Kineret Drug Information

Active Rheumatoid Arthritis KINERET is indicated for the reduction in signs and symptoms and slowing the progression of structural damage in moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in patients 18 years of age or older who have failed 1 or more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). KINERET can be used alone or in combination with DMARDs other than Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocking agents.

Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) KINERET is indicated for the treatment of Neonatal-Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID).

Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) KINERET is indicated for the treatment of Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA)

Active Rheumatoid Arthritis

The recommended dose of KINERET for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 100 mg/day administered daily by subcutaneous injection. Higher doses did not result in a higher response. The dose should be administered at approximately the same time every day.

Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS)

The recommended starting dose of KINERET is 1-2 mg/kg for NOMID patients. The dose can be individually adjusted to a maximum of 8 mg/kg daily to control active inflammation. Adjust doses in 0.5 to 1 mg/kg increments.

Once daily administration is generally recommended, but the dose may be split into twice daily administrations. Each syringe is intended for a single use. A new syringe must be used for each dose.

Any unused portion after each dose should be discarded.

Renal Impairment Physicians should consider administration of the prescribed dose of KINERET every other day for patients who have severe renal insufficiency or end stage renal disease (defined as creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, as estimated from serum creatinine levels).

Administration Instructions on appropriate use should be given by the healthcare provider to the patient or caregiver. Patients or caregivers should not be allowed to administer KINERET until the patient or caregiver has demonstrated a thorough understanding of procedures and an ability to inject the product correctly. The prescribed dose of KINERET should be administered according to the instructions for use and any unused portions discarded.

After administration of KINERET it is essential to follow the proper procedure for disposal of syringes and any residual drug. Recommend patients to rotate their injection sites to reduce the risk of injection site reactions and injection site amyloid deposits. See the “Information for Patients” insert for detailed instructions on the handling and injection of KINERET.

Do not use KINERET beyond the expiration date shown on the carton. Visually inspect the solution for particulate matter and discoloration before administration. There may be trace amounts of small, translucent-to-white amorphous particles of protein in the solution.

The prefilled syringe should not be used if the solution is discolored or cloudy, or if foreign particulate matter is present. If the number of translucent-to-white amorphous particles in a given syringe appears excessive, do not use this syringe.

