Patients lived average of 18 months without cancer progressing when taking Novartis' Zykadia(TM) as their first ALK inhibitor for ALK+ NSCLC
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Novartis International AG /
Patients lived average of 18 months without cancer progressing when taking
Novartis' Zykadia(TM) as their first ALK inhibitor for ALK+ NSCLC
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* Longest median progression-free survival (PFS) ever reported in this ALK+
non-small cell lung cancer patient population, most who received prior
chemotherapy[1]
* Zykadia (ceritinib) achieved overall response rate (ORR) of 61.8% and
average PFS of 9 months in all patients, regardless of prior ALK therapy[1]
* Similar results seen in patients who entered study with brain metastases,
demonstrating ceritinib's ability to address this significant treatment
challenge[2]
* Zykadia is now available in the US and additional regulatory reviews are
underway in the EU and other countries worldwide
The digital press release with multimedia content can be accessed here:
Basel, September 27, 2014 - Novartis today announced new data showing patients
with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer
(NSCLC) lived an average of more than 18 months without their cancer progressing
when taking Zykadia((TM) )(ceritinib) as their first ALK inhibitor. Overall,
data from the pivotal study confirmed ceritinib continues to demonstrate
efficacy in ALK+ NSCLC patients regardless of whether or not they received
previous treatment with an ALK inhibitor[1]. In addition, patients who entered
the study with brain metastases experienced similar results following treatment
with ceritinib[2].
These data are being presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology
(ESMO) 2014 Congress in Madrid.
"These findings are very exciting because until now, most ALK+ NSCLC patients
experience disease progression within less than a year of treatment with an ALK
inhibitor," said lead investigator Enriqueta Felip, MD, PhD, Vall d'Hebron
University. "This is the longest median progression-free survival data we've
seen in this broad patient population and it is even more striking when you
consider that most of them have received up to three rounds of chemotherapy
before taking ceritinib as their first ALK inhibitor."
Among the combined study population of 246 NSCLC patients, including patients
who had received previous treatment with an ALK inhibitor as well as those
receiving one for the first time, ceritinib achieved an overall response rate
(ORR) of 61.8% and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 9.0 months. In
the subset of 83 patients who had not received prior treatment with an ALK
inhibitor, ceritinib achieved an ORR of 72.3% and a median PFS of 18.4 months.
Among the subset of 163 patients who were previously treated with the commonly
prescribed ALK inhibitor crizotinib, the ORR was 56.4% and the median PFS was
6.9 months[1].
In 124 patients who entered the trial with brain metastases, those treated with
ceritinib achieved an ORR of 55.6%[2]. Of note, ceritinib also demonstrated
activity in the brain, known as intracranial responses, suggesting that
ceritinib may be an effective therapy for brain metastases, one of the most
common and difficult-to-treat sites of disease progression for patients with
ALK+ NSCLC. Specifically, ceritinib shrank brain metastases in about one-third
of the 29 patients who entered the study with measurable brain lesions[2].
No unexpected side effects were observed and the most common adverse events,
occurring in more than half of patients, were diarrhea, nausea and vomiting[1].
"These findings in patients being treated with an ALK inhibitor for the first
time reinforce the impressive ceritinib data that were already seen in patients
who had stopped responding to an ALK inhibitor," said Alessandro Riva, MD,
Global Head, Novartis Oncology Development and Medical Affairs. "We are
committed to bringing this treatment to ALK+ NSCLC patients around the world who
are in need of effective options."
Approximately 2-7% of patients with NSCLC harbor the ALK gene rearrangement,
which causes cancer growth[3]. These patients are candidates for treatment with
a targeted ALK inhibitor. Patients with ALK+ NSCLC are often younger than the
average NSCLC patient and in many cases have never smoked[4].
The study presented at ESMO 2014 served as the basis for the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approval of Zykadia in April 2014, which followed the FDA's
Breakthrough Therapy designation. Additional ongoing regulatory reviews for
Zykadia are currently underway in the European Union and several countries
within North America, South America, Central America and Asia.
About the study and ceritinib clinical trial program
The 246 patients with ALK+ NSCLC in this Phase I single-arm study received
ceritinib 750 mg daily and were observed over time for a median duration of
11.1 months. Of these, 166 (67%) had received at least two prior treatment
regimens and 163 (66%) had been previously treated with an ALK inhibitor.
Findings from the study showed that patients treated with ceritinib achieved an
ORR of 61.8% [95% CI, 55.4-67.9%] and a median PFS of 9.0 months [95% CI,
6.9-11.0 months] based on investigator assessment. The median duration of
response was 9.7 months [95% CI, 8.3-11.4 months][1].
