CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism Of Action
Venetoclax is a selective and orally bioavailable
small-molecule inhibitor of BCL-2, an antiapoptotic protein. Overexpression of
BCL-2 has been demonstrated in CLL and AML cells where it mediates tumor cell
survival and has been associated with resistance to chemotherapeutics.
Venetoclax helps restore the process of apoptosis by binding directly to the
BCL-2 protein, displacing pro-apoptotic proteins like BIM, triggering
mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and the activation of caspases.
In nonclinical studies, venetoclax has demonstrated cytotoxic activity in tumor
cells that overexpress BCL-2.
Pharmacodynamics
Based on the exposure response analyses for efficacy, a
relationship between drug exposure and a greater likelihood of response was
observed in clinical studies in patients with CLL/SLL, and in patients with
AML. Based on the exposure response analyses for safety, a relationship between
drug exposure and a greater likelihood of some safety events was observed in
clinical studies in patients with AML. No exposure-safety relationship was
observed in patients with CLL/SLL at doses up to 1200 mg given as monotherapy
and up to 600 mg given in combination with rituximab.
Cardiac Electrophysiology
The effect of multiple doses of VENCLEXTA up to 1200 mg
once daily (2 times the maximum approved recommended dosage) on the QTc
interval was evaluated in an open-label, single-arm study in 176 patients with
previously treated hematologic malignancies. VENCLEXTA had no large effect on
QTc interval (i.e., > 20 ms) and there was no relationship between
venetoclax exposure and change in QTc interval.
Pharmacokinetics
Venetoclax mean (± standard deviation) steady state Cmax was
2.1 ± 1.1 mcg/mL and AUC0-24 was 32.8 ± 16.9 mcg•h/mL following administration
of 400 mg once daily with a low-fat meal. Venetoclax steady state AUC increased
proportionally over the dose range of 150 to 800 mg (0.25 to 1.33 times the
maximum approved recommended dosage). The pharmacokinetics of venetoclax does
not change over time.
Absorption
Maximum plasma concentration of venetoclax was reached 5
to 8 hours following multiple oral administration under fed conditions.
Effect Of Food
Administration with a low-fat meal (approximately 512
kilocalories, 25% fat calories, 60% carbohydrate calories, and 15% protein
calories) increased venetoclax exposure by approximately 3.4-fold and
administration with a high-fat meal (approximately 753 kilocalories, 55% fat
calories, 28% carbohydrate calories, and 17% protein calories) increased
venetoclax exposure by 5.1-to 5.3-fold compared with fasting conditions.
Distribution
Venetoclax is highly bound to human plasma protein with
unbound fraction in plasma <0.01 across a concentration range of 1-30
micromolar (0.87-26 mcg/mL). The mean blood-to-plasma ratio was 0.57. The
apparent volume of distribution (Vdss/F) of venetoclax ranged from 256-321 L in
patients.
Elimination
The terminal elimination half-life of venetoclax was
approximately 26 hours.
Metabolism
Venetoclax is predominantly metabolized by CYP3A in vitro.
The major metabolite identified in plasma, M27, has an inhibitory activity
against BCL-2 that is at least 58-fold lower than venetoclax in vitro and its
AUC represented 80% of the parent AUC.
Excretion
After single oral dose of radiolabeled [14C]-venetoclax
200 mg to healthy subjects, > 99.9% of the dose was recovered in feces
(20.8% as unchanged) and < 0.1% in urine within 9 days.
Specific Populations
No clinically significant differences in the
pharmacokinetics of venetoclax were observed based on age (19 to 90 years),
sex, race (White, Black, Asians, and Others), weight, mild to moderate renal
impairment (CLcr 30 to 89 mL/min, calculated by Cockcroft-Gault), or mild to
moderate hepatic impairment (normal total bilirubin and aspartate transaminase
(AST) > upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin 1 to 3 times ULN).
The effect of severe renal impairment (CLcr < 30 mL/min) or dialysis on venetoclax
pharmacokinetics is unknown.