Clinical Studies Experience in RA

• The most serious adverse reactions were: Serious Infections – Neutropenia, particularly when used in combination with TNF blocking agents The most common adverse reaction with KINERET is injection-site reactions. These reactions were the most common reason for withdrawing from studies. Studies 1 and 4 used the recommended dose of 100 mg per day. The patients studied were representative of the general population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Injection-site Reactions The most common and consistently reported treatment-related adverse event associated with KINERET is injection-site reaction (ISR). The majority of ISRs were reported as mild (72.6% mild, 24.1% moderate and 3.2% severe). The ISRs typically lasted for 14 to 28 days and were characterized by 1 or more of the following: erythema, ecchymosis, inflammation, and pain. The incidence of serious infection over 1 year was 3% in KINERET-treated patients and 2% in patients receiving placebo. These infections consisted primarily of bacterial events such as cellulitis, pneumonia, and bone and joint infections. Majority of patients (73%) continued on study drug after the infection resolved. No serious opportunistic infections were reported. In open-label extension studies, the overall rate of serious infections was stable over time and comparable to that observed in controlled trials. In clinical studies and postmarketing experience, cases of opportunistic infections have been observed and included fungal, mycobacterial and bacterial pathogens. Infections have been noted in all organ systems and have been reported in patients receiving KINERET alone or in combination with immunosuppressive agents. In patients who received both KINERET and etanercept for up to 24 weeks, the incidence of serious infections was 7%. The most common infections consisted of bacterial pneumonia (4 cases) and cellulitis (4 cases). One patient with pulmonary fibrosis and pneumonia died due to respiratory failure. This is 3.6 fold higher than the rate of lymphomas expected in the general population, based on the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. 3 An increased rate of lymphoma, up to several fold, has been reported in the RA population, and may be further increased in patients with more severe disease activity. Thirty-seven malignancies other than lymphoma were observed. Of these, the most common were breast, respiratory system, and digestive system. There were 3 melanomas observed in Study 4 and its long-term open-label extension, greater than the 1 expected case. The significance of this finding is not known. While patients with RA, particularly those with highly active disease, may be at a higher risk (up to several fold) for the development of lymphoma, the role of IL-1 blockers in the development of malignancy is not known. Hematologic Events In placebo-controlled studies with KINERET, 8% of patients receiving KINERET had decreases in total white blood counts of at least one WHO toxicity grade, compared with 2% of placebo patients. Nine KINERET-treated patients (0.4%) developed neutropenia ANC < % of patients receiving KINERET had increases in eosinophil differential percentage of at least one WHO toxicity grade, compared with 3 % of placebo patients. While neutropenic, one patient developed cellulitis which recovered with antibiotic therapy. 2% of patients receiving KINERET had decreases in platelets, all of WHO toxicity grade one, compared to 0% of placebo patients. Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, urticaria, rash, and pruritus have been reported with KINERET. Immunogenicity As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. In Studies 1 and 4, from which data is available for up to 36 months, 49% of patients tested positive for anti-anakinra binding antibodies at one or more time points using a biosensor assay. Of the 13 patients with available follow-up data, 5 patients remained positive for neutralizing antibodies at the end of the studies. No correlation between antibody development and adverse events was observed. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assays. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors, including sample handling, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to KINERET with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading. Lipids Cholesterol elevations were observed in some patients treated with KINERET. Patients were treated with a starting dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg/day and an average maintenance dose of 3-4 mg/kg/day adjusted depending on the severity of disease. Among pediatric NOMID patients, doses up to 7.6 mg/kg/day have been maintained for up to 15 months. There were 24 serious adverse events (SAEs) reported in 14 of the 43 treated patients. The most common type of SAEs reported were infections. Five SAEs were related to lumbar puncture, which was part of the study procedure. There were no permanent discontinuations of study drug treatment due to AEs. Doses were adjusted in 5 patients because of AEs; all were dose increases in connection with disease flares. The reporting frequency of AEs was highest during the first 6 months of treatment. The incidence of AEs did not increase over time, and no new types of AEs emerged. The most commonly reported AEs during the first 6 months of treatment (incidence >10%) were injection site reaction (ISR), headache, vomiting, arthralgia, pyrexia, and nasopharyngitis ( Table 2 ). The most commonly reported AEs during the 60-month study period, calculated as the number of events/patient years of exposure, were arthralgia, headache, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and rash. The most common infections were upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, ear infections, and nasopharyngitis. There were no deaths or permanent treatment discontinuations due to infections. In one patient KINERET administration was temporarily stopped during an infection and in 5 patients the dose of KINERET was increased due to disease flares in connection with infections. Thirteen infections in 7 patients were classified as serious, the most common being pneumonia and gastroenteritis occurring in 3 and 2 patients, respectively. The reporting frequency for infections was highest in patients <12 years of age. Hematologic Events After start of KINERET treatment neutropenia was reported in 2 patients. One of these patients experienced an upper respiratory tract infection and an otitis media infection. Both episodes of neutropenia resolved over time with continued KINERET treatment. Injection Site Reactions In total, 17 injection site reactions (ISRs) were reported in 10 patients during the 60-month study period. No ISR was reported after Year 2 of treatment. No patient permanently or temporarily discontinued KINERET treatment due to injection site reactions. Immunogenicity The immunogenicity of KINERET in NOMID patients was not evaluated. Table 2. Most common (>10% of patients) treatment-emergent adverse events during the first 6 months of KINERET treatment The most common adverse reactions occurring after the first 6-month period of treatment with KINERET (up to 60 months of treatment) included: arthralgia, headache, pyrexia, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and rash.

Clinical Study Experience in DIRA

The safety data described in this section reflect exposure to KINERET in 9 patients with DIRA treated for up to 10 years in a natural history study (study 17-I-0016). Most patients received a starting dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg/day and thereafter doses were individually adjusted to reach a stable efficacious dose. The highest dose given was 7.5 mg/kg/day.

