Press Release
Press Release
Exelixis Announces Results from Two Analyses Evaluating Effect of PD-L1 Expression or Prior Treatment with Checkpoint Inhibitors on Efficacy of Cabozantinib in Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
– Cabozantinib was associated with improved overall survival and progression-free survival irrespective of PD-L1 expression in CABOSUN and METEOR trials –
– Cabozantinib also demonstrated activity in patients previously treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors –
– Findings presented this week at
An analysis of data from the CABOSUN and METEOR trials demonstrated that
cabozantinib improved clinical outcomes regardless of PD-L1 status in
patients with advanced RCC, relative to sunitinib or everolimus, the
respective comparator arms for each trial. The late-breaking abstract
[LBA 34] is being presented today in the Genitourinary Tumors, Non
Prostate poster discussion session starting at
Tumor tissue from 110 patients in the CABOSUN trial and 306 patients in the METEOR trial were evaluated to determine whether PD-L1 expression (≥1% of tumor cells) predicted outcomes or response to treatment. The findings showed that PD-L1 expression was associated with shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in both METEOR and CABOSUN. Treatment with cabozantinib, however, improved PFS and OS compared with everolimus (METEOR) and sunitinib (CABOSUN) in both PD-L1 positive and PD-L1 negative patients.
“As cabozantinib has become a new standard of care for the treatment of
advanced kidney cancer, there is great interest in identifying
biomarkers to help select for patients who would potentially derive the
most clinical benefit,” said
An additional analysis evaluating the activity of cabozantinib in 69
patients with advanced RCC who progressed on immune checkpoint
inhibitors [abstract 879P] will be presented by lead investigator
“With a growing number of options available for advanced kidney cancer,
physicians need to consider multiple factors when selecting and
sequencing treatments for patients,” said
About the CABOSUN Study
On
CABOSUN was a randomized, open-label, active-controlled phase 2 trial that enrolled 157 patients with advanced RCC determined to be intermediate- or poor-risk by the IMDC criteria. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive cabozantinib (60 mg once daily) or sunitinib (50 mg once daily, 4 weeks on followed by 2 weeks off). The primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, objective response rate and safety. Eligible patients were required to have locally advanced or metastatic clear-cell RCC, ECOG performance status 0-2 and had to be intermediate- or poor-risk per the IMDC criteria (Heng, JCO, 2009).2 Prior systemic treatment for RCC was not permitted.
About the METEOR Study
METEOR was an open-label, event-driven trial of 658 patients with
advanced RCC who had failed at least one prior VEGFR TKI therapy. The
primary endpoint was PFS in the first 375 patients treated. Secondary
endpoints included OS and objective response rate in all enrolled
patients. The trial was conducted at approximately 200 sites in 26
countries, and enrollment was weighted toward
METEOR met its primary endpoint of significantly improving PFS and
significantly improved the objective response rate compared with
everolimus. These data were presented at
About Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
The American Cancer Society’s 2018 statistics cite kidney cancer as among the top ten most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer among both men and women in the U.S.5 Clear cell RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults.6 If detected in its early stages, the five-year survival rate for RCC is high; for patients with advanced or late-stage metastatic RCC, however, the five-year survival rate is only 12 percent, with no identified cure for the disease.5 Approximately 30,000 patients in the U.S. and 68,000 globally require treatment, and an estimated 14,000 patients in the U.S. each year are in need of a first-line treatment for advanced kidney cancer. 7
The majority of clear cell RCC tumors have lower than normal levels of a
protein called
About CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib)
CABOMETYX tablets are approved in
U.S. Important Safety Information
- Hemorrhage: Severe and fatal hemorrhages have occurred with CABOMETYX. In two RCC studies, the incidence of Grade ≥ 3 hemorrhagic events was 3% in CABOMETYX-treated patients. Do not administer CABOMETYX to patients that have or are at risk for severe hemorrhage.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) Perforations and Fistulas: In RCC studies, fistulas were reported in 1% of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Fatal perforations occurred in patients treated with CABOMETYX. In RCC studies, gastrointestinal (GI) perforations were reported in 1% of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Monitor patients for symptoms of fistulas and perforations, including abscess and sepsis. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who experience a fistula which cannot be appropriately managed or a GI perforation.
- Thrombotic Events: CABOMETYX treatment results in an increased incidence of thrombotic events. In RCC studies, venous thromboembolism occurred in 9% (including 5% pulmonary embolism) and arterial thromboembolism occurred in 1% of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Fatal thrombotic events occurred in the cabozantinib clinical program. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop an acute myocardial infarction or any other arterial thromboembolic complication.
- Hypertension and Hypertensive Crisis: CABOMETYX treatment results in an increased incidence of treatment-emergent hypertension, including hypertensive crisis. In RCC studies, hypertension was reported in 44% (18% Grade ≥ 3) of CABOMETYX-treated patients. Monitor blood pressure prior to initiation and regularly during CABOMETYX treatment. Withhold CABOMETYX for hypertension that is not adequately controlled with medical management; when controlled, resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose. Discontinue CABOMETYX for severe hypertension that cannot be controlled with anti-hypertensive therapy. Discontinue CABOMETYX if there is evidence of hypertensive crisis or severe hypertension despite optimal medical management.
