LYNPARZA® (olaparib) Tablets Receive EU Approval for the Treatment of Platinum-Sensitive Relapsed Ovarian Cancer
May 8, 2018 5:45 am ET
Women with Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer Now Have Access to Maintenance Therapy with AstraZeneca and Merck’s LYNPARZA, Regardless of BRCA status
LYNPARZA Has Over Five Years’ Efficacy and Safety Follow-Up Data
New Tablet Formulation Reduces Dosing to Two Tablets Twice Daily
AstraZeneca and Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States
and Canada, today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has
approved LYNPARZA® (olaparib) tablets (300 mg twice daily)
for use as a maintenance therapy for patients with platinum-sensitive
relapsed high-grade, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary
peritoneal cancer who are in complete response or partial response to
platinum-based chemotherapy, regardless of BRCA status.
Dave Fredrickson, executive vice president, head of the oncology
business unit at AstraZeneca, said, “With this new approval for
LYNPARZA, we will now be able to offer more women with
platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, regardless of their BRCA
status, a chance to achieve long-term disease control with an oral
medicine that has a well-characterized safety and tolerability profile.”
Dr. Roy Baynes, senior vice president and head of global clinical
development, chief medical officer, Merck Research Laboratories, said,
“This is an important development for the thousands of women in Europe
living with advanced ovarian cancer, historically a difficult-to-treat
disease. Working with AstraZeneca, we are able to bring this innovative,
targeted treatment that helps delay progression of the disease to a
broader group of women.”
The EU approval was based on two randomized trials, SOLO-2 and Study 19,
which showed that LYNPARZA reduced the risk of disease progression or
death for platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer patients compared
to placebo.
Table 1. Summary of key efficacy results from randomized trials
| Analysis |
SOLO-2
|
Study 19
|
||||||||||||
| LYNPARZA | Placebo | LYNPARZA | Placebo | |||||||||||
|
Reduction in the risk |
70% |
65% |
||||||||||||
* By investigator-assessed analysis
In SOLO-2, the investigator-assessed analysis of PFS was supported with
a blinded, independent, central radiological review of PFS, which showed
a two-year difference in median PFS between LYNPARZA and placebo (HR
0.25 [95% CI, 0.18 0.35], p<0.0001; median 30.2 months vs 5.5 months).
Overall survival (OS) data from SOLO-2 is currently immature.
In the final analysis of Study 19, with greater than five years of
follow-up, the significant improvement in PFS translated into
improvements in other key efficacy endpoints, regardless of BRCA
status (Table 2). Additionally, the analysis showed 13 percent of
patients treated with LYNPARZA remained progression-free and on therapy
for five or more years.
Table 2. Summary of other key efficacy endpoints from Study 19
| Analysis |
Study 19
(platinum-sensitive relapsed) n=265 |
||||||
| LYNPARZA | Placebo | ||||||
|
Time to First |
HR 0.39 (95% CI, 0.30–0.52), p<0.00001; |
||||||
| OS |
HR 0.73 (95% CI, 0.55-0.95), p=0.02138**; |
||||||
* Statistical tests not adjusted for multiplicity
** p-value considered nominal as criterion for statistical significance
(p<0.0095) not met
*** Not adjusted for treatment crossover
The most frequently observed adverse reactions across clinical trials in
patients receiving LYNPARZA monotherapy (≥10%) were nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, dyspepsia, fatigue, headache, dysgeusia, decreased appetite,
dizziness and anemia. The majority of patients on LYNPARZA remained on
the starting dose, and only six to 11 percent of patients discontinued
treatment due to an adverse event.
Approximately half of women with high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer
are expected to have deficiencies in homologous recombination repair
(HRR), an important DNA damage response (DDR) pathway. Mutations most
often occur within one of the BRCA genes, however other gene
mutations can also impact the HRR pathway. While there are currently no
routine tests to identify patients with these deficiencies beyond BRCA
mutations, responsiveness to platinum-based chemotherapy can predict
sensitivity to PARP inhibition.
