Ojemda Drug Information
Generic name: TOVORAFENIB
Kinase Inhibitor [EPC]
Uses of Ojemda
is indicated for the treatment of patients 6 months of age and older with relapsed or refractory pediatric low-grade glioma (LGG) harboring a BRAF fusion or rearrangement, or BRAF V600 mutation. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s). OJEMDA is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients 6 months of age and older with relapsed or refractory pediatric low-grade glioma (LGG) harboring a BRAF fusion or rearrangement, or BRAF V600 mutation.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
Dosage & Administration of Ojemda
| 0.30-0.89 | Administer OJEMDA oral suspension once weekly (see |
|---|---|
| 0.90-1.12 | 400 mg once weekly |
| 1.13-1.39 | 500 mg once weekly |
| ≥ 1.40 | 600 mg once weekly |
Side Effects of Ojemda
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety population described in WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS reflects exposure to OJEMDA taken orally once weekly at a dose based on body surface area in 140 patients with relapsed or refractory pediatric LGG or advanced solid tumors harboring a RAF alteration and a flat dose of 600 mg in 32 adult patients with advanced solid tumors until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Among 172 patients treated with OJEMDA, 86% were exposed for 6 months or longer and 49% were exposed for 1 year or longer.
Pediatric Low-grade Glioma The safety of OJEMDA was evaluated in 137 patients with relapsed or refractory pediatric LGG harboring a BRAF alteration in FIREFLY-1 (Arms 1 and 2). Patients received OJEMDA at a dose based on body surface area orally once weekly until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The median age of patients was 9 years (range 1 to 24 years); 53% male; 58% White, 7% Asian, 2% Black or African American, 6% other races, 25% race was not reported; 2.9% were Hispanic or Latino; and 90% Karnofsky/Lansky performance status of 80 to 100. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 45% of patients who received OJEMDA. Serious adverse reactions in >2% of patients included viral infection (9%), pneumonia (4%), and sepsis (4%). A fatal adverse reaction of tumor hemorrhage occurred in 1 patient (1%). Permanent discontinuation of OJEMDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 7% of patients. Adverse reactions which resulted in permanent discontinuation of OJEMDA in more than one patient were tumor hemorrhage and reduction in growth velocity.
Dosage interruptions of OJEMDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 57% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dose interruption in ≥5% of patients included rash, pyrexia, vomiting, and hemorrhage. Dosage reductions of OJEMDA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 24% of patients.
Adverse reactions which required dose reduction in ≥2% of patients included rash, and fatigue. The most common adverse reactions (≥30%) were rash, hair color changes, fatigue, viral infection, vomiting, headache, hemorrhage, pyrexia, dry skin, constipation, nausea, dermatitis acneiform, and upper respiratory tract infection. The most common Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥2%) were decreased phosphate, decreased hemoglobin, increased creatine phosphokinase, increased alanine aminotransferase, decreased albumin, decreased lymphocytes, decreased leukocytes, increased aspartate transferase, decreased potassium, and decreased sodium.
Table 6 and Table 7 present adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, identified in FIREFLY-1 (Arms 1 and 2). Table 6 Adverse Reactions (≥20%) in Patients with Pediatric LGG Who Received OJEMDA in FIREFLY-1 (Arms 1 and 2) Adverse Reaction OJEMDA (N=137) All Grades (%) Grade 3 or 4 (%) Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Rash Includes terms erythema multiforme, eczema, rash erythematous, rash macular, rash follicular, rash pruritic, rash maculopapular, rash, rash papular, rash pustular, skin exfoliation, drug eruption, dermatitis, dermatitis bullous. 77 12 Hair color changes 76 0 Dry skin 36 0 Dermatitis acneiform 31 1 Pruritus 26 1 General Disorders Fatigue 55 4 Pyrexia 39 4 Edema Includes terms lip edema, periorbital edema, edema peripheral, localized edema, face edema, vulval edema. 26 0 Infections and Infestations Viral infection Includes terms viral infection, rhinovirus infection, enterovirus infection, viral upper respiratory tract infection, enterocolitis viral, oral herpes, gastroenteritis viral, influenza, influenza like illness, respiratory syncytial virus infection, enterovirus infection, coronavirus infection, COVID-19, SARS-COV-2 test positive, herpes simplex, parainfluenza virus infection, adenoviral upper respiratory infection, viraemia, adenovirus infection, conjunctivitis viral, eye infection viral, metapneumovirus infection, parvovirus infection, respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis, respiratory tract infection viral, viral pharyngitis, viral rhinitis, viral tonsillitis. 55 7 Upper respiratory tract infection 31
Paronychia 26 1.5 Gastrointestinal Disorders Vomiting Includes terms retching, hematemesis. 50 4
Constipation 33 0 Nausea 33 0 Abdominal pain 28 0 Diarrhea Includes terms colitis, enterocolitis. 22
Stomatitis Includes terms mouth ulceration, mucosal inflammation, aphthous ulcer, cheilitis. 20 0
Nervous system disorders Headache 45 1 Vascular Disorders Hemorrhage Includes terms tumor hemorrhage, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage, epistaxis, intracranial tumor hemorrhage, upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, vaginal hemorrhage, gingival bleeding, post procedural hemorrhage, hemoptysis, anal hemorrhage. 42 5 Includes one Grade 5 event. Other clinically important adverse reactions observed in <20% of patients treated with OJEMDA were reductions in growth velocity skin discoloration, myalgia, photosensitivity reaction , and arthralgia. Table 7 Select Laboratory Abnormalities (≥20%) that Worsened from Baseline in Patients with Pediatric LGG Who Received OJEMDA in FIREFLY-1 (Arms 1 and 2) Laboratory Abnormality Severity as defined by National Cancer Institute CTCAE v5.0 OJEMDA The denominator for each laboratory parameter is based on the number of patients with a baseline and post-treatment laboratory value available which ranged from 67 to 137 patients.
