Tasigna Drug Information
Generic name: NILOTINIB
Uses of Tasigna
Adult and Pediatric Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP Tasigna is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients greater than or equal to 1 year of age with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase.
Adult Patients With Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP Tasigna is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic phase and accelerated phase Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (Ph+ CML) resistant or intolerant to prior therapy that included imatinib.
Pediatric Patients With Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP Tasigna is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients greater than or equal to 1 year of age with chronic phase and accelerated phase Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) with resistance or intolerance to prior tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy.
Dosage & Administration of Tasigna
Recommended Dosage Dose
Tasigna twice daily at approximately 12-hour intervals on an empty stomach. No food should be consumed for at least 2 hours before the dose is taken and for at least 1 hour after the dose is taken. Advise patients to swallow the capsules whole with water.
For patients who are unable to swallow capsules, the contents of each capsule may be dispersed in 1 teaspoon of applesauce (puréed apple). The mixture should be taken immediately (within 15 minutes) and should not be stored for future use. Tasigna may be given in combination with hematopoietic growth factors, such as erythropoietin or G-CSF if clinically indicated.
Tasigna may be given with hydroxyurea or anagrelide if clinically indicated. Dosage in Adult Patients with Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP The recommended dosage of Tasigna is 300 mg orally twice daily. Dosage in Adult Patients with Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP The recommended dosage of Tasigna is 400 mg orally twice daily.
If needed, attain the desired dose by combining different strengths of Tasigna capsules. Continue treatment as long as clinical benefit is observed or until unacceptable toxicity occurs. Table 1: Pediatric Dosing of Tasigna 230 mg/m 2 Twice Daily, Maximum Single Dose of
Discontinuation of Treatment After a Sustained Molecular Response (MR4.5) on Tasigna Patient Selection Eligibility for Discontinuation of Treatment Ph+ CML-CP patients with typical BCR-ABL transcripts, who have been taking Tasigna for a minimum of 3 years and have achieved a sustained molecular response (MR4.5, corresponding to = BCR-ABL/ABL ≤ 0.0032% IS), may be eligible for treatment discontinuation. Information on FDA authorized tests for the detection and quantitation of BCR-ABL transcripts to determine eligibility for treatment discontinuation is available at http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics. Patients with typical BCR-ABL transcripts (e13a2/b2a2 or e14a2/b3a2), who achieve the sustained MR4.5 criteria, are eligible for discontinuation of Tasigna.
Patients must continue to be monitored for possible loss of molecular remission after treatment discontinuation. Use the same FDA-authorized test to consistently monitor molecular response levels while on and off treatment. Consider discontinuation in patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP who have: been treated with Tasigna for at least 3 years maintained a molecular response of at least MR4.0 (corresponding to = BCR-ABL/ABL ≤ 0.01% IS) for one year prior to discontinuation of therapy achieved an MR4.5 for the last assessment taken immediately prior to discontinuation of therapy been confirmed to express the typical BCR-ABL transcripts (e13a2/b2a2 or e14a2/b3a2) no history of accelerated phase or blast crisis no history of prior attempts of treatment-free remission discontinuation that resulted in relapse.
Consider discontinuation in patients with Ph+ CML-CP that are resistant or intolerant to imatinib who have achieved a sustained molecular response (MR4.5) on Tasigna who have: been treated with Tasigna for a minimum of 3 years been treated with imatinib only prior to treatment with Tasigna achieved a molecular response of MR4.5 (corresponding to = BCR-ABL/ABL ≤ 0.0032% IS) sustained an MR4.5 for a minimum of one year immediately prior to discontinuation of therapy been confirmed to express the typical BCR-ABL transcripts (e13a2/b2a2 or e14a2/b3a2) no history of accelerated phase or blast crisis no history of prior attempts of treatment-free remission discontinuation that resulted in relapse. Monitor BCR-ABL transcript levels and complete blood count (CBC) with differential in patients who have discontinued Tasigna therapy monthly for one year, then every 6 weeks for the second year, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Upon the loss of MR4.0 (corresponding to = BCR-ABL/ABL ≤ 0.01% IS) during the treatment-free phase, monitor BCR-ABL transcript levels every 2 weeks until BCR-ABL levels remain lower than major molecular response for 4 consecutive measurements.
The patient can then proceed to the original monitoring schedule.
Reinitiation of Treatment in Patients Who Lose Molecular Response After Discontinuation of Therapy With Tasigna Newly diagnosed patients who lose MMR must reinitiate treatment within 4 weeks at the dose level prior to discontinuation of therapy. Patients who reinitiate Tasigna therapy should have their BCR-ABL transcript levels monitored monthly until major molecular response is re-established and every 12 weeks thereafter. Patients resistant or intolerant to prior treatment that included imatinib with confirmed loss of MR4.0 (2 consecutive measures separated by at least 4 weeks showing loss of MR4.0) or loss of MMR must reinitiate treatment within 4 weeks at the dose level prior to discontinuation of therapy.
Dosage Modification for QT Interval Prolongation See Table 2 for dose adjustments for QT interval prolongation. Table 2: Dosage Adjustments for Adult and Pediatric Patients With QT Prolongation
Dosage Modifications for Myelosuppression Withhold or reduce
Tasigna dosage for hematological toxicities (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia) that are not related to underlying leukemia (Table 3). Table 3: Dosage Adjustments for Neutropenia and Thrombocytopenia
Dosage Modifications for Selected Non-Hematologic Laboratory Abnormalities and Other Toxicities See Table 4 for dosage adjustments for elevations of lipase, amylase, bilirubin, and/or hepatic transaminases. Table 4: Dosage Adjustments for Selected Non-Hematologic Laboratory Abnormalities If clinically significant moderate or severe non-hematologic toxicity develops (including medically severe fluid retention), see Table 5 for dosage adjustments. Table 5: Dosage Adjustments for Other Non-Hematologic Toxicities
Dosage Modification for Hepatic Impairment
If possible, consider alternative therapies. If Tasigna must be administered to patients with hepatic impairment, consider the following dose reduction: Table 6: Dose Adjustments for Adult Patients With Hepatic Impairment
Dosage Modification With Concomitant Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Avoid the concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Should treatment with any of these agents be required, interrupt therapy with Tasigna. If patients must be coadministered a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, reduce dosage to 300 mg once daily in patients with resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML or to 200 mg once daily in patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP.