Patients With Hepatic Impairment
Following a single dose of VENCLEXTA 50 mg, venetoclax
systemic exposure (AUCinf) was 2.7-fold higher in subjects with severe hepatic
impairment (Child-Pugh C) compared to subjects with normal hepatic function [see
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION and Use In Specific Populations]. No
clinically relevant differences in venetoclax systemic exposure were observed
between subjects with mild or moderate hepatic impairment and subjects with
normal hepatic function.
Drug Interactions Studies
Clinical Studies
No clinically significant differences in venetoclax
pharmacokinetics were observed when co-administered with azacitidine,
azithromycin, cytarabine, decitabine, gastric acid reducing agents,
obinutuzumab, or rituximab.
Ketoconazole
Concomitant use of ketoconazole (a strong CYP3A, P-gp and
BCRP inhibitor) 400 mg once daily for 7 days increased venetoclax Cmax by 130%
and AUCinf by 540% [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Ritonavir
Concomitant use of ritonavir (a strong CYP3A, P-gp and
OATP1B1/B3 inhibitor) 50 mg once daily for 14 days increased venetoclax Cmax by
140% and AUC by 690% [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Posaconazole
Concomitant use of posaconazole (a strong CYP3A and P-gp
inhibitor) 300 mg with venetoclax 50 mg and 100 mg for 7 days resulted in 61%
and 86% higher venetoclax Cmax, respectively, compared with venetoclax 400 mg
administered alone. The venetoclax AUC24 was 90% and 144% higher, respectively.
Rifampin
Concomitant use of a single dose of rifampin (an
OATP1B1/1B3 and P-gp inhibitor) 600 mg increased venetoclax Cmax by 106% and
AUCinf by 78%. Concomitant use of multiple doses of rifampin (as a strong CYP3A
inducer) 600 mg once daily for 13 days decreased venetoclax Cmax by 42% and AUCinf
by 71% [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Warfarin
Concomitant use of a single 400 mg dose of venetoclax
with 5 mg warfarin resulted in 18% to 28% increase in Cmax and AUCinf of
R-warfarin and S-warfarin [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Digoxin
Concomitant use of a single dose of venetoclax 100 mg
with digoxin (a P-gp substrate) 0.5 mg increased digoxin Cmax by 35% and AUCinf
by 9% [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
In Vitro Studies
Venetoclax is not an inhibitor or inducer of CYP1A2,
CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 or CYP3A4. Venetoclax is a weak inhibitor of CYP2C8,
CYP2C9, and UGT1A1.
Venetoclax is not an inhibitor of UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A9,
or UGT2B7.
Venetoclax is an inhibitor and substrate of P-gp and BCRP
and weak inhibitor of OATP1B1.
Venetoclax is not an inhibitor of OATP1B3, OCT1, OCT2,
OAT1, OAT3, MATE1, or MATE2K.
Animal Toxicology And/Or Pharmacology
In dogs, venetoclax caused single-cell necrosis in
various tissues, including the gallbladder, exocrine pancreas, and stomach with
no evidence of disruption of tissue integrity or organ dysfunction; these
findings were minimal to mild in magnitude. Following a 4-week dosing period
and subsequent 4-week recovery period, minimal single-cell necrosis was still
present in some tissues and reversibility has not been assessed following
longer periods of dosing or recovery.
In addition, after approximately 3 months of daily dosing
in dogs, venetoclax caused progressive white discoloration of the hair coat,
due to loss of melanin pigment.
Clinical Studies
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Combination Therapy
CLL14
CLL14 (BO25323) was a randomized (1:1), multicenter, open
label, actively controlled, phase 3 trial (NCT02242942) that evaluated the
efficacy and safety of VENCLEXTA in combination with obinutuzumab (VEN+G)
versus obinutuzumab in combination with chlorambucil (GClb) for patients with
previously untreated CLL with coexisting medical conditions (total Cumulative
Illness Rating Scale [CIRS] score > 6 or CLcr < 70 mL/min). The trial
required hepatic transaminases and total bilirubin ≤2 times upper limit
of normal and excluded patients with Richterâ⬙s transformation or any individual
organ/system impairment score of 4 by CIRS except eye, ear, nose, and throat
organ system.