All Grades (%) Grade 3 or 4 (%) Hematology Decreased hemoglobin 90 15 Decreased lymphocytes 50 2 Decreased leukocytes 31 2 Increased lymphocytes 23 0 Chemistry Decreased phosphate 87 25 Increased AST 83 2 Increased creatine phosphokinase 83 11 Increased LDH 73 0 Decreased potassium 51 2 Increased ALT 50 5 Increased bilirubin 22 1 Decreased albumin 24 5 Decreased sodium 20 2 Increased creatine phosphokinase was a clinically important laboratory abnormality that worsened from baseline in patients treated with OJEMDA.
Warnings & Cautions for Ojemda
Hemorrhage Hemorrhage, including major hemorrhage defined as symptomatic bleeding in a critical
area or organ, can occur with OJEMDA. In the pooled safety population, hemorrhagic events occurred in 37% of patients, including epistaxis in 26% and intratumoral hemorrhage in 9%. Serious events of bleeding occurred in 5% of patients including Grade 5 tumor hemorrhage in 1 patient (0.6%). OJEMDA was permanently discontinued for hemorrhage in 2% of patients. Advise patients and caregivers of the risk of hemorrhage during treatment with OJEMDA. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hemorrhage and evaluate as clinically indicated. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon improvement, or permanently discontinue based on severity.
Skin Toxicity Including Photosensitivity
OJEMDA can cause rash, including maculopapular rash and photosensitivity. In the pooled safety population, rash occurred in 67% of patients treated with OJEMDA, including Grade 3 rash in 12%. Rash resulted in dose interruption in 15% of patients and dose reduction in 7% of patients. OJEMDA was permanently discontinued due to rash in 1% of patients (n=2). In the pooled safety population, dermatitis acneiform occurred in 26% of patients treated with OJEMDA, including Grade 3 dermatitis acneiform in 0.6% of patients (n=1). Dose reduction was required in 2% of patients (n=3) due to dermatitis acneiform.
Monitor for new or worsening skin reactions. Consider dermatologic consultation and initiate supportive care as clinically indicated. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue OJEMDA based on severity of adverse reaction.
Photosensitivity In the pooled safety population, photosensitivity occurred in 12% of patients treated with OJEMDA, including Grade 3 events in 0.6% of patients (n=1). Advise patients to use precautionary measures against ultraviolet exposure such as use of sunscreen, sunglasses, and/or protective clothing during treatment with OJEMDA. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue OJEMDA based on severity of adverse reaction.
Hepatotoxicity
OJEMDA can cause hepatotoxicity. In the pooled safety population , increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) occurred in 42% and increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) occurred in 74%, including Grade 3 ALT in 4% and increased AST in 2% of patients treated with OJEMDA. The median time to onset of increased ALT or AST was 14 days (range: 3 to 280 days). Increased ALT or AST leading to dose interruption occurred in 5% of patients and dose reductions were required in 1.2% of patients. Increased bilirubin occurred in 23% of patients, including Grade 3 increased bilirubin in 0.6% of patients (n=1) treated with OJEMDA. Hyperbilirubinemia leading to dose discontinuation occurred in a single adult patient with an advanced non-CNS solid tumor.
Monitor liver function tests, including ALT, AST and bilirubin, before initiation of OJEMDA, one month after initiation and then every three months thereafter and as clinically indicated. Withhold and resume at the same or reduced dose upon improvement, or permanently discontinue OJEMDA based on the severity.