However, there are no clinical data with this dose adjustment in patients receiving strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. If the strong inhibitor is discontinued, allow a washout period before adjusting Tasigna dose upward to the indicated dose. For patients who cannot avoid use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, monitor closely for prolongation of the QT interval.
| Body surface area | Single dose | Total daily dose |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 0.32 m 2 | 50 mg | 100 mg |
| 0.33 – 0.54 m 2 | 100 mg | 200 mg |
| 0.55 – 0.76 m 2 | 150 mg | 300 mg |
| 0.77 – 0.97 m 2 | 200 mg | 400 mg |
| 0.98 – 1.19 m 2 | 250 mg | 500 mg |
| 1.20 – 1.41 m 2 | 300 mg | 600 mg |
| 1.42 – 1.63 m 2 | 350 mg | 700 mg |
| ≥ 1.64 m 2 | 400 mg | 800 mg |
| Abbreviation: ECG, electrocardiogram. | |
| Degree of QTc prolongation | Dosage adjustment |
| ECGs with a QTc greater than 480 msec | 1. Withhold Tasigna, and perform an analysis of serum potassium and magnesium, and if below lower limit of normal, correct with supplements to within normal limits. Concomitant medication usage must be reviewed. 2. Resume within 2 weeks at prior dose if QTcF returns to less than 450 msec and to within 20 msec of baseline. 3. If QTcF is between 450 msec and 480 msec after 2 weeks, reduce the dose to 400 mg once daily in adults and 230 mg/m 2 once daily in pediatric patients. 4. Discontinue Tasigna if, following dose-reduction to 400 mg once daily in adults and 230 mg/m 2 once daily in pediatric patients, QTcF returns to greater than 480 msec. 5. An ECG should be repeated approximately 7 days after any dose adjustment. |
| Abbreviations: ANC, absolute neutrophil count; Ph+ CML, Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia. | ||
| Diagnosis | Degree of myelosuppression | Dosage adjustment |
| Adult patients with: Newly diagnosed Ph+ CML in chronic phase at 300 mg twice daily Resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML in chronic phase or accelerated phase at 400 mg twice daily | ANC less than 1.0 x 10 9 /L and/or platelet counts less than 50 x 10 9 /L | 1. Stop Tasigna, and monitor blood counts. 2. Resume within 2 weeks at prior dose if ANC greater than 1.0 x 10 9 /L and platelets greater than 50 x 10 9 /L. 3. If blood counts remain low for greater than 2 weeks, reduce the dose to 400 mg once daily. |
| Pediatric patients with: Newly diagnosed Ph+ CML in chronic phase at 230 mg/m 2 twice daily Resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML in chronic phase at 230 mg/m 2 twice daily | ANC less than 1.0 x 10 9 /L and/or platelet counts less than 50 x 10 9 /L | 1. Stop Tasigna and monitor blood counts. 2. Resume within 2 weeks at prior dose if ANC greater than 1.5 x 10 9 /L and/or platelets greater than 75 x 10 9 /L. 3. If blood counts remain low for greater than 2 weeks, a dose reduction to 230 mg/m 2 once daily may be required. 4. If event occurs after dose reduction, consider discontinuing treatment. |
| Degree of non-hematologic laboratory abnormality | Dosage adjustment |
|---|---|
| Elevated serum lipase or amylase greater than or equal to Grade 3 | Adult patients: 1. Withhold Tasigna, and monitor serum lipase or amylase. 2. Resume treatment at 400 mg once daily if serum lipase or amylase returns to less than or equal to Grade 1. |
| Pediatric patients: 1. Interrupt Tasigna until the event returns to less than or equal to Grade 1. 2. Resume treatment at 230 mg/m 2 once daily if prior dose was 230 mg/m 2 twice daily; discontinue treatment if prior dose was 230 mg/m 2 once daily. | |
| Elevated bilirubin greater than or equal to Grade 3 in adult patients and greater than or equal to Grade 2 in pediatric patients | Adult patients: 1. Withhold Tasigna, and monitor bilirubin. 2. Resume treatment at 400 mg once daily if bilirubin returns to less than or equal to Grade 1. |
| Pediatric patients: 1. Interrupt Tasigna until the event returns to less than or equal to Grade 1. 2. Resume treatment at 230 mg/m 2 once daily if prior dose was 230 mg/m 2 twice daily; discontinue treatment if prior dose was 230 mg/m 2 once daily, and recovery to less than or equal to Grade 1 takes longer than 28 days. | |
| Elevated hepatic transaminases greater than or equal to Grade 3 | Adult patients: 1. Withhold Tasigna, and monitor hepatic transaminases. 2. Resume treatment at 400 mg once daily if hepatic transaminases returns to less than or equal to Grade 1. |
| Pediatric patients: 1. Interrupt Tasigna until the event returns to less than or equal to Grade 1. 2. Resume treatment at 230 mg/m 2 once daily if prior dose was 230 mg/m 2 twice daily; discontinue treatment if prior dose was 230 mg/m 2 once daily, and recovery to less than or equal to Grade 1 takes longer than 28 days. |
| Abbreviations: CML-AP, chronic myeloid leukemia-accelerated phase; CML-CP, chronic myeloid leukemia-chronic phase; Ph+, Philadelphia chromosome positive. | |
| Degree of “other Non-hematologic toxicity” | Dosage adjustment |
| Other clinically moderate or severe non-hematologic toxicity | Adult patients: 1. Withhold Tasigna until toxicity has resolved. 2. Resume treatment at 400 mg once daily if previous dose was 300 mg twice daily in adult patients newly diagnosed with CML-CP or 400 mg twice daily in adult patients with resistant or intolerant CML-CP and CML-AP. 3. Discontinue treatment if the prior dose was 400 mg once daily in adult patients. 4. If clinically appropriate, consider re-escalation of the dose to 300 mg (newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP) or 400 mg (resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP) twice daily. |
| Pediatric patients: 1. Interrupt Tasigna until toxicity has resolved. 2. Resume treatment at 230 mg/m 2 once daily if previous dose was 230 mg/m 2 twice daily; discontinue treatment if prior dose was 230 mg/m 2 once daily. 3. If clinically appropriate, consider re-escalation of the dose to 230 mg/m 2 twice daily. | |
| Diagnosis | Degree of hepatic impairment | Dosage adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Newly diagnosed Ph+ CML in chronic phase | Mild (Child-Pugh A), Moderate (Child-Pugh B), or Severe (Child-Pugh C) | Reduce dosage to 200 mg twice daily. Increase dosage to 300 mg twice daily based on tolerability. |
| Resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML in chronic phase or accelerated phase | Mild or Moderate | Reduce dosage to 300 mg twice daily. Increase dosage to 400 mg twice daily based on tolerability. |
| Severe | Reduce dosage to 200 mg twice daily. Increase dosage to 300 mg twice daily and then to 400 mg twice daily based on tolerability. |
Side Effects of Tasigna
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. In Adult Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP The data below reflect exposure to Tasigna from a randomized trial in patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML in chronic phase treated at the recommended dose of 300 mg twice daily (n = 279). The median actual dose intensity was 593 mg/day in the Tasigna 300 mg twice daily group.
