Nulojix Drug Information
Generic name: BELATACEPT
Selective T Cell Costimulation Blocker [EPC]
Uses of Nulojix
- NULOJIX is a selective T cell costimulation blocker indicated for prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving a kidney transplant. (1.1)
- Use in combination with basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids. (1.1) Limitations of Use :
- Use only in patients who are EBV seropositive. (1.2 , 4 , 5.1)
- Use has not been established for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in transplanted organs other than the kidney. (1.2 , 5.6) 1.1 Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients NULOJIX ® (belatacept) is indicated for prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult patients receiving a kidney transplant. NULOJIX is to be used in combination with basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids. 1.2 Limitations of Use Use NULOJIX only in patients who are EBV seropositive [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Use of NULOJIX for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in transplanted organs other than kidney has not been established [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] .
Dosage & Administration of Nulojix
| Day 1 (day of transplantation, prior to implantation) and Day 5 (approximately 96 hours after Day 1 dose) | 10 mg per kg |
|---|---|
| End of Week 2 and Week 4 after transplantation | 10 mg per kg |
| End of Week 8 and Week 12 after transplantation | 10 mg per kg |
| End of Week 16 after transplantation and every 4 weeks (plus or minus 3 days) thereafter | 5 mg per kg |
Side Effects of Nulojix
- The most serious adverse reactions reported with NULOJIX are:
- PTLD, predominantly CNS PTLD, and other malignancies [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.3) ]
- Serious infections, including JC virus-associated PML and polyoma virus nephropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4 , 5.5 , 5.6) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥20% on NULOJIX treatment) are anemia, diarrhea, urinary tract infection, peripheral edema, constipation, hypertension, pyrexia, graft dysfunction, cough, nausea, vomiting, headache, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, and leukopenia. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bristol-Myers Squibb at 1-800-721-5072 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates observed cannot be directly compared to rates in other trials and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The data described below primarily derive from two randomized, active-controlled three-year trials of NULOJIX in de novo kidney transplant patients. In Study 1 and Study 2, NULOJIX was studied at the recommended dose and frequency [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] in a total of 401 patients compared to a cyclosporine control regimen in a total of 405 patients. These two trials also included a total of 403 patients treated with a NULOJIX regimen of higher cumulative dose and more frequent dosing than recommended [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . All patients also received basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids. Patients were treated and followed for three years. CNS PTLD, PML, and other CNS infections were more frequently observed in association with a NULOJIX regimen of higher cumulative dose and more frequent dosing compared to the recommended regimen; therefore, administration of higher than the recommended doses and/or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX is not recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) , Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . The average age of patients in Studies 1 and 2 in the NULOJIX recommended dose and cyclosporine control regimens was 49 years, ranging from 18 to 79 years. Approximately 70% of patients were male; 67% were white, 11% were black, and 22% other races. About 25% of patients were from the United States and 75% from other countries. The most commonly reported adverse reactions occurring in ≥20% of patients treated with the recommended dose and frequency of NULOJIX were anemia, diarrhea, urinary tract infection, peripheral edema, constipation, hypertension, pyrexia, graft dysfunction, cough, nausea, vomiting, headache, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, and leukopenia. The proportion of patients who discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions was 13% for the recommended NULOJIX regimen and 19% for the cyclosporine control arm through three years of treatment. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation in NULOJIX-treated patients were cytomegalovirus infection (1.5%) and complications of transplanted kidney (1.5%). Information on selected significant adverse reactions observed during clinical trials is summarized below. Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Reported cases of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) up to 36 months post-transplant were obtained for NULOJIX by pooling both dosage regimens of NULOJIX in Studies 1 and 2 (804 patients) with data from a third study in kidney transplantation (Study 3, 145 patients) which evaluated two NULOJIX dosage regimens similar, but slightly different, from those of Studies 1 and 2 (see Table 2). The total number of NULOJIX patients from these three studies (949) was compared to the pooled cyclosporine control groups from all three studies (476 patients). Among 401 patients in Studies 1 and 2 treated with the recommended regimen of NULOJIX and the 71 patients in Study 3 treated with a very similar (but non-identical) NULOJIX regimen, there were 5 cases of PTLD: 3 in EBV seropositive patients and 2 in EBV seronegative patients. Two of the 5 cases presented with CNS involvement. Among the 477 patients in Studies 1, 2, and 3 treated with the NULOJIX regimen of higher cumulative dose and more frequent dosing than recommended, there were 8 cases of PTLD: 2 in EBV seropositive patients and 6 in EBV seronegative or serostatus unknown patients. Six of the 8 cases presented with CNS involvement. Therefore, administration of higher than the recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX is not recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . One of the 476 patients treated with cyclosporine developed PTLD, without CNS involvement. All cases of PTLD reported up to 36 months post-transplant in NULOJIX- or cyclosporine-treated patients presented within 18 months of transplantation. Overall, the rate of PTLD in 949 patients treated with any of the NULOJIX regimens was 9-fold higher in those who were EBV seronegative or EBV serostatus unknown (8/139) compared to those who were EBV seropositive (5/810 patients). Therefore NULOJIX is recommended for use only in patients who are EBV seropositive [see Boxed Warning and Contraindications (4) ] . Table 2: Summary of PTLD Reported in Studies 1, 2, and 3 Through Three Years of Treatment NULOJIX Nonrecommended Regimen a (N=477) NULOJIX Recommended Regimen b (N=472) Cyclosporine (N=476) Trial EBV Positive (n=406) EBV Negative (n=43) EBV Unknown (n=28) EBV Positive (n=404) EBV Negative (n=48) EBV Unknown (n=20) EBV Positive (n=399) EBV Negative (n=57) EBV Unknown (n=20) a Regimen with higher cumulative dose and more frequent dosing than the recommended NULOJIX regimen. b In Studies 1 and 2 the NULOJIX regimen is identical to the recommended regimen, but is slightly different in Study 3. Study 1 CNS PTLD 1 1 Non-CNS PTLD 1 2 1 Study 2 CNS PTLD 1 1 1 1 Non-CNS PTLD 1 Study 3 CNS PTLD 2 Non-CNS PTLD 1 Total (%) 2 (0.5) 5 (11.6) 1 (3.6) 3 (0.7) 2 (4.1) 0 0 1 (1.8) 0 PTLD in EBV Seropositive Subpopulation Among the 806 EBV seropositive patients with known CMV serostatus treated with either NULOJIX regimen in Studies 1, 2, and 3, 2% (4/210) of CMV seronegative patients developed PTLD compared to 0.2% (1/596) of CMV seropositive patients. Among the 404 EBV seropositive recipients treated with the recommended dosage regimen of NULOJIX, 3 PTLD cases were detected among 99 CMV seronegative patients (3%) and there was no case detected among 303 CMV seropositive patients. The clinical significance of CMV serology as a risk factor for PTLD remains to be determined; however, these findings should be considered when prescribing NULOJIX [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Other Malignancies Malignancies, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer and PTLD, were reported in Study 1 and Study 2 in 3.5% (14/401) of patients treated with the recommended NULOJIX regimen and 3.7% (15/405) of patients treated with the cyclosporine control regimen. Non-melanoma skin cancer was reported in 1.5% (6/401) of patients treated with the recommended NULOJIX regimen and in 3.7% (15/405) of patients treated with cyclosporine [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Two fatal cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) have been reported among 1096 patients treated with a