- Diarrhea: In RCC studies, diarrhea occurred in 74% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 11% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Withhold CABOMETYX in patients who develop intolerable Grade 2 diarrhea or Grade 3-4 diarrhea that cannot be managed with standard antidiarrheal treatments until improvement to Grade 1; resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose.
- Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE): In RCC studies, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) occurred in 42% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Grade 3 PPE occurred in 8% of patients treated with CABOMETYX. Withhold CABOMETYX in patients who develop intolerable Grade 2 PPE or Grade 3 PPE until improvement to Grade 1; resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose.
- Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), a syndrome of subcortical vasogenic edema diagnosed by characteristic finding on MRI, occurred in the cabozantinib clinical program. Perform an evaluation for RPLS in any patient presenting with seizures, headache, visual disturbances, confusion or altered mental function. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop RPLS.
- Embryo-fetal Toxicity may be associated with CABOMETYX. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during CABOMETYX treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
- Adverse Reactions: The most commonly reported (≥25%) adverse reactions are: diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, hypertension, PPE, weight decreased, vomiting, dysgeusia, and stomatitis.
- Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: If concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage.
- Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: If concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inducers cannot be avoided, increase the CABOMETYX dosage.
- Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed while taking CABOMETYX and for 4 months after the final dose.
- Hepatic Impairment: In patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage. CABOMETYX is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information https://cabometyx.com/downloads/CABOMETYXUSPI.pdf.
About
Founded in 1994,
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including,
without limitation, statements related to: the potential of cabozantinib
to be an effective treatment option for patients with advanced RCC,
regardless of their PD-L1 expression, as well as after treatment with
immune checkpoint inhibitors; and Exelixis’ plans to reinvest in its
business to maximize the potential of the company’s pipeline, including
through targeted business development activities and internal drug
discovery. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or
other characterizations of future events or circumstances are
forward-looking statements and are based upon Exelixis’ current plans,
assumptions, beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual
results and the timing of events could differ materially from those
anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks
and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: the degree of
market acceptance of CABOMETYX and the availability of sufficient
coverage and adequate reimbursement for this product; Exelixis’ ability
to invest in the resources necessary to successfully commercialize its
compounds in the territories where they are approved and to execute its
commercial strategy; Exelixis’ continuing compliance with applicable
legal and regulatory requirements; the potential failure of cabozantinib
to continue to demonstrate improved outcomes for patients who
participated in METEOR and CABOSUN; Exelixis’ dependence on third-party
vendors for the development, manufacture and supply of cabozantinib;
Exelixis’ ability to protect its intellectual property rights; market
competition, including the potential for competitors to obtain approval
for generic versions of Exelixis’ marketed products; changes in economic
and business conditions; and other factors affecting Exelixis and its
commercial programs discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in
Exelixis’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (
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1 Choueiri, T.K., et al. Cabozantinib versus Sunitinib as Initial Targeted Therapy for Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma of Poor or Intermediate Risk: The Alliance A031203 CABOSUN Trial. Am J Clin Oncol. 2016; 35:591-597. 2 Heng D.Y., Xie W., Regan M.M., et al. Prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted agents: Results from a large, multicenter study. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009; 27:5794-5799. 3 Choueiri TK, Escudier B, Powles T, et al. Cabozantinib versus Everolimus in Advanced Renal-Cell Carcinoma. N Engl J Med. 2015; 373(19):1814-1823. 4 Choueiri TK, Escudier B, Powles T, et al. Cabozantinib versus everolimus in advanced renal cell carcinoma (METEOR): final results from a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet Onc. 2016 Jun 5; S1470-2045(16)30107-3. 5 American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2018. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2018/cancer-facts-and-figures-2018.pdf. Accessed October 2018. 6 Jonasch, E., Gao, J., Rathmell, W. Renal cell carcinoma. BMJ. 2014; 349:g4797. 7 Decision Resources Report: Renal Cell Carcinoma. October 2014 (internal data on file). 8 Harshman, L., and Choueiri, T. Targeting the hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met signaling pathway in renal cell carcinoma. Cancer J. 2013; 19:316-323. 9 Rankin, et al. Direct regulation of GAS6/AXL signaling by HIF promotes renal metastasis through SRC and MET. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2014; 111:13373-13378. 10 Zhou, L., Liu, X-D., Sun, M., et al. Targeting MET and AXL overcomes resistance to sunitinib therapy in renal cell carcinoma. Oncogene. 2016; 35:2687-2697. 11 Koochekpour, et al. The von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene inhibits hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor-induced invasion and branching morphogenesis in renal carcinoma cells. Mol Cell Biol. 1999; 19:5902–5912. 12 Takahashi, A., Sasaki, H., Kim, S., et al. Markedly increased amounts of messenger RNAs for vascular endothelial growth factor and placenta growth factor in renal cell carcinoma associated with angiogenesis. Cancer Res. 1994; 54:4233-4237. 13 Nakagawa, M., Emoto, A., Hanada, T., Nasu, N., Nomura, Y. Tubulogenesis by microvascular endothelial cells is mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in renal cell carcinoma. Br J Urol. 1997; 79:681-687. |
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Exelixis, Inc.
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Hubbard, 650-837-8194
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