22% of Patients Receiving LYNPARZA Remained Progression-Free After Two Years vs. 10% on Placebo, Following Platinum-Based Chemotherapy
AstraZeneca and Merck’s LYNPARZA is the Only PARP Inhibitor to Demonstrate Benefit in This Setting in a Phase 3 Trial
KENILWORTH, NJ, USA I June 02, 2019 I AstraZeneca and Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced detailed results from the Phase 3 POLO trial evaluating LYNPARZA tablets as a first-line maintenance monotherapy for patients with germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (pancreatic cancer) whose disease had not progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy. The results of the trial will be featured today in a press briefing at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago and presented as a late-breaker oral presentation at 1:00 p.m. CDT during the plenary session (Abstract #LBA4). The results will also be published online simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
Results from the trial showed a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for LYNPARZA compared to placebo, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 47% (HR 0.53 [95% CI 0.35-0.82], p=0.004). The median PFS for patients treated with LYNPARZA was 7.4 months compared to 3.8 months for those on placebo, with more than twice as many patients remaining progression free at both one year (34% on LYNPARZA vs. 15% on placebo) and two years (22% vs. 10%) respectively.
| |
| Summary of PFSi,ii |
| |
| |
|
|
Lynparza (n=92) |
|
|
Placebo (n=62) |
| Number of patients with event (%)iii |
|
|
60 (65) |
|
|
44 (71) |
| Median (in months) |
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
3.8 |
| Hazard ratio (95% CI) |
|
|
0.53 (0.35-0.82) |
| P-value |
|
|
P=0.004 |
i Blinded, independent central review
ii Median duration of follow-up for progression was 9.1 months (range, 0 to 39.6) and 3.8 months (range, 0 to 29.8) in the olaparib and placebo arms, respectively
iii Analysis of the primary endpoint was performed at 68% data maturity
José Baselga, executive vice president, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca said, “These remarkable results raise new hope for a patient population that has seen little progress over the last 20 years. The POLO trial showed that at six months, more than twice as many patients taking LYNPARZA were progression free compared to those on placebo. We are now working with regulatory authorities to bring LYNPARZA to patients as quickly as possible.”
Dr. Roy Baynes, senior vice president and head of global clinical development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories, said, “We are encouraged by the results of the POLO trial which showed a considerable reduction in risk of disease progression or death with LYNPARZA for germline BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer patients who did not progress on chemotherapy. Currently, less than 3% of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients survive more than five years after diagnosis. The results of this trial reinforce Merck and AstraZeneca’s commitment to develop innovative treatments for cancers with few options.”
Dr. Hedy L. Kindler, MD, Co-Principal Investigator of the POLO trial and professor of medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, said, “Despite efforts to identify therapies, targeted or combination treatments to improve patient outcomes, pancreatic cancer remains an area of high unmet need. The results of the POLO trial may open the door to a new era of personalized, biomarker-led care in metastatic pancreatic cancer and reinforces the importance of knowing BRCA status at diagnosis.”
The safety and tolerability profile of LYNPARZA in the POLO trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials. The most common adverse events (AEs) ≥20% were fatigue/asthenia (60%), nausea (45%), abdominal pain (29%), diarrhea (29%), anemia (28%), decreased appetite (25%) and constipation (23%). The most common ≥ grade 3 AEs were anemia (11%), fatigue/asthenia (5%), decreased appetite (3%), abdominal pain (2%), vomiting (1%) and arthralgia (1%). Around 84% of patients on LYNPARZA remained on the recommended starting dose, while 16% had a dose reduction vs. 97% who remained on the recommended dose with placebo, while 3% had a dose reduction. Additionally, 95% of patients on LYNPARZA continued treatment without an AE-related discontinuation, while 5% had an AE-related discontinuation vs. 98% who continued treatment without an AE-related discontinuation and 2% that had an AE-related discontinuation with placebo.
LYNPARZA is not currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for gBRCAm pancreatic cancer.
LYNPARZA is currently approved in 64 countries, including those in the EU, for the maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer regardless of BRCA status. It is approved in the U.S. as first-line maintenance treatment in BRCAm advanced ovarian cancer following response to platinum-based chemotherapy. It is also approved in 38 countries, including the U.S., countries in the EU, and Japan, for germline BRCAm HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer previously treated with chemotherapy; in the EU this includes locally advanced breast cancer. Regulatory reviews are underway in other jurisdictions for both ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
About POLO
POLO is a Phase 3 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-center study of LYNPARZA tablets (300 mg twice daily) as maintenance monotherapy vs. placebo. The trial randomized 154 patients with gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer whose disease had not progressed on first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients were randomized (3:2) to receive LYNPARZA or placebo until disease progression. The primary endpoint was PFS and key secondary endpoints include overall survival, time to second disease progression, overall response rate, disease control rate and health-related quality of life.
About Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common cancer worldwide, with 458,918 new cases in 2018 alone. With the worst survival rate of all the most common cancers, it is the seventh leading cause of cancer death, and less than 3% of patients with metastatic disease survive more than five years after diagnosis. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult, as often there are no symptoms until it is too late. Around 80% of patients are diagnosed at the metastatic stage.
