U.S. FDA grants Priority Review for REVLIMID®
(lenalidomide) in combination with rituximab (R²) for previously
treated follicular and marginal zone lymphoma
Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date set
for June 27, 2019
Luspatercept Biologics License Application
(BLA) submission timing updated to April 2019
Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) today announced that the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Priority Review
designation for the company’s supplemental New Drug Application
(sNDA) for REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) in combination with rituximab
(R²) for the treatment of patients with previously treated
follicular and marginal zone lymphoma. Under the Prescription Drug
User Fee Act (PDUFA), the FDA has set its action date as June 27,
2019.
“R2 has the potential to offer patients with previously treated
follicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma a chemotherapy free
option” said Jay Backstrom, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Head of
Global Regulatory Affairs for Celgene. “We look forward to working
with the FDA to bring the R2 regimen to patients as quickly as
possible.”
The sNDA is based on results from the randomized, double-blind,
phase 3 AUGMENT study, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of
the investigational R² combination versus rituximab plus placebo in
patients with relapsed/refractory follicular and marginal zone
lymphoma. Results from the study were presented at the 2018
American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and
Exposition.
Earlier this year, Celgene submitted and had accepted a
Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for R2 to the European
Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory
follicular and marginal zone lymphoma.
REVLIMID alone or in combination with other agents is not
approved for use in follicular lymphoma or marginal zone lymphoma
in any geography.
Celgene also announced updated timing for the anticipated
submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) with the U.S.
FDA for luspatercept in adult patients with anemia related to very
low to intermediate myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with ring
sideroblasts who require red blood cell transfusions, and in adult
patients with anemia related to beta-thalassemia who require
regular red blood cell transfusions. The company expects to submit
the BLA in April 2019.
Luspatercept is not approved in any region for any indication.
Acceleron Pharma Inc. and Celgene are jointly developing
luspatercept as part of a global collaboration.
About Relapsed/Refractory Indolent Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a blood cancer that develops in lymphocytes, a type
of white blood cell in the immune system that helps protect the
body from infection.1 There are two classes of lymphoma – Hodgkin’s
and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) – each with specific subtypes that
determine how the cancer behaves, spreads and should be
treated.1,2,3
Indolent lymphomas are slow-growing forms of the disease, which
can often be asymptomatic or have fewer symptoms upon diagnosis.4
Indolent lymphomas account for approximately 40 percent of all NHL
cases.4 In patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma, the disease
has either responded to treatment but then returned or has not
responded to initial treatment.5
About AUGMENT
AUGMENT is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind clinical trial
evaluating the efficacy and safety of REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) in
combination with rituximab (R²) versus rituximab plus placebo in
patients with relapsed/refractory follicular and marginal zone
lymphoma.
The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, defined as
the time from date of randomization to the first observation of
disease progression or death due to any cause. Secondary endpoints
included overall response rate, durable complete response rate,
complete response rate, duration of response, duration of complete
response, overall survival, event-free survival and time to next
anti-lymphoma therapy.
About REVLIMID®
REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) in combination with
dexamethasone (dex) is indicated for the treatment of patients with
multiple myeloma (MM)
REVLIMID is indicated as maintenance therapy in patients with
MM following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
(auto-HSCT)
REVLIMID® is indicated for the treatment of
patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to low-or
intermediate-1–risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with
a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional
cytogenetic abnormalities
REVLIMID® is indicated for the treatment of
patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) whose disease has relapsed
or progressed after two prior therapies, one of which included
bortezomib
REVLIMID is not indicated and is not recommended for the
treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
outside of controlled clinical trials
Important Safety Information
WARNING: EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY, HEMATOLOGIC TOXICITY, and
VENOUS and ARTERIAL THROMBOEMBOLISM
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Do not use REVLIMID during pregnancy. Lenalidomide, a
thalidomide analogue, caused limb abnormalities in a developmental
monkey study. Thalidomide is a known human teratogen that causes
severe life-threatening human birth defects. If lenalidomide is
used during pregnancy, it may cause birth defects or embryo-fetal
death. In females of reproductive potential, obtain 2 negative
pregnancy tests before starting REVLIMID treatment. Females of
reproductive potential must use 2 forms of contraception or
continuously abstain from heterosexual sex during and for 4 weeks
after REVLIMID treatment. To avoid embryo-fetal exposure to
lenalidomide, REVLIMID is only available through a restricted
distribution program, the REVLIMID REMS®
program.
