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78 Percent of Patients Treated With BLINCYTO Experienced a Complete Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Response After One Treatment Cycle
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Results to be Presented During an Oral Session at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 56th Annual Meeting and Exposition on Monday, December 8 at 10:30 a.m. PT
-
Data to be Featured in ASH Press Briefing on Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m. PT
THOUSAND OAKS, CA, USA I December 6, 2014 I Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced new data from the Phase 2 BLAST study which evaluated the bispecific T cell engager (BiTE®) immunotherapy BLINCYTOTM (blinatumomab) in patients with minimal residual disease (MRD) positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In the study, 78 percent of patients who received BLINCYTO experienced a complete MRD response (95 percent CI: 69-85 percent), a measure of eradication of residual disease at the molecular level, after one treatment cycle. Nearly all complete responses (98 percent) occurred within the first treatment cycle.
The results from the BLAST study (Study ‘203; abstract # 379) will be featured during the 56th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition press briefing on Saturday, December 6, at 10 a.m. PT and will be presented in an oral session at ASH on Monday, December 8, at 10:30 a.m. PT.
“BLINCYTO is the most advanced of Amgen’s BiTE® immunotherapies, a new and innovative approach that helps the body’s own immune system fight cancer,” said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. “Achieving molecular complete remission is an important goal in the treatment of ALL, and the data presented at ASH demonstrates that BLINCYTO can produce deep responses in patients that have trace amounts of residual disease.”
MRD is a state of disease in which the microscopic analysis does not show malignant cells, but more sensitive techniques still detect disease at the molecular level.1 Patients who have persistent or recurrent MRD after their first therapy have a higher risk of relapse than those with no detectable MRD.1
In addition to the majority (78 percent) of patients achieving a compete MRD response within one cycle of treatment, 80 percent achieved a complete MRD response across all cycles. Responses occurred in all subgroups including older patients and patients with high MRD level; no predictive factor for MRD response was identified.
In the study, adverse events (AEs) of all grades occurring in 20 percent or more patients included pyrexia (90 percent), tremor (29 percent), chills (26 percent), fatigue (24 percent), nausea (22 percent), vomiting (22 percent) and diarrhea (20 percent). Grade =3 AEs occurring in five percent or more patients included neutropenia (16 percent), pyrexia (7 percent) and tremor (5 percent). Two fatal AEs occurred on treatment: subdural hemorrhage and pneumonitis in conjunction with influenza (the latter was deemed treatment-related). Treatment interruptions due to AEs occurred in 31 percent of patients.
BLAST Phase 2 Trial Design
The BLAST study is the largest prospective trial in patients with MRD-positive ALL. It is an open-label, multicenter, confirmatory single-arm, Phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of BLINCYTO in adult patients (=18 years) with MRD positive B-cell precursor ALL in hematologic complete remission (<5 percent blasts in bone marrow) after three or more intensive chemotherapy treatments. Patients received continuous IV infusion of 15 µg/m2/d for four weeks, followed by two weeks off. Patients received up to four cycles of treatment, or could undergo a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) at any time after the first cycle, if eligible. The primary endpoint is rate of complete MRD response. Secondary endpoints include incidence and severity of AE, hematological relapse-free survival rate, overall survival, time to hematologic relapse, and duration of complete MRD response.
About BLINCYTOTM (blinatumomab)
BLINCYTO is the first BiTE® antibody construct and the first single-agent immunotherapy to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).2 BLINCYTO was granted breakthrough therapy and priority review designations by the FDA, and is now approved in the U.S. for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
About BiTE® Technology
Bispecific T cell engager (BiTE®) antibody constructs are a type of immunotherapy being investigated for fighting cancer by helping the body’s immune system to detect and target malignant cells. The modified antibodies are designed to engage two different targets simultaneously, thereby juxtaposing T cells (a type of white blood cell capable of killing other cells perceived as threats) to cancer cells. BiTE® antibody constructs help place the T cells within reach of the targeted cell, with the intent of allowing T cells to inject toxins and trigger the cancer cell to die (apoptosis). BiTE® antibody constructs are currently being investigated for their potential to treat a wide variety of cancers. For more information, visit www.biteantibodies.com.
