014.

As of September 30, 2015, cash and cash equivalents totaled $46.4 million, compared to $70.9 million as of December 31, 2014. Subsequent to September 30, 2015, we received approximately $46.5 million in net proceeds from an underwritten public offering in October 2015.

2015 Financial Outlook

CTI BioPharma now expects total revenues for 2015 will be approximately $30 million to $45 million, which are primarily based upon updated current expectations regarding license and contract revenues under the agreements with Baxalta and Teva and net product sales from PIXUVRI commercial operations. Non-GAAP operating loss for 2015 will be approximately $75 million to $85 million, which excludes non-cash share-based compensation expense. These financial projections are primarily based on our current expectations regarding patient enrollment, NDA submission timing and other factors previously outlined in the Company’s fourth quarter and full year 2014 financial results press release.

Celldex Reports Third Quarter 2015 Results

On November 5, 2015 Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLDX) reported business and financial highlights for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 (Press release, Celldex Therapeutics, NOV 5, 2015, View Source [SID:1234508026]).

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"Celldex continues to advance one of the most robust, well-staged pipelines in immuno-oncology," said Anthony Marucci, President and Chief Executive Officer of Celldex Therapeutics. "As we move closer to final data from the ACT IV study in newly diagnosed glioblastoma, we continue to build on the potential promise of RINTEGA in the recurrent setting and look forward to presenting long-term survival data from the ReACT study at the SNO meeting later this month. In the third quarter we continued to execute on all fronts, including enrolling patients to seven ongoing Celldex-sponsored clinical trials. In addition, there are now numerous investigator initiated studies ongoing with additional concepts under discussion. We look forward to data in 2016 from several of these studies that we believe will further support the critical role of immunotherapy in oncology."

Program Updates:

RINTEGA ("rindopepimut"; "rindo"; CDX-110), an EGFRvIII(v3)-specific therapeutic vaccine for glioblastoma (GBM)

The ACT IV study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study of RINTEGA plus GM-CSF added to standard of care temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed, surgically resected, EGFRvIII-positive glioblastoma. 745 patients were enrolled into ACT IV to reach the required 374 patients with minimal residual disease (assessed by central review) needed for analysis of the primary overall survival endpoint. All patients, including those with disease that exceed this threshold, will be included in a secondary analysis of overall survival as well as analyses of progression-free survival, safety and tolerability, and quality of life. The study design includes interim analyses conducted by an independent Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB) at 50 and 75% of events (deaths). The first interim analysis occurred in June 2015, and the DSMB recommended continuation of the study as planned. The Company anticipates that the study will reach the required number of events to perform the second interim analysis in late 2015 and that the analysis will occur in early 2016.

As previously reported, data from the Phase 2 ReACT study in patients with recurrent glioblastoma were presented in an oral session at the 2015 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting by David A. Reardon, M.D., Clinical Director, Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and the lead investigator of the ReACT study. Patients on the RINTEGA arm experienced a statistically significant overall survival (OS) benefit, and an impressive, emerging long-term survival benefit was observed. The primary endpoint of the study, progression-free survival at six months (PFS6), was met, and a clear advantage was demonstrated across multiple, clinically important endpoints including long-term progression-free survival, objective response rate (ORR) and need for steroids. The Company will present an update on overall survival and long-term survival in a podium presentation at the 20th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) on Friday, November 20th at 1:30 PM CT/2:30 PM ET.

Glembatumumab vedotin ("glemba"; CDX-011), an antibody-drug conjugate targeting gpNMB in multiple cancers

Enrollment continues in the Company’s Phase 2b randomized study (METRIC) of glembatumumab vedotin in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancers that overexpress gpNMB, a molecule associated with poor outcomes for triple negative breast cancer patients and the target of glembatumumab vedotin. Enrollment is open across the United States, Canada and Australia. Trial expansion into the European Union (EU) is underway, and the Company plans to open enrollment in up to 50 sites in the EU in early 2016. Based on current projections, enrollment will be completed in the second half of 2016.

Patient enrollment continues in the Phase 2 study of glembatumumab vedotin in metastatic melanoma.