In the subset of 83 patients who had not received prior treatment with an ALK
inhibitor, the ORR was 72.3% [95% CI, 61.4-81.6%] and the median PFS was 18.4
months [95% CI, 11.1-NE (not estimable) months]. Among the subset of 163
patients receiving 750 mg of ceritinib daily and who were previously treated
with the commonly prescribed ALK inhibitor crizotinib, the ORR was 56.4% [95%
CI, 48.5-64.2%] and the median PFS was 6.9 months [95% CI, 5.6-8.7 months][1].
In the 124 patients who started the study with brain metastases, ceritinib
achieved an ORR, including partial responses (PR) and complete responses (CR),
of 55.6% [95% CI, 46.5-64.6%]. Confirmed responses (PR/CR) were seen in 51.0% of
patients [50 of 98 patients; 95% CI, 40.7-61.3%] with brain metastases who had
received previous ALK inhibitor therapy, while 73.1% of patients [19 of 26
patients; 95% CI, 52.2-88.4%] with brain metastases who were not previously
treated with an ALK inhibitor achieved confirmed responses following treatment
with ceritinib. The median PFS was 6.9 months [95% CI, 4.9-8.4 months] among
patients with brain metastases who were previously treated with an ALK inhibitor
and 9.7 months [95% CI, 4.6-NE months] in those with brain metastases who were
receiving ALK inhibitor therapy for the first time[2].
Seventy-four out of the 124 ALK+ NSCLC patients with brain metastases had MRI
scans available for evaluation, of whom 29 were identified as having measurable
brain lesions at baseline according to standard clinical criteria (RECIST v1.1).
Ceritinib achieved confirmed responses in the brain in 34.5% of those patients
with measurable brain lesions [10 of 29 patients, 95% CI, 17.9-54.3%][2].
Discontinuation of treatment due to adverse events occurred in 9.8% of ALK+
NSCLC patients in the study[1].
Among 255 patients treated with ceritinib at a dose of 750 mg once daily,
including 246 patients with NSCLC and nine patients with other types of cancer,
156 (61.2%) required at least one dose reduction. The most frequent adverse
events (incidence >50%) among 255 patients were diarrhea (86.7%), nausea (82.7%)
and vomiting (61.6%). Most adverse events were of low grade and treated with
dose interruption and/or dose reductions[1].
This study is part of the ongoing Novartis clinical trial program in this
patient population. Several major studies evaluating treatment with ceritinib
are being conducted in more than 300 study centers across more than 30
countries. Two Phase II single-arm clinical trials in previously treated and
treatment-naïve ALK+ NSCLC patients, (www.clinicaltrials.gov identifiers
NCT01685060 and NCT01685138), are fully enrolled and ongoing. In addition, two
Phase III clinical trials comparing ceritinib with chemotherapy in treatment-
naïve and in previously-treated patients, (www.clinicaltrials.gov identifiers
NCT01828099 and NCT01828112), are ongoing and actively recruiting patients
worldwide[5],[6],[7],[8].
About Zykadia
Zykadia (ceritinib) is indicated in the US for the treatment of patients with
ALK+ metastatic NSCLC who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response
rate and duration of response. An improvement in survival or disease-related
symptoms has not been established. Continued approval for this indication may be
contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory
trials.
Zykadia is an FDA-approved prescription medicine that is currently available
through a number of specialty pharmacies in the US. Outside of the US, Zykadia
(ceritinib) is an investigational agent and has not been approved by regulatory
authorities.
Zykadia Important Safety Information
Zykadia may cause serious side effects, such as:
Zykadia causes stomach and intestinal problems in most people, including
diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach-area pain. These problems can sometimes
be severe. Patients should follow their doctor's instructions about taking
medicines to help these symptoms, and should call their doctor for advice if
symptoms are severe or do not go away.
Zykadia may cause liver injury. Patients should have blood tests at least every
month while taking Zykadia, and should talk to their doctor right away if they
experience any of the following symptoms: tiredness (fatigue), itchy skin,
yellow skin and eyes, nausea or vomiting, decreased appetite, pain on the right
side of the stomach, urine turns dark or brown, bleeding or bruising more easily
than normal.
Zykadia may cause severe or life-threatening swelling (inflammation) of the
lungs during treatment that can lead to death. Symptoms may be similar to those
symptoms from lung cancer. Patients should tell their doctor right away about
any new or worsening symptoms, including trouble breathing or shortness of
breath, fever, cough, with or without mucous, or chest pain.
Zykadia may cause very slow, very fast, or abnormal heartbeats. Doctors should
check their patient's heart during treatment with Zykadia. Patients should tell
their doctor right away if they feel new chest pain or discomfort, dizziness or
lightheadedness, faint, or have abnormal heartbeats, or if they start to take or
have any changes in heart or blood pressure medicines.
People who have diabetes or glucose intolerance, or who take a corticosteroid
medicine have an increased risk of high blood sugar with Zykadia. Patients
should follow their doctor's instructions about blood sugar monitoring and call
their doctor right away with any symptoms of high blood sugar, including
increased thirst, increased hunger, headaches, trouble thinking or
concentrating, urinating often, blurred vision, tiredness, or breath that smells
like fruit.
