Press Release Details

First Prospective Study of Treatment in Patients with Wild-Type RAS Colorectal Cancer and Left-Sided Primary Tumor

Results From the Phase 3 PARADIGM Trial Being Featured During ASCO 2022 Plenary Session

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. and OSAKA, Japan, June 5, 2022  /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company (TSE: 4502) today announced that new data from the Phase 3 PARADIGM clinical trial of Vectibix^® (panitumumab) in Japanese patients with previously untreated unresectable wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are being featured during the June 5 Plenary Session (Abstract #LBA1) of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting being held in Chicago and online.

PARADIGM is a randomized trial conducted in Japan comparing the efficacy and safety of Vectibix plus mFOLFOX6 compared to bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 in chemotherapy-naive patients with unresectable advanced mCRC (n=823). This trial was conducted by Takeda. This is the first prospective trial to evaluate treatment options for patients with wild-type RAS mCRC and left-side primary tumor (descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum).

"Data from the PARADIGM study demonstrate the superiority of Vectibix over bevacizumab, both with chemotherapy, further establishing this Vectibix combination regimen as a standard of care for first-line treatment of wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer," said David M. Reese, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "These study results build on the long history of Vectibix in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer and reinforce the importance of comprehensive biomarker testing to identify all eligible patients."

The results of the trial showed that the mFOLFOX6 + Vectibix combination provides a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) over the mFOLFOX6 + bevacizumab combination in patients with a left-sided primary tumor or regardless of tumor locations (median OS for left-sided tumors: 37.9 vs. 34.3 months, HR=0.82 [95.798% CI: 0.68-0.99], p=0.031, overall median OS: 36.2 vs. 31.3 months, HR=0.84 [95% CI: 0.72-0.98], p=0.030). The safety profile of Vectibix in this study was similar to clinical study results previously published.

"This is the first prospective Phase 3 study of treatment in patients with wild-type RAS, unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer and left-sided primary tumor," said Dr. Takayuki Yoshino, chief for the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, and deputy director at the National Cancer Center Hospital East. "These results provide further evidence of the benefits Vectibix provides for treatment in wild-type RAS, left-sided mCRC."

"These results further our understanding of the value Vectibix plus chemotherapy as a first-line treatment may provide for this patient population," said Takafumi Horii, head of the Japan Oncology BU, Global Oncology Unit at Takeda Pharmaceutical. "We are grateful to the patients, families and physicians in Japan who have contributed to this trial as we strive to deliver new therapeutic options for patients with unmet needs around the world."

For more detailed results of the study, please refer to ASCO.org.

The PARADIGM Trial

About Vectibix^® (panitumumab)

Vectibix is the first fully human monoclonal anti-EGFR antibody approved by the FDA for the treatment of mCRC. Vectibix was approved in the U.S. in September 2006 as a monotherapy for the treatment of patients with EGFR-expressing mCRC after disease progression after prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-containing chemotherapy.

In May 2014, the FDA approved Vectibix for use in combination with FOLFOX, as first-line treatment in patients with wild-type KRAS (exon 2) mCRC. With this approval, Vectibix became the first-and-only biologic therapy indicated for use with FOLFOX, one of the most commonly used chemotherapy regimens, in the first-line treatment of mCRC specifically for patients with wild-type KRAS mCRC.

In June 2017, the FDA approved a refined indication for Vectibix for use in in patients with wild-type RAS (defined as wild-type in both KRAS and NRAS as determined by an FDA-approved test for this use) mCRC.

INDICATION AND LIMITATION OF USE 

Vectibix^® is indicated for the treatment of patients with wild-type RAS (defined as wild-type in both KRAS and NRAS as determined by an FDA-approved test for this use) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): as first-line therapy in combination with FOLFOX, and as monotherapy following disease progression after prior treatment with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-containing chemotherapy.

