WARNINGS
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
PRECAUTIONS
New Primary Malignancies
New primary malignancies, cutaneous and non-cutaneous,
have been observed in patients treated with BRAF inhibitors and can occur with
BRAFTOVI.
Cutaneous Malignancies
In COLUMBUS, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC),
including keratoacanthoma (KA), occurred in 2.6%, and basal cell carcinoma
occurred in 1.6% of patients who received BRAFTOVI in combination with
binimetinib. Median time to first occurrence of cuSCC/KA was 5.8 months (range
1 to 9 months) [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
For patients who received BRAFTOVI as a single agent,
cuSCC/KA was reported in 8%, basal cell carcinoma in 1%, and a new primary
melanoma in 5% of patients.
Perform dermatologic evaluations prior to initiating
treatment, every 2 months during treatment, and for up to 6 months following
discontinuation of treatment. Manage suspicious skin lesions with excision and
dermatopathologic evaluation. Dose modification is not recommended for new
primary cutaneous malignancies.
Non-Cutaneous Malignancies
Based on its mechanism of action, BRAFTOVI may promote
malignancies associated with activation of RAS through mutation or other
mechanisms [see Tumor Promotion In BRAF Wild-Type Tumors]. Monitor patients receiving
BRAFTOVI for signs and symptoms of non-cutaneous malignancies. Discontinue
BRAFTOVI for RAS mutation-positive non-cutaneous malignancies [see DOSAGE
AND ADMINISTRATION].
Tumor Promotion In BRAF Wild-Type Tumors
In vitro experiments have demonstrated paradoxical
activation of MAP-kinase signaling and increased cell proliferation in BRAF
wild-type cells, which are exposed to BRAF inhibitors. Confirm evidence of BRAF
V600E or V600K mutation prior to initiating BRAFTOVI [see INDICATIONS AND
USAGE, DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Hemorrhage
Hemorrhage can occur when BRAFTOVI is administered in
combination with binimetinib. In COLUMBUS, hemorrhage occurred in 19% of
patients receiving BRAFTOVI in combination with binimetinib; Grade 3 or greater
hemorrhage occurred in 3.2% of patients. The most frequent hemorrhagic events
were gastrointestinal, including rectal hemorrhage (4.2%), hematochezia (3.1%),
and hemorrhoidal hemorrhage (1%). Fatal intracranial hemorrhage in the setting
of new or progressive brain metastases occurred in 1.6% of patients.
Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based
on severity of adverse reaction [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE
REACTIONS].
Uveitis
Uveitis, including iritis and iridocyclitis, has been
reported in patients treated with BRAFTOVI in combination with binimetinib. In
COLUMBUS, the incidence of uveitis among patients treated with BRAFTOVI in
combination with binimetinib was 4%.
Assess for visual symptoms at each visit. Perform an
ophthalmologic evaluation at regular intervals and for new or worsening visual
disturbances, and to follow new or persistent ophthalmologic findings.
Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse
reaction [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
QT Prolongation
BRAFTOVI is associated with dose-dependent QTc interval
prolongation in some patients [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. In COLUMBUS,
an increase in QTcF to > 500 ms was measured in 0.5% (1/192) of patients who
received BRAFTOVI in combination with binimetinib.
Monitor patients who already have or who are at
significant risk of developing QTc prolongation, including patients with known
long QT syndromes, clinically significant bradyarrhythmias, severe or
uncontrolled heart failure and those taking other medicinal products associated
with QT prolongation. Correct hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia prior to and
during BRAFTOVI administration. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently
discontinue for QTc > 500 ms [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, ADVERSE
REACTIONS].
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on its mechanism of action, BRAFTOVI can cause
fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Encorafenib produced
embryo-fetal developmental changes in rats and rabbits and was an abortifacient
in rabbits at doses greater than or equal to those resulting in exposures
approximately 26 (in the rat) and 178 (in the rabbit) times the human exposure at
the recommended dose of 450 mg, with no clear findings at lower doses.
Advise women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise
females of reproductive potential to use an effective, non-hormonal method of
contraception since BRAFTOVI can render hormonal contraceptives ineffective,
during treatment and for 2 weeks after the final dose of BRAFTOVI [see Use In
Specific Populations].
Risks Associated With BRAFTOVI As A Single Agent
BRAFTOVI when used as a single agent is associated with
an increased risk of certain adverse reactions compared to when BRAFTOVI is
used in combination with binimetinib. Grades 3 or 4 dermatologic reactions
occurred in 21% of patients treated with BRAFTOVI single agent compared to 2%
of patients treated with BRAFTOVI in combination with binimetinib [see New Primary Malignancies, ADVERSE REACTIONS].
If binimetinib is temporarily interrupted or permanently
discontinued, reduce the dose of BRAFTOVI as recommended [see DOSAGE AND
ADMINISTRATION].
Risks Associated With Combination Treatment
BRAFTOVI is indicated for use in combination with
binimetinib. Refer to the binimetinib prescribing information for additional
risk information that applies to combination use treatment.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient
labeling (Medication Guide).
