Updated Overall Survival Data for LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in gBRCA-Mutated HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer Presented at AACR

AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., US (Merck: known as MSD outside the US and Canada) today presented data from the Phase III OlympiAD trial, showing the final overall survival (OS) results for LYNPARZA® (olaparib) in metastatic breast cancer at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Chicago, April 14-18, 2018.

The trial compared LYNPARZA with chemotherapy (physician’s choice of capecitabine, eribulin or vinorelbine) for patients with germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS).

Results at AACR include updated findings from the secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS). While the trial was not powered to demonstrate a statistically-significant difference, the median OS was 19.3 months in patients treated with LYNPARZA and 17.1 months for patients treated with chemotherapy (HR 0.90; 95% CI 0.66-1.23; p=0.513). At the final OS data cut-off (64% maturity), nearly 13% of patients remained on LYNPARZA and no patients remained on chemotherapy.

Sean Bohen, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer at AstraZeneca, said: “OlympiAD is the first Phase III trial to demonstrate disease control with a PARP inhibitor in BRCA-mutated HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. While the trial was not powered to show overall survival compared to chemotherapy, the results are another encouraging marker in the use of LYNPARZA for this patient population.”

Roy Baynes, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Development, Chief Medical Officer, Merck Research Laboratories, said: “For patients and physicians, these results are meaningful in that they support the progression-free survival endpoint – which showed that patients treated with LYNPARZA gained seven months chemotherapy-free time – and reinforce the importance of identifying BRCA status to optimize metastatic breast cancer management.”

LYNPARZA is indicated in patients with gBRCAm HER2-negative MBC previously treated with chemotherapy. Hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer should have been treated with prior endocrine therapy or be considered inappropriate for endocrine treatment. An FDA-approved companion diagnostic is required for this indication.

When analyzing the predefined subgroups, the results were consistent with the overall analysis, which did not show a statistically-significant difference between arms. The greatest difference was seen in patients who had not received chemotherapy in the metastatic setting with a median difference in OS of 7.9 months with LYNPARZA (HR 0.51; 95% CI 0.29-0.90; nominal p=0.02; median 22.6 vs 14.7 months).

Table 1: Predefined subgroups for OS analysis

SubgroupMedian OS

(months)

HR95% CINominal p Value
LYNPARZA

Physician’s
choice of
chemotherapy

Prior chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer
No (1st line) 22.6 14.7 0.51 0.29-0.90 0.02
Yes (2nd line / 3rd line) 18.8 17.2 1.13 0.79-1.64 0.52
Prior platinum-based chemotherapy for breast cancer
No 20.3 19.6 0.91 0.64-1.33 0.63
Yes 17.2 13.3 0.83 0.49-1.45 0.49
Receptor status
Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and/or hormone-receptor positive (HR+) 21.8 21.3 0.86 0.55-1.36 0.51
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) 17.4 14.9 0.93 0.62-1.43 0.75

The safety profile of LYNPARZA remained consistent with the primary analysis. Serious adverse events (AEs) (Grade ≥3) were reported in 38% of patients who received LYNPARZA vs 49.5% of patients in the chemotherapy arm. AEs leading to drug discontinuation were 4.9% for LYNPARZA vs 7.7% for chemotherapy. AEs leading to dose reductions were 25.4% for LYNPARZA vs 30.8% for chemotherapy. AEs leading to dose interruptions were 36.1% for LYNPARZA vs 28.6% for chemotherapy. Please see Important Safety Information below.

These results build on previously reported findings, which demonstrated LYNPARZA significantly improved PFS (HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.43-0.80; p=0.0009 median 7.0 vs 4.2 months) and showed data beyond initial disease progression, prolonging time to second progression or death (PFS2) by 3.9 months (HR 0.57; 95% CI 0.40-0.83; p=0.003 median 13.2 months vs 9.3 months). Previously reported findings also showed LYNPARZA doubled objective response rates (52% [95% CI 44-60] vs 23% [95% CI 13-35]). The data from the OlympiAD trial can be found in the August 10, 2017 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

In January 2018, LYNPARZA was approved by the US FDA in the treatment of gBRCAm metastatic breast cancer based on the OlympiAD data.

A Phase III trial (n=1800), OlympiA, is evaluating LYNPARZA as an adjuvant treatment in patients with gBRCA HER2-negative breast cancer, with results expected in 2020. The trial is powered to assess potential benefit in OS.

