Boehringer Ingelheim's Gilotrif® (afatinib) demonstrated superiority to Iressa® (gefitinib) in reducing the risk of disease progression and treatment failure in first-line treatment of patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer

RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Jan. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Boehringer Ingelheim announced today the results of the LUX-Lung 7 trial. Superiority in progression-free survival and time to treatment failure was demonstrated with second-generation EGFR-directed therapy afatinib versus first-generation gefitinib in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with common EGFR mutations (del19 or L858R).¹ The Phase IIb trial met two of its co-primary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) by independent review and time to treatment failure (a measure of time between start, and discontinuation of treatment for any reason).¹ The LUX-Lung 7 trial results will be presented today at the 14th Annual British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) Conference in Dublin, Ireland. Data for the third co-primary endpoint, overall survival (OS), are not yet mature and will be presented in the future.

Results from the LUX-Lung 7 trial showed that afatinib significantly reduced the risk of lung cancer progression by 27% versus gefitinib.¹ The improvement in PFS became more pronounced over time, with a significantly higher proportion of patients alive and progression-free at 18 months (27% vs 15%) and 24 months (18% vs 8%), showing a greater long-term benefit to using afatinib versus gefitinib.¹ In addition to superior PFS, patients on afatinib had a significantly longer time on treatment: risk of treatment failure was reduced by 27% versus gefitinib.¹ Significantly more patients had an objective tumor response (a clinically meaningful decrease in tumor size) with afatinib when compared to gefitinib (70% vs 56%), with a median duration of response of 10.1 months and 8.4 months, respectively.¹ The improvement in PFS with afatinib was consistent across most pre-defined clinical subgroups, including gender, age, race and EGFR mutation type.¹ 

"As the first global head-to-head trial directly comparing two EGFR-directed therapies for the treatment of patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC, LUX-Lung 7 marks a significant milestone to better understanding the benefits of first-line treatment options for this population," said Shirish Gadgeel, M.D., leader of the Thoracic Oncology Multidisciplinary Team and president of the Medical Executive Committee of the Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit. "The study showed that afatinib demonstrated superiority to gefinitib as measured by progression free survival and time to treatment failure – important findings that should factor into how EGFR mutation-positive patients are treated."

Adverse events (AEs) observed in the LUX-Lung 7 trial were consistent with the known safety profiles of both treatments. Treatment with both afatinib and gefitinib was generally tolerable, leading to an equally low rate of treatment-related discontinuation in both arms (6.3%).¹ The overall frequency of serious AEs was similar for both (afatinib: 44.4% vs gefitinib: 37.1%); the most common grade ≥3 related AEs with afatinib were diarrhea (12.5%) and rash/acne (9.4%), and with gefitinib aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increase (8.8%) and rash/acne (3.1%).¹ Drug-related interstitial lung disease was reported in four patients on gefitinib and no patients on afatinib.¹

"LUX-Lung 7 is the second positive head-to-head trial of afatinib versus first-generation EGFR TKIs in lung cancer, showing that first- and second-generation EGFR targeted agents are not the same," said Dr. Mehdi Shahidi, Medical Head, Solid Tumor Oncology, Boehringer Ingelheim. "Interestingly, the progression-free survival difference observed in the LUX-Lung 7 trial became more prominent over time so that the progression-free survival rate was more than doubled with afatinib at 24 months."

About the LUX-Lung 7 trial
LUX-Lung 7 is the first global, head-to-head trial comparing second- and first-generation EGFR-directed therapies (afatinib and gefitinib respectively) for patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC who received no prior treatment. The Phase IIb trial included 319 patients with advanced stage NSCLC harbouring common EGFR mutations (del19 or L858R). The trial's co-primary endpoints were PFS by independent review, time to treatment failure and OS; and the secondary endpoints included objective response rate, disease control rate, tumor shrinkage, patient-reported outcomes and safety.