Inform patients of the following
New Primary Cutaneous Malignancies
Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider
immediately for change in or development of new skin lesions [see WARNINGS
AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hemorrhage
Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider
immediately with any symptoms suggestive of hemorrhage, such as unusual
bleeding [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Uveitis
Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if
they experience any changes in their vision [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
QT Prolongation
Advise patients that BRAFTOVI can cause QTc interval
prolongation and to inform their physician if they have any QTc interval
prolongation symptoms, such as syncope [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Advise females with reproductive potential of the
potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use
effective non-hormonal contraception during treatment with BRAFTOVI and for 2
weeks after the final dose. Advise females to contact their healthcare provider
if they become pregnant, or if pregnancy is suspected, during treatment with
BRAFTOVI [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, Use In Specific Populations].
Lactation
Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with
BRAFTOVI and for 2 weeks after the final dose [see Use In Specific
Populations].
Infertility
Advise males of reproductive potential that BRAFTOVI may
impair fertility [see Use In Specific Populations].
Strong Or Moderate CYP3A Inducers Or Inhibitors
Coadministration of BRAFTOVI with a strong or moderate
CYP3A inhibitor may increase encorafenib concentrations; while coadministration
of BRAFTOVI with a strong or moderate CYP3A inducer may decrease encorafenib
concentrations. Advise patients that they need to avoid certain medications
while taking BRAFTOVI and to inform their healthcare provider of all concomitant
medications, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs,
vitamins, and herbal products. Advise patients to avoid grapefruit or
grapefruit juice while taking BRAFTOVI [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Storage
BRAFTOVI is moisture sensitive. Advise patients to store
BRAFTOVI in the original bottle with desiccant and to keep the cap of the
bottle tightly closed. Do not remove the desiccants from the bottle.
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenicity studies with encorafenib have not been
conducted. Encorafenib was not genotoxic in studies evaluating reverse mutations
in bacteria, chromosomal aberrations in mammalian cells, or micronuclei in bone
marrow of rats.
No dedicated fertility studies were performed with
encorafenib in animals. In a general toxicology study in rats, decreased testes
and epididymis weights, tubular degeneration in testes, and oligospermia in
epididymides were observed at doses approximately 13 times the human exposure
at the 450 mg clinical dose based on AUC. No effects on reproductive organs
were observed in either sex in any of the non-human primate toxicity studies.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Based on its mechanism of action, BRAFTOVI can cause
fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
There are no available clinical data on the use of BRAFTOVI during pregnancy.
In animal reproduction studies, encorafenib produced embryo-fetal developmental
changes in rats and rabbits and was an abortifacient in rabbits at doses
greater than or equal to those resulting in exposures approximately 26 (in the
rat) and 178 (in the rabbit) times the human exposure at the clinical dose of
450 mg, with no clear findings at lower doses (see Data). Advise
pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
In the U.S. general population, the estimated background
risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized
pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Data
Animal Data
In reproductive toxicity studies, administration of
encorafenib to rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in maternal
toxicity, decreased fetal weights, and increased incidence of total skeletal
variations at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day (approximately 26 times the human exposure
based on area under the concentration-time curve [AUC] at the recommended
clinical dose of 450 mg once daily). In pregnant rabbits, administration of
encorafenib during the period of organogenesis resulted in maternal toxicity,
decreased fetal body weights, increased incidence of total skeletal variations
and increased post-implantation loss, including total loss of pregnancy at a
dose of 75 mg/kg/day (approximately 178 times the human exposure based on AUC
at the recommended clinical dose of 450 mg once daily). While formal placental
transfer studies have not been performed, encorafenib exposure in the fetal
plasma of both rats and rabbits was up to 1.7% and 0.8%, respectively, of
maternal exposure.
Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of encorafenib or its
metabolites in human milk or the effects of encorafenib on the breastfed
infant, or on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse
reactions from BRAFTOVI in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed
during treatment with BRAFTOVI and for 2 weeks after the final dose.
Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential
Pregnancy Testing
Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive
potential prior to initiating BRAFTOVI [see Use In Specific Populations].
Contraception
BRAFTOVI can cause fetal harm when administered to a
pregnant woman [see Use In Specific Populations].
Females
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective
contraception during treatment with BRAFTOVI and for 2 weeks after the final
dose. Counsel patients to use a non-hormonal method of contraception since
BRAFTOVI has the potential to render hormonal contraceptives ineffective [see DRUG
INTERACTIONS].
Infertility
Males
Based on findings in male rats at doses approximately 13
times the human exposure at the 450 mg clinical dose, use of BRAFTOVI may
impact fertility in males [see Nonclinical Toxicology].
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of BRAFTOVI have not been established
in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
Of the 690 patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma
who received BRAFTOVI at doses between 300 mg and 600 mg once daily in
combination with binimetinib (45 mg twice daily) across multiple clinical
trials, 20% were aged 65 to 74 years and 8% were aged 75 years and older. No
overall differences in the safety or effectiveness of BRAFTOVI plus binimetinib
were observed in elderly patients as compared to younger patients [see
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Hepatic Impairment
Dose adjustment for BRAFTOVI is not recommended in
patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A) [see CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY]. A recommended dose has not been established for patients with
moderate (Child-Pugh Class B) or severe (Child-Pugh Class C) hepatic
impairment.
Renal Impairment
No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild
to moderate renal impairment (CLcr 30 to < 90 mL/min) [see CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY]. A recommended dose has not been established for patients
with severe renal impairment (CLcr < 30 mL/min).