First Phase 3 Study Combining KYPROLIS and DARZALEX, Two Critical Mechanisms of Action in Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

THOUSAND OAKS, CA, USA I September 13, 2019 I Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced the Phase 3 CANDOR study evaluating KYPROLIS® (carfilzomib) in combination with dexamethasone and DARZALEX® (daratumumab) (KdD) compared to KYPROLIS and dexamethasone alone (Kd) met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS). The regimen resulted in a 37% reduction in the risk of progression or death in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma treated with KdD (HR=0.630; 95% CI: 0.464, 0.854; p=0.0014). The median PFS for patients treated with Kd alone was 15.8 months, while the median PFS for patients treated with KdD has not been reached by the cut-off date.

“The potential to combine KYPROLIS with DARZALEX, two powerful targeted agents, represents an additional therapeutic approach for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma,” said David M. Reese, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. “The results from the CANDOR study confirm the potential for KYPROLIS to be used in combination with an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.”

There was a higher frequency of adverse events reported in KdD, a three-agent regimen, than in Kd, a two-agent regimen. The types of observed adverse events were consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual agents. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events (greater than or equal to 20%) in the KdD arm were thrombocytopenia, anemia, diarrhea, hypertension, upper respiratory tract infection, fatigue and dyspnea.

“While treatment advances have improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma, there remains a need for additional therapeutic options for patients who have relapsed,” said Ajai Chari, M.D., associate professor of medicine, the director of clinical research in the Multiple Myeloma Program and the associate director of clinical research, Mount Sinai Cancer Clinical Trials Office. “CANDOR confirms in a large Phase 3 study the benefit for patients demonstrated in the earlier Phase 1 study using the same combination.”

The CANDOR data will be submitted to a future medical meeting and discussed with health authorities in preparation for regulatory submissions.

About CANDOR
CANDOR, a randomized, open-label Phase 3 study of KYPROLIS, dexamethasone and DARZALEX (KdD) compared to KYPROLIS and dexamethasone (Kd), has evaluated 466 relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients who have received one to three prior therapies. Patients were treated until disease progression. The primary endpoint was PFS, and the key secondary endpoints were overall response rate, minimal residual disease and overall survival. PFS was defined as time from randomization until disease progression or death from any cause.

In the first arm, patients received KYPROLIS twice weekly at 56 mg/m2 and dexamethasone in combination with DARZALEX. In the second arm (control), patients received KYPROLIS twice weekly at 56 mg/mand dexamethasone.

CANDOR was initiated as part of a collaboration with Janssen, and under the terms of the agreement, Janssen co-funded the study. For more information about this trial, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov under trial identification number NCT03158688.

About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer, characterized by a recurring pattern of remission and relapse.1 It is a rare and life-threatening disease that accounts for approximately one percent of all cancers.2,3 Worldwide, approximately 160,000 people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma each year, and 106,000 patient deaths are reported on an annual basis.2

About KYPROLIS® (carfilzomib)
Proteasomes play an important role in cell function and growth by breaking down proteins that are damaged or no longer needed.4 KYPROLIS has been shown to block proteasomes, leading to an excessive build-up of proteins within cells.5 In some cells, KYPROLIS can cause cell death, especially in myeloma cells because they are more likely to contain a higher amount of abnormal proteins.4,5

Since its first approval in 2012, approximately 130,000 patients worldwide have received KYPROLIS. KYPROLIS is approved in the U.S. for the following:

  • In combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one to three lines of therapy
  • As a single agent for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one or more lines of therapy

KYPROLIS is also approved in Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, European Union, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, S. Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.

About Amgen Oncology
Amgen Oncology is searching for and finding answers to incredibly complex questions that will advance care and improve lives for cancer patients and their families. Our research drives us to understand the disease in the context of the patient’s life – not just their cancer journey – so they can take control of their lives.

For the last four decades, we have been dedicated to discovering the firsts that matter in oncology and to finding ways to reduce the burden of cancer. Building on our heritage, Amgen continues to advance the largest pipeline in the Company’s history, moving with great speed to advance those innovations for the patients who need them.

At Amgen, we are driven by our commitment to transform the lives of cancer patients and keep them at the center of everything we do.   

For more information, follow us on www.twitter.com/amgenoncology.

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 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 one of the world’s leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.

For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

References:

  1. Jakubowiak A. Management strategies for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: current clinical perspectives. Semin Hematol. 2012 Jul; 49 Suppl 1:S16-S32.
  2. GLOBOCAN 2018. Global Prevalence and Incidence. Available at: http://globocan.iarc.fr/old/summary_table_pop_prev.asp?selection=224900&title=World&sex=0&window=1&sort=0&submit=%C2%A0Execute%C2%A0http://globocan.iarc.fr/old/summary_table_pop_prev.asp?selection=224900&title=World&sex=0&window=1&sort=0&submit=%C2%A0Execute%C2%A0. Accessed on: July 18, 2019.
  3. American Cancer Society. About Multiple Myeloma. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8738.00.pdf. Accessed on: July 18, 2019.
  4. Moreau P, Richardson PG, Cavo M, et al. Proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma: 10 years later. Blood. 2012 Aug 2;120(5):947-59.
  5. Kortuem KM and Stewart AK. Carfilzomib. Blood. 2013 Feb 7;121(6):893-7.

SOURCE: Amgen