All patients received obinutuzumab at 1000 mg on Day 1
(the first dose could be split as 100 mg and 900 mg on Days 1 and 2), and on
Days 8 and 15 of Cycle 1, and on Day 1 of each subsequent cycle, for a total of
6 cycles. Patients in the VEN+G arm began the 5-week VENCLEXTA ramp-up schedule
[see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION] on Day 22 of Cycle 1, and received
VENCLEXTA 400 mg once daily from Cycle 3 Day 1 until the last day of Cycle 12.
Patients randomized to the GClb arm received 0.5 mg/kg oral chlorambucil on Day
1 and Day 15 of Cycles 1 to 12. Each cycle was 28 days.
A total of 432 patients were randomized, 216 to each
study arm. Baseline demographic and disease characteristics were similar
between the study arms. The median age was 72 years (range: 41 to 89 years),
89% were white, 67% were male; 36% and 43% were Binet stage B and C,
respectively, and 88% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance
status <2. The median CIRS score was 8.0 (range: 0 to 28) and 58% of
patients had CLcr <70 mL/min. A 17p deletion was detected in 8% of patients,
TP53 mutations in 7%, 11q deletion in 19%, and unmutated IgVH in 57%.
The major efficacy outcome was progression-free survival
(PFS) as assessed by an Independent Review Committee (IRC). The median duration
of follow-up for PFS was 28 months (range: 0.1 to 36 months).
Efficacy results for CLL14 are shown in Table 19. The
Kaplan-Meier curve for PFS is shown in Figure 1.
Table 19: Efficacy Results in CLL14
Endpoint |
VENCLEXTA + Obinutuzumab
(N = 216) |
Obinutuzumab + Chlorambucil
(N = 216) |
Progression-free survivala |
Number of events, n (%) |
29 (13) |
79 (37) |
Disease progression |
14 (6) |
71 (33) |
Death |
15 (7) |
8 (4) |
Median, months |
Not Reached |
Not Reached |
HR (95% CI)b |
0.33 (0.22, 0.51) |
p-valueb |
< 0.0001 |
Response ratec, n (%) |
ORRd |
183 (85) |
154 (71) |
95% CI |
(79, 89) |
(65, 77) |
CR |
100 (46) |
47 (22) |
CR+CRid |
107 (50) |
50(23) |
PR |
76 (35) |
104 (48) |
CI = confidence interval; HR = hazard ratio; CR =
complete remission; CRi = complete remission with incomplete marrow recovery;
PR = partial remission; ORR = overall response rate (CR + CRi + PR).
aFrom randomization until earliest event of disease progression or
death due to any cause. IRC-assessed; Kaplan-Meier estimate.
bHR estimate is based on Cox-proportional hazards model stratified
by Binet Stage and geographic region; p-value based on log rank test stratified
by the same factors.
cPer 2008 International Workshop for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
(IWCLL) guidelines.
dp-values based on Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test; p=0.0007 for ORR; p
<0.0001 for CR+CRi. |
Figure 1: Kaplan-Meier Curve of IRC-Assessed
Progression-free Survival in CLL14
At the time of analysis, median overall survival (OS) had
not been reached, with fewer than 10% of patients experiencing an event. The
median duration of follow-up for OS was 28 months.
Minimal residual disease (MRD) was evaluated using
allele-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction (ASO-PCR). The
definition of negative status was less than one CLL cell per 104 leukocytes.
Rates of MRD negativity 3 months after the completion of treatment regardless
of response and in patients who achieved CR are shown in Table 20. At this
assessment, 134 patients in the VEN+G arm who were MRD negative in peripheral
blood had matched bone marrow specimens; of these, 122 patients (91%) were MRD
negative in both peripheral blood and bone marrow.