The most common (greater than 10%) non-hematologic adverse drug reactions were rash, pruritus, headache, nausea, fatigue, alopecia, myalgia, and upper abdominal pain. Constipation, diarrhea, dry skin, muscle spasms, arthralgia, abdominal pain, peripheral edema, vomiting, and asthenia were observed less commonly (less than or equal to 10% and greater than 5%) and have been of mild-to-moderate severity, manageable and generally did not require dose reduction. No patient had an absolute QTcF of greater than 500 msec while on study drug.
The most common hematologic adverse drug reactions (all Grades) were myelosuppression, including: thrombocytopenia (18%), neutropenia (15%), and anemia (8%). See Table 9 for Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities. Discontinuation due to adverse reactions, regardless of relationship to study drug, was observed in 10% of patients.
In Adult Patients With Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP In the single-arm, open-label multicenter clinical trial, a total of 458 patients with Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP resistant to or intolerant to at least one prior therapy, including imatinib were treated (CML-CP = 321; CML-AP = 137) at the recommended dose of 400 mg twice daily. In patients with CML-CP, the most commonly reported non-hematologic adverse drug reactions (greater than or equal to 10%) were rash, pruritus, nausea, fatigue, headache, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and myalgia. The common serious drug-related adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 1% and less than 10%) were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia.
Sudden deaths and QT prolongation were reported. The maximum mean QTcF change from baseline at steady-state was 10 msec. Discontinuation due to adverse drug reactions was observed in 16% of CML-CP and 10% of CML-AP patients.
Most Frequently Reported Adverse Reactions Tables 7 and 8 show the percentage of adult patients experiencing non-hematologic adverse reactions (excluding laboratory abnormalities) regardless of relationship to study drug. Adverse reactions reported in greater than 10% of adult patients who received at least 1 dose of Tasigna are listed. Table 7: Most Frequently Reported Non-Hematologic Adverse Reactions (Regardless of Relationship to Study Drug) in Adult Table 8: Most Frequently Reported Non-Hematologic Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients With Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML Receiving Tasigna 400 mg Twice Daily (regardless of relationship to study drug) greater than or equal to Laboratory Abnormalities Table 9 shows the percentage of adult patients experiencing treatment-emergent Grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities in patients who received at least one dose of Tasigna.
Elevated triglycerides (all Grades) occurred in 12% and 8% of patients in the Tasigna and imatinib arms, respectively. Hyperglycemia (all Grades) occurred in 50% and 31% of patients in the Tasigna and imatinib arms, respectively. Most common biochemistry laboratory abnormalities (all Grades) were alanine aminotransferase increased (72%), blood bilirubin increased (59%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (47%), lipase increased .
Treatment Discontinuation in Patients With Ph+ CML-CP Who Have Achieved a Sustained Molecular Response (MR4.5) In eligible patients who discontinued Tasigna therapy after attaining a sustained molecular response (MR4.5), musculoskeletal symptoms (e.g., myalgia, pain in extremity, arthralgia, bone pain, spinal pain, or musculoskeletal pain), were reported more frequently than before treatment discontinuation in the first year, as noted in Table 10. The rate of new musculoskeletal symptoms generally decreased in the second year after treatment discontinuation. In the newly diagnosed population in whom musculoskeletal symptoms occurred at any time during the TFR phase, 23/53 (43%) had not resolved by the TFR end date or data cut-off date.
In the population previously treated with imatinib in whom musculoskeletal events occurred at any time during the TFR phase, 32/57 (56%) had not resolved by the data cut-off date. The rate of musculoskeletal symptoms decreased in patients who entered the Tasigna treatment reinitiation (NTRI) phase, at 11/88 (13%) in the newly diagnosed population and 14/56 (25%) in the population previously treated with imatinib. Other adverse reactions observed in the Tasigna re-treatment phase were similar to those observed during Tasigna use in patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP and resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP.
Table 10: Musculoskeletal Symptoms Occurring Upon Treatment Discontinuation in the Context of Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) Additional Data From Clinical Trials The following adverse drug reactions were reported in adult patients in the Tasigna clinical studies at the recommended doses. These adverse drug reactions are ranked under a heading of frequency, the most frequent first using the following convention: common (greater than or equal to 1% and less than 10%), uncommon (greater than or equal to 0.1% and less than 1%), and unknown frequency (single events). For laboratory abnormalities, very common events (greater than or equal to 10%), which were not included in Tables 7 and 8, are also reported.
These adverse reactions are included based on clinical relevance and ranked in order of decreasing seriousness within each category, obtained from 2 clinical studies: 1. Adult patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP 60 month analysis and, 2. Adult patients with resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CMP-AP 24 months’ analysis.
Infections and Infestations: Common: folliculitis. Uncommon: pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary tract infection, candidiasis (including oral candidiasis). Unknown frequency: hepatitis B reactivation, sepsis, subcutaneous abscess, anal abscess, furuncle, tinea pedis.
Neoplasms Benign, Malignant, and Unspecified: Common: skin papilloma. Unknown frequency: oral papilloma, paraproteinemia. Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: Common: leukopenia, eosinophilia, febrile neutropenia, pancytopenia, lymphopenia.
Unknown frequency: thrombocythemia, leukocytosis. Immune System Disorders: Unknown frequency: hypersensitivity. Endocrine Disorders: Uncommon: hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism.
Unknown frequency: hyperparathyroidism secondary, thyroiditis. Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders: Very Common: hypophosphatemia. Common: electrolyte imbalance (including hypomagnesemia, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia), diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia.
Uncommon: gout, dehydration, increased appetite. Unknown frequency: hyperuricemia, hypoglycemia. Psychiatric Disorders: Common: depression, anxiety.
Unknown frequency: disorientation, confusional state, amnesia, dysphoria. Nervous System Disorders: Common: peripheral neuropathy, hypoesthesia, paresthesia. Uncommon: intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, cerebral infarction, migraine, loss of consciousness (including syncope), tremor, disturbance in attention, hyperesthesia, facial paralysis.
Unknown frequency: basilar artery stenosis, brain edema, optic neuritis, lethargy, dysesthesia, restless legs syndrome. Eye Disorders: Common: eye hemorrhage, eye pruritus, conjunctivitis, dry eye (including xerophthalmia). Uncommon: vision impairment, vision blurred, visual acuity reduced, photopsia, hyperemia (scleral, conjunctival, ocular), eye irritation, conjunctival hemorrhage.
Unknown frequency: papilledema, diplopia, photophobia, eye swelling, blepharitis, eye pain, chorioretinopathy, conjunctivitis allergic, ocular surface disease. Ear and Labyrinth Disorders: Common: vertigo. Unknown frequency: hearing impaired, ear pain, tinnitus.
