BESPONSA is the first and only CD22-directed antibody-drug conjugate indicated for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia
NEW YORK, NY, USA I August 17, 2017 I Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved BESPONSA® (inotuzumab ozogamicin) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).1 BESPONSA was reviewed and approved under the FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy designation and Priority Review programs.
“The approval of BESPONSA is an important step forward for adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare disease that can be fatal within a matter of months if left untreated,” said Liz Barrett, global president, Pfizer Oncology. “BESPONSA will help address a significant need for new treatment options in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and may help more patients reach stem cell transplant, which provides the best chance for long term remission. We’re proud to build on our continued commitment to patients with hematologic malignancies, and will continue our work to find new treatments in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other blood cancers.”
The approval was based on results from the Phase 3 INO-VATE ALL trial, a randomized, open-label, international, multicenter study evaluating the safety and efficacy of BESPONSA compared with Investigator’s choice of chemotherapy in 326 adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell ALL.1
“Based on the results seen in the INO-VATE ALL trial, BESPONSA improved multiple efficacy measures, including rates of hematologic remission, MRD-negativity and stem cell transplantation,” said Hagop M. Kantarjian, M. D., INO-VATE ALL lead study investigator and professor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “I look forward to seeing the impact this important new therapy may have on my patients.”
The complete remission rate (CR/CRi)* for patients treated with BESPONSA was 81 percent [95% CI: 72%-88%] compared to 29 percent with chemotherapy [95% CI: 21%-39%]. Among patients achieving CR/CRi, those treated with BESPONSA also demonstrated a higher rate of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity (78% [95% CI: 68%-87%]) compared to those treated with chemotherapy (28% [95% CI: 14%-47%]). Forty-eight percent of patients treated with BESPONSA proceeded to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) compared to 22 percent treated with chemotherapy. The median overall survival (OS) for patients treated with BESPONSA was 7.7 months [95% CI: 6.0, 9.2] and 6.2 months [95% CI: 4.7, 8.3] for patients treated with chemotherapy. The analysis of OS for patients treated with BESPONSA compared to chemotherapy did not meet the pre-specified boundary for statistical significance (HR: 0.75 [97.5% CI: 0.57-0.99]).1
The U.S. labeling for BESPONSA includes a boxed warning for hepatotoxicity, including hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), and increased risk of post-HSCT non-relapse mortality. Veno-occlusive disease, including fatal and life-threating VOD, occurred in 14 percent of patients treated with BESPONSA. A higher post-HSCT non-relapse mortality rate occurred in patients treated with BESPONSA (39%) than chemotherapy (23%).1 In patients treated with BESPONSA, the most common (≥20%) adverse reactions were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, infection, anemia, leukopenia, fatigue, hemorrhage, pyrexia, nausea, headache, febrile neutropenia, transaminases increased, abdominal pain, gamma-glutamyltransferase increased, and hyperbilirubinemia.1
Pfizer is committed to helping patients gain access to Pfizer medicines, including BESPONSA, and related educational tools, resources and services, regardless of their financial or health insurance status through the company’s patient assistance programs. Patients can call 1-877-744-5675 to learn more.
The full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING, for BESPONSA can be found at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/761040s000lbl.pdf.
About Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive type of leukemia with a poor prognosis in adults.2 The current foundational treatment is intensive, long-term chemotherapy.3 In 2017, it is estimated that 5,970 cases of ALL will be diagnosed in the United States.4 About 4 in 10 cases occur in adults.4 While about 80-90% of adult patients will have a complete remission at some point during initial treatment, the remainder (approximately 10%-20%) will be refractory, meaning they no longer respond to treatment.3 Additionally, about half of patients who achieve remission will relapse.3 The post relapse median survival is 4.5 to 6 months.5
About BESPONSA® (inotuzumab ozogamicin)
BESPONSA is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting CD22, a cell surface antigen expressed on cancer cells in almost all B-ALL patients, linked to a cytotoxic agent.6 When BESPONSA binds to the CD22 antigen on B-cells, it is internalized into the cell, where the cytotoxic agent calicheamicin is released causing cell death.7 BESPONSA is administered as a one-hour intravenous infusion that can be given in the outpatient setting of care for appropriate patients.
BESPONSA originates from a collaboration between Pfizer and Celltech, now UCB. Under the terms of this agreement, Pfizer has sole responsibility for all commercialization, manufacturing and clinical development activities for this molecule. Pfizer also collaborated with SFJ Pharmaceuticals Group on the registrational program (INO-VATE ALL) for BESPONSA.
About Pfizer Oncology
Pfizer Oncology is committed to pursuing innovative treatments that have a meaningful impact on those living with cancer. As a leader in oncology speeding cures and accessible breakthrough medicines to patients, Pfizer Oncology is helping to redefine life with cancer. Our strong pipeline of biologics, small molecules and immunotherapies, one of the most robust in the industry, is studied with precise focus on identifying and translating the best scientific breakthroughs into clinical application for patients across a wide range of cancers. By working collaboratively with academic institutions, individual researchers, cooperative research groups, governments and licensing partners, Pfizer Oncology strives to cure or control cancer with its breakthrough medicines. Because Pfizer Oncology knows that success in oncology is not measured solely by the medicines you manufacture, but rather by the meaningful partnerships you make to have a more positive impact on people’s lives.
Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier worldTM
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world’s best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.