Information about the REVLIMID REMS® program is
available at www.celgeneriskmanagement.com or by
calling the manufacturer’s toll-free number 1-888-423-5436.
Hematologic Toxicity (Neutropenia and
Thrombocytopenia)
REVLIMID can cause significant neutropenia and
thrombocytopenia. Eighty percent of patients with del 5q MDS had to
have a dose delay/reduction during the major study. Thirty-four
percent of patients had to have a second dose delay/reduction.
Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity was seen in 80% of patients
enrolled in the study. Patients on therapy for del 5q MDS should
have their complete blood counts monitored weekly for the first 8
weeks of therapy and at least monthly thereafter. Patients may
require dose interruption and/or reduction. Patients may require
use of blood product support and/or growth factors.
Venous and Arterial
Thromboembolism
REVLIMID has demonstrated a significantly increased risk of
deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), as well as
risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in patients with MM who
were treated with REVLIMID and dexamethasone therapy. Monitor for
and advise patients about signs and symptoms of thromboembolism.
Advise patients to seek immediate medical care if they develop
symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or arm or leg
swelling. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended and the choice of
regimen should be based on an assessment of the patient’s
underlying risks.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Pregnancy: REVLIMID can cause fetal harm when
administered to a pregnant female and is contraindicated in females
who are pregnant. If this drug is used during pregnancy or if the
patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should
be apprised of the potential risk to the fetus
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions: REVLIMID is
contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated severe
hypersensitivity (e.g., angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic
epidermal necrolysis) to lenalidomide
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: See Boxed WARNINGS
- Females of
Reproductive Potential: See Boxed WARNINGS
- Males:
Lenalidomide is present in the semen of patients receiving the
drug. Males must always use a latex or synthetic condom during any
sexual contact with females of reproductive potential while taking
REVLIMID and for up to 4 weeks after discontinuing REVLIMID, even
if they have undergone a successful vasectomy. Male patients taking
REVLIMID must not donate sperm
- Blood
Donation: Patients must not donate blood during treatment
with REVLIMID and for 4 weeks following discontinuation of the drug
because the blood might be given to a pregnant female patient whose
fetus must not be exposed to REVLIMID
REVLIMID REMS® Program: See Boxed WARNINGS:
Prescribers and pharmacies must be certified with the REVLIMID REMS
program by enrolling and complying with the REMS requirements;
pharmacies must only dispense to patients who are authorized to
receive REVLIMID. Patients must sign a Patient-Physician Agreement
Form and comply with REMS requirements; female patients of
reproductive potential who are not pregnant must comply with the
pregnancy testing and contraception requirements and males must
comply with contraception requirements
Hematologic Toxicity: REVLIMID can cause significant
neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Monitor patients with neutropenia
for signs of infection. Advise patients to observe for bleeding or
bruising, especially with use of concomitant medications that may
increase risk of bleeding. MM: Patients taking REVLIMID/dex or
REVLIMID as maintenance therapy should have their complete blood
counts (CBC) assessed every 7 days for the first 2 cycles, on days
1 and 15 of cycle 3, and every 28 days thereafter. MDS: Patients on therapy for del 5q
MDS should have their complete blood counts monitored weekly for
the first 8 weeks of therapy and at least monthly thereafter.
Patients may require dose interruption and/or dose reduction.
Please see the Black Box WARNINGS for further information.