Cardiac Disorders: Common: angina pectoris, arrhythmia (including atrioventricular block, cardiac flutter, extrasystoles, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia), palpitations, electrocardiogram QT prolonged. Uncommon: cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, cardiac murmur, coronary artery stenosis, myocardial ischemia, pericardial effusion, cyanosis. Unknown frequency: ventricular dysfunction, pericarditis, ejection fraction decrease.
Vascular Disorders: Common: flushing. Uncommon: hypertensive crisis, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, intermittent claudication, arterial stenosis limb, hematoma, arteriosclerosis. Unknown frequency: shock hemorrhagic, hypotension, thrombosis, peripheral artery stenosis.
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: Common: dyspnea exertional, epistaxis, dysphonia. Uncommon: pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, interstitial lung disease, pleuritic pain, pleurisy, pharyngolaryngeal pain, throat irritation. Unknown frequency: pulmonary hypertension, wheezing.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Common: pancreatitis, abdominal discomfort, abdominal distension, dysgeusia, flatulence. Uncommon: gastrointestinal hemorrhage, melena, mouth ulceration, gastroesophageal reflux, stomatitis, esophageal pain, dry mouth, gastritis, sensitivity of teeth. Unknown frequency: gastrointestinal ulcer perforation, retroperitoneal hemorrhage, hematemesis, gastric ulcer, esophagitis ulcerative, subileus, enterocolitis, hemorrhoids, hiatus hernia, rectal hemorrhage, gingivitis.
Hepatobiliary Disorders: Very common: hyperbilirubinemia. Common: hepatic function abnormal. Uncommon: hepatotoxicity, toxic hepatitis, jaundice.
Unknown frequency: cholestasis, hepatomegaly. Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Common: eczema, urticaria, erythema, hyperhidrosis, contusion, acne, dermatitis (including allergic, exfoliative and acneiform). Uncommon: exfoliative rash, drug eruption, pain of skin, ecchymosis.
Unknown frequency: psoriasis, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, skin ulcer, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, petechiae, photosensitivity, blister, dermal cyst, sebaceous hyperplasia, skin atrophy, skin discoloration, skin exfoliation, skin hyperpigmentation, skin hypertrophy, hyperkeratosis. Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: Common: bone pain, musculoskeletal chest pain, musculoskeletal pain, back pain, neck pain, flank pain, muscular weakness. Uncommon: musculoskeletal stiffness, joint swelling.
Unknown frequency: arthritis. Renal and Urinary Disorders: Common: pollakiuria. Uncommon: dysuria, micturition urgency, nocturia.
Unknown frequency: renal failure, hematuria, urinary incontinence, chromaturia. Reproductive System and Breast Disorders: Uncommon: breast pain, gynecomastia, erectile dysfunction. Unknown frequency: breast induration, menorrhagia, nipple swelling.
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Common: pyrexia, chest pain (including non-cardiac chest pain), pain, chest discomfort, malaise. Uncommon: gravitational edema, influenza-like illness, chills, feeling body temperature change (including feeling hot, feeling cold). Unknown frequency: localized edema.
Investigations: Very Common: alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, lipase increased, lipoprotein cholesterol (including very low density and high density) increased, total cholesterol increased, blood triglycerides increased. Common: hemoglobin decreased, blood amylase increased, gamma-glutamyltransferase increased, blood creatinine phosphokinase increased, blood alkaline phosphatase increased, weight decreased, weight increased, globulins decreased. Uncommon: blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, blood urea increased.
Unknown frequency: troponin increased, blood bilirubin unconjugated increased, insulin C-peptide decreased, blood parathyroid hormone increased. In Pediatric Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP or Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP The data below reflect exposure to Tasigna from two studies in pediatric patients from 2 to less than 18 years of age with either newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP or imatinib/dasatinib resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML-CP treated at the recommended dose of 230 mg/m 2 twice daily (n = 69). The median time on treatment with Tasigna was 39.6 months (range, 0.7 to 63.5 months).
Thirty-nine patients (57%) had relative dose intensity superior to 90%. In pediatric patients with Ph+ CML-CP, the most common (greater than 20%) non-hematologic adverse reactions were hyperbilirubinemia, headache, alanine aminotransferase increased, rash, pyrexia, nausea, aspartate aminotransferase increased, pain in extremity, upper respiratory tract infection, vomiting, diarrhea, and nasopharyngitis. The most common (greater than 5%) Grade 3/4 non-hematologic adverse reactions were hyperbilirubinemia, rash, alanine aminotransferase increased, and neutropenia.
Discontinuation of study treatment due to adverse reactions occurred in 15 patients (22%). The most frequent adverse reactions leading to discontinuation were hyperbilirubinemia (9%) and rash (6%). Increase in QTcF greater than 30 msec from baseline was observed in 19 patients (28%).
No patient had an absolute QTcF of greater than 500 msec or QTcF increase of greater than 60 msec from baseline. Growth Retardation in Pediatric Population In a multicenter, open-label, single-arm study of 58 pediatric patients with newly diagnosed or resistant Ph+ CML-CP treated with Tasigna, with a median exposure of 56.7 months, adverse reactions associated with growth and deceleration of growth in regard to height were reported in 3 patients (5%). The adverse reactions include growth retardation in 2 adolescent patients and growth hormone deficiency with short stature in the remaining patient (age category: child).
Close monitoring of growth in pediatric patients under Tasigna treatment is recommended.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of Tasigna. 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. Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: thrombotic microangiopathy Nervous System Disorders: facial paralysis Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders: osteonecrosis
| Abbreviations: ALT alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; CML-AP, chronic myeloid leukemia-accelerated phase; CML-CP, chronic myeloid leukemia-chronic phase; Ph+, Philadelphia chromosome positive. *NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0. 1 CML-CP: Thrombocytopenia: 12% were Grade 3, 18% were Grade 4. 2 CML-CP: Neutropenia: 16% were Grade 3, 15% were Grade 4. 3 CML-AP: Thrombocytopenia: 11% were Grade 3, 32% were Grade 4. 4 CML-AP: Neutropenia: 16% were Grade 3, 26% were Grade 4. | ||||
| Patient population | ||||
| Newly diagnosed adult Ph+ CML-CP | Resistant or intolerant adult Ph+ | |||
| CML-CP | CML-AP | |||
| Tasigna 300 mg twice daily N = 279 (%) | imatinib 400 mg once daily N = 280 (%) | Tasigna 400 mg twice daily N = 321 (%) | Tasigna 400 mg twice daily N = 137 (%) | |
| Hematologic parameters | ||||
| Thrombocytopenia | 10 | 9 | 30 1 | 42 3 |
| Neutropenia | 12 | 22 | 31 2 | 42 4 |
| Anemia | 4 | 6 | 11 | 27 |
| Biochemistry parameters | ||||
| Elevated lipase | 9 | 4 | 18 | 18 |
| Hyperglycemia | 7 | < 1 | 12 | 6 |
| Hypophosphatemia | 8 | 10 | 17 | 15 |
| Elevated bilirubin (total) | 4 | < 1 | 7 | 9 |
| Elevated SGPT (ALT) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Hyperkalemia | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Hyponatremia | 1 | < 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Hypokalemia | < 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| Elevated SGOT (AST) | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Decreased albumin | 0 | < 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Hypocalcemia | < 1 | < 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Elevated alkaline phosphatase | 0 | < 1 | < 1 | 1 |
| Elevated creatinine | 0 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
Warnings & Cautions for Tasigna
Myelosuppression Treatment with Tasigna can cause Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia. Perform CBCs every 2 weeks for the first 2 months and then monthly thereafter, or as clinically indicated. Myelosuppression was generally reversible and usually managed by withholding Tasigna temporarily or dose reduction.