NULOJIX-containing regimen: 1 patient in clinical trials of kidney transplant (Studies 1, 2, and 3 described above) and 1 patient in a trial of liver transplant (trial of 250 patients). No cases of PML were reported in patients treated with the recommended NULOJIX regimen or the control regimen in these trials. The kidney transplant recipient was treated with the NULOJIX regimen of higher cumulative dose and more frequent dosing than recommended, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and corticosteroids for two years. The liver transplant recipient was treated with 6 months of a NULOJIX dosage regimen that was more intensive than that studied in kidney transplant recipients, MMF at doses higher than the recommended dose, and corticosteroids [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Bacterial, Mycobacterial, Viral, and Fungal Infections Adverse reactions of infectious etiology were reported based on clinical assessment by physicians. The causative organisms for these reactions are identified when provided by the physician. The overall number of infections, serious infections, and select infections with identified etiology reported in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen or the cyclosporine control in Studies 1 and 2 are shown in Table 3. Fungal infections were reported in 18% of patients receiving NULOJIX compared to 22% receiving cyclosporine, primarily due to skin and mucocutaneous fungal infections. Tuberculosis and herpes infections were reported more frequently in patients receiving NULOJIX than cyclosporine. Of the patients who developed tuberculosis through three years, all but one NULOJIX patient lived in countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Table 3: Overall Infections and Select Infections with Identified Etiology by Treatment Group Following One and Three Years of Treatment in Studies 1 and 2 a Up to Year 1 Up to Year 3 b NULOJIX Recommended Regimen N=401 n (%) Cyclosporine N=405 n (%) NULOJIX Recommended Regimen N=401 n (%) Cyclosporine N=405 n (%) a Studies 1 and 2 were not designed to support comparative claims for NULOJIX for the adverse reactions reported in this table. b Median exposure in days for pooled studies: 1203 for NULOJIX recommended regimen and 1163 for cyclosporine in Studies 1 and 2. c All infections include bacterial, viral, fungal, and other organisms. For infectious adverse reactions, the causative organism is reported if specified by the physician in the clinical trials. d A medically important event that may be life-threatening or result in death or hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization. Infections not meeting these criteria are considered non-serious. e BK virus-associated nephropathy was reported in 6 NULOJIX patients (4 of which resulted in graft loss) and 6 cyclosporine patients (none of which resulted in graft loss) by Year 3. f Most herpes infections were non-serious and 1 led to treatment discontinuation. All infections c 287 (72) 299 (74) 329 (82) 327 (81) Serious infections d 98 (24) 113 (28) 144 (36) 157 (39) CMV 44 (11) 52 (13) 53 (13) 56 (14) Polyoma virus e 10 (3) 23 (6) 17 (4) 27 (7) Herpes f 27 (7) 26 (6) 55 (14) 46 (11) Tuberculosis 2 (1) 1 (<1) 6 (2) 1 (<1) Infections Reported in the CNS Following three years of treatment in Studies 1 and 2, cryptococcal meningitis was reported in 1 patient out of 401 patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen (0.2%) and 1 patient out of the 405 treated with the cyclosporine control (0.2%). Six patients out of the 403 who were treated with the NULOJIX regimen of higher cumulative dose and more frequent dosing than recommended in Studies 1 and 2 (1.5%) were reported to have developed CNS infections, including 2 cases of cryptococcal meningitis, 1 case of Chagas encephalitis with cryptococcal meningitis, 1 case of cerebral aspergillosis, 1 case of West Nile encephalitis, and 1 case of PML (discussed above). Infusion Reactions There have been no reports of anaphylaxis or drug hypersensitivity in patients treated with NULOJIX in Studies 1 and 2 with up to three years of follow-up. However, milder infusion-related reactions within one hour of infusion were reported in 5% of patients treated with the recommended dose of NULOJIX, similar to the placebo rate. The most frequent reactions were hypotension and hypertension. A case of anaphylaxis was reported in the postmarketing experience [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Proteinuria At Month 1 after transplantation in Studies 1 and 2, the frequency of 2+ proteinuria on urine dipstick in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen was 33% (130/390) and 28% (107/384) in patients treated with the cyclosporine control regimen. The frequency of 2+ proteinuria was similar between the two treatment groups between one and three years after transplantation (<10% in both studies). There were no differences in the occurrence of 3+ proteinuria (<4% in both studies) at any time point, and no patients experienced 4+ proteinuria. The clinical significance of this increase in early proteinuria is unknown. Immunogenicity Antibodies directed against the belatacept molecule were assessed in 398 patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen in Studies 1 and 2 (212 of these patients were treated for at least two years). Of the 372 patients with immunogenicity assessment at baseline (prior to receiving belatacept treatment), 29 patients tested positive for anti-belatacept antibodies; 13 of these patients had antibodies to the modified cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Anti-belatacept antibody titers did not increase during treatment in these 29 patients. Eight (2%) patients developed antibodies during treatment with the NULOJIX recommended regimen. In the patients who developed antibodies during treatment, the median titer (by dilution method) was 8, with a range of 5 to 80. Of 56 patients who tested negative for antibodies during treatment and reassessed approximately 7 half-lives after discontinuation of NULOJIX, 1 tested antibody positive. Anti-belatacept antibody development was not associated with altered clearance of belatacept. Samples from 6 patients with confirmed binding activity to the modified cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) region of the belatacept molecule were assessed by an in vitro bioassay for the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Three of these 6 patients tested positive for neutralizing antibodies. However, the development of neutralizing antibodies may be underreported due to lack of assay sensitivity. The clinical impact of anti-belatacept antibodies (including neutralizing anti-belatacept antibodies) could not be determined in the studies. The data reflect the percentage of patients whose test results were positive for antibodies to belatacept in specific assays. The observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay sensitivity and specificity, assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to belatacept with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading. New-Onset Diabetes After Transplantation The incidence of new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) was defined in Studies 1 and 2 as use of an antidiabetic agent for ≥30 days or ≥2 fasting plasma glucose values ≥126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) post-transplantation. Of the patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen, 5% (14/304) developed NODAT by the end of one year compared to 10% (27/280) of patients on the cyclosporine control regimen. However, by the end of the third year, the cumulative incidence of NODAT was 8% (24/304) in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen and 10% (29/280) in patients treated with the cyclosporine regimen. Hypertension Blood pressure and use of antihypertensive medications were reported in Studies 1 and 2. By Year 3, one or more antihypertensive medications were used in 85% of NULOJIX-treated patients and 92% of cyclosporine-treated patients. At one year after transplantation, systolic blood pressures were 8 mmHg lower and diastolic blood pressures were 3 mmHg lower in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen compared to the cyclosporine control regimen. At three years after transplantation, systolic blood pressures were 6 mmHg lower and diastolic blood pressures were 3 mmHg lower in NULOJIX-treated patients compared to cyclosporine-treated patients. Hypertension was reported as an adverse reaction in 32% of NULOJIX-treated patients and 37% of cyclosporine-treated patients (see Table 4). Dyslipidemia Mean values of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides were reported in Studies 1 and 2. At one year after transplantation these values were 183 mg/dL, 50 mg/dL, 102 mg/dL, and 151 mg/dL, respectively, in 401 patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen and 196 mg/dL, 48 mg/dL, 108 mg/dL, and 195 mg/dL, respectively, in 405 patients treated with the cyclosporine