Genentech’s TECENTRIQ improves survival in phase III lung cancer study

The study met its co-primary endpoints and showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with docetaxel chemotherapy in people with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease progressed on or after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Adverse events were consistent with what has been previously observed for TECENTRIQ. Genentech looks forward to presenting full results at an upcoming medical meeting in 2016.

“These results add to the growing body of evidence that supports the role of TECENTRIQ as a potential new treatment for specific types of advanced NSCLC,” said Sandra Horning, M.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development.

“This is very encouraging news for people living with this disease because lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths around the world. We hope to bring this treatment option to patients as soon as possible.”

The FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for TECENTRIQ for the treatment of people with PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) positive NSCLC whose disease has progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy (and appropriate targeted therapy for those with an EGFR mutation-positive or ALK-positive tumor).

Genentech’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for NSCLC was granted Priority Review with an action date of Oct. 19, 2016.

Genentech has eight Phase III lung studies underway evaluating TECENTRIQ alone or in combination with other treatments in people with early and advanced stages of lung cancer.

About the OAK study

OAK is a Phase III, global, multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of TECENTRIQ compared with docetaxel in people with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose disease progressed on or after treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

The study’s co-primary endpoints were overall survival in:

All people randomized to treatment in the study (intention-to-treat or ITT population), and

a PD-L1 selected subgroup of people

PD-L1 expression was assessed on both tumor cells (TC) and tumor-infiltrating cells (IC) with an investigational immunohistochemistry (IHC) test based on the SP142 antibody being developed by Roche Tissue Diagnostics, and was defined as people whose tumors were determined to express PD-L1 with an IHC score of TC1/2/3 or IC1/2/3.

Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DOR) and safety.

A total of 1,225 patients were enrolled and randomized 1:1 to receive either docetaxel (75 mg/m2intravenous infusion) or TECENTRIQ (1200 mg intravenous infusion) every three weeks.

Treatment on TECENTRIQ continued as long as patients experienced clinical benefit as assessed by the investigator or until unacceptable toxicity. The primary efficacy analysis was based on the first 850 randomized patients, and the secondary efficacy analysis will include all 1,225 randomized patients.

About non-small cell lung cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that more than 224,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016, and NSCLC accounts for 85 percent of all lung cancers. It is estimated that approximately 60 percent of lung cancer diagnoses in the United States are made when the disease is in the advanced stages.

About TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab)

TECENTRIQ is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called PD-L1. TECENTRIQ is designed to bind to PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, TECENTRIQ may enable the activation of T cells. TECENTRIQ may also affect normal cells.

TECENTRIQ is the first and only anti-PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy approved by the FDA, and is indicated for the treatment of people with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who have disease progression during or following platinum-based chemotherapy, or whose disease has worsened within 12 months of receiving platinum-based chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after surgery (adjuvant). This indication for TECENTRIQ is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

TECENTRIQ U.S. Indication (pronounced ‘te-SEN-trik’)

TECENTRIQ is a prescription medicine used to treat:

A type of bladder cancer called urothelial carcinoma. TECENTRIQ may be used when bladder cancer has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced urothelial carcinoma) and,

The patient has tried chemotherapy that contains platinum, and it did not work or is no longer working.

It is not known if TECENTRIQ is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

Important Information About TECENTRIQ

TECENTRIQ can cause the immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in many areas of the body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become serious or life-threatening and can lead to death.

Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. The healthcare provider may treat the patient with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. The healthcare provider may delay or completely stop treatment with TECENTRIQ if severe side effects occur.

Patients should call or see their healthcare provider right away if they get any symptoms of the following problems or these symptoms get worse.

TECENTRIQ can cause serious side effects, including:

Lung Problems (pneumonitis) – Signs and symptoms of pneumonitis may include: new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain

Liver Problems (hepatitis) – Signs and symptoms of hepatitis may include: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, severe nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of the stomach area (abdomen), drowsiness, dark urine (tea colored), bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, feeling less hungry than usual

Intestinal Problems (colitis) – Signs and symptoms of colitis may include: diarrhea (loose stools) or more bowel movements than usual, blood in the stools or dark, tarry, sticky stools, severe stomach area (abdomen) pain or tenderness

Hormone Gland Problems (especially the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas) – Signs and symptoms that the hormone glands are not working properly may include: headaches that will not go away or unusual headaches, extreme tiredness, weight gain or weight loss, dizziness or fainting, feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual, hair loss, changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness, feeling cold, constipation, voice gets deeper, urinating more often than usual, nausea or vomiting, stomach area (abdomen) pain

Nervous System Problems (neuropathy, meningoencephalitis) – Signs of nervous system problems may include: severe muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, fever, confusion, changes in mood or behavior, extreme sensitivity to light, neck stiffness

Inflammation of the Eyes – Symptoms may include blurry vision, double vision, other vision problems, eye pain or redness

Severe Infections – Symptoms of infection may include: fever, cough, frequent urination, flu-like symptoms, pain when urinating

Severe Infusion Reactions – Signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include: chills or shaking, itching or rash, flushing, shortness of breath or wheezing, dizziness, fever, feeling like passing out, back or neck pain, facial swelling

The most common side effects of TECENTRIQ include:

feeling tired

decreased appetite

nausea

urinary tract infection

fever

constipation

These are not all the possible side effects of TECENTRIQ. Patients should ask their healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

Before receiving TECENTRIQ, patients should tell their healthcare provider about all of their medical conditions, including if they:

have immune system problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus; have had an organ transplant; have lung or breathing problems; have liver problems; have a condition that affects the nervous system, such as Myasthenia Gravis or Guillain-Barre syndrome; or are being treated for an infection.

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

TECENTRIQ can harm an unborn baby.

If patients are able to become pregnant, they should use an effective method of birth control during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of TECENTRIQ.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if TECENTRIQ passes into the breast milk.

Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of TECENTRIQ.

Patients should tell their healthcare provider about all of the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.