ASH Clinical News February 2017 New | Page 35

CLINICAL NEWS
study author Michele Cavo , MD , of the Seragnoli Institute of Hematology at the Bologna University School of Medicine in Italy , said during his presentation of the study ’ s results at the 2016 ASH Annual Meeting . “[ These data ] may support the benefits of double transplant in poor-prognosis patients and , in particular , in the subgroup
of those who carry high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities .”
This intergroup , multicenter study enrolled 695 patients with newly diagnosed , symptomatic MM ( median age = 58 years ; age range = 18-64 years ) between February 2011 and April 2014 . A total of 415 patients were eligible for analysis at the time of data cutoff ( July 1 , 2016 ).
All patients were initially treated with standard dose-intensification therapy ( bortezomib-melphalanprednisone ; VMP ) or high dose-intensification therapy ( melphalan 200 mg / m 2 ; HDM ), then randomized to receive either single AHCT ( n = 208 ) or double AHCT ( n = 207 ). The second procedure was completed
within 60 days of the first AHCT , and patients received two sequential courses of HDM , administered two to three months apart . Post-AHCT , patients received lenalidomide maintenance therapy until disease progression .
Patient characteristics were similar between the two groups , Dr . Cavo reported .
Eighteen percent and 19 percent of patients had International Staging System ( ISS ) stage III disease in the singleand double-AHCT groups , respectively , whereas revised ISS stage III disease was present in 9 percent and 11 percent of patients , respectively . Fifty-five percent of patients in the single-AHCT group had
KOVALTRY [ Antihemophilic Factor ( Recombinant )]
Lyophilized Powder for Solution for Intravenous Injection – Reconstitution with Vial Adapter
Initial U . S . Approval : 2016
BRIEF SUMMARY CONSULT PACKAGE INSERT FOR FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE KOVALTRY , Antihemophilic Factor ( Recombinant ), is a recombinant , human DNA sequence derived , full length Factor VIII concentrate indicated for use in adults and children with hemophilia A ( congenital Factor VIII deficiency ) for :
• On-demand treatment and control of bleeding episodes
• Perioperative management of bleeding
• Routine prophylaxis to reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes
KOVALTRY is not indicated for the treatment of von Willebrand disease .
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS KOVALTRY is contraindicated in patients who have a history of hypersensitivity reactions to the active substance , to any of the excipients , or to mouse or hamster proteins [ see Description ( 11 )].
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions , including anaphylaxis , are possible with KOVALTRY . Early signs of hypersensitivity reactions , which can progress to anaphylaxis , may include chest or throat tightness , dizziness , mild hypotension and nausea . Discontinue KOVALTRY if symptoms occur and seek immediate emergency treatment .
KOVALTRY may contain trace amounts of mouse and hamster proteins [ see Description ( 11 )]. Patients treated with this product may develop hypersensitivity to these non-human mammalian proteins .
5.2 Neutralizing Antibodies Neutralizing antibody ( inhibitor ) formation can occur following administration of KOVALTRY . Previously untreated patients ( PUPs ) are at greatest risk for inhibitor development with all Factor VIII products [ see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. Carefully monitor patients for the development of Factor VIII inhibitors , using appropriate clinical observations and laboratory tests . If expected plasma Factor VIII activity levels are not attained or if bleeding is not controlled as expected with administered dose , suspect the presence of an inhibitor ( neutralizing antibody ) [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )].
5.3 Cardiovascular Risk Factors Hemophilic patients with cardiovascular risk factors or diseases may be at the same risk to develop cardiovascular events as non-hemophilic patients when clotting has been normalized by treatment with Factor VIII .
5.4 Catheter-related Infections Catheter-related infections may be observed when KOVALTRY is administered via central venous access devices ( CVADs ). These infections have not been associated with the product itself .
5.5 Monitoring Laboratory Tests
• Monitor plasma Factor VIII activity levels using a validated test to confirm that adequate Factor VIII levels have been achieved and maintained [ see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )].
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• Monitor for development of Factor VIII inhibitors . Perform a Bethesda inhibitor assay if expected Factor VIII plasma levels are not attained or if bleeding is not controlled with the expected dose of KOVALTRY . Use Bethesda Units ( BU ) to report inhibitor titers .
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials ( ≥3 %) were headache , pyrexia , and pruritus ( see Table 3 ).
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions , adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice . The safety profile of KOVALTRY was evaluated in 193 previously treated patients ( PTPs ) ( inclusive of 51 pediatric patients < 12 years of age ) with at least three months of exposure to KOVALTRY . The safety analysis was done using a pooled database from three multi-center , prospective , open-label clinical studies . The median time on study for patients ≥12 years of age was 372 days with a median of 159 exposure days ( EDs ). The median time on study for patients < 12 years of age was 182 days with a median of 73 EDs . Subjects who received KOVALTRY for perioperative management ( n = 5 ) with treatment period of 2 to 3 weeks and those who received single doses of KOVALTRY for PK studies ( n = 6 ) were excluded from safety analysis . Table 3 lists the adverse reactions reported during clinical studies . The frequency , type , and severity of adverse reactions in children are similar to those in adults .
Table 3 : Adverse Reactions in PTPs ( N = 193 )
MedDRA Primary System Organ Class Preferred term
Frequency N (%)
Blood and the Lymphatic System Disorders Lymphadenopathy 2 ( 1.0 %)
Cardiac Disorders Palpitation Sinus tachycardia
Gastrointestinal Disorders Abdominal pain Abdominal discomfort Dyspepsia
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Pyrexia Chest discomfort Injection site reactions a
2 ( 1.0 %) 2 ( 1.0 %)
4 ( 2.1 %) 3 ( 1.6 %) 4 ( 2.1 %)
8 ( 4.1 %) 2 ( 1.0 %) 5 ( 2.6 %)
Immune System Disorders Hypersensitivity 1 ( 0.5 %)
Nervous System Disorders Dizziness Dysgeusia Headache
2 ( 1.0 %) 1 ( 0.5 %) 14 ( 7.3 %)
Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia 5 ( 2.6 %) Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Dermatitis allergic Pruritus
Rash b
Urticaria
2 ( 1.0 %) 6 ( 3.1 %) 5 ( 2.6 %) 1 ( 0.5 %)
Vascular disorders Flushing 1 ( 0.5 %)
a
Includes injection site extravasation and hematoma , infusion site pain , pruritus , and swelling b
Includes rash , rash erythematous , and rash pruritic