control regimen. At three years after transplantation, the total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides were 176 mg/dL, 49 mg/dL, 100 mg/dL, and 141 mg/dL, respectively, in NULOJIX-treated patients compared to 193 mg/dL, 48 mg/dL, 106 mg/dL, and 180 mg/dL in cyclosporine-treated patients. The clinical significance of the lower mean triglyceride values in NULOJIX-treated patients at one and three years is unknown. Other Adverse Reactions Adverse reactions that occurred at a frequency of ≥10% in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen or cyclosporine control regimen in Studies 1 and 2 through three years are summarized by preferred term in decreasing order of frequency within Table 4. Table 4: Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥10% of Patients Treated with Either the NULOJIX Recommended Regimen or Control in Studies 1 and 2 Through Three Years a,b Adverse Reaction NULOJIX Recommended Regimen N=401 % Cyclosporine N=405 % a All randomized and transplanted patients in Studies 1 and 2. b Studies 1 and 2 were not designed to support comparative claims for NULOJIX for the adverse reactions reported in this table. Infections and Infestations Urinary tract infection 37 36 Upper respiratory infection 15 16 Nasopharyngitis 13 16 Cytomegalovirus infection 12 12 Influenza 11 8 Bronchitis 10 7 Gastrointestinal Disorders Diarrhea 39 36 Constipation 33 35 Nausea 24 27 Vomiting 22 20 Abdominal pain 19 16 Abdominal pain upper 9 10 Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Hyperkalemia 20 20 Hypokalemia 21 14 Hypophosphatemia 19 13 Dyslipidemia 19 24 Hyperglycemia 16 17 Hypocalcemia 13 11 Hypercholesterolemia 11 11 Hypomagnesemia 7 10 Hyperuricemia 5 12 Procedural Complications Graft dysfunction 25 34 General Disorders Peripheral edema 34 42 Pyrexia 28 26 Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Anemia 45 44 Leukopenia 20 23 Renal and Urinary Disorders Hematuria 16 18 Proteinuria 16 12 Dysuria 11 11 Renal tubular necrosis 9 13 Vascular Disorders Hypertension 32 37 Hypotension 18 12 Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders Cough 24 18 Dyspnea 12 15 Investigations Blood creatinine increased 15 20 Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Arthralgia 17 13 Back pain 13 13 Nervous System Disorders Headache 21 18 Dizziness 9 10 Tremor 8 17 Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Acne 8 11 Psychiatric Disorders Insomnia 15 18 Anxiety 10 11 Selected adverse reactions occurring in <10% from NULOJIX-treated patients in either regimen through three years in Studies 1 and 2 are listed below: Immune System Disorders: Guillain-Barré syndrome Infections and Infestations: see Table 3 Gastrointestinal Disorders: stomatitis, including aphthous stomatitis Injury, Poisoning, and Procedural Complications: chronic allograft nephropathy, complications of transplanted kidney, including wound dehiscence, arteriovenous fistula thrombosis Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: neutropenia Renal and Urinary Disorders: renal impairment, including acute renal failure, renal artery stenosis, urinary incontinence, hydronephrosis Vascular Disorders: hematoma, lymphocele Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: musculoskeletal pain Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: alopecia, hyperhidrosis Cardiac Disorders: atrial fibrillation 6.2 Postmarketing Experience 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. Immune System Disorder: Anaphylaxis Spontaneous reports during the postmarketing experience included a case of anaphylaxis, which was observed in a kidney transplant patient whose belatacept therapy had been interrupted for two months during treatment of a systemic varicella infection. When belatacept therapy was resumed, within five minutes after the start of the belatacept infusion the patient developed a generalized rash, pruritus, hypotension, atrial fibrillation, respiratory distress, and syncope, requiring medical treatment. Another belatacept infusion was attempted one month later, but was terminated when the patient experienced more pronounced symptoms of anaphylaxis and required medical treatment. Vascular Disorder: Venous Thrombosis of the Renal Allograft In postmarketing experience in de novo kidney transplant recipients, some with other predisposing risk factors for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft, venous thrombosis of the renal allograft has occurred when the initial dose of anti-thymocyte globulin, as immunosuppressive induction, was coadministered (at the same or nearly the same time) with the first dose of belatacept [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] . 6.3 Long-Term Extension Studies After completion of the 36-month studies, patients remaining on randomized therapy in Study 1 and Study 2 were eligible for enrollment in the long-term extension studies [see Clinical Studies (14.2 , 14.3 )] . No new adverse reactions were observed in the extension studies.
Warnings & Cautions for Nulojix
- Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD) : increased risk, predominantly involving the CNS; monitor for new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs and symptoms. (Boxed Warning , 4 , 5.1 , 5.6)
- Other malignancies : increased risk with all immunosuppressants; appears related to intensity and duration of use. Avoid prolonged exposure to UV light and sunlight. (5.3)
- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) : increased risk; consider in the diagnosis of patients reporting new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs and symptoms. Recommended doses of immunosuppressants should not be exceeded. (5.4)
- Other serious infections : increased risk of bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections and tuberculosis. Some infections were fatal. Polyoma virus-associated nephropathy can lead to kidney graft loss; consider reduction in immunosuppression. Evaluate for tuberculosis and initiate treatment for latent infection prior to NULOJIX use. Cytomegalovirus and pneumocystis prophylaxis are recommended after transplantation. (5.1 , 5.4 , 5.5)
- Liver transplant : use is not recommended. (5.6)
- Acute Rejection and Graft Loss with Corticosteroid Minimization : corticosteroid utilization should be consistent with the NULOJIX clinical trial experience. (2.1 , 5.7 , 14.1)
- Immunizations : avoid use of live vaccines during treatment. (5.8)
- Coadministration with Anti-Thymocyte Globulin: in de novo kidney transplant recipients, especially those with other predisposing risk factors for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft, coadministration (at the same or nearly the same time) with anti-thymocyte globulin may pose a risk for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft. ( 5.9 , 6.2 , 7.3 )
- Risk of Rejection with Conversion From a CNI Based Maintenance Regimen: conversion of maintenance kidney transplant recipients from a CNI based to NULOJIX based maintenance regimen increases the risk of acute rejection. Conversion of stable kidney transplant recipients from a CNI based maintenance therapy to a belatacept based maintenance therapy is not recommended unless the patient is CNI intolerant. (5.10) 5.1 Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder NULOJIX-treated patients have an increased risk for developing post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), predominantly involving the CNS, compared to patients on a cyclosporine-based regimen [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) , Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . As the total burden of immunosuppression is a risk factor for PTLD, higher than the recommended doses or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX and higher than recommended doses of concomitant immunosuppressive agents are not recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] . Physicians should consider PTLD in patients reporting new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs or symptoms. EBV Serostatus The risk of PTLD was higher in EBV seronegative patients compared to EBV seropositive patients. EBV seropositive patients are defined as having evidence of acquired immunity shown by the presence of IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA). Epstein-Barr virus serology should be ascertained before starting administration of NULOJIX, and only patients who are EBV seropositive should receive NULOJIX. Transplant recipients who are EBV seronegative, or with unknown serostatus, should not receive NULOJIX [see Boxed Warning and Contraindications (4) ] . Other Risk Factors Other known risk factors for PTLD include cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and T cell-depleting therapy. T cell-depleting therapies to treat acute rejection should be used cautiously. CMV prophylaxis is recommended for at least 3 months after transplantation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Patients who are EBV seropositive and CMV seronegative may be at increased risk for PTLD compared to patients who are EBV seropositive and CMV seropositive [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Since CMV seronegative patients are at increased risk for CMV disease (a known risk factor for PTLD), the clinical significance of CMV serology for PTLD remains to be determined; however, these findings should be considered when prescribing NULOJIX. 