Celldex continues to advance plans to expand the study of glembatumumab vedotin in other cancers in which gpNMB is expressed.
A Phase 2 study in squamous cell lung cancer is expected to commence in Q1 2016.
Celldex and the National Cancer Institute have entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) under which the NCI will sponsor two studies of glembatumumab vedotin—one in uveal melanoma and one in pediatric osteosarcoma.
Varlilumab ("varli"; CDX-1127), a fully human monoclonal agonist antibody that binds and activates CD27, a critical co-stimulatory molecule in the immune activation cascade

The Phase 1/2 study of varlilumab and nivolumab (Opdivo) in adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic melanoma, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is actively enrolling patients. This study is being conducted by Celldex under a clinical trial collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb. The companies are sharing development costs.

In April 2015, Celldex announced that it had entered into a clinical trial collaboration with Roche to evaluate the combination of varlilumab and atezolizumab (anti-PDL1) in a Phase 1/2 study in renal cell carcinoma. Under the terms of this agreement, Roche will provide study drug, and Celldex will be responsible for conducting and funding the study, which is expected to open to enrollment in Q4 2015.

Additional combination studies of varlilumab continue to enroll patients including:
A Phase 1/2 safety and tolerability study examining the combination of varlilumab and sunitinib (Sutent) in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CC-RCC); and,
A Phase 1/2 safety and tolerability study examining the combination of varlilumab and ipilimumab (Yervoy) in patients with Stage III or IV metastatic melanoma. In the Phase 2 portion of the study, patients with tumors that express NY-ESO-1 will also receive Celldex’s CDX-1401.

Celldex will present a preclinical poster on the contribution of varlilumab’s immune stimulating properties versus regulatory T cell (Treg) depletion in multiple tumor models on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 6:15 PM ET at the 2015 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

Oncothyreon recently completed evaluation of two dosing cohorts in the Oncothyreon-led Phase 1b trial of ONT-10, a therapeutic vaccine targeting the tumor-associated antigen MUC1, in combination with varlilumab in patients with advanced breast and ovarian cancers. Preliminary data from these two cohorts did not demonstrate sufficient activity to move forward with the program, and Oncothyreon does not plan to enroll additional patients in the Phase 1b trial. Varlilumab biomarker analyses from peripheral blood samples from this study are consistent with prior experience including an increase in activated T cells and natural killer cells and a decrease in regulatory T cells.

Patient treatment in the Phase 1 dose-escalation study of varlilumab is complete. Any incremental data updates will be included in a future scientific presentation/publication.

Efforts are underway for additional Phase 2 studies of varlilumab, and the Company will provide updates on these studies as they are initiated.
CDX-1401, an antibody-based NY-ESO-1-specific therapeutic vaccine for multiple solid tumors

A Phase 1/2 study examining the combination of varlilumab and ipilimumab (Yervoy) continues to enroll patients with Stage III or IV metastatic melanoma. In the Phase 2 portion of the study, patients with tumors that express NY-ESO-1 will also receive CDX-1401, an off-the-shelf antibody-based dendritic cell targeted vaccine.

Celldex continues to support several external collaborations, including a National Cancer Institute sponsored Phase 2 study of CDX-1401 and CDX-301 for patients with metastatic melanoma, which recently completed enrollment.
CDX-301 (recombinant human Flt3L), a potent hematopoietic cytokine that uniquely expands dendritic cells and hematopoietic stem cells

CDX-301 is being developed as a combination product with other immuno-oncology agents in investigator-sponsored studies.

A pilot study of CDX-301 alone and in combination with Mozobil in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was initiated in September 2014 and is currently enrolling patients and sibling-matched donors. The Company anticipates presenting early data from this study in Q1 2016.
Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2015 Financial Highlights and 2015 Guidance

Cash position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of September 30, 2015 were $304.6 million compared to $334.0 million as of June 30, 2015. The decrease of $29.4 million was primarily driven by our third quarter net cash used in operating activities of $27.8 million. As of September 30, 2015 Celldex had 98.6 million shares outstanding.

Revenues: Total revenue was $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $1.1 million and $2.1 million for the comparable periods in 2014. The increase in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to our clinical trial collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb and our research and development agreement with Rockefeller University.