QT Prolongation Tasigna has been shown to prolong cardiac ventricular repolarization as measured by the QT interval on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) in a concentration-dependent manner. Prolongation of the QT interval can result in a type of ventricular tachycardia called torsade de pointes, which may result in syncope, seizure, and/or death. Electrocardiograms should be performed at baseline, 7 days after initiation of Tasigna, and periodically as clinically indicated and following dose adjustments.
Tasigna should not be used in patients who have hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, or long QT syndrome. Before initiating Tasigna and periodically, test electrolyte, calcium, and magnesium blood levels. Hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia must be corrected prior to initiating Tasigna and these electrolytes should be monitored periodically during therapy.
Significant prolongation of the QT interval may occur when Tasigna is inappropriately taken with food and/or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and/or medicinal products with a known potential to prolong QT. Therefore, coadministration with food must be avoided and concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and/or medicinal products with a known potential to prolong QT should be avoided. The presence of hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia may further prolong the QT interval.
Sudden Deaths
Sudden deaths have been reported in 0.3% of patients with CML treated with Tasigna in clinical studies of 5661 patients. The relative early occurrence of some of these deaths relative to the initiation of Tasigna suggests the possibility that ventricular repolarization abnormalities may have contributed to their occurrence.
Cardiac and Arterial Vascular Occlusive Events
Cardiovascular events, including arterial vascular occlusive events, were reported in a randomized, clinical trial in newly diagnosed CML patients and observed in the postmarketing reports of patients receiving Tasigna therapy. If acute signs or symptoms of cardiovascular events occur, advise patients to seek immediate medical attention. The cardiovascular status of patients should be evaluated and cardiovascular risk factors should be monitored and actively managed during Tasigna therapy according to standard guidelines.
Pancreatitis and Elevated Serum Lipase Tasigna can cause increases in serum lipase. Patients with a previous history of pancreatitis may be at greater risk of elevated serum lipase. If lipase elevations are accompanied by abdominal symptoms, interrupt dosing and consider appropriate diagnostics to exclude pancreatitis.
Test serum lipase levels monthly or as clinically indicated.
Hepatotoxicity Tasigna may result in hepatotoxicity as measured by elevations in bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase. Grade 3-4 elevations of bilirubin, AST, and ALT were reported at a higher frequency in pediatric than in adult patients. Monitor hepatic function tests monthly or as clinically indicated and following dose adjustments.
Electrolyte Abnormalities
The use of Tasigna can cause hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, and hyponatremia. Correct electrolyte abnormalities prior to initiating Tasigna and during therapy. Monitor these electrolytes periodically during therapy.
Tumor Lysis Syndrome
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) cases have been reported in Tasigna treated patients with resistant or intolerant CML. Malignant disease progression, high white blood cell (WBC) counts and/or dehydration were present in the majority of these cases. Due to potential for TLS, maintain adequate hydration and correct uric acid levels prior to initiating therapy with Tasigna.
Hemorrhage
Serious hemorrhagic events, including fatal events, have occurred in patients with CML treated with Tasigna. Monitor for signs and symptoms of bleeding and medically manage as needed.
Total Gastrectomy Since the exposure of Tasigna is reduced in patients with total gastrectomy, perform more frequent monitoring of these patients. Consider dose increase or alternative therapy in patients with total gastrectomy.
Lactose Since the capsules contain lactose, Tasigna is not recommended for patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency with a severe degree of intolerance to lactose-containing products, or of glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Monitoring Laboratory Tests
Complete blood counts should be performed every 2 weeks for the first 2 months and then monthly thereafter. Perform chemistry panels, including electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, liver enzymes, lipid profile, and glucose prior to therapy and periodically. Electrocardiograms should be obtained at baseline, 7 days after initiation and periodically thereafter, as well as following dose adjustments.
Monitor lipid profiles and glucose periodically during the first year of Tasigna therapy and at least yearly during chronic therapy. Should treatment with any HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (a lipid lowering agent) be needed to treat lipid elevations, evaluate the potential for a drug-drug interaction before initiating therapy as certain HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are metabolized by the CYP3A4 pathway. Assess glucose levels before initiating treatment with Tasigna and monitor during treatment as clinically indicated.
Effusions were severe Grade of patients receiving Tasigna 300 mg twice daily and 400 mg twice daily, respectively, and in no patients receiving imatinib. Similar events were also observed in postmarketing reports. Monitor patients for signs of severe fluid retention (e.g., unexpected rapid weight gain or swelling) and for symptoms of respiratory or cardiac compromise (e.g., shortness of breath) during Tasigna treatment; evaluate etiology and treat patients accordingly.
Effects on Growth and Development in Pediatric Patients
Growth retardation has been reported in pediatric patients with Ph+ CML in chronic phase treated with Tasigna. Growth deceleration was more pronounced in children who were less than age 12 at baseline. Adverse reactions associated with growth retardation were reported in 3 patients (5%).
Monitor growth and development in pediatric patients receiving Tasigna treatment.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, Tasigna can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproduction studies, administration of nilotinib to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis caused adverse developmental outcomes, including embryo-fetal lethality/fetal effects (small renal papilla, fetal edema, and skeletal variations) in rats and increased resorptions of fetuses and fetal skeletal variations in rabbits at maternal area under the curve (AUCs) approximately 2 and 0.5 times, respectively, the AUC in patients receiving the recommended dose. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 14 days after the last dose.
Monitoring of BCR-ABL Transcript Levels Monitoring of BCR-ABL Transcript Levels in Patients Who Discontinued Tasigna Monitor BCR-ABL transcript levels in patients eligible for treatment discontinuation using an FDA authorized test validated to measure molecular response levels with a sensitivity of at least MR4.5 (BCR-ABL/ABL ≤ 0.0032% IS). In patients who discontinue Tasigna therapy, assess BCR-ABL transcript levels monthly for one year, then every 6 weeks for the second year, and every 12 weeks thereafter during treatment discontinuation. Newly diagnosed patients must reinitiate Tasigna therapy within 4 weeks of a loss of major molecular response.