MCL: Patients taking
REVLIMID for MCL should have their CBCs monitored weekly for the
first cycle (28 days), every 2 weeks during cycles 2-4, and then
monthly thereafter. Patients may require dose interruption and/or
dose reduction
Venous and Arterial Thromboembolism: See Boxed WARNINGS:
Venous thromboembolic events (DVT and PE) and arterial thromboses
(MI and CVA) are increased in patients treated with REVLIMID.
Patients with known risk factors, including prior thrombosis, may
be at greater risk and actions should be taken to try to minimize
all modifiable factors (e.g., hyperlipidemia, hypertension,
smoking). Thromboprophylaxis is recommended and the regimen should
be based on patient’s underlying risks. ESAs and estrogens may
further increase the risk of thrombosis and their use should be
based on a benefit-risk decision
Increased Mortality in Patients with CLL: In a clinical
trial in the first-line treatment of patients with CLL, single
agent REVLIMID therapy increased the risk of death as compared to
single agent chlorambucil. Serious adverse cardiovascular
reactions, including atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction,
and cardiac failure, occurred more frequently in the REVLIMID arm.
REVLIMID is not indicated and not recommended for use in CLL
outside of controlled clinical trials
Second Primary Malignancies (SPM): In clinical trials in
patients with MM receiving REVLIMID, an increase of hematologic
plus solid tumor SPM, notably AML and MDS, have been observed.
Monitor patients for the development of SPM. Take into account both
the potential benefit of REVLIMID and risk of SPM when considering
treatment
Increased Mortality with Pembrolizumab: In clinical
trials in patients with multiple myeloma, the addition of
pembrolizumab to a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone resulted
in increased mortality. Treatment of patients with multiple myeloma
with a PD-1 or PD-L1 blocking antibody in combination with a
thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone is not recommended outside
of controlled clinical trials
Hepatotoxicity: Hepatic failure, including fatal cases,
has occurred in patients treated with REVLIMID/dex. Pre-existing
viral liver disease, elevated baseline liver enzymes, and
concomitant medications may be risk factors. Monitor liver enzymes
periodically. Stop REVLIMID upon elevation of liver enzymes. After
return to baseline values, treatment at a lower dose may be
considered
Severe Cutaneous Reactions Including Hypersensitivity
Reactions: Angioedema and severe cutaneous reactions including
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN),
and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)
have been reported. DRESS may present with a cutaneous reaction
(such as rash, or exfoliative dermatitis), eosinophilia, fever,
and/or lymphadenopathy with systemic complications such as
hepatitis, nephritis, pneumonitis, myocarditis, and/or
pericarditis. These events can be fatal. Patients with a prior
history of Grade 4 rash associated with thalidomide treatment
should not receive REVLIMID. REVLIMID interruption or
discontinuation should be considered for Grade 2-3 skin rash.
REVLIMID must be discontinued for angioedema, Grade 4 rash,
exfoliative or bullous rash, or if SJS, TEN, or DRESS is suspected
and should not be resumed following discontinuation for these
reactions
Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS): Fatal instances of TLS have
been reported during treatment with lenalidomide. The patients at
risk of TLS are those with high tumor burden prior to treatment.
These patients should be monitored closely and appropriate
precautions taken
Tumor Flare Reaction (TFR): TFR has occurred during
investigational use of lenalidomide for CLL and lymphoma.