Table 20: Minimal Residual Disease Negativity Rates
Three Months After the Completion of Treatment in CLL14
|
VENCLEXTA + Obinutuzumab |
Obinutuzumab + Chlorambucil |
MRD negativity rate (ITT population) |
N |
216 |
216 |
Bone marrow, n (%) |
123 (57) |
37 (17) |
95% CI |
(50, 64) |
(12, 23) |
p-valuea |
<0.0001 |
Peripheral blood, n (%) |
163 (76) |
76 (35) |
95% CI |
(69, 81) |
(29, 42) |
p-valuea |
<0.0001 |
MRD negativity rate in patients with CR |
N |
100 |
47 |
Bone marrow, n (%) |
69 (69) |
21 (45) |
95% CI |
(59, 78) |
(30, 60) |
p-valuea |
0.0048 |
Peripheral blood, n (%) |
87 (87) |
29 (62) |
95% CI |
(79, 93) |
(46, 75) |
p-valuea |
0.0005 |
CI = confidence interval; CR = complete remission.
ap-value based on Chi-square test |
Twelve months after the completion of treatment, MRD
negativity rates in peripheral blood were 58% (126/216) in patients treated
with VEN+G and 9% (20/216) in patients treated with GClb.
MURANO
MURANO was a randomized (1:1), multicenter, open label
study (NCT02005471) that evaluated the efficacy and safety of VENCLEXTA in
combination with rituximab (VEN+R) versus bendamustine in combination with
rituximab (B+R) in patients with CLL who had received at least one line of
prior therapy. Patients in the VEN+R arm completed the 5-week ramp-up schedule [see
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION] and received VENCLEXTA 400 mg once daily for 24
months from Cycle 1 Day 1 of rituximab in the absence of disease progression or
unacceptable toxicity. Rituximab was initiated intravenously after the 5-week
dose ramp-up at 375 mg/m² on Day 1 of Cycle 1 and 500 mg/m² on Day 1 of Cycles
2-6. Each cycle was 28 days. Patients randomized to B+R received bendamustine
at 70 mg/m² on Days 1 and 2 for 6 cycles (28-day cycle) and rituximab at the
above described dose and schedule.
A total of 389 patients were randomized: 194 to the VEN+R
arm and 195 to the B+R arm. Baseline demographic and disease characteristics
were similar between the VEN+R and B+R arms. The median age was 65 years
(range: 22 to 85 years), 97% were white, 74% were male, and 99% had ECOG
performance status <2. Median prior lines of therapy was 1 (range: 1 to 5);
59% had received 1 prior therapy, 26% had received 2 prior therapies, and 16%
had received 3 or more prior therapies. Prior therapies included alkylating
agents (94%), anti-CD20 antibodies (77%), B-cell receptor pathway inhibitors
(2%), and prior purine analogs (81%, including
fludarabine/cyclophosphamide/rituximab in 55%). A 17p deletion was detected in
24% of patients, TP53 mutations in 25%, 11q deletion in 32%, and unmutated IgVH
in 63%.
Efficacy was based on PFS as assessed by an IRC. The
median follow-up for PFS was 23.4 months (range: 0 to 37.4+ months).
Efficacy results for MURANO are shown in Table 21. The
Kaplan-Meier curve for PFS is shown in Figure 2.
Table 21: IRC-Assessed Efficacy Results in MURANO
Endpoint |
VENCLEXTA + Rituximab
(N = 194) |
Bendamustine + Rituximab
(N = 195) |
Progression-free survivala |
Number of events, n (%) |
35 (18) |
106 (54) |
Disease progression, n |
26 |
91 |
Death events, n |
9 |
15 |
Median, months (95% CI) |
Not Reached |
18.1 (15.8, 22.3) |
HR (95% CI)b |
0.19 (0.13, 0.28) |
p-valueb |
<0.0001 |
Response ratec, n (%) |
ORR |
179 (92) |
141(72) |
95% CI |
(88, 96) |
(65, 78) |
CR+CRi |
16 (8) |
7 (4) |
nPR |
3 (2) |
1 (1) |
PR |
160 (82) |
133 (68) |
CI = confidence interval; HR = hazard ratio; CR =
complete remission; CRi = complete remission with incomplete marrow recovery;
nPR = nodular partial remission; PR = partial remission; ORR = overall response
rate (CR + CRi + nPR + PR).
aKaplan-Meier estimate.
bHR estimate is based on Cox-proportional hazards model stratified
by 17p deletion, risk status, and geographic region; p-value based on log-rank
test stratified by the same factors.
cPer 2008 International Workshop for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
(IWCLL) guidelines. |
Figure 2: Kaplan-Meier Curve of IRC-Assessed
Progression-free Survival in MURANO
At the time of analysis, median overall survival had not
been reached in either arm after a median follow-up of 22.9 months.