Patients resistant or intolerant to prior treatment which included imatinib must reinitiate Tasigna therapy within 4 weeks of a loss of MMR or confirmed loss of MR4.0 (two consecutive measures separated by at least 4 weeks showing loss of MR4.0, corresponding to = BCR-ABL/ABL ≤ 0.01% IS). For patients who fail to achieve MMR after three months of treatment reinitiation, BCR-ABL kinase domain mutation testing should be performed. Monitoring of BCR-ABL Transcript Levels in Patients Who Have Reinitiated Therapy After Loss of Molecular Response Monitor CBC and BCR-ABL transcripts in patients who reinitiate treatment with Tasigna due to loss of molecular response quantitation every 4 weeks until a major molecular response is re-established, then every 12 weeks.
Drug Interactions with Tasigna
Tumor Lysis Syndrome Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) cases have been reported in Tasigna treated patients with resistant or intolerant CML. Malignant disease progression, high white blood cell (WBC) counts and/or dehydration were present in the majority of these cases. Due to potential for TLS, maintain adequate hydration and correct uric acid levels prior to initiating therapy with Tasigna.
Pregnancy Safety for Tasigna
Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings from animal studies and the mechanism of action, Tasigna can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data in pregnant women to inform the drug-associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, administration of nilotinib to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis caused adverse developmental outcomes, including embryo-fetal lethality, fetal effects, and fetal variations in rats and rabbits at maternal exposures (AUC) approximately 2 and 0.5 times, respectively, the exposures in patients at the recommended dose ( see Data ).
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The 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 are respectively. Data Animal Data In embryo-fetal development studies in rats and rabbits, pregnant animals received oral doses of nilotinib up to 100 mg/kg/day and 300 mg/kg/day, respectively, during the period of organogenesis. In rats, oral administration of nilotinib produced embryo-lethality/fetal effects at doses ≥ 30 mg/kg/day.
At ≥ 30 mg/kg/day, skeletal variations of incomplete ossification of the frontals and misshapen sternebra were noted, and there was an increased incidence of small renal papilla and fetal edema. At 100 mg/kg/day, nilotinib was associated with maternal toxicity (decreased gestation weight, gravid uterine weight, net weight gain, and food consumption) and resulted in a single incidence of cleft palate and two incidences of pale skin were noted in the fetuses. A single incidence of dilated ureters was noted in a fetus also displaying small renal papilla at 100 mg/kg/day.
Additional variations of forepaw and hindpaw phalanx unossified, fused sternebra, bipartite sternebra ossification, and incomplete ossification of the cervical vertebra were noted at 100 mg/kg/day. In rabbits, oral administration of nilotinib resulted in the early sacrifice of two females, maternal toxicity and increased resorption of fetuses at 300 mg/kg/day. Fetal skeletal variations (incomplete ossification of the hyoid, bent hyoid, supernumerary short detached ribs and the presence of additional ossification sites near the nasals, frontals and in the sternebral column) were also increased at this dose in the presence of maternal toxicity.
Slight maternal toxicity was evident at 100 mg/kg/day but there were no reproductive or embryo-fetal effects at this dose. When pregnant rats were dosed with nilotinib during organogenesis and through lactation, the adverse effects included a longer gestational period, lower pup body weights until weaning and decreased fertility indices in the pups when they reached maturity, all at a maternal dose of 60 mg/kg (i.e., 360 mg/m 2, approximately 0.7 times the clinical dose of 400 mg twice daily based on body surface area).
Pediatric Use of Tasigna
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of Tasigna have been established in pediatric patients greater than or equal to 1 year of age with newly diagnosed and resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML in chronic phase. There are no data for pediatric patients under 2 years of age. Use of Tasigna in pediatric patients 1 year to less than 2 years of age with newly diagnosed or resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML in chronic phase is supported by efficacy in pediatric patients 2 to 6 years of age for these indications.
The safety and effectiveness of Tasigna have been established in pediatric patients greater than or equal to 1 year of age with resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML in accelerated phase based on evidence of effectiveness from an adequate and well-controlled single-arm study in adults with safety data from two pediatric studies as described in the next paragraph. Use of Tasigna in pediatric patients 1 to less than 18 years of age is supported by evidence from two clinical trials. No differences in efficacy or safety were observed between the different age subgroups in the two trials.
The frequency, type, and severity of adverse reactions observed were generally consistent with those observed in adults, with the exception of the laboratory abnormalities of hyperbilirubinemia (Grade 3/4: 16%) and transaminase elevation (AST Grade 3/4: 2.9%, ALT Grade 3/4: 10%), which were reported at a higher frequency in pediatric patients than in adults. For pediatric growth and development, growth retardation has been reported in pediatric patients with Ph+ CML-CP treated with Tasigna. The safety and effectiveness of Tasigna in pediatric patients below the age of 1 year with newly diagnosed, or resistant or intolerant Ph+ CML in chronic phase and accelerated phase, have not been established.
Contraindications for Tasigna
Tasigna is contraindicated in patients with hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, or long QT syndrome.
Overdosage Information for Tasigna
Overdose with nilotinib has been reported, where an unspecified number of Tasigna capsules were ingested in combination with alcohol and other drugs. Events included neutropenia, vomiting, and drowsiness. In the event of overdose, observe the patient and provide appropriate supportive treatment.
Clinical Studies of Tasigna
Adult Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP The ENESTnd (Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in clinical Trials-Newly Diagnosed patients) study (NCT00471497) was an open-label, multicenter, randomized trial conducted to determine the efficacy of Tasigna versus imatinib tablets in adult patients with cytogenetically confirmed newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP. Patients were within 6 months of diagnosis and were previously untreated for CML-CP, except for hydroxyurea and/or anagrelide. More than 60% of all patients were Caucasian, and 25% were Asian.
The primary data analysis was performed when all 846 patients completed 12 months of treatment (or discontinued earlier). Subsequent analyses were done when patients completed months of treatment (or discontinued earlier). The median time on treatment was approximately 61 months in all three treatment groups.
The primary efficacy endpoint was major molecular response (MMR) at 12 months after the start of study medication. MMR was defined as less than or equal to 0.1% BCR-ABL/ABL % by international scale measured by RQ-PCR, which corresponds to a greater than or equal to 3 log reduction of BCR-ABL transcript from standardized baseline. Efficacy endpoints are summarized in Table 11.
Median overall survival was not reached in either arm. At the time of the 60-month final analysis, the estimated survival rate was 93.7% for patients on Tasigna and 91.7% for patients on imatinib.