Effect on Growth
OJEMDA can cause reductions in growth velocity. In FIREFLY-1 , treatment-emergent adverse effects on growth were reported in 46% of 133 patients 18 years of age or younger; 35% were Grade 3 or higher. Reduction in growth velocity resulted in dose interruption in 5% of patients, dose reduction in 2.3% of patients, and permanent discontinuation in 3% of patients.
The median change from baseline in height percentile was -14 (z-score change -0.6) for evaluable patients on study for 12 months (N=107) and -20 (z-score change -0.9) for evaluable patients on study for 18 months (N=95). Growth velocity improved after interruption of treatment with OJEMDA. Among 81 evaluable patients, the median annualized growth velocity ranged from 0.86 to 1.8 cm/year during the 2-year treatment period. Of those, 17 patients had height measurements recorded at least 90 days off-treatment and had a 4.2 cm/year median annualized growth velocity. Routinely monitor patient growth during treatment with OJEMDA.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, OJEMDA may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Tovorafenib was embryo lethal in rats at doses approximately 0.8-fold the human exposure at the recommended dose based on area under the curve (AUC). Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective nonhormonal contraception during treatment with OJEMDA and for 28 days after the last dose, since OJEMDA can render some hormonal contraceptives ineffective . Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with OJEMDA and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
NF1 Associated Tumors
Based on nonclinical data in NF1 models without BRAF alterations, tovorafenib may promote tumor growth in patients with NF1 tumors. Confirm evidence of a BRAF alteration prior to initiation of treatment with OJEMDA.
Drug Interactions with Ojemda
Effects of Other Drugs on
OJEMDA Table 8 describes drug interactions where coadministration with another drug affects OJEMDA. Table 8 Coadministration with Other Drugs that Affect the Use of OJEMDA Strong or Moderate CYP2C8 Inhibitors Prevention or Management Avoid coadministration of OJEMDA with a strong or moderate CYP2C8 inhibitor. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Tovorafenib is a CYP2C8 substrate. Strong or moderate CYP2C8 inhibitors are predicted to increase tovorafenib exposure based on a mechanistic understanding of its elimination, which may increase the risk of adverse reactions with OJEMDA. Strong or Moderate CYP2C8 Inducers Prevention or Management Avoid coadministration of OJEMDA with a strong or moderate CYP2C8 inducer.
Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Tovorafenib is a CYP2C8 substrate. Strong or moderate CYP2C8 inducers are predicted to decrease tovorafenib exposure based on a mechanistic understanding of its elimination, which may reduce the effectiveness of OJEMDA.
Effects of
OJEMDA on Other Drugs Table 9 describes drug interactions where coadministration with OJEMDA affects another drug. Table 9 Coadministration with OJEMDA that Affects the Use of Other Drugs CYP3A Substrates Prevention or Management Hormonal Contraceptives : Avoid coadministration of hormonal contraceptives with OJEMDA. If coadministration is unavoidable, use an additional effective nonhormonal contraceptive method during coadministration and for 28 days after discontinuation of OJEMDA. Other CYP3A Substrates: Avoid coadministration of OJEMDA with certain CYP3A substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious therapeutic failures. If coadministration is unavoidable, monitor patients for loss of efficacy unless otherwise recommended in the Prescribing Information for CYP3A substrates.
Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Tovorafenib is a CYP3A inducer. Tovorafenib is predicted to decrease exposure of certain CYP3A substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious therapeutic failures, which may reduce the effectiveness of these substrates. Coadministration with hormonal contraceptives (CYP3A substrate) may decrease progestin-x and ethinyl estradiol exposure, which may lead to contraceptive failure and/or an increase in breakthrough bleeding.
Pregnancy Safety for Ojemda
Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, OJEMDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data on the use of OJEMDA in pregnant women. Oral administration of tovorafenib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in embryo lethality at exposures 0.8 times the human exposure at the recommended dose based on AUC ( see Data ). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In an embryo-fetal development study, once daily oral administration of tovorafenib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 7 through 17 at doses of 37.5, 75, and 150 mg/kg resulted in early resorptions and total litter loss at all doses. The dose of 37.5 mg/kg/day is approximately 0.8-fold the human exposure at the recommended dose based on AUC.
Pediatric Use of Ojemda
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of OJEMDA in pediatric patients 6 months of age and older with relapsed or refractory pediatric LGG harboring a BRAF fusion or rearrangement, or BRAF V600 mutation have been established based on data from a multicenter, open-label, single-arm clinical trial . The efficacy of OJEMDA was evaluated in 76 patients with relapsed or refractory pediatric LGG. The safety of OJEMDA was evaluated in 137 patients with relapsed or refractory pediatric LGG in FIREFLY-1 (Arms 1 and 2). Of these 137 patients, 2% (n=3) were 6 month to < 2 years of age, 67% (n=92) were 2 years to < 12 years of age, and 31% (n=42) were >12 years of age. C max and AUC in pediatric patients aged 11 months to 17 years were within the range of values observed in adults given the same dose per body surface area. The safety and effectiveness of OJEMDA in patients younger than 6 months of age have not been established.