Important U.S. Product Information
BLINCYTO is indicated for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
This indication is approved under accelerated approval. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in subsequent trials.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGICAL TOXICITIES
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), which may be life-threatening or fatal, occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTOTM. Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTOTM as recommended.
Neurological toxicities, which may be severe, life-threatening or fatal, occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTOTM. Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTOTM as recommended.
Contraindications
BLINCYTOTM is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to blinatumomab or to any component of the product formulation.
Warnings and Precautions
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): Life-threatening or fatal CRS occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTOTM. Infusion reactions have occurred and may be clinically indistinguishable from manifestations of CRS. Closely monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serious events such as pyrexia, headache, nausea, asthenia, hypotension, increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased total bilirubin (TBILI), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), capillary leak syndrome (CLS), and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (HLH/MAS). Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTOTM as outlined in the Prescribing Information (PI).
Neurological Toxicities: Approximately 50% of patients receiving BLINCYTOTM in clinical trials experienced neurological toxicities. Severe, life-threatening, or fatal neurological toxicities occurred in approximately 15% of patients, including encephalopathy, convulsions, speech disorders, disturbances in consciousness, confusion and disorientation, and coordination and balance disorders. The median time to onset of any neurological toxicity was 7 days. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms and interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTOTM as outlined in the PI.
Infections: Approximately 25% of patients receiving BLINCYTOTM experienced serious infections, some of which were life-threatening or fatal. Administer prophylactic antibiotics and employ surveillance testing as appropriate during treatment. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of infection and treat appropriately, including interruption or discontinuation of BLINCYTOTM as needed.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): Life-threatening or fatal TLS has been observed. Preventive measures, including pretreatment nontoxic cytoreduction and on treatment hydration, should be used during BLINCYTOTM treatment. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of TLS and interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTOTM as needed to manage these events.
Neutropenia and Febrile Neutropenia, including life-threatening cases, have been observed. Monitor appropriate laboratory parameters during BLINCYTOTM infusion and interrupt BLINCYTOTM if prolonged neutropenia occurs.
Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines: Due to the possibility of neurological events, including seizures, patients receiving BLINCYTOTM are at risk for loss of consciousness, and should be advised against driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery while BLINCYTOTM is being administered.
Elevated Liver Enzymes: Transient elevations in liver enzymes are associated with BLINCYTOTM treatment. The majority of these events were observed in the setting of CRS. The median time to onset was 15 days. Grade 3 or greater elevations in liver enzymes occurred in 6% of patients outside the setting of CRS and resulted in treatment discontinuation in less than 1% of patients. Monitor ALT, AST, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and TBILI prior to the start of and during BLINCYTOTM treatment. BLINCYTOTM treatment should be interrupted if transaminases rise to > 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or if TBILI rises to > 3 times ULN.
Leukoencephalopathy: Although the clinical significance is unknown, cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes showing leukoencephalopathy have been observed in patients receiving BLINCYTOTM, especially in patients previously treated with cranial irradiation and anti-leukemic chemotherapy.
Preparation and administration errors have occurred. Follow instructions for preparation (including admixing) and administration in the PI strictly to minimize medication errors (including underdose and overdose).
Adverse Events
The most commonly reported adverse reactions (= 20%) in clinical trials were pyrexia (62%), headache (36%), peripheral edema (25%), febrile neutropenia (25%), nausea (25%), hypokalemia (23%), rash (21%), tremor (20%) and constipation (20%).
Dosage and Administration Guidelines
BLINCYTOTM is administered as a continuous intravenous infusion at a constant flow rate using an infusion pump which should be programmable, lockable, non-elastomeric, and have an alarm.
It is very important that the instructions for preparation (including admixing) and administration provided in the full Prescribing Information are strictly followed to minimize medication errors (including underdose and overdose).