5.2 Management of Immunosuppression Only physicians experienced in management of systemic immunosuppressant therapy in transplantation should prescribe NULOJIX. Patients receiving the drug should be managed in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources. The physician responsible for the maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient [see Boxed Warning ] . 5.3 Other Malignancies Patients receiving immunosuppressants, including NULOJIX, are at increased risk of developing malignancies, in addition to PTLD, including the skin [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light should be limited by wearing protective clothing and using a sunscreen with a high protection factor. 5.4 Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an often rapidly progressive and fatal opportunistic infection of the CNS that is caused by the JC virus, a human polyoma virus. In clinical trials with NULOJIX, two cases of PML were reported in patients receiving NULOJIX at higher cumulative doses and more frequently than the recommended regimen, along with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and corticosteroids; one case occurred in a kidney transplant recipient and the second case occurred in a liver transplant recipient [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) , Adverse Reactions (6.1) , Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . As PML has been associated with high levels of overall immunosuppression, the recommended doses and frequency of NULOJIX and concomitant immunosuppressives, including MMF, should not be exceeded. Physicians should consider PML in the differential diagnosis in patients with new or worsening neurological, cognitive, or behavioral signs or symptoms. PML is usually diagnosed by brain imaging, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing for JC viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and/or brain biopsy. Consultation with a specialist (eg, neurologist and/or infectious disease) should be considered for any suspected or confirmed cases of PML. If PML is diagnosed, consideration should be given to reduction or withdrawal of immunosuppression taking into account the risk to the allograft. 5.5 Other Serious Infections Patients receiving immunosuppressants, including NULOJIX, are at increased risk of developing bacterial, viral (cytomegalovirus [CMV] and herpes), fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections. These infections may lead to serious, including fatal, outcomes [see Boxed Warning and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus is recommended for at least 3 months after transplantation. Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis jiroveci is recommended after transplantation. Tuberculosis Tuberculosis was more frequently observed in patients receiving NULOJIX than cyclosporine in clinical trials [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis and tested for latent infection prior to initiating NULOJIX. Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection should be initiated prior to NULOJIX use. Polyoma Virus Nephropathy In addition to cases of JC virus-associated PML [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] , cases of polyoma virus-associated nephropathy (PVAN), mostly due to BK virus infection, have been reported. PVAN is associated with serious outcomes; including deteriorating renal function and kidney graft loss [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Patient monitoring may help detect patients at risk for PVAN. Reductions in immunosuppression should be considered for patients who develop evidence of PVAN. Physicians should also consider the risk that reduced immunosuppression represents to the functioning allograft. 5.6 Liver Transplant Use of NULOJIX in liver transplant patients is not recommended [see Boxed Warning ] . In a clinical trial of liver transplant patients, use of NULOJIX regimens with more frequent administration of belatacept than any of those studied in kidney transplant, along with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and corticosteroids, was associated with a higher rate of graft loss and death compared to the tacrolimus control arms. In addition, two cases of PTLD involving the liver allograft (one fatal) and one fatal case of PML were observed among the 147 patients randomized to NULOJIX. The two cases of PTLD were reported among the 140 EBV seropositive patients (1.4%). The fatal case of PML was reported in a patient receiving higher than recommended doses of NULOJIX and MMF [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . 5.7 Acute Rejection and Graft Loss with Corticosteroid Minimization In postmarketing experience, use of NULOJIX in conjunction with basiliximab induction, MMF, and corticosteroid minimization to 5 mg per day between Day 3 and Week 6 post-transplant was associated with an increased rate and grade of acute rejection, particularly Grade III rejection. These Grade III rejections occurred in patients with 4 to 6 HLA mismatches. Graft loss was a consequence of Grade III rejection in some patients. Corticosteroid utilization should be consistent with the NULOJIX clinical trial experience [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . 5.8 Immunizations The use of live vaccines should be avoided during treatment with NULOJIX, including but not limited to the following: intranasal influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, oral polio, BCG, yellow fever, varicella, and TY21a typhoid vaccines. 5.9 Coadministration with Anti-Thymocyte Globulin In postmarketing experience in de novo kidney transplant recipients, some with other predisposing risk factors for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft, venous thrombosis of the renal allograft has occurred when the initial dose of anti-thymocyte globulin, as immunosuppressive induction, was coadministered (at the same or nearly the same time) with the first dose of belatacept. In such patients, the coadministration (at the same or nearly the same time) of anti-thymocyte globulin and belatacept may pose a risk for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft. If anti-thymocyte globulin (or any other cell-depleting induction treatment) and belatacept will be administered concomitantly, a twelve-hour interval between the two administrations is suggested. 5.10 Risk of Rejection with Conversion From a CNI Based Maintenance Regimen Conversion of patients receiving a CNI based maintenance regimen to a NULOJIX based maintenance regimen increases the risk of acute rejection. In two randomized controlled studies, kidney transplant recipients at least six months post-transplant and stable on a CNI based regimen who were converted to a belatacept based regimen experienced higher rejection rates mostly during the first year post-conversion than patients maintained on their CNI based regimens. Conversion of stable kidney transplant recipients from a CNI based maintenance therapy to a belatacept based maintenance therapy is not recommended unless the patient is CNI intolerant.
Drug Interactions with Nulojix
- 7.1 Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) Monitor for a need to adjust concomitant mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) dosage when a patient’s therapy is switched between cyclosporine and NULOJIX, as cyclosporine decreases mycophenolic acid (MPA) exposure by preventing enterohepatic recirculation of MPA while NULOJIX does not [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] :
- A higher MMF dosage may be needed after switching from NULOJIX to cyclosporine, since this may result in lower MPA concentrations and increase the risk of graft rejection.
- A lower MMF dosage may be needed after switching from cyclosporine to NULOJIX, since this may result in higher MPA concentrations and increase the risk for adverse reactions related to MPA (review the Full Prescribing Information for MMF). 7.2 Cytochrome P450 Substrates No dosage adjustments are needed for drugs metabolized via CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP3A, and CYP2C19 when coadministered with NULOJIX [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.3 Anti-Thymocyte Globulin Coadministration (at the same or nearly the same time) of anti-thymocyte globulin (or any other cell-depleting induction treatment) and belatacept in de novo kidney transplant recipients, especially those with other predisposing risk factors for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft, may pose a risk for venous thrombosis of the renal allograft [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] .