There are two types of pancreatic cancer. Exocrine tumors, of which the most common type is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), start in the exocrine cells, where enzymes help to digest food. Neuroendocrine tumors start in neuroendocrine cells, which produce hormones, such as insulin, that control different functions of the body.
About BRCA Mutations
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that produce proteins responsible for repairing damaged DNA and play an important role in maintaining the genetic stability of cells. When either of these genes is mutated, or altered, such that its protein product either is not made or does not function correctly, DNA damage may not be repaired properly, and cells become unstable. As a result, cells are more likely to develop additional genetic alterations that can lead to cancer.
About LYNPARZA® (olaparib)
LYNPARZA is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to potentially exploit DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies, such as BRCA mutations, to preferentially kill cancer cells. Inhibition of PARP with LYNPARZA leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death. LYNPARZA is being tested in a range of tumor types with defects and dependencies in the DDR.
LYNPARZA, which is being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Merck, has a broad and advanced clinical trial development program, and AstraZeneca and Merck are working together to understand how it may affect multiple PARP-dependent tumors as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple cancer types.
INDICATIONS
LYNPARZA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated:
First-Line Maintenance BRCAm Advanced Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm or sBRCAm) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Select patients with gBRCAm advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Maintenance Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Advanced gBRCAm ovarian cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) advanced ovarian cancer who have been treated with 3 or more prior lines of chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
gBRCAm, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer
In patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or metastatic setting. Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with a prior endocrine therapy or be considered inappropriate for endocrine therapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Please click here for complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information (Medication Guide).
About the AstraZeneca and Merck Strategic Oncology Collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize LYNPARZA, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, and potential new medicine selumetinib, a MEK inhibitor, for multiple cancer types. Working together, the companies will develop LYNPARZA and selumetinib in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. Independently, the companies will develop LYNPARZA and selumetinib in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.
Merck’s Focus on Cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and communities around the world – including cancer, cardio-metabolic diseases, emerging animal diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
SOURCE: Merck
Post Views: 23
22% of Patients Receiving LYNPARZA Remained Progression-Free After Two Years vs. 10% on Placebo, Following Platinum-Based Chemotherapy
AstraZeneca and Merck’s LYNPARZA is the Only PARP Inhibitor to Demonstrate Benefit in This Setting in a Phase 3 Trial
KENILWORTH, NJ, USA I June 02, 2019 I AstraZeneca and Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced detailed results from the Phase 3 POLO trial evaluating LYNPARZA tablets as a first-line maintenance monotherapy for patients with germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (pancreatic cancer) whose disease had not progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy. The results of the trial will be featured today in a press briefing at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago and presented as a late-breaker oral presentation at 1:00 p.m. CDT during the plenary session (Abstract #LBA4). The results will also be published online simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
Results from the trial showed a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for LYNPARZA compared to placebo, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 47% (HR 0.53 [95% CI 0.35-0.82], p=0.004). The median PFS for patients treated with LYNPARZA was 7.4 months compared to 3.8 months for those on placebo, with more than twice as many patients remaining progression free at both one year (34% on LYNPARZA vs. 15% on placebo) and two years (22% vs. 10%) respectively.
| |
| Summary of PFSi,ii |
| |
| |
|
|
Lynparza (n=92) |
|
|
Placebo (n=62) |
| Number of patients with event (%)iii |
|
|
60 (65) |
|
|
44 (71) |
| Median (in months) |
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
3.8 |
| Hazard ratio (95% CI) |
|
|
0.53 (0.35-0.82) |
| P-value |
|
|
P=0.004 |
i Blinded, independent central review
ii Median duration of follow-up for progression was 9.1 months (range, 0 to 39.6) and 3.8 months (range, 0 to 29.8) in the olaparib and placebo arms, respectively
iii Analysis of the primary endpoint was performed at 68% data maturity
José Baselga, executive vice president, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca said, “These remarkable results raise new hope for a patient population that has seen little progress over the last 20 years. The POLO trial showed that at six months, more than twice as many patients taking LYNPARZA were progression free compared to those on placebo. We are now working with regulatory authorities to bring LYNPARZA to patients as quickly as possible.”
Dr. Roy Baynes, senior vice president and head of global clinical development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories, said, “We are encouraged by the results of the POLO trial which showed a considerable reduction in risk of disease progression or death with LYNPARZA for germline BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer patients who did not progress on chemotherapy. Currently, less than 3% of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients survive more than five years after diagnosis. The results of this trial reinforce Merck and AstraZeneca’s commitment to develop innovative treatments for cancers with few options.”
Dr. Hedy L. Kindler, MD, Co-Principal Investigator of the POLO trial and professor of medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, said, “Despite efforts to identify therapies, targeted or combination treatments to improve patient outcomes, pancreatic cancer remains an area of high unmet need. The results of the POLO trial may open the door to a new era of personalized, biomarker-led care in metastatic pancreatic cancer and reinforces the importance of knowing BRCA status at diagnosis.”