Please see full Prescribing Information and medication guide for BLINCYTO at www.BLINCYTO.com.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be the world’s largest independent biotechnology company, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
SOURCE: Amgen
Post Views: 127
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78 Percent of Patients Treated With BLINCYTO Experienced a Complete Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Response After One Treatment Cycle
-
Results to be Presented During an Oral Session at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 56th Annual Meeting and Exposition on Monday, December 8 at 10:30 a.m. PT
-
Data to be Featured in ASH Press Briefing on Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m. PT
THOUSAND OAKS, CA, USA I December 6, 2014 I Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced new data from the Phase 2 BLAST study which evaluated the bispecific T cell engager (BiTE®) immunotherapy BLINCYTOTM (blinatumomab) in patients with minimal residual disease (MRD) positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In the study, 78 percent of patients who received BLINCYTO experienced a complete MRD response (95 percent CI: 69-85 percent), a measure of eradication of residual disease at the molecular level, after one treatment cycle. Nearly all complete responses (98 percent) occurred within the first treatment cycle.
The results from the BLAST study (Study ‘203; abstract # 379) will be featured during the 56th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition press briefing on Saturday, December 6, at 10 a.m. PT and will be presented in an oral session at ASH on Monday, December 8, at 10:30 a.m. PT.
“BLINCYTO is the most advanced of Amgen’s BiTE® immunotherapies, a new and innovative approach that helps the body’s own immune system fight cancer,” said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. “Achieving molecular complete remission is an important goal in the treatment of ALL, and the data presented at ASH demonstrates that BLINCYTO can produce deep responses in patients that have trace amounts of residual disease.”
MRD is a state of disease in which the microscopic analysis does not show malignant cells, but more sensitive techniques still detect disease at the molecular level.1 Patients who have persistent or recurrent MRD after their first therapy have a higher risk of relapse than those with no detectable MRD.1
In addition to the majority (78 percent) of patients achieving a compete MRD response within one cycle of treatment, 80 percent achieved a complete MRD response across all cycles. Responses occurred in all subgroups including older patients and patients with high MRD level; no predictive factor for MRD response was identified.
In the study, adverse events (AEs) of all grades occurring in 20 percent or more patients included pyrexia (90 percent), tremor (29 percent), chills (26 percent), fatigue (24 percent), nausea (22 percent), vomiting (22 percent) and diarrhea (20 percent). Grade =3 AEs occurring in five percent or more patients included neutropenia (16 percent), pyrexia (7 percent) and tremor (5 percent). Two fatal AEs occurred on treatment: subdural hemorrhage and pneumonitis in conjunction with influenza (the latter was deemed treatment-related). Treatment interruptions due to AEs occurred in 31 percent of patients.
BLAST Phase 2 Trial Design
The BLAST study is the largest prospective trial in patients with MRD-positive ALL. It is an open-label, multicenter, confirmatory single-arm, Phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of BLINCYTO in adult patients (=18 years) with MRD positive B-cell precursor ALL in hematologic complete remission (<5 percent blasts in bone marrow) after three or more intensive chemotherapy treatments. Patients received continuous IV infusion of 15 µg/m2/d for four weeks, followed by two weeks off. Patients received up to four cycles of treatment, or could undergo a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) at any time after the first cycle, if eligible. The primary endpoint is rate of complete MRD response. Secondary endpoints include incidence and severity of AE, hematological relapse-free survival rate, overall survival, time to hematologic relapse, and duration of complete MRD response.
About BLINCYTOTM (blinatumomab)
BLINCYTO is the first BiTE® antibody construct and the first single-agent immunotherapy to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).2 BLINCYTO was granted breakthrough therapy and priority review designations by the FDA, and is now approved in the U.S. for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
About BiTE® Technology
Bispecific T cell engager (BiTE®) antibody constructs are a type of immunotherapy being investigated for fighting cancer by helping the body’s immune system to detect and target malignant cells. The modified antibodies are designed to engage two different targets simultaneously, thereby juxtaposing T cells (a type of white blood cell capable of killing other cells perceived as threats) to cancer cells. BiTE® antibody constructs help place the T cells within reach of the targeted cell, with the intent of allowing T cells to inject toxins and trigger the cancer cell to die (apoptosis). BiTE® antibody constructs are currently being investigated for their potential to treat a wide variety of cancers. For more information, visit www.biteantibodies.com.