Results: compared to gefitinib, afatinib significantly improved:

• PFS (HR=0.73; 95% CI, 0.57‒0.95; p=0.0165; median: 11.0 months [afatinib] versus 10.9 months [gefitinib])
• Time to treatment failure (HR=0.73; 95% CI, 0.58‒0.92; p=0.0073; median: 13.7 months [afatinib] versus 11.5 months [gefitinib])
• ORR (70% vs 56%, p=0.0083)

Afatinib is approved in more than 60 countries for the first-line treatment of distinct types of EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC (under the brand names: GIOTRIF^® / GILOTRIF^®). Approval of afatinib in this indication was based on the primary endpoint of PFS from the LUX-Lung 3 clinical trial where afatinib significantly delayed tumor growth when compared to standard chemotherapy.[2] In addition, afatinib is the first treatment to have shown an OS benefit for patients with specific types of EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC compared to chemotherapy.[3] A significant OS benefit was demonstrated independently in the LUX-Lung 3 and 6 trials for patients with the most common EGFR mutation (exon 19 deletions; del19) compared to chemotherapy.³

About Gilotrif^® (afatinib) tablets
GILOTRIF is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations as detected by an FDA-approved test.

Limitation of Use: Safety and efficacy of GILOTRIF have not been established in patients whose tumors have other EGFR mutations.

GILOTRIF is an oral, once-daily kinase inhibitor that is designed to irreversibly bind and inhibit the following receptors: EGFR (ErbB1), HER2 (ErbB2) and ErbB4.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Diarrhea

• Diarrhea has resulted in dehydration with or without renal impairment; some of these cases were fatal. In the pivotal study, diarrhea occurred in 96% of patients treated with GILOTRIF (n=229), of which 15% was Grade 3 in severity and occurred within the first 6 weeks. Renal impairment as a consequence of diarrhea occurred in 6.1% of patients treated with GILOTRIF, out of which 3 (1.3%) were Grade 3.
• For patients who develop prolonged Grade 2 diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours or greater than or equal to Grade 3 diarrhea, withhold GILOTRIF until diarrhea resolves to Grade 1 or less, and resume GILOTRIF with appropriate dose reduction. Provide patients with an anti-diarrheal agent (e.g., loperamide) for self-administration at the onset of diarrhea and instruct patients to continue anti-diarrheal therapy until loose bowel movements cease for 12 hours.

Bullous and Exfoliative Skin Disorders

• Grade 3 cutaneous reactions characterized by bullous, blistering, and exfoliating lesions occurred in 6 (0.15%) of the 3865 patients who received GILOTRIF across clinical trials. In the pivotal study, the overall incidence of cutaneous reactions consisting of rash, erythema, and acneiform rash was 90%, and the incidence of Grade 3 cutaneous reactions was 16%.  In addition, the incidence of Grade 1-3 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome was 7%. Discontinue GILOTRIF in patients who develop life-threatening bullous, blistering, or exfoliating lesions.  For patients who develop prolonged Grade 2 cutaneous adverse reactions lasting more than 7 days, intolerable Grade 2, or Grade 3 cutaneous reactions, withhold GILOTRIF until the adverse reaction resolves to Grade 1 or less, and resume GILOTRIF with appropriate dose reduction.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

• ILD or ILD-like adverse reactions (e.g., lung infiltration, pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or alveolitis allergic) occurred in 1.5% of the 3865 patients who received GILOTRIF across clinical trials; of these, 0.4% were fatal. The incidence of ILD appeared to be higher in patients of Asian ethnicity (2.1%) as compared to non-Asians (1.2%). In the pivotal study, the incidence of Grade ≥3 ILD was 1.3% and resulted in death in 1% of GILOTRIF-treated patients.
• Withhold GILOTRIF during evaluation of patients with suspected ILD, and discontinue GILOTRIF in patients with confirmed ILD.

Hepatic Toxicity

• In 3865 patients who received GILOTRIF across clinical trials, 10.1% had liver test abnormalities, of which 7 (0.18%) were fatal. In the pivotal study, liver test abnormalities of any grade occurred in 17.5% of the patients treated with GILOTRIF.
• Obtain periodic liver testing in patients during treatment with GILOTRIF. Withhold GILOTRIF in patients who develop worsening of liver function. In patients who develop severe hepatic impairment while taking GILOTRIF, treatment should be discontinued.

Keratitis

• Keratitis, characterized as acute or worsening eye inflammation, lacrimation, light sensitivity, blurred vision, eye pain, and/or red eye occurred in 0.8% of patients treated with GILOTRIF among 3865 patients across clinical trials. Keratitis was reported in 5 (2.2%) patients in the pivotal study, with Grade 3 in 1 (0.4%).  Withhold GILOTRIF during evaluation of patients with suspected keratitis, and if diagnosis of ulcerative keratitis is confirmed, treatment with GILOTRIF should be interrupted or discontinued. If keratitis is diagnosed, the benefits and risks of continuing treatment should be carefully considered. GILOTRIF should be used with caution in patients with a history of keratitis, ulcerative keratitis, or severe dry eye. Contact lens use is also a risk factor for keratitis and ulceration.