R&D Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were $24.7 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $76.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $26.2 million and $77.4 million for the comparable periods in 2014.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $8.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $22.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $5.0 million and $14.4 million for the comparable periods in 2014. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily attributable to higher personnel-related expenses as we prepare for potential product launches and a $3.3 million increase year to date in RINTEGA and glembatumumab vedotin commercial planning costs over the $2.6 million spent in the comparable period in 2014.

Net loss: Net loss was $32.0 million, or ($0.32) per share, for the third quarter of 2015 and $94.5 million, or ($0.98) per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to a net loss of $28.1 million, or ($0.31) per share and $86.3 million, or ($0.97) per share for the comparable periods in 2014.

Financial guidance: Celldex expects that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through 2017; however, this could be impacted by our clinical data results from the RINTEGA program and their potential impact on our pace of commercial manufacturing and the rate of expansion of our commercial operations.

8-K – Current report

On November 5, 2015 Bio-Path Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: BPTH) ("Bio-Path"), a biotechnology company developing a liposomal delivery technology for nucleic acid cancer drugs, reported that Dr. Jorge Cortes, Deputy Chair of the Department of Leukemia at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Chair of Bio-Path’s Scientific Advisory Board, will present data from Bio-Path’s Phase I and Ib clinical trials of its lead product candidate BP-100-1.01 (Liposomal Grb-2 antisense) in the treatment of blood cancers during a poster session at the 57th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida (Filing, 8-K, Bio-Path Holdings, NOV 5, 2015, View Source [SID:1234508025]).

Details for the poster presentation are as follows:

Title: "Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy of BP-100-1.01 (Liposomal Grb-2 Antisense Oligonucleotide) in Patients with Refractory or Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)"

Session Name: 616. Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Novel Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Poster III

Date: Monday, December 7, 2015

Presentation Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: Hall A, Orange County Convention Center

The poster will highlight results from Bio-Path’s Phase I and Ib clinical trials in patients with blood cancers, notably the complete remission (CR) of one patient with advanced acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who was treated with BP-100-1.01 in combination with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) chemotherapy and another patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) who showed significant reduction (81 percent to 5 percent) in bone marrow blasts. The results suggest possible disease inhibition with BP-100-1.01 treatment.

The full abstract can be found at View Source

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ARIAD Announces Iclusig Data Presentations at Annual American Society of Hematology Meeting

On November 5, 2015 ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) reported the schedule of several data presentations on Iclusig (ponatinib) that will take place at the 57th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) being held in Orlando, December 5 to 8, 2015 (Press release, Ariad, NOV 5, 2015, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2107604 [SID:1234508024]). A total of six abstracts were accepted at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper). The schedule and meeting location for key sessions at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper), together with the abstract information, are listed below:

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Oral Presentation:

Title: The Impact of Ponatinib vs. Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) on Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) or Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph + ALL) with the T315I Mutation
Oral Session: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia – Therapy and Prognosis
Date & Time: Monday, December 7, 2015, 7:00 – 8:30 a.m., Presentation at 8:15 a.m.
Abstract No.: 480
Presenter: Franck E. Nicolini, M.D., PhD (Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre-Bénite, France)
Location: Orange County Convention Center, Orange County Convention Center, Valencia BC (W415BC)

Clinical Poster Presentations:

Title: Real-World Ponatinib Prescribing Patterns and Outcomes in US Patients
Poster Session: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia – Therapy: Poster I
Date & Time: Saturday, December 5, 2015, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Abstract No.: 1591
Presenter: Michael J. Mauro, M.D. (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
Location: Orange County Convention Center, Hall A

Title: Relationship of Line of Therapy to Efficacy for Ponatinib in 3rd-Line vs. 4th-Line Chronic-Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
Poster Session: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia –Therapy: Poster I
Date & Time: Saturday, December 5, 2015, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Abstract No.: 1588
Presenter: Moshe Yair Levy, M.D. (Baylor University Med Center, Dallas, TX)
Location: Orange County Convention Center, Hall A

Title: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Analysis of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) Clinical and Preclinical Efficacy According to BCR-ABL Mutation Status in CP-CML Patients
Poster Session: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia – Therapy: Poster II
Date & Time: Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Abstract No.: 2790
Presenter: Victor M. Rivera, Ph.D. (ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
Location: Orange County Convention Center, Hall A