Overall, the safety profile observed in patients with DIRA treated with KINERET was consistent with the safety profile in NOMID patients. There were 16 serious adverse events (SAEs) reported in 4 out of 9 treated patients. The most common adverse events in patients with DIRA were upper respiratory tract infections, rash, pyrexia, influenza like illness and gastroenteritis.

Infections There were 16 infections in 5 patients (reporting rate: 0.28 infections / patient year). Hypersensitivity Reactions One patient with DIRA had a serious event of urticaria on day 10 of KINERET treatment. Injection Site Reactions There was one report of injection site pain, which did not cause discontinuation of KINERET treatment.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of KINERET. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Hepato-biliary disorders: elevations of transaminases, non-infectious hepatitis Hematologic events: thrombocytopenia, including severe thrombocytopenia (i.e platelet counts <10x10 9 /L) Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) injection site amyloid deposits

TNF Blocking Agents

A higher rate of serious infections has been observed in patients treated with concurrent KINERET and etanercept therapy than in patients treated with etanercept alone. Two percent of patients treated concurrently with KINERET and etanercept developed neutropenia (ANC < 1 x 10 9 /L). Use of KINERET in combination with TNF blocking agents is not recommended.

Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from retrospective studies and case reports on KINERET use in pregnant women are insufficient to identify a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or maternal and fetal adverse events. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with active rheumatoid arthritis or Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS). In animal reproduction studies, subcutaneous administration of anakinra to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis demonstrated no evidence of fetal harm at doses up to 25 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD).

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Published data suggest the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with rheumatoid arthritis or CAPS is associated with increased disease activity. Adverse pregnancy outcomes include preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation), low birth weight (<2500 grams), and small for gestational age at birth. Data Human Data The available data from retrospective studies and case reports of anakinra-exposed pregnancies have not identified an increased frequency or pattern of birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

An international multi-center retrospective study of pregnancy outcomes with interleukin-1 inhibitors reported on 23 anakinra-exposed pregnancies. There were 21 live births of healthy infants, 1 miscarriage, and 1 infant with left renal agenesis. The estimated background rate of detected renal malformations is 0.2-2% of all newborns.

Another retrospective study reported on 10 anakinra-exposed pregnancies in women with CAPS. There were 9 live births, 1 miscarriage, and 1 fetal demise in a twin pregnancy. The surviving twin was born healthy.

Overall, these data cannot definitively establish or exclude any anakinra-associated risks during pregnancy. Methodological limitations of these data include small sample size and the inability to control for confounders such as the timing of drug exposure, underlying maternal disease, and concomitant medication use. Animal Data Animal reproduction studies were conducted in rats and rabbits.

In these studies, anakinra at doses up to 25 times the MRHD (on a mg/kg basis at maternal subcutaneous doses up to 200 mg/kg/day) revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus.

A subcutaneous KINERET starting dose of 1–2 mg/kg/day was administered in all age groups. An average maintenance dose of 3–4 mg/kg/day was adequate to maintain clinical response throughout the study irrespective of age but a higher dose was, on occasion, required in severely affected patients. The prefilled syringe does not allow doses lower than 20 mg to be administered.

Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (DIRA) The study in DIRA patients included 9 pediatric patients (ages 1 month to 9 years at start of KINERET treatment). Most patients received a starting dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg/day. Doses up to 7.5 mg/kg/day were given.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) The safety and effectiveness of KINERET in the treatment of pediatric patients with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) have not been established. KINERET was studied in a single randomized, blinded multi-center trial in 86 patients with polyarticular course JRA; ages 2-17 years receiving a dose of 1 mg/kg subcutaneously daily, up to a maximum dose of 100 mg. A subset of these patients continued open-label treatment with KINERET for up to 1 year in a companion extension study.

An adverse event profile similar to that seen in adult RA patients was observed in these studies. These study data are insufficient to demonstrate efficacy and, therefore, KINERET is not recommended for pediatric use in JRA.

KINERET is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to E coli -derived proteins, KINERET, or any components of the product.

There have been no cases of overdose reported with KINERET in clinical trials of RA or NOMID. In sepsis trials no serious toxicities attributed to KINERET were seen when administered at mean calculated doses of up to 35 times those given patients with RA over a 72-hour treatment period.