At 3 months after the last dose of rituximab, the MRD
negativity rate in peripheral blood in patients who achieved PR or better was
53% (103/194) in the VEN+R arm and 12% (23/195) in the B+R arm. The
MRD-negative CR/CRi rate at this timepoint was 3% (6/194) in the VEN+R arm and
2% (3/195) in the B+R arm.
Monotherapy
The efficacy of VENCLEXTA monotherapy in
previously-treated CLL or SLL is based on three single-arm studies.
Study M13-982
The efficacy of VENCLEXTA was established in study
M13-982 (NCT01889186), an open-label, single-arm, multicenter clinical trial of
106 patients with CLL with 17p deletion who had received at least one prior
therapy. In the study, 17p deletion was confirmed in peripheral blood specimens
from patients using Vysis CLL FISH Probe Kit, which is FDA approved for
selection of patients for VENCLEXTA treatment. Patients received VENCLEXTA via
a weekly ramp-up schedule starting at 20 mg and ramping to 50 mg, 100 mg, 200
mg and finally 400 mg once daily. Patients continued to receive 400 mg of
VENCLEXTA orally once daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Efficacy was based on overall response rate (ORR) as
assessed by an IRC.
Table 22 summarizes the baseline demographic and disease
characteristics of the study population.
Table 22: Baseline Patient Characteristics in Study
M13-982
Characteristic |
N = 106 |
Age, years; median (range) |
67 (37-83) |
White; % |
97 |
Male; % |
65 |
ECOG performance status; % |
|
0 |
40 |
1 |
52 |
2 |
8 |
Tumor burden; % Absolute lymphocyte count ≥25 x 109/L |
50 |
One or more nodes ≥5 cm |
53 |
Number of prior therapies; median (range) |
2.5 (1-10) |
Time since diagnosis, years; median (range)a |
6.6 (0.1-32.1) |
ECOG = Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.
aN=105. |
The median time on treatment at the time of evaluation
was 12.1 months (range: 0 to 21.5 months). Efficacy results are shown in Table
23.
Table 23: Efficacy Results per IRC for Patients with
Previously Treated CLL with 17p Deletion in Study M13-982
Endpoint |
VENCLEXTA
N=106 |
ORR, n (%)a |
85 (80) |
(95% CI) |
(71, 87) |
CR + CRi, n (%) |
8 (8) |
CR, n (%) |
6 (6) |
CRi, n (%) |
2 (2) |
nPR, n (%) |
3 (3) |
PR, n (%) |
74 (70) |
CI = confidence interval; CR = complete remission; CRi =
complete remission with incomplete marrow recovery; IRC = independent review
committee; nPR = nodular partial remission; ORR = overall response rate (CR +
CRi + nPR + PR); PR = partial remission.
aPer 2008 IWCLL guidelines. |
The median time to first response was 0.8 months (range:
0.1 to 8.1 months).
Based on a later data cutoff date and
investigator-assessed efficacy, the duration of response (DOR) ranged from 2.9
to 32.8+ months. The median DOR has not been reached with median follow-up of
22 months.
Minimal residual disease was evaluated in peripheral
blood and bone marrow for patients who achieved CR or CRi, following treatment
with VENCLEXTA. Three percent (3/106) achieved MRD negativity in the peripheral
blood and bone marrow (less than one CLL cell per 104 leukocytes).
Study M12-175
Study M12-175 (NCT01328626) was a multicenter, open-label
trial that enrolled previously treated patients with CLL or SLL, including
those with 17p deletion. Efficacy was evaluated in 67 patients (59 with CLL, 8
with SLL) who had received a 400 mg daily dose of VENCLEXTA. Patients continued
this dose until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The median
duration of treatment at the time of evaluation was 22.1 months (range: 0.5 to
71.7 months).