Embryofetal Toxicity

• GILOTRIF is Pregnancy Category D. Based on its mechanism of action; GILOTRIF can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.
  
  
• Advise females of reproductive potential to use highly effective contraception during treatment, and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose of GILOTRIF. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, or if pregnancy is suspected, while taking GILOTRIF.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

• In GILOTRIF-treated patients (n=229) the most common adverse reactions in the pivotal study (≥20% all grades & vs pemetrexed/cisplatin-treated patients (n=111)) were diarrhea (96% vs 23%), rash/dermatitis acneiform (90% vs 11%), stomatitis (71% vs 15%), paronychia (58% vs 0%), dry skin (31% vs 2%), decreased appetite (29% vs 55%), pruritus (21% vs 1%).
  
  
• Serious adverse reactions were reported in 29% of patients treated with GILOTRIF.
  The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in patients treated with GILOTRIF were diarrhea (6.6%); vomiting (4.8%); and dyspnea, fatigue, and hypokalemia (1.7% each). Fatal adverse reactions in GILOTRIF-treated patients included pulmonary toxicity/ILD-like adverse reactions (1.3%), sepsis (0.43%), and pneumonia (0.43%).
  
  
• More GILOTRIF-treated patients (2.2%; n=5) experienced ventricular dysfunction (defined as diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular dysfunction, or ventricular dilation; all < Grade 3) compared to chemotherapy-treated patients (0.9%; n=1).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Effect of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) Inhibitors and Inducers

• Concomitant taking of P-gp inhibitors (including but not limited to ritonavir, cyclosporine A, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, verapamil, quinidine, tacrolimus, nelfinavir, saquinavir, and amiodarone) with GILOTRIF can increase exposure to afatinib.
• Concomitant taking of P-gp inducers (including but not limited to rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and St. John's wort) with GILOTRIF can decrease exposure to afatinib.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Nursing Mothers

• It is not known whether afatinib is present in human milk.  Because many drugs are present in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from GILOTRIF, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Renal Impairment

• GILOTRIF has not been studied in patients with severely impaired renal function.
  Closely monitor patients with moderate (CLcr 30-59 mL/min) to severe (CLcr <30 mL/min) renal impairment and adjust GILOTRIF dose if not tolerated.

Hepatic Impairment

• GILOTRIF has not been studied in patients with severe (Child Pugh C) hepatic impairment. Closely monitor patients with severe hepatic impairment and adjust GILOTRIF dose if not tolerated.

For full prescribing information, including patient information, please click here. You can also visit www.gilotrif.com or contact Boehringer Ingelheim's Medical and Technical Information (MTI) Unit at 1-800-542-6257

About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation.

Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, the company operates globally with 146 affiliates and more than 47,000 employees. Since its founding in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel treatments for human and veterinary medicine.

Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and providing valuable services and support to patients and families. Our employees create and engage in programs that strengthen our communities. To learn more about how we make more health for more people, visit our Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

In 2014, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $16.96 billion dollars (13.3 billion euros). R&D expenditure corresponds to 19.9 percent of its net sales.

For more information please visit www.us.boehringer-ingelheim.com, or follow us on Twitter @BoehringerUS. 

Media Contact
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Public Relations
Paul Wynn
Phone: 203-798-4887
Email: [email protected]

Further Media Channels
www.facebook.com/BoehringerUS  
www.twitter.com/boehringerus 
www.youtube.com/user/BoehringerUS

[1] Park K, et al. Afatinib versus gefitinib as first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer harboring activating EGFR mutations: results of the global, randomized, open-label, Phase IIb trial LUX-Lung 7. LBA2, oral presentation at the ESMO Asia 2015 Congress in Singapore, 18-21 December 2015.

[2] Sequist L, et al. Phase III Study of afatinib or Cisplatin Plus Pemetrexed in Patients With Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations. J Clin Oncol 2013;DOI:10.1200/JCO.2012.44.2806.

[3] Wu Y-L, et al. Afatinib versus cisplatin plus gemcitabine for first-line treatment of Asian patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer harbouring EGFR mutations (LUX-Lung 6): an open-label, randomised phase 3 trial. J Clin Oncol 2014;DOI:10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70604.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151201/292352

SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim

Related Links

http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com