Adult Patients With Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP Study CAMN107A2101 (referred to as Study A2101) (NCT00109707) was a single-arm, open-label, multicenter study conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tasigna (400 mg twice daily) in patients with imatinib-resistant or -intolerant CML with separate cohorts for chronic and accelerated phase disease. The definition of imatinib resistance included failure to achieve a complete hematologic response (by 3 months), cytogenetic response (by 6 months) or major cytogenetic response (by 12 months) or progression of disease after a previous cytogenetic or hematologic response. Imatinib intolerance was defined as discontinuation of treatment due to toxicity and lack of a major cytogenetic response at time of study entry.
At the time of data cut-off, 321 patients with CML-CP and 137 patients with CML-AP with a minimum follow-up of 24 months were enrolled. Overall, 73% of patients were imatinib resistant while 27% were imatinib intolerant. The median time of prior imatinib treatment was approximately 32 (CML-CP) and 28 (CML-AP) months.
Prior therapy included hydroxyurea in 85% of patients, interferon in 56% and stem cell or bone marrow transplant in 8%. The median highest prior imatinib dose was 600 mg per day for patients with CML-CP and CML-AP, and the highest prior imatinib dose was greater than or equal to 600 mg/day in 74% of all patients with 40% of patients receiving imatinib doses greater than or equal to 800 mg/day. Median duration of Tasigna treatment was 18.4 months in patients with CML-CP and 8.7 months in patients with CML-AP.
The efficacy endpoint in CML-CP was unconfirmed major cytogenetic response (MCyR) which included complete and partial cytogenetic responses. The efficacy endpoint in CML-AP was confirmed hematologic response (HR), defined as either a complete hematologic response (CHR) or no evidence of leukemia (NEL). The rates of response for CML-CP and CML-AP patients are reported in Table 12.
Median durations of response had not been reached at the time of data analysis. Table 12: Efficacy of Tasigna in Adult Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP and CML-AP (Study A2101) CHR (CML-CP): WBC less than 10 x 10 9 /L, platelets less than 450,000/mm 3, no blasts or promyelocytes in peripheral blood, less than 5% myelocytes + metamyelocytes in bone marrow, less than 20% basophils in peripheral blood, and no extramedullary involvement. Adult Patients With Chronic Phase The MCyR rate in 321 CML-CP patients was 51%.
The median time to MCyR among responders was 2.8 months (range, 1 to 28 months). The median duration of MCyR cannot be estimated. The median duration of exposure on this single arm-trial was 18.4 months.
Among the CML-CP patients who achieved MCyR, 62% of them had MCyR lasting more than 18 months. The CCyR rate was 37%. Adult Patients With Accelerated Phase The overall confirmed hematologic response rate in 137 patients with CML-AP was 39%.
The median time to first hematologic response among responders was 1 month (range, 1 to 14 months). Among the CML-AP patients who achieved HR, 44% of them had a response lasting for more than 18 months. After imatinib failure, 24 different BCR-ABL mutations were noted in 42% of chronic phase and 54% of accelerated phase CML patients who were evaluated for mutations.
Treatment Discontinuation in Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP Patients Who Have Achieved a Sustained Molecular Response (MR4.5) The ENESTfreedom (Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in clinical Trials-freedom) study (NCT01784068) is an open-label, multicenter, single-arm study, where 215 adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP treated with Tasigna in first-line for ≥ 2 years who achieved MR4.5 as measured with the MolecularMD MRDx ® BCR-ABL Test were enrolled to continue Tasigna treatment for an additional 52 weeks (Tasigna consolidation phase). BCR-ABL levels were monitored every 4 weeks during the first 48 weeks of the TFR phase. Monitoring frequency was intensified to every 2 weeks upon the loss of MR4.0.
Biweekly monitoring ended at one of the following time points: Loss of MMR requiring patient to reinitiate Tasigna treatment When the BCR-ABL levels returned to a range between MR4.0 and MR4.5 When the BCR-ABL levels remained lower than MMR for 4 consecutive measurements (8 weeks from initial loss of MR4.0). Any patient with loss of MMR during the TFR phase reinitiated Tasigna treatment at 300 mg twice daily or at a reduced dose level of 400 mg once daily if required from the perspective of tolerance, within 5 weeks after the collection date of the blood sample demonstrating loss of MMR. Patients who required reinitiation of Tasigna treatment were monitored for BCR-ABL levels every 4 weeks for the first 24 weeks and then every 12 weeks thereafter in patients who regained MMR.
Efficacy was based on the 96-week analysis data cut-off date, by which time, 91 patients (47.9%) discontinued from the TFR phase due to loss of MMR, and patients (1.6%) due to death from unknown cause, physician decision, lost to follow-up and subject decision, respectively. Among the 91 patients who discontinued the TFR phase due to loss of MMR, 88 patients restarted Tasigna treatment and 3 patients permanently discontinued from the study. By the 96-week data cut-off, of the 88 patients who restarted treatment due to loss of MMR in the TFR phase, 87 patients (98.9%) patients regained MMR (one patient discontinued study permanently due to subject decision after 7.1 weeks of retreatment without regaining MMR) and 81 patients (92.0%) regained MR4.5 by the time of the cut-off date.
Table 13: Efficacy Results for ENEST Freedom Among the 190 patients in the TFR phase, 98 patients had a treatment-free survival (TFS) event (defined as discontinuation from TFR phase due to any reason, loss of MMR, death due to any cause, progression to AP/BC up to the end of TFR phase, or reinitiation of treatment due to any cause in the study) by the 96-week cut-off date. Figure 1: Kaplan-Meier Estimate of Treatment-Free Survival After Start of TFR (Full Analysis Set ENESTfreedom) For a given time point, the points on the dashed curves represent the 95% confidence limits for the associated KM estimate on the solid curve. By the time of the 96-week data cut-off date, one single patient lost MMR at Week 120, at the time when only 8 patients were considered at risk.
This explains the artificial drop at the end of the curve.
Treatment Discontinuation in Ph+ CML-CP Patients Who Have Achieved a Sustained Molecular Response (MR4.5) on Tasigna Following Prior Imatinib Therapy The ENESTop (Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in clinical Trials-STop) study (NCT01698905) is an open-label, multicenter, single-arm study, where 163 adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP taking tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for ≥ 3 years (imatinib as initial TKI therapy for more than 4 weeks without documented MR4.5 on imatinib at the time of switch to Tasigna, then switched to Tasigna for at least 2 years), and who achieved MR4.5 on Tasigna treatment as measured with the MolecularMD MRDx ® BCR-ABL Test were enrolled to continue Tasigna treatment for an additional 52 weeks (Tasigna consolidation phase). The median actual dose intensity during the 52-week Tasigna consolidation phase was 771.8 mg/day with of patients receiving a daily Tasigna dose of mg and 300 mg just before entry into the TFR phase, respectively. Patients who entered the TFR phase but experienced two consecutive measurements of BCR-ABL/ABL > 0.01% IS were considered having a confirmed loss of MR4.0, triggering reinitiation of Tasigna treatment.