The median age was 65 years (range: 42 to 84 years), 78%
were male and 87% were white. The median number of prior treatments was 3
(range: 1 to 11). At baseline, 67% of patients had one or more nodes ≥5
cm, 30% of patients had ALC ≥25 x 109/L, 33% had documented unmutated IgVH,
and 21% had documented 17p deletion.
Efficacy was evaluated according to 2008 IWCLL guidelines
and assessed by an IRC. The ORR was 76% (95% CI: 64%, 86%), CR + CRi rate was
10%, and PR rate was 66%. The median DOR was 36.2 months (range: 2.4 to 52.4
months).
Study M14-032
Study M14-032 (NCT02141282) was an open-label,
multicenter, study that evaluated the efficacy of VENCLEXTA in patients with
CLL who had been previously treated with and progressed on or after ibrutinib
or idelalisib. Patients received a daily dose of 400 mg of VENCLEXTA following
the ramp-up schedule. Patients continued to receive VENCLEXTA 400 mg once daily
until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. At the time of analysis,
the median duration of treatment was 19.5 months (range: 0.1 to 39.5 months).
Of the 127 patients treated (91 with prior ibrutinib, 36
with prior idelalisib), the median age was 66 years (range: 28 to 85 years),
70% were male and 92% were white. The median number of prior treatments was 4
(range: 1 to 15). At baseline, 41% of patients had one or more nodes ≥5
cm, 31% had an absolute lymphocyte count ≥25 x 109/L, 57% had documented
unmutated IgVH, and 39% had documented 17p deletion.
Efficacy was based on 2008 IWCLL guidelines and was
assessed by an IRC. The ORR was 70% (95% CI: 61%, 78%), with a CR + CRi rate of
5%, and PR rate of 65%. The median DOR was not reached with a median follow-up
time of 19.9 months (range: 2.9 to 36 months).
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
VENCLEXTA was studied in two open-label non-randomized
trials in patients with newly-diagnosed AML who were ≥75 years of age, or
had comorbidities that precluded the use of intensive induction chemotherapy
based on at least one of the following criteria: baseline ECOG performance
status of 2-3, severe cardiac or pulmonary comorbidity, moderate hepatic
impairment, CLcr <45 mL/min, or other comorbidity. Efficacy was established
based on the rate of complete remission (CR) and the duration of CR.
Study M14-358
VENCLEXTA was studied in a non-randomized, open-label
clinical trial (NCT02203773) of VENCLEXTA in combination with azacitidine
(N=84) or decitabine (N=31) in patients with newly-diagnosed AML. Of those
patients, 67 who received azacitidine combination and 13 who received
decitabine combination were age 75 years or older, or had comorbidities that
precluded the use of intensive induction chemotherapy.
Patients received VENCLEXTA via a daily ramp-up to a
final 400 mg once daily dose [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. During the
ramp-up, patients received TLS prophylaxis and were hospitalized for
monitoring. Azacitidine at 75 mg/m² was administered either intravenously or
subcutaneously on Days 1-7 of each 28-day cycle beginning on Cycle 1 Day 1.
Decitabine at 20 mg/m² was administered intravenously on Days 1-5 of each
28-day cycle beginning on Cycle 1 Day 1. Patients continued to receive
treatment cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Azacitidine dose reduction was implemented in the clinical trial for management
of hematologic toxicity, see azacitidine full prescribing information. Dose
reductions for decitabine were not implemented in the clinical trial.
Table 24 summarizes the baseline demographic and disease
characteristics of the study population.