The safety and tolerability profile of LYNPARZA in the POLO trial was in line with that observed in prior clinical trials. The most common adverse events (AEs) ≥20% were fatigue/asthenia (60%), nausea (45%), abdominal pain (29%), diarrhea (29%), anemia (28%), decreased appetite (25%) and constipation (23%). The most common ≥ grade 3 AEs were anemia (11%), fatigue/asthenia (5%), decreased appetite (3%), abdominal pain (2%), vomiting (1%) and arthralgia (1%). Around 84% of patients on LYNPARZA remained on the recommended starting dose, while 16% had a dose reduction vs. 97% who remained on the recommended dose with placebo, while 3% had a dose reduction. Additionally, 95% of patients on LYNPARZA continued treatment without an AE-related discontinuation, while 5% had an AE-related discontinuation vs. 98% who continued treatment without an AE-related discontinuation and 2% that had an AE-related discontinuation with placebo.
LYNPARZA is not currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for gBRCAm pancreatic cancer.
LYNPARZA is currently approved in 64 countries, including those in the EU, for the maintenance treatment of platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer regardless of BRCA status. It is approved in the U.S. as first-line maintenance treatment in BRCAm advanced ovarian cancer following response to platinum-based chemotherapy. It is also approved in 38 countries, including the U.S., countries in the EU, and Japan, for germline BRCAm HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer previously treated with chemotherapy; in the EU this includes locally advanced breast cancer. Regulatory reviews are underway in other jurisdictions for both ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
About POLO
POLO is a Phase 3 randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-center study of LYNPARZA tablets (300 mg twice daily) as maintenance monotherapy vs. placebo. The trial randomized 154 patients with gBRCAm metastatic pancreatic cancer whose disease had not progressed on first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients were randomized (3:2) to receive LYNPARZA or placebo until disease progression. The primary endpoint was PFS and key secondary endpoints include overall survival, time to second disease progression, overall response rate, disease control rate and health-related quality of life.
About Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common cancer worldwide, with 458,918 new cases in 2018 alone. With the worst survival rate of all the most common cancers, it is the seventh leading cause of cancer death, and less than 3% of patients with metastatic disease survive more than five years after diagnosis. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult, as often there are no symptoms until it is too late. Around 80% of patients are diagnosed at the metastatic stage.
There are two types of pancreatic cancer. Exocrine tumors, of which the most common type is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), start in the exocrine cells, where enzymes help to digest food. Neuroendocrine tumors start in neuroendocrine cells, which produce hormones, such as insulin, that control different functions of the body.
About BRCA Mutations
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that produce proteins responsible for repairing damaged DNA and play an important role in maintaining the genetic stability of cells. When either of these genes is mutated, or altered, such that its protein product either is not made or does not function correctly, DNA damage may not be repaired properly, and cells become unstable. As a result, cells are more likely to develop additional genetic alterations that can lead to cancer.
About LYNPARZA® (olaparib)
LYNPARZA is a first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to potentially exploit DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies, such as BRCA mutations, to preferentially kill cancer cells. Inhibition of PARP with LYNPARZA leads to the trapping of PARP bound to DNA single-strand breaks, stalling of replication forks, their collapse and the generation of DNA double-strand breaks and cancer cell death. LYNPARZA is being tested in a range of tumor types with defects and dependencies in the DDR.
LYNPARZA, which is being jointly developed and commercialized by AstraZeneca and Merck, has a broad and advanced clinical trial development program, and AstraZeneca and Merck are working together to understand how it may affect multiple PARP-dependent tumors as a monotherapy and in combination across multiple cancer types.
INDICATIONS
LYNPARZA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated:
First-Line Maintenance BRCAm Advanced Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm or sBRCAm) advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Select patients with gBRCAm advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Maintenance Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
For the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Advanced gBRCAm ovarian cancer
For the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) advanced ovarian cancer who have been treated with 3 or more prior lines of chemotherapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
gBRCAm, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer
In patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer who have been treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or metastatic setting. Patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with a prior endocrine therapy or be considered inappropriate for endocrine therapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.
Please click here for complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information (Medication Guide).
About the AstraZeneca and Merck Strategic Oncology Collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize LYNPARZA, the world’s first PARP inhibitor, and potential new medicine selumetinib, a MEK inhibitor, for multiple cancer types. Working together, the companies will develop LYNPARZA and selumetinib in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. Independently, the companies will develop LYNPARZA and selumetinib in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.
Merck’s Focus on Cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, the potential to bring new hope to people with cancer drives our purpose and supporting accessibility to our cancer medicines is our commitment. As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the potential of immuno-oncology with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our portfolio through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of several promising oncology candidates with the potential to improve the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information about our oncology clinical trials, visit www.merck.com/clinicaltrials.
About Merck
For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and communities around the world – including cancer, cardio-metabolic diseases, emerging animal diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
SOURCE: Merck
Post Views: 23