Before patients take Zykadia, they should tell their doctor about all medical
conditions, including liver problems; diabetes or high blood sugar; heart
problems, including a condition called long QT syndrome; are pregnant, think
they may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant; are breastfeeding or plan to
breastfeed.
Zykadia may harm unborn babies. Women who are able to become pregnant must use
an effective method of birth control during treatment with Zykadia and for at
least 2 weeks after stopping Zykadia. It is not known if Zykadia passes into
breast milk. Patients and their doctor should decide whether to take Zykadia or
breastfeed, but should not do both.
Patients should tell their doctor about medicines they take, including
prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal
supplements.
The most common side effects of Zykadia include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain, tiredness (fatigue), decreased appetite and constipation.
Patients should tell their doctor of any side effect that bothers them or does
not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of Zykadia. For more
information, patients should ask their doctor or pharmacist.
Patients should take Zykadia exactly as their health care provider tells them.
Patients should not change their dose or stop taking Zykadia unless their health
care provider advises them to. Zykadia should be taken once a day on an empty
stomach. Patients should not eat for 2 hours before and 2 hours after taking
Zykadia. If a dose of Zykadia is missed, they should take it as soon as they
remember. If their next dose is due within the next 12 hours, they should skip
the missed dose and take the next dose at their regular time. Patients should
not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit during treatment with Zykadia, as
it may make the amount of Zykadia in their blood increase to a harmful level.
Please see full Prescribing Information for Zykadia.
Disclaimer
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified
by words such as "underway," "being presented," "may," "committed,"
"Breakthrough Therapy," "ongoing," "being conducted," "contingent,"
"investigational," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions
regarding potential additional marketing authorizations for Zykadia, potential
new indications or labeling for Zykadia, or regarding potential future revenues
from Zykadia. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such
forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of
management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and
unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking
statements. There can be no guarantee that Zykadia will be approved for sale in
any market where it has been submitted, or that it will be submitted or approved
for sale in any additional markets, or at any particular time. Neither can
there be any guarantee that Zykadia will be submitted or approved for any
additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor
can there be any guarantee that Zykadia will be commercially successful in the
future. In particular, management's expectations regarding Zykadia could be
affected by, among other things, unexpected regulatory actions or delays or
government regulation generally; the uncertainties inherent in research and
development, including unexpected clinical trial results and additional analysis
of existing clinical data; the company's ability to obtain or maintain
proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry
conditions; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing
pricing pressures; unexpected manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors
referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities
and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press
release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving
needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis
offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines,
eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, over-the-
counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with
leading positions in these areas. In 2013, the Group achieved net sales of USD
57.9 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.9
billion (USD 9.6 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges).
Novartis Group companies employ approximately 135,000 full-time-equivalent
associates and sell products in more than 150 countries around the world. For
more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
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http://twitter.com/novartis.
References
[1] Felip E, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Ceritinib in Patients (pts) with
Advanced Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-rearranged (ALK+) Non-small Cell Lung
Cancer (NSCLC): An Update of ASCEND-1. Abstract #1295P. European Society of
Clinical Oncology (ESMO) 2014 Congress, Madrid, Spain.
[2] Shaw A, et al. Evaluation of Ceritinib-treated Patients (pts) with
Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase rearranged (ALK+) Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
and Brain Metastases in the ASCEND-1 study. Abstract #1293P. European Society of
Clinical Oncology (ESMO) 2014 Congress, Madrid, Spain.
[3] National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice
Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines): Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. NCCN
2014 3:1-148.
[4] Shaw A, et al. Targeting Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase in Lung Cancer. Clin
Cancer Res 2011;17:2081-2086.
[5] ClinicalTrials.gov. LDK378 in Adult Patients With ALK-activated NSCLC
Previously Treated With Chemotherapy and Crizotinib. Available at:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01685060?term=%22LDK378%22+and+%22Phase+II
%22&rank=1. Accessed August 2014.
[6] ClinicalTrials.gov. LDK378 in Crizotinib naïve Adult Patients With ALK-
activated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Available at:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01685138?term=%22LDK378%22+and+%22Phase+II
%22&rank=2. Accessed August 2014.
[7] ClinicalTrials.gov. LDK378 Versus Chemotherapy in Previously Untreated
Patients With ALK Rearranged Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Available at:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01828099?term=%22LDK378%22+and+%22Phase+II
I%22&rank=1 Accessed August 2014.
[8] ClinicalTrials.gov. LDK378 Versus Chemotherapy in ALK Rearranged (ALK
Positive) Patients Previously Treated With Chemotherapy (Platinum Doublet) and
Crizotinib. Available at:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01828112?term=%22LDK378%22+and+%22Phase+II
I%22&rank=2 Accessed August 2014.
# # #
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Datum: 27.09.2014 - 12:45 Uhr
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News-ID 341876
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