Pregnancy Safety for Nulojix
Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry To monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women who have received immunosuppressants including NULOJIX or whose partners have received NULOJIX, healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to register pregnant patients in the Transplant Pregnancy Registry International (TPR) by calling 1-877-955-6877. Risk Summary The data with NULOJIX use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform on drug-associated risk. Belatacept is known to cross the placenta of animals. Administration of belatacept to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis was not teratogenic at exposures approximately 16 and 19 times greater than that observed at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 10 mg per kg body weight administered over the first month of treatment, based on area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). In a pre- and postnatal development study in rats, treatment-related infections in dams were associated with increased pup mortality, presumably secondary to deteriorating maternal health, at exposures 3 times higher than that observed at MRHD . The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown; however, in the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects is 2 to 4% and of miscarriage is 15 to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies.
Data Animal Data In embryo-fetal development studies, daily intravenous administration of belatacept to pregnant rats and rabbits throughout the period of organogenesis did not produce adverse fetal effects at doses up to 200 mg per kg and 100 mg per kg, respectively (16 and 19 times the MRHD exposure, based on AUC). In a pre- and postnatal development study, daily intravenous administration of belatacept to rats from Day 6 of gestation through Day 20 of the lactation period was associated with maternal toxicity (infections) in a small percentage of dams at doses ≥20 mg per kg (3 times the MRHD exposure, based on AUC) resulting in increased pup mortality (up to 100% pup mortality in some dams). In pups that survived, there were no abnormalities or malformations at doses up to 200 mg per kg (19 times the MRHD exposure, based on AUC). In vitro data indicate that belatacept has lower binding affinity to CD80/CD86 and lower potency in rodents than in humans. Although the rat toxicity studies with belatacept were done at pharmacologically saturating doses, the in vivo difference in potency between rats and humans is unknown. Therefore, the relevance of the rat toxicities to humans and the significance of the magnitude of the relative exposures (rats:humans) are unknown.
Abatacept, a fusion protein that differs from belatacept by two amino acids, binds to the same ligands (CD80/CD86) and blocks T cell costimulation like belatacept, but is more active than belatacept in rodents. Therefore, toxicities identified with abatacept in rodents, including infections and autoimmunity, may be predictive of adverse effects in humans treated with belatacept . Autoimmunity was observed in 1 rat offspring exposed to abatacept in utero and/or during lactation and in juvenile rats after treatment with abatacept. However, the clinical relevance of autoimmunity in rats to patients or a fetus exposed in utero is unknown .
Pediatric Use of Nulojix
Pediatric Use The safety and efficacy of NULOJIX in patients under 18 years of age have not been established. Because T cell development continues into the teenage years, the potential concern for autoimmunity in neonates applies to pediatric use as well .
Contraindications for Nulojix
is contraindicated in transplant recipients who are Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seronegative or with unknown EBV serostatus due to the risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), predominantly involving the central nervous system (CNS) . Patients who are EBV seronegative or with unknown EBV serostatus.
Overdosage Information for Nulojix
Single doses up to 20 mg per kg of NULOJIX have been administered to healthy subjects without apparent toxic effect. The administration of NULOJIX of higher cumulative dose and more frequent dosing than recommended in kidney transplant patients resulted in a higher frequency of CNS-related adverse reactions . In case of overdosage, it is recommended that the patient be monitored for any signs or symptoms of adverse reactions and appropriate symptomatic treatment instituted.
Clinical Studies of Nulojix
Prevention of Organ Rejection in Kidney Transplant Recipients
The efficacy and safety of NULOJIX in de novo kidney transplantation were assessed in two open-label, randomized, multicenter, active-controlled trials (Study 1 and Study 2). These trials evaluated two dose regimens of NULOJIX, the recommended dosage regimen and a regimen with higher cumulative doses and more frequent dosing than the recommended dosage regimen, compared to a cyclosporine control regimen. All treatment groups also received basiliximab induction, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and corticosteroids. Treatment Regimen The NULOJIX recommended regimen consisted of a 10 mg per kg dose administered on Day 1 (the day of transplantation, prior to implantation), Day 5 (approximately 96 hours after the Day 1 dose), end of Weeks 2 and 4; then every four weeks through Week 12 after transplantation.
Starting at Week 16 after transplantation, NULOJIX was administered at the maintenance dose of 5 mg per kg every four weeks (plus or minus three days). NULOJIX was administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes . Basiliximab 20 mg was administered intravenously on the day of transplantation and four days later. The initial dose of MMF was 1 gram twice daily and was adjusted as needed, based on clinical signs of adverse events or efficacy failure. The protocol-specified dosing of corticosteroids in Studies 1 and 2 at Day 1 was methylprednisolone (as sodium succinate) 500 mg IV on arrival in the operating room, Day 2, methylprednisolone 250 mg IV, and Day 3, prednisone 100 mg orally.
Actual median corticosteroid doses used with the NULOJIX recommended regimen from Week 1 through Month 6 are summarized in the table below (Table 6). Table 6: Actual Corticosteroid a Dosing in Studies 1 and 2 Day of Dosing Median (Q1–Q3) Daily Dose b,c Study 1 Study 2 a Corticosteroid = prednisone or prednisolone. b The protocols allowed for flexibility in determining corticosteroid dose and rapidity of taper after Day 15. It is not possible to distinguish corticosteroid doses used to treat acute rejection versus doses used in a maintenance regimen. c Q1 and Q3 are the 25 th and 75 th percentiles of daily corticosteroid doses, respectively. Week 1 31.7 mg (26.7-50 mg) 30 mg (26.7-50 mg) Week 2 25 mg (20-30 mg) 25 mg (20-30 mg) Week 4 20 mg (15-20 mg) 20 mg (15-22.5 mg) Week 6 15 mg (10-20 mg) 16.7 mg (12.5-20 mg) Month 6 10 mg (5-10 mg) 10 mg (5-12.5 mg) Study 1 enrolled recipients of living donor and standard criteria deceased donor organs and Study 2 enrolled recipients of extended criteria donor organs. Standard criteria donor organs were defined as organs from a deceased donor with anticipated cold ischemia time of <24 hours and not meeting the definition of extended criteria donor organs.
Extended criteria donors were defined as deceased donors with at least one of the following: donor age ≥60 years; donor age ≥50 years and other donor comorbidities (≥2 of the following: stroke, hypertension, serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL); donation of organ after cardiac death; or anticipated cold ischemia time of the organ of ≥24 hours. Study 1 excluded recipients undergoing a first transplant whose current Panel Reactive Antibodies (PRA) were ≥50% and recipients undergoing a retransplantation whose current PRA were ≥30%; Study 2 excluded recipients with a current PRA ≥30%. Both studies excluded recipients with HIV, hepatitis C, or evidence of current hepatitis B infection; recipients with active tuberculosis; and recipients in whom intravenous access was difficult to obtain. Efficacy data are presented for the NULOJIX recommended regimen and cyclosporine regimen in Studies 1 and 2. The NULOJIX regimen with higher cumulative doses and more frequent dosing of belatacept was associated with more efficacy failures.