Title: Efficacy and Safety of Ponatinib in CP-CML Patients by Number of Prior Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: 4-Year Follow-up of the Phase 2 PACE Trial
Poster Session: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia – Therapy: Poster III
Date & Time: Monday, December 7, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Abstract No.: 4025
Author: Andreas Hochhaus, M.D. (Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany)
Location: Orange County Convention Center, Hall A

Preclinical Poster Presentation:

Title: Potent Preclinical Activity of Ponatinib in Germinal Center B-Cell-like Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (GCB-DLBCL) Models
Poster Session: Lymphoma: Pre-Clinical- Chemotherapy and Biologic Agents: Poster III
Date & Time: Monday, December 7, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Abstract No.: 4000
Presenter: Joe Gozgit, Ph.D. (ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
Location: Orange County Convention Center, Hall A

About Iclusig (ponatinib) tablets

Iclusig is approved in the U.S., EU, Australia, Switzerland, Israel and Canada.

In the U.S., Iclusig is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the:

Treatment of adult patients with T315I-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase) or T315I-positive Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL).

Treatment of adult patients with chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia or Ph+ ALL for whom no other tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is indicated.

These indications are based upon response rate. There are no trials verifying an improvement in disease-related symptoms or increased survival with Iclusig.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE BOXED WARNING

WARNING: VASCULAR OCCLUSION, HEART FAILURE, and HEPATOTOXICITY

See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning

Vascular Occlusion: Arterial and venous thrombosis and occlusions have occurred in at least 27% of Iclusig treated patients, including fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, stenosis of large arterial vessels of the brain, severe peripheral vascular disease, and the need for urgent revascularization procedures. Patients with and without cardiovascular risk factors, including patients less than 50 years old, experienced these events. Monitor for evidence of thromboembolism and vascular occlusion. Interrupt or stop Iclusig immediately for vascular occlusion. A benefit risk consideration should guide a decision to restart Iclusig therapy.
Heart Failure, including fatalities, occurred in 8% of Iclusig-treated patients. Monitor cardiac function. Interrupt or stop Iclusig for new or worsening heart failure.

Hepatotoxicity, liver failure and death have occurred in Iclusig-treated patients. Monitor hepatic function. Interrupt Iclusig if hepatotoxicity is suspected.

Vascular Occlusion: Arterial and venous thrombosis and occlusions, including fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, stenosis of large arterial vessels of the brain, severe peripheral vascular disease, and the need for urgent revascularization procedures have occurred in at least 27% of Iclusig-treated patients from the phase 1 and phase 2 trials. Iclusig can also cause recurrent or multi-site vascular occlusion. Overall, 20% of Iclusig-treated patients experienced an arterial occlusion and thrombosis event of any grade. Fatal and life-threatening vascular occlusion has occurred within 2 weeks of starting Iclusig treatment and in patients treated with average daily dose intensities as low as 15 mg per day. The median time to onset of the first vascular occlusion event was 5 months. Patients with and without cardiovascular risk factors have experienced vascular occlusion although these events were more frequent with increasing age and in patients with prior history of ischemia, hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia. Interrupt or stop Iclusig immediately in patients who develop vascular occlusion events.

Heart Failure: Fatal and serious heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction occurred in 5% of Iclusig-treated patients (22/449). Eight percent of patients (35/449) experienced any grade of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms consistent with heart failure and treat as clinically indicated, including interruption of Iclusig. Consider discontinuation of Iclusig in patients who develop serious heart failure.

Hepatotoxicity: Iclusig can cause hepatotoxicity, including liver failure and death. Fulminant hepatic failure leading to death occurred in an Iclusig-treated patient within one week of starting Iclusig. Two additional fatal cases of acute liver failure also occurred. The fatal cases occurred in patients with blast phase CML (BP-CML) or Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). Severe hepatotoxicity occurred in all disease cohorts. Iclusig treatment may result in elevation in ALT, AST, or both. Monitor liver function tests at baseline, then at least monthly or as clinically indicated. Interrupt, reduce or discontinue Iclusig as clinically indicated.