Limitation of Use: Vectibix^® is not indicated for the treatment of patients with RAS mutant mCRC or for whom RAS mutation status is unknown.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

BOXED WARNING: DERMATOLOGIC TOXICITY

Dermatologic Toxicity: Dermatologic toxicities occurred in 90% of patients and were severe (NCI-CTC grade 3 and higher) in 15% of patients receiving Vectibix monotherapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

• In Study 20020408, dermatologic toxicities occurred in 90% of patients and were severe (NCI-CTC grade 3 and higher) in 15% of patients with mCRC receiving Vectibix^®. The clinical manifestations included, but were not limited to, acneiform dermatitis, pruritus, erythema, rash, skin exfoliation, paronychia, dry skin, and skin fissures.
• Monitor patients who develop dermatologic or soft tissue toxicities while receiving Vectibix^® for the development of inflammatory or infectious sequelae. Life-threatening and fatal infectious complications including necrotizing fasciitis, abscesses, and sepsis have been observed in patients treated with Vectibix^®. Life-threatening and fatal bullous mucocutaneous disease with blisters, erosions, and skin sloughing has also been observed in patients treated with Vectibix^®. It could not be determined whether these mucocutaneous adverse reactions were directly related to EGFR inhibition or to idiosyncratic immune- related effects (e.g., Stevens Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis). Withhold or discontinue Vectibix^® for dermatologic or soft tissue toxicity associated with severe or life-threatening inflammatory or infectious complications. Dose modifications for Vectibix^® concerning dermatologic toxicity are provided in the product labeling.
• Vectibix^® is not indicated for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer that harbor somatic RAS mutations in exon 2 (codons 12 and 13), exon 3 (codons 59 and 61), and exon 4 (codons 117 and 146) of either KRAS or NRAS and hereafter is referred to as "RAS."
• Retrospective subset analyses across several randomized clinical trials were conducted to investigate the role of RAS mutations on the clinical effects of anti-EGFR-directed monoclonal antibodies (panitumumab or cetuximab). Anti-EGFR antibodies in patients with tumors containing RAS mutations resulted in exposing those patients to anti-EGFR related adverse reactions without clinical benefit from these agents. Additionally, in Study 20050203, 272 patients with RAS-mutant mCRC tumors received Vectibix^® in combination with FOLFOX and 276 patients received FOLFOX alone. In an exploratory subgroup analysis, OS was shorter (HR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.45) in patients with RAS-mutant mCRC who received Vectibix^® and FOLFOX versus FOLFOX alone.
• Progressively decreasing serum magnesium levels leading to severe (grade 3-4) hypomagnesemia occurred in up to 7% (in Study 20080763) of patients across clinical trials. Monitor patients for hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia prior to initiating Vectibix^® treatment, periodically during Vectibix^® treatment, and for up to 8 weeks after the completion of treatment. Other electrolyte disturbances, including hypokalemia, have also been observed. Replete magnesium and other electrolytes as appropriate.
• In Study 20020408, 4% of patients experienced infusion reactions and 1% of patients experienced severe infusion reactions (NCI-CTC grade 3-4). Infusion reactions, manifesting as fever, chills, dyspnea, bronchospasm, and hypotension, can occur following Vectibix^® administration. Fatal infusion reactions occurred in postmarketing experience. Terminate the infusion for severe infusion reactions.
• Severe diarrhea and dehydration, leading to acute renal failure and other complications, have been observed in patients treated with Vectibix^® in combination with chemotherapy.
• Fatal and nonfatal cases of interstitial lung disease (ILD) (1%) and pulmonary fibrosis have been observed in patients treated with Vectibix^®. Pulmonary fibrosis occurred in less than 1% (2/1467) of patients enrolled in clinical studies of Vectibix^®. In the event of acute onset or worsening of pulmonary symptoms interrupt Vectibix^® therapy. Discontinue Vectibix^® therapy if ILD is confirmed.
• In patients with a history of interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis, or evidence of interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis, the benefits of therapy with Vectibix^® versus the risk of pulmonary complications must be carefully considered.
• Exposure to sunlight can exacerbate dermatologic toxicity. Advise patients to wear sunscreen and hats and limit sun exposure while receiving Vectibix^®.
• Keratitis and ulcerative keratitis, known risk factors for corneal perforation, have been reported with Vectibix^® use. Monitor for evidence of keratitis or ulcerative keratitis. Interrupt or discontinue Vectibix^® for acute or worsening keratitis.
• In an interim analysis of an open-label, multicenter, randomized clinical trial in the first-line setting in patients with mCRC, the addition of Vectibix^® to the combination of bevacizumab and chemotherapy resulted in decreased OS and increased incidence of NCI-CTC grade 3-5 (87% vs 72%) adverse reactions. NCI-CTC grade 3-4 adverse reactions occurring at a higher rate in Vectibix^®-treated patients included rash/acneiform dermatitis (26% vs 1%), diarrhea (23% vs 12%), dehydration (16% vs 5%), primarily occurring in patients with diarrhea, hypokalemia (10% vs 4%), stomatitis/mucositis (4% vs < 1%), and hypomagnesemia (4% vs 0).
• NCI-CTC grade 3-5 pulmonary embolism occurred at a higher rate in Vectibix^®-treated patients (7% vs 3%) and included fatal events in three (< 1%) Vectibix^®-treated patients. As a result of the toxicities experienced, patients randomized to Vectibix^®, bevacizumab, and chemotherapy received a lower mean relative dose intensity of each chemotherapeutic agent (oxaliplatin, irinotecan, bolus 5-FU, and/or infusional 5-FU) over the first 24 weeks on study compared with those randomized to bevacizumab and chemotherapy.
• Vectibix^® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment, and for at least 2 months after the last dose of Vectibix^®.
• In monotherapy, the most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥ 20%) in patients with Vectibix^® were skin rash with variable presentations, paronychia, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea.
• The most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥ 20%) with Vectibix^® + FOLFOX were diarrhea, stomatitis, mucosal inflammation, asthenia, paronychia, anorexia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, rash, acneiform dermatitis, pruritus, and dry skin. The most common serious adverse reactions (≥ 2% difference between treatment arms) were diarrhea and dehydration.