Higher doses and/or more frequent dosing of NULOJIX are not recommended . Study 1: Recipients of Living Donor and Standard Criteria Deceased Donor Kidneys In Study 1 (NCT00256750), 666 patients were enrolled, randomized, and transplanted: 226 to the NULOJIX recommended regimen, 219 to the NULOJIX regimen with higher cumulative doses and more frequent dosing than recommended, and 221 to cyclosporine control regimen. The median age was 45 years; 58% of organs were from living donors; 3% were re-transplanted; 69% of the study population was male; 61% of patients were white, 8% were black/African-American, 31% were categorized as of other races; 16% had PRA ≥10%; 41% had 4 to 6 HLA mismatches; and 27% had diabetes prior to transplant. The incidence of delayed graft function was similar in all treatment arms (14% to 18%). Premature discontinuation from treatment at the end of the first year occurred in 19% of patients receiving the NULOJIX recommended regimen and 19% of patients on the cyclosporine regimen.
Among the patients who received the NULOJIX recommended regimen, 10% discontinued due to lack of efficacy, 5% due to adverse events, and 4% for other reasons. Among the patients who received the cyclosporine regimen, 9% discontinued due to adverse events, 5% due to lack of efficacy, and 5% for other reasons. At the end of three years, 25% of patients receiving the NULOJIX recommended regimen and 34% of patients receiving the cyclosporine regimen had discontinued from treatment.
Among the patients who received the NULOJIX recommended regimen, 12% discontinued due to lack of efficacy, 7% due to adverse events, and 6% for other reasons. Among the patients who received the cyclosporine regimen, 15% discontinued due to adverse events, 8% due to lack of efficacy, and 11% for other reasons. Assessment of Efficacy Table 7 summarizes the results of Study 1 following one and three years of treatment with the NULOJIX recommended dosage regimen and the cyclosporine control regimen.
Efficacy failure at one year was defined as the occurrence of biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR), graft loss, death, or lost to follow-up. BPAR was defined as histologically confirmed acute rejection by a central pathologist on a biopsy done for any reason, whether or not accompanied by clinical signs of rejection. Patient and graft survival was also assessed separately.
Table 7: Efficacy Outcomes by Years 1 and 3 for Study 1: Recipients of Living and Standard Criteria Deceased Donor Kidneys Parameter NULOJIX Recommended Regimen N=226 n (%) Cyclosporine (CSA) N=221 n (%) NULOJIX-CSA (97.3% CI) a Patients may have experienced more than one event. b Patients known to be alive with a functioning graft. Efficacy Failure by Year 1 49 37 4.9 (−3.3, 13.2) Components of Efficacy Failure a Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection 45 23 Graft Loss 5 8 Death 4 7 Lost to follow-up 0 1 Efficacy Failure by Year 3 58 57 −0.1 (−9.3, 9) Components of Efficacy Failure a Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection 50 31 Graft Loss 9 10 Death 10 15 Lost to follow-up 2 5 Patient and graft survival b Year 1 218 206 3.2 (−1.5, 8.4) Year 3 206 192 4.3 (−2.2, 10.8) In Study 1, the rate of BPAR at one year and three years was higher in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen than the cyclosporine regimen. Of the patients who experienced BPAR with NULOJIX, 70% experienced BPAR by Month 3, and 84% experienced BPAR by Month 6. By three years, recurrent BPAR occurred with similar frequency across treatment groups (<3%). The component of BPAR determined by biopsy only (subclinical protocol-defined acute rejection) was 5% in both treatment groups.
Patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen experienced episodes of BPAR classified as Banff grade IIb or higher (6% at one year and 7% at three years) more frequently compared to patients treated with the cyclosporine regimen (2% at one year and 2% at three years). Also, T cell-depleting therapy was used more frequently to treat episodes of BPAR in NULOJIX-treated patients (10%; 23/226) compared to cyclosporine-treated patients (2%; 5/221). At Month 12, the difference in mean calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between patients with and without history of BPAR was 19 mL/min/1.73 m 2 among NULOJIX-treated patients compared to 7 mL/min/1.73 m 2 among cyclosporine-treated patients. By three years, 22% (11/50) of NULOJIX-treated patients with a history of BPAR experienced graft loss and/or death compared to 10% (3/31) of cyclosporine-treated patients with a history of BPAR; at that time point, 10% (5/50) of NULOJIX-treated patients experienced graft loss and 12% (6/50) of NULOJIX-treated patients had died following an episode of BPAR, whereas 7% (2/31) of cyclosporine-treated patients experienced graft loss and 7% (2/31) of cyclosporine-treated patients had died following an episode of BPAR. The overall prevalence of donor-specific antibodies was 5% and 11% for the NULOJIX recommended regimen and cyclosporine, respectively, up to 36 months post-transplant. While the difference in GFR in patients with BPAR versus those without BPAR was greater in patients treated with NULOJIX than cyclosporine, the mean GFR following BPAR was similar in NULOJIX (49 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) and cyclosporine treated patients (43 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) at one year.
The relationship between BPAR, GFR, and patient and graft survival is unclear due to the limited number of patients who experienced BPAR, differences in renal hemodynamics (and, consequently, GFR) across maintenance immunosuppression regimens, and the high rate of switching treatment regimens after BPAR. Assessment of Efficacy in the EBV Seropositive Subpopulation NULOJIX is recommended for use only in EBV seropositive patients . In Study 1, approximately 87% of patients were EBV seropositive prior to transplant. Efficacy results in the EBV seropositive subpopulation were consistent with those in the total population studied. By one year, the efficacy failure rate in the EBV seropositive population was 21% (42/202) in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen and 17% (31/184) in patients treated with cyclosporine (difference=4%, 97.3% CI ). Patient and graft survival was 98% (198/202) in NULOJIX-treated patients and 92% (170/184) in cyclosporine-treated patients (difference=5.6%, 97.3% CI ). By three years, efficacy failure was 25% in both treatment groups and patient and graft survival was 94% (187/202) in NULOJIX-treated patients compared with 88% (162/184) in cyclosporine-treated patients (difference=4.6%, 97.3% CI ). Assessment of Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) was measured at one and two years and was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula at one, two, and three years after transplantation.
As shown in Table 8, both measured and calculated GFR was higher in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen compared to patients treated with the cyclosporine control regimen at all time points. As shown in Figure 1, the differences in GFR were apparent in the first month after transplant and were maintained up to three years (36 months). An analysis of change of calculated mean GFR between three and 36 months demonstrated an increase of 0.8 mL/min/year (95% CI ) for NULOJIX-treated patients and a decrease of 2.2 mL/min/year (95% CI ) for cyclosporine-treated patients. Table 8: Measured and Calculated GFR for Study 1: Recipients of Living and Standard Criteria Deceased Donor Kidneys Parameter NULOJIX Recommended Regimen N=226 Cyclosporine (CSA) N=221 NULOJIX-CSA (97.3% CI) a GFR was measured using the cold-iothalamate method. b Measured GFR was not assessed at Year 3. c GFR was calculated using the MDRD formula.