LYNPARZA is approved in the US for advanced ovarian cancer and has treated more than 4,000 patients. LYNPARZA has a broad clinical-development program and AstraZeneca and Merck are working together to deliver LYNPARZA as quickly as possible to more patients across multiple settings, including breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

There are no contraindications for LYNPARZA.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML): Occurred in <1.5% of patients exposed to LYNPARZA monotherapy, and the majority of events had a fatal outcome. The duration of therapy in patients who developed secondary MDS/AML varied from <6 months to >2 years. All of these patients had previous chemotherapy with platinum agents and/or other DNA-damaging agents, including radiotherapy, and some also had a history of more than one primary malignancy or of bone marrow dysplasia.

Do not start LYNPARZA until patients have recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy (≤Grade 1). Monitor complete blood count for cytopenia at baseline and monthly thereafter for clinically significant changes during treatment. For prolonged hematological toxicities, interrupt LYNPARZA and monitor blood count weekly until recovery.

If the levels have not recovered to Grade 1 or less after 4 weeks, refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations, including bone marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics. Discontinue LYNPARZA if MDS/AML is confirmed.

Pneumonitis: Occurred in <1% of patients exposed to LYNPARZA, and some cases were fatal. If patients present with new or worsening respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever, or a radiological abnormality occurs, interrupt LYNPARZA treatment and initiate prompt investigation. Discontinue LYNPARZA if pneumonitis is confirmed and treat patient appropriately.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on its mechanism of action and findings in animals, LYNPARZA can cause fetal harm. A pregnancy test is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior to initiating treatment.

Females
Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose.

Males
Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential or who are pregnant to use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months following the last dose of LYNPARZA and to not donate sperm during this time.

ADVERSE REACTIONS—Maintenance Setting

Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in ≥20% of patients in clinical trials of LYNPARZA in the maintenance setting for SOLO-2: nausea (76%), fatigue (including asthenia) (66%), anemia (44%), vomiting (37%), nasopharyngitis/upper respiratory tract infection (URI)/influenza (36%), diarrhea (33%), arthralgia/myalgia (30%), dysgeusia (27%), headache (26%), decreased appetite (22%), and stomatitis (20%).
Study 19: nausea (71%), fatigue (including asthenia) (63%), vomiting (35%), diarrhea (28%), anemia (23%), respiratory tract infection (22%), constipation (22%), headache (21%), and decreased appetite (21%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in ≥25% of patients in clinical trials of LYNPARZA in the maintenance setting (SOLO-2/Study 19) were: increase in mean corpuscular volume (89%/82%), decrease in hemoglobin (83%/82%), decrease in leukocytes (69%/58%), decrease in lymphocytes (67%/52%), decrease in absolute neutrophil count (51%/47%), increase in serum creatinine (44%/45%), and decrease in platelets (42%/36%).

ADVERSE REACTIONS—Advanced gBRCAm ovarian cancer

Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in ≥20% of patients in clinical trials of LYNPARZA for advanced gBRCAm ovarian cancer after 3 or more lines of chemotherapy (pooled from 6 studies) were: fatigue (including asthenia) (66%), nausea (64%), vomiting (43%), anemia (34%), diarrhea (31%), nasopharyngitis/upper respiratory tract infection (URI) (26%), dyspepsia (25%), myalgia (22%), decreased appetite (22%), and arthralgia/musculoskeletal pain (21%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in ≥25% of patients in clinical trials of LYNPARZA for advanced gBRCAm ovarian cancer (pooled from 6 studies) were: decrease in hemoglobin (90%), increase in mean corpuscular volume (57%), decrease in lymphocytes (56%), increase in serum creatinine (30%), decrease in platelets (30%), and decrease in absolute neutrophil count (25%).

ADVERSE REACTIONS—gBRCAm, HER2-negative breast cancer

Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in ≥20% of patients in OlympiAD were: nausea (58%), anemia (40%), fatigue (including asthenia) (37%), vomiting (30%), neutropenia (27%), respiratory tract infection (27%), leukopenia (25%), diarrhea (21%), and headache (20%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in ≥25% of patients in OlympiAD were: decrease in hemoglobin (82%), decrease in lymphocytes (73%), decrease in leukocytes (71%), increase in mean corpuscular volume (71%), decrease in absolute neutrophil count (46%), and decrease in platelets (33%).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Anticancer Agents: Clinical studies of LYNPARZA in combination with other myelosuppressive anticancer agents, including DNA-damaging agents, indicate a potentiation and prolongation of myelosuppressive toxicity.

CYP3A Inhibitors: Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors. If a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor must be co-administered, reduce the dose of LYNPARZA. Advise patients to avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville oranges, and Seville orange juice during LYNPARZA treatment.

CYP3A Inducers: Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers when using LYNPARZA. If a moderate inducer cannot be avoided, there is a potential for decreased efficacy of LYNPARZA.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Lactation: No data are available regarding the presence of olaparib in human milk, its effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, advise a lactating woman not to breastfeed during treatment with LYNPARZA and for 1 month after receiving the final dose.