To see the Vectibix^® Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning visit www.vectibix.com.

About Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide and the third most common cancer in men. Approximately 1.2 million cases of colorectal cancer are expected to occur globally. With more than 630,000 deaths worldwide per year, it is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. The highest incidence rates are found in Japan, North America, parts of Europe, New Zealand, and Australia, and rates are low in Africa and Southeast Asia.[1] Using molecular approaches to identify unique genetic signatures in mCRC has the potential to help improve treatment outcomes.[2]

About Amgen Oncology

At Amgen Oncology, our mission to serve patients drives all that we do. That's why we're relentlessly focused on accelerating the delivery of medicines that have the potential to empower all angles of care and transform lives of people with cancer.

For the last four decades, we have been dedicated to discovering the firsts that matter in oncology and to finding ways to reduce the burden of cancer. Building on our heritage, Amgen continues to advance the largest pipeline in the Company's history, moving with great speed to advance those innovations for the patients who need them.

For more information, follow us on www.twitter.com/amgenoncology.

About Amgen

Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.

Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also part of the Nasdaq-100 index. In 2021, Amgen was named one of the 25 World's Best Workplaces™ by Fortune and Great Place to Work™ and one of the 100 most sustainable companies in the world by Barron's.

For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

Forward-Looking Statements

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CONTACT:
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Megan Fox, 805-447-1423 (media)
Jessica Akopyan, 805-440-5721 (media)
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¹Jemal A, et al. Global Cancer Statistics. CA CANCER J CLIN 2011;61:69-90.

²Fight Colorectal Cancer. Biomarker Fact Sheet. Available at: https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/fight/diagnosis/. Accessed May 9, 2022.

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