Measured GFR a mL/min/1.73 m 2 mean (SD) Year 1 63.4 50.4 13.0 (n=206) (n=199) Year 2 b 67.9 50.5 17.4 (n=199) (n=185) Calculated GFR c mL/min/1.73 m 2 mean (SD) Year 1 65.4 50.1 15.3 (n=200) (n=199) Year 2 65.4 47.9 17.5 (n=201) (n=182) Year 3 65.8 44.4 21.4 (n=190) (n=171) Figure 1: Calculated (MDRD) GFR Through Month 36; Study 1: Recipients of Living and Standard Criteria Deceased Donor Kidneys Figure 1 Assessment of Chronic Allograft Nephropathy (CAN) The prevalence of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) at one year, as defined by the Banff ’97 classification system, was 24% (54/226) in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen and in 32% (71/219) of patients treated with the cyclosporine control regimen. CAN was not evaluated after the first year following transplantation. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.
Study 2: Recipients of Extended Criteria Donor Kidneys In Study 2 (NCT00114777), 543 patients were enrolled, randomized, and transplanted: 175 to the NULOJIX recommended regimen, 184 to the NULOJIX regimen with higher cumulative doses and more frequent dosing than recommended, and 184 to the cyclosporine control regimen. The median age was 58 years; 67% of the study population was male; 75% of patients were white, 13% were black/African-American, 12% were categorized as of other races; 3% had PRA ≥10%; 53% had 4 to 6 HLA mismatches; and 29% had diabetes prior to transplantation. The incidence of delayed graft function was similar in all treatment arms (47% to 49%). Premature discontinuation from treatment at the end of the first year occurred in 25% of patients receiving the NULOJIX recommended regimen and 30% of patients receiving the cyclosporine control regimen.
Among the patients who received the NULOJIX recommended regimen, 14% discontinued due to adverse events, 9% due to lack of efficacy, and 2% for other reasons. Among the patients who received the cyclosporine regimen, 17% discontinued due to adverse events, 7% due to lack of efficacy, and 6% for other reasons. At the end of three years, 35% of patients receiving the NULOJIX recommended regimen and 44% of patients receiving the cyclosporine regimen had discontinued from treatment.
Among the patients who received the NULOJIX recommended regimen, 20% discontinued due to adverse events, 9% due to lack of efficacy, and 6% for other reasons. Among the patients who received the cyclosporine regimen, 25% discontinued due to adverse events, 10% due to lack of efficacy, and 10% for other reasons. Assessment of Efficacy Table 9 summarizes the results of Study 2 following one and three years of treatment with the NULOJIX recommended dosage regimen and the cyclosporine control regimen.
Efficacy failure at one year was defined as the occurrence of biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR), graft loss, death, or lost to follow-up. BPAR was defined as histologically confirmed acute rejection by a central pathologist on a biopsy done for any reason, whether or not accompanied by clinical signs of rejection. Patient and graft survival was also assessed.
Table 9: Efficacy Outcomes by Years 1 and 3 for Study 2: Recipients of Extended Criteria Donor Kidneys Parameter NULOJIX Recommended Regimen N=175 n (%) Cyclosporine (CSA) N=184 n (%) NULOJIX-CSA (97.3% CI) a Patients may have experienced more than one event. b Patients known to be alive with a functioning graft. Efficacy Failure by Year 1 51 52 0.9 (−9.7, 11.5) Components of Efficacy Failure a Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection 37 34 Graft Loss 16 20 Death 5 8 Lost to follow-up 0 2 Efficacy Failure by Year 3 63 68 −1.0 (−12.1, 10.3) Components of Efficacy Failure a Biopsy Proven Acute Rejection 42 42 Graft Loss 21 23 Death 15 17 Lost to follow-up 1 5 Patient and graft survival b Year 1 155 157 3.2 (−4.8, 11.3) Year 3 143 143 4.0 (−5.4, 13.4) In Study 2, the rate of BPAR at one year and three years was similar in patients treated with NULOJIX and cyclosporine. Of the patients who experienced BPAR with NULOJIX, 62% experienced BPAR by Month 3, and 76% experienced BPAR by Month 6. By three years, recurrent BPAR occurred with similar frequency across treatment groups (<3%). The component of BPAR determined by biopsy only (subclinical protocol-defined acute rejection) was 5% in both treatment groups.
A similar proportion of patients in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group experienced BPAR classified as Banff grade IIb or higher (5% at one year and 6% at three years) compared to patients treated with the cyclosporine regimen (4% at one year and 5% at three years). Also, T cell-depleting therapy was used with similar frequency to treat any episode of BPAR in NULOJIX-treated patients (5% or 9/175) compared to cyclosporine-treated patients (4% or 7/184). At Month 12, the difference in mean calculated GFR between patients with and without a history of BPAR was 10 mL/min/1.73 m 2 among NULOJIX-treated patients compared to 14 mL/min/1.73 m 2 among cyclosporine-treated patients. By three years, 24% (10/42) of NULOJIX-treated patients with a history of BPAR experienced graft loss and/or death compared to 31% (13/42) of cyclosporine-treated patients with a history of BPAR; at that time point, 17% (7/42) of NULOJIX-treated patients experienced graft loss and 14% (6/42) of NULOJIX-treated patients had died following an episode of BPAR, whereas 19% (8/42) of cyclosporine-treated patients experienced graft loss and 19% (8/42) of cyclosporine-treated patients had died following an episode of BPAR. The overall prevalence of donor-specific antibodies was 6% and 15% for the NULOJIX recommended regimen and cyclosporine, respectively, up to 36 months post-transplant. The mean GFR following BPAR was 36 mL/min/1.73 m 2 in NULOJIX patients and 24 mL/min/1.73 m 2 in cyclosporine-treated patients at one year.
The relationship between BPAR, GFR, and patient and graft survival is unclear due to the limited number of patients who experienced BPAR, differences in renal hemodynamics (and, consequently, GFR) across maintenance immunosuppression regimens, and the high rate of switching treatment regimens after BPAR. Assessment of Efficacy in the EBV Seropositive Subpopulation NULOJIX is recommended for use only in EBV seropositive patients . In Study 2, approximately 91% of the patients were EBV seropositive prior to transplant. Efficacy results in the EBV seropositive subpopulation were consistent with those in the total population studied. By one year, the efficacy failure rate in the EBV seropositive population was 29% (45/156) in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen and 28% (47/168) in patients treated with cyclosporine (difference=0.8%, 97.3% CI ). Patient and graft survival rate in the EBV seropositive population was 89% (139/156) in the NULOJIX-treated patients and 86% (144/168) in cyclosporine-treated patients (difference=3.4%, 97.3% CI ). By three years, efficacy failure was 35% (54/156) in NULOJIX-treated patients and 36% (61/168) in cyclosporine-treated patients.
Patient and graft survival was 83% (130/156) in NULOJIX-treated patients compared with 77% (130/168) in cyclosporine-treated patients (difference=5.9%, 97.3% CI ). Assessment of Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) was measured at one and two years and was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula at one, two, and three years after transplantation. As shown in Table 10, both measured and calculated GFR was higher in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen compared to patients treated with the cyclosporine control regimen at all time points. As shown in Figure 2, the differences in GFR were apparent in the first month after transplant and were maintained up to three years (36 months). An analysis of change of calculated mean GFR between Month 3 and Month 36 demonstrated a decrease of 0.8 mL/min/year (95% CI ) for NULOJIX-treated patients and a decrease of 2.0 mL/min/year (95% CI ) for cyclosporine-treated patients.