LYNPARZA, the first PARP inhibitor approved, was initially licensed in
Europe as a capsule formulation for women with BRCA-mutated
platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer. The new tablet formulation,
which reduces dosing from eight capsules twice daily to two tablets
twice daily, will now be available for a broader group of women with
platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer.
LYNPARZA tablets were also recently submitted to the European Medicines
Agency (EMA) for approval in patients with BRCA-mutated,
HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer based upon the successful Phase 3
OlympiAD trial.
Indications for LYNPARZA
®
(olaparib) in the
U.S.
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.
Important Safety Information for LYNPARZA
®
(olaparib)
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
(olaparib) 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 (olaparib) 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 (olaparib). 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.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Ovarian Cancer in Europe
Among women in Europe, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer
and the sixth leading cause of cancer death. The five-year survival rate
for ovarian cancer in Europe is 38 percent. In 2012, there were nearly
65,000 new cases diagnosed and around 42,700 deaths. As there is no cure
for relapsed ovarian cancer, the primary aim of treatment is to slow
progression of the disease for as long as possible and improve or
maintain the patient’s quality of life.
About SOLO-2
SOLO-2 was a Phase 3, randomized, double-blinded, multicenter trial
designed to determine the efficacy of LYNPARZA tablets compared to
placebo as maintenance monotherapy in patients with platinum-sensitive
relapsed or recurrent germline BRCA-mutated ovarian, fallopian
tube and primary peritoneal cancer. The trial, conducted in
collaboration with the European Network for Gynaecological Oncological
Trial Groups and Groupe d’Investigateurs National pour l’Etude des
Cancers de l’Ovaire et du sein , randomized 295 patients with documented
germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations who had received at
least two prior lines of platinum-based chemotherapy and were in
complete or partial response. Eligible patients were randomized to
receive 300 mg LYNPARZA tablets twice daily or placebo tablets twice
daily.
About Study 19
Study 19 was a Phase 2, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled,
multi-center trial, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of LYNPARZA
compared with placebo in relapsed, high-grade serous ovarian cancer
patients. The trial randomized 265 patients regardless of BRCA
mutation status and who had completed at least two courses of
platinum-based chemotherapy and their most recent treatment regimen.
Eligible patients were randomized to receive LYNPARZA maintenance
monotherapy at a dose of 400 mg per day or matching placebo.
About LYNPARZA
®
(olaparib)
LYNPARZA is a first-in-class poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor
and the first targeted treatment to potentially exploit tumor DNA damage
response (DDR)-pathway dependencies 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-dependent tumor types.
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. 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.
Merck’s Focus on Cancer
Our goal is to translate breakthrough science into innovative oncology
medicines to help people with cancer worldwide. At Merck, helping people
fight cancer is our passion and supporting accessibility to our cancer
medicines is our commitment. Our focus is on pursuing research in
oncology and we are accelerating every step in the journey – from lab to
clinic – to potentially bring new hope to people with cancer.
As part of our focus on cancer, Merck is committed to exploring the
potential of immuno-oncology with one of the fastest-growing development
programs in the industry evaluating oncology medicines in more than 30
tumor types. We also continue to strengthen our oncology portfolio
through strategic acquisitions and are prioritizing the development of
several promising 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.
Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the
“company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of
the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs
and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to
significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with
respect to pipeline products that the products will receive the
necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be
commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or
risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially
from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry
conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest
rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of
pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the
United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost
containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained
by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development,
including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to
accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties
or delays; financial instability of international economies and
sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents
and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to
litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.
The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results
to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements can be found in the company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K
and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).
Please see complete
Prescribing
Information
for LYNPARZA (olaparib), including Patient
Information (Medication Guide)
Merck
Media:
Pamela Eisele, 267-305-3558
Courtney Ronaldo, 908-740-6132
or
Investors:
Teri Loxam, 908-740-1986
Michael DeCarbo, 908-740-1807
