Image via WikipediaTHOUSAND OAKS, Calif., June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced the submission of a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand the indication for XGEVA® (denosumab) to treat men with castrate-resistant prostate cancer to reduce the risk of developing bone metastases. If approved, XGEVA would be the first therapy licensed to prevent or delay the spread of cancer to the bone.
The sBLA submission is based on a pivotal Phase 3 Study ('147) evaluating XGEVA versus placebo in 1,432 men with castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Results of the '147 study demonstrate that XGEVA significantly prolonged bone metastasis-free survival by more than four months compared with placebo (29.5 versus 25.2 months, respectively) in men with castrate-resistant prostate cancer that had not yet spread to the bone.
Bone metastasis-free survival is a composite measure of the development of bone metastases or death.
"The successful outcome of this study provides clinical evidence supporting the view that tumors activate the RANK Ligand pathway to penetrate bone," said Roger M. Perlmutter, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "XGEVA has the potential to become a significant advance for patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer who currently have no treatment options to help prevent the spread of cancer to their bones."
Continued
Bone is one of the most common places for cancer to spread. In fact, up to 90 percent of men with advanced prostate cancer will have their tumor spread to the bone.(i),(ii),(iii) With effective therapies now in place for both early (castrate-sensitive) prostate cancer and advanced (castrate-resistant) metastatic prostate cancer, there is a gap in the treatment plan for those patients who are castrate-resistant but have not yet developed metastatic disease.
In the '147 trial, adverse events and serious adverse events were relatively similar between the XGEVA and placebo arms. Hypocalcemia and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) were reported with increased frequencies in the XGEVA treated patients. The yearly rate of ONJ in the XGEVA arm was similar to prior XGEVA trial results. Back pain was the most common adverse event reported in the XGEVA arm of the trial.
About XGEVA
XGEVA is the first and only RANK Ligand inhibitor approved by the FDA indicated for the prevention of skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors. XGEVA was approved following a six month priority review by the FDA. XGEVA is not indicated for the prevention of SREs in patients with multiple myeloma. XGEVA is the first novel bone metastases treatment for advanced cancer patients in nearly a decade. Delivered as an every four week 120 mg subcutaneous injection, XGEVA provides a unique option for urologists and oncologists to prevent SREs in patients with advanced cancer.
XGEVA is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to RANK Ligand, a protein essential for the formation, function and survival of osteoclasts (the cells that break down bone). XGEVA prevents RANK Ligand from activating its receptor, RANK, on the surface of osteoclasts, thereby decreasing bone destruction.
XGEVA has been studied in over 7,000 patients with cancer. In clinical trials, XGEVA demonstrated a clinically meaningful improvement compared to the previous standard of care in preventing bone complications. XGEVA is also being investigated for the potential use to delay the onset of bone metastasis in adjuvant breast cancer.
XGEVA Skeletal-Related Events Regulatory Status
XGEVA is currently approved in the U.S. for the prevention of SREs in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors. XGEVA was approved following a six month priority review by the FDA. In the U.S., XGEVA is not indicated for the prevention of SREs in patients with multiple myeloma.(iv) XGEVA is also approved in Canada for reducing the risk of developing SREs in patients with bone metastases from breast cancer, prostate cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and other solid tumors. In Canada, XGEVA is not indicated for reducing the risk of developing SREs in patients with multiple myeloma.
Amgen has also submitted marketing applications for XGEVA in Australia, Mexico, Russia, Switzerland and the European Union. In Japan, Amgen is working with its licensing partner, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited and a marketing application was submitted in August. In addition,Amgen and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have a collaboration agreement for the commercialization of XGEVA in a number of countries where Amgen does not currently have a commercial presence. In these countries, marketing applications are filed by GSK.
For more information on XGEVA, please visit www.XGEVA.com.
Denosumab is also marketed as Prolia® in other indications.
XGEVA Important Safety Information
XGEVA can cause severe hypocalcemia. Correct pre-existing hypocalcemia prior to XGEVA treatment. Monitor calcium levels and administer calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D as necessary. Advise patients to contact a healthcare professional for symptoms of hypocalcemia.
ONJ can occur in patients receiving XGEVA. Patients who are suspected of having or who develop ONJ while on XGEVA should receive care by a dentist or an oral surgeon. In these patients, extensive dental surgery to treat ONJ may exacerbate the condition.
The most common adverse reactions in patients receiving XGEVA were fatigue/asthenia, hypophosphatemia, and nausea. The most common serious adverse reaction in patients receiving XGEVA was dyspnea. The most common adverse reactions resulting in discontinuation of XGEVA were osteonecrosis and hypocalcemia. Please visit www.amgen.com for full prescribing information.
Bone Metastases and Skeletal-Related Events: Prevalence and Impact
Bone metastases occur in more than 1.5 million patients with cancer worldwide and are most commonly associated with cancers of the prostate, lung, and breast, with incidence rates as high as 90 percent of patients with metastatic disease.(v),(vi),(vii),(viii)
Approximately 50-70 percent of cancer patients with bone metastases will experience debilitating SREs.(ix),(x),(xi) Events considered to be SREs include fractures, spinal cord compression and severe bone pain that may require surgery or radiation.(xii) Such events can profoundly disrupt a patient's life and can cause disability and pain.(xiii),(xiv),(xv)
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
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