Table 24: Baseline Patient Characteristics for
Patients with AML Treated with VENCLEXTA in Combination with Azacitidine or
Decitabine
Characteristic |
VENCLEXTA in Combination with Azacitidine
N = 67 |
VENCLEXTA in Combination with Decitabine
N = 13 |
Age, years; median (range) |
76 (61-90) |
75(68-86) |
Race |
White; % |
87 |
77 |
Black or African American; % |
4.5 |
0 |
Asian; % |
1.5 |
0 |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; % |
1.5 |
15 |
American Indian/Alaskan Native; % |
0 |
7.7 |
Unreported/Other; % |
6.0 |
0 |
Male; % |
60 |
38 |
ECOG performance status; % |
0-1 |
64 |
92 |
2 |
33 |
8 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
Disease history; % |
De Novo AML |
73 |
85 |
Secondary AML |
27 |
15 |
Mutation analyses detecteda; % |
TP53 |
21 |
31 |
IDH1 or IDH2 |
27 |
0 |
FLT-3 |
16 |
23 |
NPM1 |
19 |
15 |
Cytogenetic risk detectedb,c; % |
Intermediate |
64 |
38 |
Poor |
34 |
62 |
Baseline comorbiditiesd, % |
Severe cardiac disease |
4.5 |
7.7 |
Severe pulmonary disease |
1.5 |
0 |
Moderate hepatic impairment |
9 |
0 |
Creatinine clearance <45 mL/min |
13 |
7.7 |
ECOG = Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.
aIncludes 6 patients with insufficient sample for analysis in the
azacitidine group and 4 in the decitabine group.
bAs defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk
categorization v2014.
cNo mitosis in 1 patient in azacitidine group (excluded favorable
risk by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization [FISH] analysis).
dPatients may have had more than one comorbidity. |
The efficacy results are shown in Table 25.
Table 25: Efficacy Results for Patients with
Newly-Diagnosed AML Treated with VENCLEXTA in Combination with Azacitidine or
Decitabine
Efficacy Outcomes |
VENCLEXTA in Combination with Azacitidine
N = 67 |
VENCLEXTA in Combination with Decitabine
N = 13 |
CR, n (%) (95% CI) |
25 (37) (26, 50) |
7 (54) (25, 81) |
CRh, n (%) (95% CI) |
16 (24) (14, 36) |
1 (7.7) (0.2, 36) |
CI = confidence interval; NR = not reached.
CR (complete remission) was defined as absolute neutrophil count
>1,000/microliter, platelets >100,000/microliter, red blood cell
transfusion independence, and bone marrow with <5% blasts. Absence of
circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary
disease. CRh (complete remission with partial hematological recovery) was
defined as <5% of blasts in the bone marrow, no evidence of disease, and
partial recovery of peripheral blood counts (platelets >50,000/microliter
and ANC >500/microliter). |
The median follow-up was 7.9 months (range: 0.4 to 36
months) for VENCLEXTA in combination with azacitidine. At the time of analysis,
for patients who achieved a CR, the median observed time in remission was 5.5
months (range: 0.4 to 30 months). The observed time in remission is the time
from the start of CR to the time of data cut-off date or relapse from CR.
The median follow-up was 11 months (range: 0.7 to 21
months) for VENCLEXTA in combination with decitabine. At the time of analysis,
for patients who achieved a CR, the median observed time in remission was 4.7
months (range: 1.0 to 18 months). The observed time in remission is the time
from the start of CR to the time of data cut-off date or relapse from CR.
Median time to first CR or CRh for patients treated with
VENCLEXTA in combination with azacitidine was 1.0 month (range: 0.7 to 8.9
months).
Median time to first CR or CRh for patients treated with
VENCLEXTA in combination with decitabine was 1.9 months (range: 0.8 to 4.2
months).
Of patients treated with VENCLEXTA in combination with
azacitidine, 7.5% (5/67) subsequently received stem cell transplant.
The study enrolled 35 additional patients (age range: 65
to 74 years) who did not have known comorbidities that preclude the use of
intensive induction chemotherapy and were treated with VENCLEXTA in combination
with azacitidine (N=17) or decitabine (N=18).
For the 17 patients treated with VENCLEXTA in combination
with azacitidine, the CR rate was 35% (95% CI: 14%, 62%). The CRh rate was 41%
(95% CI: 18%, 67%). Seven (41%) patients subsequently received stem cell
transplant.
For the 18 patients treated with VENCLEXTA in combination
with decitabine, the CR rate was 56% (95% CI: 31%, 79%). The CRh rate was 22%
(95% CI: 6.4%, 48%). Three (17%) patients subsequently received stem cell
transplant.