Effect on Growth Patients with pediatric LGG treated with OJEMDA for up to 24 months showed reductions from baseline in Z-scores for height compared to age and sex-matched normative data. Among 35 patients who experienced reductions in growth velocity who had hand radiographs taken to assess bone age, there was no evidence of premature closure of the epiphyseal growth plates or advancement of bone age. Patients followed after interruption of treatment with OJEMDA showed recovery of growth and increase in Z-scores.
Monitor growth routinely during treatment.
Clinical Studies of Ojemda
The efficacy of OJEMDA was evaluated in a multicenter, open-label, single-arm clinical trial (FIREFLY-1; NCT04775485). Eligible patients (N=76) were required to have a relapsed or refractory pediatric low-grade glioma (LGG) harboring an activating BRAF alteration based on local laboratory testing. Patients were also required to have at least one measurable lesion as defined by RANO 2010 criteria. All patients had received at least one line of prior systemic therapy and had documented evidence of radiographic progression.
Patients with tumors harboring additional activating molecular alteration(s) (e.g., IDH1/2 mutations, FGFR mutations, etc.) or patients with known or suspected diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) were excluded. Patients received OJEMDA approximately 420 mg/m 2 orally once weekly (range: 290 to 476 mg/m 2, 0.76-1.25 times the approved recommended dosage) according to body surface area with a maximum dose of 600 mg until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Although the OJEMDA dosages administered in FIREFLY-1 were between 290 mg/m 2 to 476 mg/m 2, the recommended OJEMDA dosage is 380 mg/m 2 orally once weekly because this dosage was determined to be safe and effective for the treatment of patients 6 months of age and older with relapsed or refractory pediatric LGG harboring a BRAF fusion or rearrangement, or BRAF V600 mutation.
Tumor assessments were performed every 12 weeks. The major efficacy outcome measure was overall response rate (ORR), defined as the proportion of patients with complete response (CR), partial response (PR), or minor response (MR) by blinded independent central review based on RAPNO-LGG (Response Assessment in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology) criteria. Additional efficacy outcome measures were duration of response, time to response, and ORR by independent review based on RANO-LGG criteria.
The efficacy population included 76 patients who had measurable disease at baseline and who received OJEMDA. The median age was 8.5 years (range 2 to 21 years); 53% were male; 61% White, 7% Asian, 2.6% Black or African American, 3.9% multiple races, 8% other race, 18% where race was not reported; 3.9% were Hispanic or Latino, and 93% had Karnofsky/Lansky performance status of 80 to 100. Patients received a median of 3 prior systemic regimens (range: 1 to 9). Forty-five patients (59%) received prior treatment with a MAP kinase pathway inhibitor. The most common tumor locations were the optic pathway (51%), deep midline structures (12%), brain stem (8%), cerebellum (7%), and cerebral hemisphere (5%). Fifty-six patients (74%) had a KIAA1549:BRAF fusion, twelve patients (16%) had a V600E mutation, and eight patients (11%) had a BRAF alteration classified as "other" including BRAF duplication or BRAF rearrangement. Efficacy results are shown in Table 10. Table 10 Efficacy Results in FIREFLY-1 Efficacy Parameter OJEMDA Efficacy Results Based on RAPNO-LGG criteria in FIREFLY-1 N=76 At least one measurable lesion at baseline based on RAPNO-LGG criteria.
Abbreviations: LGG = low-grade glioma; RAPNO = Response Assessment in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology; CI = confidence interval. Overall Response Rate ORR (95% CI) Based on Clopper-Pearson exact confidence interval. 53% Partial Response (PR), n (%) 29 Minor Response (MR), n (%) 11 Duration of Response (DoR) N=40 Median (95% CI) Based on Kaplan-Meier estimate., Months 18 % with observed DoR ≥ 12 months 65% % with observed DoR ≥ 18 months 50% Among responders, the median time to response was 5.4 months (range 1.6, 17.5). In exploratory analyses of BRAF alteration status, the ORR was 53% among patients with BRAF fusion or rearrangement (n=64), and 50% among patients with BRAF V600E mutation (n=12), respectively. In exploratory analyses of prior therapies, the ORR was 51% among patients who had received prior MAPK-targeted therapy (n=45), and 55% among patients who had not received prior MAPK-targeted therapy (n=31). Based on RANO-LGG criteria (n=76), the ORR was 54%, including 23 patients with PR and 18 patients with MR.
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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