Important U.S. Product Information
BLINCYTO is indicated for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
This indication is approved under accelerated approval. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in subsequent trials.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGICAL TOXICITIES
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), which may be life-threatening or fatal, occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTOTM. Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTOTM as recommended.
Neurological toxicities, which may be severe, life-threatening or fatal, occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTOTM. Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTOTM as recommended.
Contraindications
BLINCYTOTM is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to blinatumomab or to any component of the product formulation.
Warnings and Precautions
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS): Life-threatening or fatal CRS occurred in patients receiving BLINCYTOTM. Infusion reactions have occurred and may be clinically indistinguishable from manifestations of CRS. Closely monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serious events such as pyrexia, headache, nausea, asthenia, hypotension, increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), increased total bilirubin (TBILI), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), capillary leak syndrome (CLS), and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (HLH/MAS). Interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTOTM as outlined in the Prescribing Information (PI).
Neurological Toxicities: Approximately 50% of patients receiving BLINCYTOTM in clinical trials experienced neurological toxicities. Severe, life-threatening, or fatal neurological toxicities occurred in approximately 15% of patients, including encephalopathy, convulsions, speech disorders, disturbances in consciousness, confusion and disorientation, and coordination and balance disorders. The median time to onset of any neurological toxicity was 7 days. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms and interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTOTM as outlined in the PI.
Infections: Approximately 25% of patients receiving BLINCYTOTM experienced serious infections, some of which were life-threatening or fatal. Administer prophylactic antibiotics and employ surveillance testing as appropriate during treatment. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of infection and treat appropriately, including interruption or discontinuation of BLINCYTOTM as needed.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): Life-threatening or fatal TLS has been observed. Preventive measures, including pretreatment nontoxic cytoreduction and on treatment hydration, should be used during BLINCYTOTM treatment. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of TLS and interrupt or discontinue BLINCYTOTM as needed to manage these events.
Neutropenia and Febrile Neutropenia, including life-threatening cases, have been observed. Monitor appropriate laboratory parameters during BLINCYTOTM infusion and interrupt BLINCYTOTM if prolonged neutropenia occurs.
Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines: Due to the possibility of neurological events, including seizures, patients receiving BLINCYTOTM are at risk for loss of consciousness, and should be advised against driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery while BLINCYTOTM is being administered.
Elevated Liver Enzymes: Transient elevations in liver enzymes are associated with BLINCYTOTM treatment. The majority of these events were observed in the setting of CRS. The median time to onset was 15 days. Grade 3 or greater elevations in liver enzymes occurred in 6% of patients outside the setting of CRS and resulted in treatment discontinuation in less than 1% of patients. Monitor ALT, AST, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and TBILI prior to the start of and during BLINCYTOTM treatment. BLINCYTOTM treatment should be interrupted if transaminases rise to > 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or if TBILI rises to > 3 times ULN.
Leukoencephalopathy: Although the clinical significance is unknown, cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes showing leukoencephalopathy have been observed in patients receiving BLINCYTOTM, especially in patients previously treated with cranial irradiation and anti-leukemic chemotherapy.
Preparation and administration errors have occurred. Follow instructions for preparation (including admixing) and administration in the PI strictly to minimize medication errors (including underdose and overdose).
Adverse Events
The most commonly reported adverse reactions (= 20%) in clinical trials were pyrexia (62%), headache (36%), peripheral edema (25%), febrile neutropenia (25%), nausea (25%), hypokalemia (23%), rash (21%), tremor (20%) and constipation (20%).
Dosage and Administration Guidelines
BLINCYTOTM is administered as a continuous intravenous infusion at a constant flow rate using an infusion pump which should be programmable, lockable, non-elastomeric, and have an alarm.
It is very important that the instructions for preparation (including admixing) and administration provided in the full Prescribing Information are strictly followed to minimize medication errors (including underdose and overdose).
Please see full Prescribing Information and medication guide for BLINCYTO at www.BLINCYTO.com.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be the world’s largest independent biotechnology company, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
SOURCE: Amgen
Post Views: 127