Study M14-387
VENCLEXTA was studied in a non-randomized, open-label
clinical trial (NCT02287233) of VENCLEXTA in combination with low dose
cytarabine (N=82) in patients with newly-diagnosed AML, including patients with
previous exposure to a hypomethylating agent for an antecedent hematologic
disorder. Of those patients, 61 were age 75 years or older, or had
comorbidities that precluded the use of intensive induction chemotherapy based
on at least one of the following criteria: baseline ECOG performance status of
2-3, severe cardiac or pulmonary comorbidity, moderate hepatic impairment, CLcr
≥30 to <45 mL/min, or other comorbidity.
Patients initiated VENCLEXTA via daily ramp-up to a final
600 mg once daily dose [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. During the
ramp-up, patients received TLS prophylaxis and were hospitalized for
monitoring. Cytarabine at a dose of 20 mg/m² was administered subcutaneously
once daily on Days 1-10 of each 28-day cycle beginning on Cycle 1 Day 1.
Patients continued to receive treatment cycles until disease progression or
unacceptable toxicity. Dose reduction for low-dose cytarabine was not
implemented in the clinical trial.
Table 26: Baseline Patient Characteristics for
Patients with AML Treated with VENCLEXTA in Combination with Low-Dose
Cytarabine
Characteristic |
VENCLEXTA in Combination with Low-Dose Cytarabine
N = 61 |
Age, years; median (range) |
76 (63-90) |
Race |
White; % |
92 |
Black or African American; % |
1.6 |
Asian; % |
1.6 |
Unreported; % |
4.9 |
Male; % |
74 |
ECOG performance status; % |
0-1 |
66 |
2 |
33 |
3 |
1.6 |
Disease history, % |
De novo AML |
54 |
Secondary AML |
46 |
Mutation analyses detecteda; % |
TP53 |
8 |
IDH1 or IDH2 |
23 |
FLT-3 |
21 |
NPM1 |
9.8 |
Cytogenetic risk detectedb; % |
Intermediate |
59 |
Poor |
34 |
No mitoses |
6.6 |
Baseline comorbiditiesc, % |
Severe cardiac disease |
9.8 |
Moderate hepatic impairment |
4.9 |
Creatinine clearance ≥30 or <45 mL/min |
3.3 |
Table 26 summarizes the baseline demographic and disease
characteristics of the study population.
ECOG = Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.
aIncludes 7 patients with insufficient sample for analysis.
bAs defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk
categorization v2014
cPatients may have had more than one comorbidity. |
Efficacy results are shown in Table 27.
Table 27: Efficacy Results for Patients with
Newly-Diagnosed AML Treated with VENCLEXTA in Combination with Low-Dose
Cytarabine
Efficacy Outcomes |
VENCLEXTA in Combination with Low-Dose Cytarabine
N = 61 |
CR, n (%) |
13 (21) |
(95% CI) |
(12, 34) |
CRh, n (%) |
13 (21) |
(95% CI) |
(12, 34) |
CI = confidence interval; NR = not reached.
CR (complete remission) was defined as absolute neutrophil count
>1,000/microliter, platelets >100,000/microliter, red blood cell
transfusion independence, and bone marrow with <5% blasts. Absence of
circulating blasts and blasts with Auer rods; absence of extramedullary
disease. CRh (complete remission with partial hematological recovery) was
defined as <5% of blasts in the bone marrow, no evidence of disease, and
partial recovery of peripheral blood counts (platelets >50,000/microliter
and ANC >500/microliter). |
The median follow-up was 6.5 months (range: 0.3 to 34
months). At the time of analysis, for patients who achieved a CR, the median
observed time in remission was 6.0 months (range: 0.03 to 25 months). The
observed time in remission is the time from the start of CR to the time of data
cut-off date or relapse from CR.
Median time to first CR or CRh for patients treated with
VENCLEXTA in combination with low-dose cytarabine was 1.0 month (range: 0.8 to
9.4 months).
The study enrolled 21 additional patients (age range: 67
to 74 years) who did not have known comorbidities that preclude the use of
intensive induction chemotherapy and were treated with VENCLEXTA in combination
with low-dose cytarabine. The CR rate was 33% (95% CI: 15%, 57%). The CRh rate
was 24% (95% CI: 8.2%, 47%). One patient (4.8%) subsequently received stem cell
transplant.