Monitoring and evaluation for TFR is recommended in patients with
MCL. Tumor flare may mimic the progression of disease (PD). In
patients with Grade 3 or 4 TFR, it is recommended to withhold
treatment with REVLIMID until TFR resolves to ≤Grade 1. REVLIMID
may be continued in patients with Grade 1 and 2 TFR without
interruption or modification, at the physician’s discretion
Impaired Stem Cell Mobilization: A decrease in the number
of CD34+ cells collected after treatment (>4 cycles) with
REVLIMID has been reported. Consider early referral to transplant
center to optimize timing of the stem cell collection
Thyroid Disorders: Both hypothyroidism and
hyperthyroidism have been reported. Measure thyroid function before
start of REVLIMID treatment and during therapy
Early Mortality in Patients with MCL: In another MCL
study, there was an increase in early deaths (within 20 weeks),
12.9% in the REVLIMID arm versus 7.1% in the control arm. Risk
factors for early deaths include high tumor burden, MIPI score at
diagnosis, and high WBC at baseline (≥10 x 109/L)
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Multiple Myeloma
- In newly diagnosed: The most
frequently reported Grade 3 or 4 reactions included neutropenia,
anemia, thrombocytopenia, pneumonia, asthenia, fatigue, back pain,
hypokalemia, rash, cataract, lymphopenia, dyspnea, DVT,
hyperglycemia, and leukopenia. The highest frequency of infections
occurred in Arm Rd Continuous (75%) compared to Arm MPT (56%).
There were more Grade 3 and 4 and serious adverse reactions of
infection in Arm Rd Continuous than either Arm MPT or Rd18
- The most common adverse reactions
reported in ≥20% (Arm Rd Continuous): diarrhea (46%), anemia (44%),
neutropenia (35%), fatigue (33%), back pain (32%), asthenia (28%),
insomnia (28%), rash (26%), decreased appetite (23%), cough (23%),
dyspnea (22%), pyrexia (21%), abdominal pain (21%), muscle spasms
(20%), and thrombocytopenia (20%)
- Maintenance Therapy Post
Auto-HSCT: The most frequently reported Grade 3 or 4 reactions
in ≥20% (REVLIMID arm) included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and
leukopenia. The serious adverse reactions of lung infection and
neutropenia (more than 4.5%) occurred in the REVLIMID arm
- The most frequently reported adverse
reactions in ≥20% (REVLIMID arm) across both maintenance studies
(Study 1, Study 2) were neutropenia (79%, 61%), thrombocytopenia
(72%, 24%), leukopenia (23%, 32%), anemia (21%, 9%), upper
respiratory tract infection (27%, 11%), bronchitis (5%, 47%),
nasopharyngitis (2%, 35%), cough (10%, 27%), gastroenteritis (0%,
23%), diarrhea (55%, 39%), rash (32%, 8%), fatigue (23%, 11%),
asthenia (0%, 30%), muscle spasm (0%, 33%), and pyrexia (8%,
21%)
- After at least one prior
therapy: The most common adverse reactions reported in ≥20%
(REVLIMID/dex vs dex/placebo): fatigue (44% vs 42%), neutropenia
(42% vs 6%), constipation (41% vs 21%), diarrhea (39% vs 27%),
muscle cramp (33% vs 21%), anemia (31% vs 24%), pyrexia (28% vs
23%), peripheral edema (26% vs 21%), nausea (26% vs 21%), back pain
(26% vs 19%), upper respiratory tract infection (25% vs 16%),
dyspnea (24% vs 17%), dizziness (23% vs 17%), thrombocytopenia (22%
vs 11%), rash (21% vs 9%), tremor (21% vs 7%), and weight decreased
(20% vs 15%)
Myelodysplastic
Syndromes
- Grade 3 and 4 adverse events reported
in ≥ 5% of patients with del 5q MDS were neutropenia (53%),
thrombocytopenia (50%), pneumonia (7%), rash (7%), anemia (6%),
leukopenia (5%), fatigue (5%), dyspnea (5%), and back pain
(5%)
- Adverse events reported in ≥15% of del
5q MDS patients (REVLIMID): thrombocytopenia (61.5%), neutropenia
(58.8%), diarrhea (49%), pruritus (42%), rash (36%), fatigue (31%),
constipation (24%), nausea (24%), nasopharyngitis (23%), arthralgia
(22%), pyrexia (21%), back pain (21%), peripheral edema (20%),
cough (20%), dizziness (20%), headache (20%), muscle cramp (18%),
dyspnea (17%), pharyngitis (16%), epistaxis (15%), asthenia (15%),
upper respiratory tract infection (15%)
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
- Grade 3 and 4 adverse events reported
in ≥5% of patients treated with REVLIMID in the MCL trial (N=134)
included neutropenia (43%), thrombocytopenia (28%), anemia (11%),
pneumonia (9%), leukopenia (7%), fatigue (7%), diarrhea (6%),
dyspnea (6%), and febrile neutropenia (6%)
- Adverse events reported in ≥15% of
patients treated with REVLIMID in the MCL trial included
neutropenia (49%), thrombocytopenia (36%), fatigue (34%), anemia
(31%), diarrhea (31%), nausea (30%), cough (28%), pyrexia (23%),
rash (22%), dyspnea (18%), pruritus (17%), peripheral edema (16%),
constipation (16%), and leukopenia (15%)
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Periodic monitoring of digoxin plasma levels is recommended due
to increased Cmax and AUC with concomitant REVLIMID therapy.