Patients with loss of MMR in the TFR phase immediately restarted Tasigna treatment without confirmation. All patients who restarted Tasigna therapy had BCR-ABL transcript levels monitored every 4 weeks for the first 24 weeks, then once every 12 weeks. Among the 58 patients who discontinued from the TFR phase due to confirmed loss of MR4.0 or loss of MMR, 56 patients restarted Tasigna therapy and 2 patients permanently discontinued from the study.
By the 96-week data cut-off, of the 56 patients who restarted Tasigna treatment due to confirmed loss of MR4.0 or loss of MMR in the TFR phase, 52 patients (92.9%) regained MR4.0 and MR4.5; 4 patients (7.1%) did not regain MR4.0 by the time of the cut-off date. Table 14: Efficacy Results for ENESTop Among the 126 patients in the TFR phase, 61 patients (48.4%) had a treatment-free survival (TFS) event (defined as discontinuation from TFR phase due to any reason, loss of MMR, confirmed loss of MR4, death due to any cause, progression to AP/BC up to the end of TFR phase, or reinitiation of treatment due to any cause in the study) on or before the 96-month cut-off date.
Pediatric Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP or Resistant or Intolerant Ph+ CML-CP The safety and efficacy of Tasigna in pediatric patients with Ph+ CML-CP have been investigated in two studies: Study CAMN107A2120 (NCT01077544), an open-label, single-arm, multi-center study that evaluated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and preliminary efficacy of Tasigna in pediatric patients with Ph+ CML resistant or intolerant to imatinib or dasatinib (n = 11), and Study CAMN107A2203 (NCT01844765), an open-label, single-arm, multi-center study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Tasigna in pediatric patients (from 2 to less than 18 years of age) with Ph+ CML-CP resistant or intolerant to imatinib or dasatinib (n = 33) and newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP (n = 25). In patients with resistant or intolerant CML, the major molecular response rate was cycles (28 days per cycle). In patients with newly diagnosed CML, the MMR rate was cycles.
In patients with resistant or intolerant CML, the cumulative MMR rate was 47.7% (21/44) by Cycle 12. Study CAMN107A2203 provided long term data with follow up of approximately 5 years. The MMR rate increased to 60.6% by Cycle 48 and was the same until end of study (Cycle 66).
In the patients with newly diagnosed CML, the MMR rates were 68.0% by Cycle 24. The MMR rate increased to 76.0% by Cycle 36 and was the same until end of study (Cycle 66). Among patients with resistant or intolerant CML, 12.1% of patients achieved BCR-ABL/ABL ≤ 0.0032% IS (MR4.5) by Cycle 66.
Among patients with newly diagnosed CML, the percentage of patients who achieved MR4.5 was 44%. None of the 20 patients with resistant or intolerant CML who achieved MMR at any time on treatment by Cycle 66 had confirmed loss of MMR by the end of Cycle 66 or at the time of early discontinuation. Among the 19 patients with newly diagnosed CML who achieved MMR at any time on treatment by the end of Cycle 66, three patients had confirmed loss of MMR.
The median durations of MMR could not be estimated in either population as more than half responders did not have a confirmed loss of response by the study end. One patient with resistant or intolerant CML progressed to AP/BC after 10.1 months on treatment.
| Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval. a CMH test stratified by Sokal risk group. b CCyR: 0% Ph+ metaphases. Cytogenetic responses were based on the percentage of Ph+ metaphases among greater than or equal to 20 metaphase cells in each bone marrow sample. | ||
| Tasigna 300 mg twice daily | imatinib 400 mg once daily | |
| N = 282 | N = 283 | |
| MMR at 12 months (95% CI) | 44% (38.4, 50.3) | 22% (17.6, 27.6) |
| P-Value a | < 0.0001 | |
| CCyR b by 12 months (95% CI) | 80% (75.0, 84.6) | 65% (59.2, 70.6) |
| MMR at 24 months (95% CI) | 62% (55.8, 67.4) | 38% (31.8, 43.4) |
| CCyR b by 24 months (95% CI) | 87% (82.4, 90.6) | 77% (71.7, 81.8) |
| a Cytogenetic response criteria: Complete (0% Ph+ metaphases) or partial (1% to 35%). Cytogenetic responses were based on the percentage of Ph-positive metaphases among greater than or equal to 20 metaphase cells in each bone marrow sample. b Hematologic response = CHR + NEL (all responses confirmed after 4 weeks). | |
| Cytogenetic response rate (unconfirmed) (%) a | |
| Chronic phase (n = 321) | |
| Major (95% CI) | 51% (46% – 57%) |
| Complete (95% CI) | 37% (32% – 42%) |
| Partial (95% CI) | 15% (11% – 19%) |
| Accelerated phase (n = 137) | |
| Hematologic response rate (confirmed) (95% CI) b | 39% (31% – 48%) |
| Complete hematologic response rate (95% CI) | 30% (22% – 38%) |
| No evidence of leukemia (95% CI) | 9% (5% – 16%) |
| Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval. 1 Patients in MMR at the specified time point in the TFR phase. 2 Based on the time to event (loss of MMR) data during the TFR phase. | |||
| Patients who entered the treatment free remission (TFR) phase (full analysis Set, N = 190) | |||
| Patients in TFR phase 1 at the specified time point | Loss of MMR 2 by the specified time point | ||
| % | 95% CI | % | |
| 24 weeks | 62.1 | (54.8, 69.0) | 35.8 |
| 48 weeks | 51.6 | (44.2, 58.9) | 45.8 |
| 96 weeks | 48.9 | (41.6, 56.3) | 47.9 |
| Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval. 1 Patients without loss of MMR or confirmed loss of MR4 by specified time point of TFR phase. 2 Based on the time to event (loss of MMR or confirmed loss of MR4) data during the TFR phase. | |||
| Patients who entered the treatment free remission (TFR) phase (full analysis set, N = 126) | |||
| Patients in TFR phase 1 at the specified time point | Loss of MMR or confirmed loss of MR4 2 by the specified time point | ||
| % | 95% CI | % | |
| 24 weeks | 60.3 | (51.2, 68.9) | 38.9 |
| 48 weeks | 57.9 | (48.8, 66.7) | 41.3 |
| 96 weeks | 53.2 | (44.1, 62.1) | 43.7 |
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.
Ready to save on Tasigna?
Compare prescription prices at over 70,000 pharmacies and start saving today—no enrollment required.
Compare Tasigna Prices