Hypertension: Treatment-emergent hypertension (defined as systolic BP≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP≥90 mm Hg on at least one occasion) occurred in 67% of patients (300/449). Eight patients treated with Iclusig (2%) experienced treatment-emergent symptomatic hypertension as a serious adverse reaction, including one patient (<1%) with hypertensive crisis. Patients may require urgent clinical intervention for hypertension associated with confusion, headache, chest pain, or shortness of breath. In 131 patients with Stage 1 hypertension at baseline, 61% (80/131) developed Stage 2 hypertension. Monitor and manage blood pressure elevations during Iclusig use and treat hypertension to normalize blood pressure. Interrupt, dose reduce, or stop Iclusig if hypertension is not medically controlled.

Pancreatitis: Clinical pancreatitis occurred in 6% (28/449) of patients (5% Grade 3) treated with Iclusig. Pancreatitis resulted in discontinuation or treatment interruption in 6% of patients (25/449). The incidence of treatment-emergent lipase elevation was 41%. Check serum lipase every 2 weeks for the first 2 months and then monthly thereafter or as clinically indicated. Consider additional serum lipase monitoring in patients with a history of pancreatitis or alcohol abuse. Dose interruption or reduction may be required. In cases where lipase elevations are accompanied by abdominal symptoms, interrupt treatment with Iclusig and evaluate patients for pancreatitis. Do not consider restarting Iclusig until patients have complete resolution of symptoms and lipase levels are less than 1.5 x ULN.

Neuropathy: Peripheral and cranial neuropathy have occurred in Iclusig-treated patients. Overall, 13% (59/449) of Iclusig-treated patients experienced a peripheral neuropathy event of any grade (2%, grade 3/4). In clinical trials, the most common peripheral neuropathies reported were peripheral neuropathy (4%, 18/449), paresthesia (4%, 17/449), hypoesthesia (2%, 11/449), and hyperesthesia (1%, 5/449). Cranial neuropathy developed in 1% (6/449) of Iclusig-treated patients (<1% grade 3/4). Of the patients who developed neuropathy, 31% (20/65) developed neuropathy during the first month of treatment. Monitor patients for symptoms of neuropathy, such as hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, paresthesia, discomfort, a burning sensation, neuropathic pain or weakness. Consider interrupting Iclusig and evaluate if neuropathy is suspected.

Ocular Toxicity: Serious ocular toxicities leading to blindness or blurred vision have occurred in Iclusig-treated patients. Retinal toxicities including macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, and retinal hemorrhage occurred in 3% of Iclusig-treated patients. Conjunctival or corneal irritation, dry eye, or eye pain occurred in 13% of patients. Visual blurring occurred in 6% of the patients. Other ocular toxicities include cataracts, glaucoma, iritis, iridocyclitis, and ulcerative keratitis. Conduct comprehensive eye exams at baseline and periodically during treatment.

Hemorrhage: Serious bleeding events, including fatalities, occurred in 5% (22/449) of patients treated with Iclusig. Hemorrhagic events occurred in 24% of patients. The incidence of serious bleeding events was higher in patients with accelerated phase CML (AP-CML), BP-CML, and Ph+ ALL. Most hemorrhagic events, but not all occurred in patients with grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Interrupt Iclusig for serious or severe hemorrhage and evaluate.

Fluid Retention: Serious fluid retention events occurred in 3% (13/449) of patients treated with Iclusig. One instance of brain edema was fatal. In total, fluid retention occurred in 23% of the patients. The most common fluid retention events were peripheral edema (16%), pleural effusion (7%), and pericardial effusion (3%). Monitor patients for fluid retention and manage patients as clinically indicated. Interrupt, reduce, or discontinue Iclusig as clinically indicated.

Cardiac Arrhythmias: Symptomatic bradyarrhythmias that led to a requirement for pacemaker implantation occurred in 1% (3/449) of Iclusig-treated patients. Advise patients to report signs and symptoms suggestive of slow heart rate (fainting, dizziness, or chest pain). Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias occurred in 5% (25/449) of Iclusig-treated patients. Atrial fibrillation was the most common supraventricular tachyarrhythmia and occurred in 20 patients. For 13 patients, the event led to hospitalization. Advise patients to report signs and symptoms of rapid heart rate (palpitations, dizziness). Interrupt Iclusig and evaluate.