SOURCE: Pfizer
Post Views: 27
BESPONSA is the first and only CD22-directed antibody-drug conjugate indicated for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia
NEW YORK, NY, USA I August 17, 2017 I Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved BESPONSA® (inotuzumab ozogamicin) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).1 BESPONSA was reviewed and approved under the FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy designation and Priority Review programs.
“The approval of BESPONSA is an important step forward for adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare disease that can be fatal within a matter of months if left untreated,” said Liz Barrett, global president, Pfizer Oncology. “BESPONSA will help address a significant need for new treatment options in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and may help more patients reach stem cell transplant, which provides the best chance for long term remission. We’re proud to build on our continued commitment to patients with hematologic malignancies, and will continue our work to find new treatments in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other blood cancers.”
The approval was based on results from the Phase 3 INO-VATE ALL trial, a randomized, open-label, international, multicenter study evaluating the safety and efficacy of BESPONSA compared with Investigator’s choice of chemotherapy in 326 adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell ALL.1
“Based on the results seen in the INO-VATE ALL trial, BESPONSA improved multiple efficacy measures, including rates of hematologic remission, MRD-negativity and stem cell transplantation,” said Hagop M. Kantarjian, M. D., INO-VATE ALL lead study investigator and professor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “I look forward to seeing the impact this important new therapy may have on my patients.”
The complete remission rate (CR/CRi)* for patients treated with BESPONSA was 81 percent [95% CI: 72%-88%] compared to 29 percent with chemotherapy [95% CI: 21%-39%]. Among patients achieving CR/CRi, those treated with BESPONSA also demonstrated a higher rate of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity (78% [95% CI: 68%-87%]) compared to those treated with chemotherapy (28% [95% CI: 14%-47%]). Forty-eight percent of patients treated with BESPONSA proceeded to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) compared to 22 percent treated with chemotherapy. The median overall survival (OS) for patients treated with BESPONSA was 7.7 months [95% CI: 6.0, 9.2] and 6.2 months [95% CI: 4.7, 8.3] for patients treated with chemotherapy. The analysis of OS for patients treated with BESPONSA compared to chemotherapy did not meet the pre-specified boundary for statistical significance (HR: 0.75 [97.5% CI: 0.57-0.99]).1
The U.S. labeling for BESPONSA includes a boxed warning for hepatotoxicity, including hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), and increased risk of post-HSCT non-relapse mortality. Veno-occlusive disease, including fatal and life-threating VOD, occurred in 14 percent of patients treated with BESPONSA. A higher post-HSCT non-relapse mortality rate occurred in patients treated with BESPONSA (39%) than chemotherapy (23%).1 In patients treated with BESPONSA, the most common (≥20%) adverse reactions were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, infection, anemia, leukopenia, fatigue, hemorrhage, pyrexia, nausea, headache, febrile neutropenia, transaminases increased, abdominal pain, gamma-glutamyltransferase increased, and hyperbilirubinemia.1
Pfizer is committed to helping patients gain access to Pfizer medicines, including BESPONSA, and related educational tools, resources and services, regardless of their financial or health insurance status through the company’s patient assistance programs. Patients can call 1-877-744-5675 to learn more.
The full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING, for BESPONSA can be found at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/761040s000lbl.pdf.
About Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive type of leukemia with a poor prognosis in adults.2 The current foundational treatment is intensive, long-term chemotherapy.3 In 2017, it is estimated that 5,970 cases of ALL will be diagnosed in the United States.4 About 4 in 10 cases occur in adults.4 While about 80-90% of adult patients will have a complete remission at some point during initial treatment, the remainder (approximately 10%-20%) will be refractory, meaning they no longer respond to treatment.3 Additionally, about half of patients who achieve remission will relapse.3 The post relapse median survival is 4.5 to 6 months.5
About BESPONSA® (inotuzumab ozogamicin)
BESPONSA is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting CD22, a cell surface antigen expressed on cancer cells in almost all B-ALL patients, linked to a cytotoxic agent.6 When BESPONSA binds to the CD22 antigen on B-cells, it is internalized into the cell, where the cytotoxic agent calicheamicin is released causing cell death.7 BESPONSA is administered as a one-hour intravenous infusion that can be given in the outpatient setting of care for appropriate patients.
BESPONSA originates from a collaboration between Pfizer and Celltech, now UCB. Under the terms of this agreement, Pfizer has sole responsibility for all commercialization, manufacturing and clinical development activities for this molecule. Pfizer also collaborated with SFJ Pharmaceuticals Group on the registrational program (INO-VATE ALL) for BESPONSA.
About Pfizer Oncology
Pfizer Oncology is committed to pursuing innovative treatments that have a meaningful impact on those living with cancer. As a leader in oncology speeding cures and accessible breakthrough medicines to patients, Pfizer Oncology is helping to redefine life with cancer. Our strong pipeline of biologics, small molecules and immunotherapies, one of the most robust in the industry, is studied with precise focus on identifying and translating the best scientific breakthroughs into clinical application for patients across a wide range of cancers. By working collaboratively with academic institutions, individual researchers, cooperative research groups, governments and licensing partners, Pfizer Oncology strives to cure or control cancer with its breakthrough medicines. Because Pfizer Oncology knows that success in oncology is not measured solely by the medicines you manufacture, but rather by the meaningful partnerships you make to have a more positive impact on people’s lives.
Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier worldTM
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world’s best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.
SOURCE: Pfizer
Post Views: 27