Patients taking concomitant therapies such as erythropoietin
stimulating agents or estrogen containing therapies may have an
increased risk of thrombosis. It is not known whether there is an
interaction between dex and warfarin. Close monitoring of PT and
INR is recommended in patients with MM taking concomitant
warfarin
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
- PREGNANCY: See Boxed WARNINGS:
If pregnancy does occur during treatment, immediately discontinue
the drug and refer patient to an obstetrician/gynecologist
experienced in reproductive toxicity for further evaluation and
counseling. There is a REVLIMID pregnancy exposure registry that
monitors pregnancy outcomes in females exposed to REVLIMID during
pregnancy as well as female partners of male patients who are
exposed to REVLIMID. This registry is also used to understand the
root cause for the pregnancy. Report any suspected fetal exposure
to REVLIMID to the FDA via the MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088
and also to Celgene Corporation at 1-888-423-5436
- LACTATION: There is no
information regarding the presence of lenalidomide in human milk,
the effects of REVLIMID on the breastfed infant, or the effects of
REVLIMID on milk production. Because many drugs are excreted in
human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions in
breastfed infants from REVLIMID, advise female patients not to
breastfeed during treatment with REVLIMID
- PEDIATRIC USE: Safety and
effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients
- RENAL IMPAIRMENT: Adjust the
starting dose of REVLIMID based on the creatinine clearance value
and in patients on dialysis
Please see full Prescribing Information,
including Boxed WARNINGS.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey,
is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily
in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative
therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases
through next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis,
immuno-oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation.
For more information, please visit www.celgene.com.
Follow Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene,
Pinterest,
LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which
are generally statements that are not historical facts.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words
"expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates,"
"plans," "will," "outlook" and similar expressions. Forward-looking
statements are based on management's current plans, estimates,
assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are
made. Celgene undertakes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statement in light of new information or future
events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking
statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which
are difficult to predict and are generally beyond each company's
control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from
those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the
impact of a number of factors, many of which are discussed in more
detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports of each
company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including factors related to the proposed transaction between
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene, such as, but not limited to, the
risks that: management’s time and attention is diverted on
transaction related issues; disruption from the transaction makes
it more difficult to maintain business, contractual and operational
relationships; pending legal proceedings or any future litigation
instituted against Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene or the combined
company could delay or prevent the proposed transaction; and
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene or the combined company is unable to
retain key personnel.
_______________________
1 American Cancer Society. Lymphoma.
Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lymphoma.html. Accessed
January 2019.
2 American Cancer Society. What is Hodgkin
Lymphoma? Available at:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/hodgkin-lymphoma/about/what-is-hodgkin-disease.html.
Accessed January 2019.
3 American Cancer Society. What is
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma? Available at:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/about/what-is-non-hodgkin-lymphoma.html.
Accessed January 2019.
4 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. NHL
Subtypes. Available at:
https://www.lls.org/lymphoma/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/diagnosis/nhl-subtypes.
Accessed February 2019.
5 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Relapsed and Refractory. Available at:
https://www.lls.org/lymphoma/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/treatment/refractory-and-relapsed.
Accessed February 2019.
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