Myelosuppression: Severe (grade 3 or 4) myelosuppression occurred in 48% (215/449) of patients treated with Iclusig. The incidence of these events was greater in patients with AP-CML, BP-CML and Ph+ ALL than in patients with CP-CML. Obtain complete blood counts every 2 weeks for the first 3 months and then monthly or as clinically indicated, and adjust the dose as recommended.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome: Two patients (<1%) with advanced disease (AP-CML, BP-CML, or Ph+ ALL) treated with Iclusig developed serious tumor lysis syndrome. Hyperuricemia occurred in 7% (30/449) of patients overall; the majority had CP-CML (19 patients). Due to the potential for tumor lysis syndrome in patients with advanced disease, ensure adequate hydration and treat high uric acid levels prior to initiating therapy with Iclusig.

Compromised Wound Healing and Gastrointestinal Perforation: Since Iclusig may compromise wound healing, interrupt Iclusig for at least 1 week prior to major surgery. Serious gastrointestinal perforation (fistula) occurred in one patient 38 days post-cholecystectomy.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Iclusig can cause fetal harm. If Iclusig is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking Iclusig, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Advise women to avoid pregnancy while taking Iclusig.

Most common non-hematologic adverse reactions: (≥20%) were hypertension, rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dry skin, constipation, arthralgia, nausea, and pyrexia. Hematologic adverse reactions included thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, and leukopenia.

Clinical data of Medigene’s dendritic cell vaccines to be presented at ASH conference

On November 5, 2015 Medigene AG (MDG1, Frankfurt, Prime Standard) reported that early clinical data of its dendritic cell (DC) vaccines will be presented at the upcoming ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting taking place from December 5 – 8, 2015 in Orlando, Florida, USA, by its partner Oslo University Hospital, Norway (Press release, MediGene, NOV 5, 2015, View Source [SID:1234508023]). The clinical data were collected in an ongoing compassionate use[1] programme conducted by the Oslo University Hospital under the responsibility of Prof. Gunnar Kvalheim. The poster presentation shows data from patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and is entitled "AML Patients in Minimal Residual Disease Vaccinated with a Novel Generation of Fast Dendritic Cells Expressing WT-1 and PRAME Mount Specific Immune Responses That Relate to Clinical Outcome". The poster will be presented on December 7, 2015 at 6 PM – 8 PM (local time).

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The Oslo University Hospital has an agreement with Medigene for the use of Medigene`s new generation DC vaccines for their ongoing academic clinical studies. Medigene’s DC vaccines are produced according to GMP guidelines at the Department of Cellular Therapy at the Oslo University Hospital. Acute myeloid leukaemia is Medigene’s lead indication in its DC vaccine programme.

Link to the Abstract: View Source

About Medigene’s DC vaccines: The platform for the development of antigen-tailored DC vaccines is the most advanced platform of the three highly innovative and complementary immunotherapy platforms of Medigene Immunotherapies. Currently, Medigene evaluates its DC vaccines in a company-sponsored phase I/II clinical trial in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Further studies utilizing Medigene’s DC vaccine technology include two ongoing clinical investigator-initiated trials: a clinical phase I/II trial in AML at the Ludwig-Maximilian University Hospital Großhadern, Munich, and a clinical phase II trial in prostate cancer at Oslo University Hospital. Moreover, a compassionate use programme is being conducted at the Department of Cellular Therapy at Oslo University Hospital.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen presenting cells of our immune system. Their task is to take up, process and present antigens on their cell surface, which enables them to activate antigen-specific T cells for maturation and proliferation. This way T cells can recognise and eliminate antigen-bearing tumour cells. Dendritic cells can also induce natural killer cells (NK cells) to attack tumour cells. The team of Medigene Immunotherapies GmbH’s scientists has developed new, fast and efficient methods for generating dendritic cells ex-vivo, which have relevant characteristics to activate both T cells and NK cells. The DC vaccines are developed from autologous (patient-specific) precursor cells, isolated from the patient’s blood, and can be loaded with tumor-specific antigens to treat different types of cancer. Medigene’s DC vaccines are in development for the treatment of minimal residual disease or use in combination therapies.