Table 10: Measured and Calculated GFR for Study 2: Recipients of Extended Criteria Donor Kidneys Parameter NULOJIX Recommended Regimen N=175 Cyclosporine (CSA) N=184 NULOJIX-CSA (97.3% CI) a GFR was measured using the cold-iothalamate method. b Measured GFR was not assessed at Year 3. c GFR was calculated using the MDRD formula. Measured GFR a mL/min/1.73 m 2 mean (SD) Year 1 49.6 45.2 4.3 (−1.5, 10.2) (n=151) (n=154) Year 2 b 49.7 45.0 4.7 (−1.8, 11.3) (n=139) (n=136) Calculated GFR c mL/min/1.73 m 2 mean (SD) Year 1 44.5 36.5 8.0 (n=158) (n=159) Year 2 42.8 34.9 8.0 (n=158) (n=154) Year 3 42.2 31.5 10.7 (n=154) (n=143) Figure 2: Calculated (MDRD) GFR Through Month 36; Study 2: Recipients of Extended Criteria Donor Kidneys Figure 2 Assessment of Chronic Allograft Nephropathy (CAN) The prevalence of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) at one year, as defined by the Banff ’97 classification system, was 46% (80/174) in patients treated with the NULOJIX recommended regimen and 52% (95/184) of patients treated with the cyclosporine control regimen. CAN was not evaluated after the first year following transplantation.
The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.
Long-Term Extension (LTE) of Study 1 and Study 2
Although initially designed as three-year studies, Studies 1 and 2 were subsequently extended to seven years to provide descriptive long-term safety and efficacy data. Only patients who completed the assigned treatment for three years and consented to remain on the assigned treatment from three to seven years were eligible for the long-term extension (LTE) studies. Long-Term Extension of Study 1 In the LTE of Study 1, of the 666 originally randomized and transplanted patients, 457 (69%) patients enrolled into the LTE study: 73% (166/226) in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 71% (155/219) in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group, and 62% (136/221) in the cyclosporine group.
Fourteen (2%) patients who completed the assigned treatment at the end of Year 3 did not enroll into the LTE study: 4 in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 3 in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group, and 7 in the cyclosporine group. Of the 457 patients enrolled in the LTE study, 356 (79%) patients completed the assigned treatment at the end of Year 7: 82% (136/166) in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 83% (128/155) in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group, and 68% (92/136) in the cyclosporine group. The most common reasons for discontinuation from the LTE study included adverse events and death.
Seven (4.2%) deaths and 2 (1.2%) graft losses were reported in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group while 7 (4.5%) deaths and no graft loss were reported in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group, and 10 (7.4%) deaths and 6 (4.4%) graft losses were reported in the cyclosporine group. No PTLD was reported in the NULOJIX groups while 1 case of non-CNS PTLD was reported in the cyclosporine group, in a patient who was EBV seropositive at the time of transplant. No PML was reported in the NULOJIX groups while 1 case of PML was reported in the cyclosporine group at 82 months post-transplant (56 days after discontinuing therapy). The higher calculated GFR observed in NULOJIX-treated patients compared to cyclosporine-treated patients during the first three years was maintained during the LTE period.
Table 11: Events Reported in Long-Term Extension from 36 to 84 Months Post-Transplant of Study 1: Recipients of Living and Standard Criteria Deceased Donor Kidneys NULOJIX Recommended Regimen N=166 n (%) NULOJIX Nonrecommended Regimen N=155 n (%) Cyclosporine N=136 n (%) a This patient was EBV seropositive at the time of transplant. Death 7 7 10 Graft Loss 2 0 6 Death or Graft Loss 9 7 14 PTLD 0 0 1 a PML 0 0 1 Long-Term Extension of Study 2 In the LTE of Study 2, of the 543 originally randomized and transplanted patients, 304 (56%) patients enrolled into the LTE study: 65% (113/175) in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 57% (104/184) in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group, and 47% (87/184) in the cyclosporine group. Nineteen (3.5%) patients who completed the assigned treatment at the end of Year 3 did not enroll into the LTE study: 1 in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 5 in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group, and 13 in the cyclosporine group.
Of the 304 patients enrolled in the LTE study, 215 (71%) patients completed the assigned treatment at the end of Year 7: 74% (84/113) in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 71% (74/104) in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group, and 66% (57/87) in the cyclosporine group. The most common reasons for discontinuation from the LTE study included adverse events and death. Twenty-one (18.6%) deaths and 1 (0.9%) graft loss were reported in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group while 14 (13.5%) deaths and 2 (1.9%) graft losses were reported in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group, and 9 (10.3%) deaths and 6 (6.9%) graft losses were reported in the cyclosporine group.
Six cases of PTLD were reported among the three treatment groups: 4 in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 1 in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group, and 1 in the cyclosporine group. Three of these cases (1 in each treatment group) occurred in patients who were EBV seropositive at the time of transplant and the other 3 cases (in NULOJIX recommended regimen) occurred in patients who were EBV seronegative. No case of PML was reported among the three treatment groups.
The higher mean calculated GFR observed in NULOJIX-treated patients compared to cyclosporine-treated patients during the first three years was maintained during the LTE period. Table 12: Events Reported in Long-Term Extension from 36 to 84 Months Post-Transplant of Study 2: Recipients of Extended Criteria Donor Kidneys NULOJIX Recommended Regimen N=113 n (%) NULOJIX Nonrecommended Regimen N=104 n (%) Cyclosporine N=87 n (%) a Three of these patients were EBV seronegative at the time of transplant. Death 21 14 9 Graft Loss 1 2 6 Death or Graft Loss 22 16 14 PTLD 4 a 1 1 PML 0 0 0
Follow-Up Data of Patients with Complete 7-Year Patient and Graft Survival
In Study 1, of the original intention-to-treat (ITT) population (N=666), 72% (163/226) of patients in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 70% (153/219) of patients in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group and 60% (132/221) of patients in the cyclosporine group had complete 7-year patient and graft survival follow-up data. Among these completers, the proportion of patients who died or had graft loss was 17% (27/163) in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 16% (25/153) in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group and 30% (40/132) in the cyclosporine group. In Study 2, of the original ITT population (N=543), 79% (138/175) of patients in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 128/184 (70%) of patients in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group and 59% (108/184) of patients in the cyclosporine group had complete 7-year patient and graft survival follow-up data.
Among these completers, the proportion of patients who died or had graft loss was 39% (54/138) in the NULOJIX recommended regimen group, 42% (54/128) in the NULOJIX nonrecommended regimen group and 48% (52/108) in the cyclosporine group. Table 13: Events Reported in Patients with Complete 7-Year Patient and Graft Survival Follow-Up Data NULOJIX Recommended Regimen n (%) NULOJIX Nonrecommended Regimen n (%) Cyclosporine n (%) Study 1 N=163 N=153 N=132 Death 17 (10%) 17 (11%) 26 (20%) Graft Loss 11 (7%) 10 (7%) 17 (13%) Death or Graft Loss 27 (17%) 25 (16%) 40 (30%) Study 2 N=138 N=128 N=108 Death 37 (27%) 37 (29%) 29 (27%) Graft Loss 23 (17%) 21 (16%) 29 (27%) Death or Graft Loss 54 (39%) 54 (42%) 52 (48%)
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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