Pediatric Use: The safety and efficacy of LYNPARZA have not been established in pediatric patients.

Hepatic Impairment: No adjustment to the starting dose is required in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh classification A). There are no data in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.

Renal Impairment: No adjustment to the starting dose is necessary in patients with mild renal impairment (CLcr=51-80 mL/min). In patients with moderate renal impairment (CLcr=31-50 mL/min), reduce the dose to 200 mg twice daily. There are no data in patients with severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease (CLcr ≤30 mL/min).

DOSING AND ADMINISTRATION

To avoid substitution errors and overdose, do not substitute LYNPARZA tablets with LYNPARZA capsules on a milligram-to-milligram basis due to differences in the dosing and bioavailability of each formulation. Recommended tablet dose is 300 mg, taken orally twice daily, with or without food. Continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. For adverse reactions, consider dose interruption or dose reduction.

INDICATIONS

LYNPARZA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated:

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.

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.

In patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer who have previously 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 treatment. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for LYNPARZA.

Please see complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information (Medication Guide).

NOTES TO EDITORS

About OlympiAD

OlympiAD is a global, randomized, open-label, multi-center Phase III trial of 302 patients, assessing the efficacy and safety of LYNPARZA tablets (300 mg twice daily) compared to chemotherapy (physician’s choice of capecitabine, eribulin or vinorelbine). A total of 205 patients were randomized to receive LYNPARZA and 97 patients were randomized to receive chemotherapy.

Patients in the OlympiAD trial had germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative (hormone receptor-positive or triple negative) breast cancer and received LYNPARZA for treatment in the metastatic setting. Prior to enrollment, 71% of patients had received no more than two previous chemotherapy treatments for metastasized breast cancer and 28% of patients had received prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Also enrolled were patients with HR+ breast cancer who had received at least one endocrine therapy (adjuvant therapy or therapy for metastatic disease) and had disease progression during therapy, unless they had disease for which the endocrine therapy was considered inappropriate.

The primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints included OS, time to second progression or death, objective response rate, health-related quality of life and safety and tolerability.

About Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)

PRs, ERs and HER2 receptors may be expressed on breast cancer cells. A patient’s breast cancer will test either negative or positive for these three receptors. If a tumor tests positive for PR and/or ER, it is considered hormone-receptor positive. If a tumor tests negative for all three receptors, it is considered triple negative. These receptors indicate which hormones or other proteins may be promoting growth of the cancer.

Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) is the most advanced stage of breast cancer (Stage IV) and occurs when cancer cells have spread beyond the initial tumor site to other parts of the body, outside of the breast and nearby lymph nodes.

Despite the increase in treatment options during the past three decades, there is currently no cure for patients diagnosed with MBC and only 26.9% of patients survive for five years after diagnosis. Thus, the primary aim of treatment is to slow progression of the disease for as long as possible, improving, or at least maintaining, a patient’s quality of life.

It is estimated that in 2018, there will be approximately 155,000 women in the US living with MBC, and this number is projected to increase to approximately 160,000 by the year 2020.

About BRCA Mutations

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that produce proteins responsible for repairing damaged DNA and play an important role 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 was the 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. Specifically, in vitro studies have shown that LYNPARZA-induced cytotoxicity may involve inhibition of PARP enzymatic activity and increased formation of PARP-DNA complexes, resulting in DNA damage and cancer cell death.

LYNPARZA is being investigated in a range of DDR-deficient tumor types, and is the foundation of AstraZeneca’s industry-leading portfolio of compounds targeting DDR mechanisms in cancer cells.

About the AstraZeneca and Merck Strategic Oncology Collaboration

In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, US, 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. The collaboration is based on increasing evidence that PARP and MEK inhibitors can be combined with PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors for a range of tumor types. Working together, the companies will develop LYNPARZA and selumetinib in combination with other potential new medicines and as a monotherapy. Independently, the companies will develop LYNPARZA and selumetinib in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.

About AstraZeneca in Oncology

AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in Oncology and offers a quickly growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients’ lives and the Company’s future. With at least six new medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020 and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, we are committed to advance Oncology as one of AstraZeneca’s Four Growth Platforms focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers. In addition to our core capabilities, we actively pursue innovative partnerships and investments that accelerate the delivery of our strategy as illustrated by our investment in Acerta Pharma in hematology.

By harnessing the power of four scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology, Tumor Drivers and Resistance, DDR and Antibody Drug Conjugates – and by championing the development of personalized combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory. The Company also is selectively active in the areas of autoimmunity, neuroscience and infection. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS.

Contacts:

AstraZeneca
Michele Meixell, +1 302-885-2677
Stephanie Wiswall, +1 302-885-2677

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