The submission to the EMA follows the submission of supplemental registration dossiers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 29th April 2019 and to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) on 31st May 2019 seeking approval of a new indication for apalutamide for the treatment of patients with mHSPC.3,4
“Today’s application seeking to expand the approval of apalutamide for the treatment of patients with mHSPC marks an important step in our continued focus and commitment to bring innovative medicines forward in the treatment of prostate cancer,” said Dr. Joaquín Casariego, Janssen Therapeutic Area Lead Oncology for Europe, Middle East & Africa, Janssen-Cilag S.A. “We look forward to working with the EMA to expand access to this next-generation androgen receptor inhibitor for those patients who may benefit from this treatment in the future.”Results from the Phase 3 TITAN study showed patients with mHSPC, treated with apalutamide plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) significantly extended overall survival (OS) compared to placebo plus ADT with a 33 percent reduction in the risk of death (HR=0.67; 95% CI, 0.51-0.89; P=0.0053).2 In both study arms, median OS was not reached.2 Apalutamide plus ADT also significantly improved rPFS compared to placebo plus ADT with a 52 percent reduction in risk of radiographic progression or death compared to placebo plus ADT (HR=0.48; 95% CI, 0.39-0.60; P<0.0001).1 The median rPFS was 22.1 months for placebo plus ADT and not reached for apalutamide plus ADT.2 The two-year OS rates, after a median follow up of 22.7 months, were 82 percent for apalutamide plus ADT compared to 74 percent for placebo plus ADT.2
Adverse events (AEs) were generally consistent with the known apalutamide safety profile. The incidence of Grade 3/4 AEs for apalutamide plus ADT, versus placebo plus ADT were similar (42 percent vs 41 percent).2 The most common Grade ≥3 AEs for apalutamide plus ADT versus placebo plus ADT were hypertension (8.4 percent vs. 9.1 percent) and skin rash (6.3 percent vs. 0.6 percent).2 Additional reported Grade ≥3 AEs for apalutamide plus ADT versus placebo plus ADT were back pain (2.3 percent vs. 2.7 percent), blood alkaline phosphatase increased (0.4 percent vs. 2.5 percent) and anemia (1.7 percent vs. 3.2 percent).2 Treatment discontinuation due to AEs was 8 percent in the apalutamide arm compared to 5 percent in the placebo arm.1 Rash of any grade was more common among patients treated with apalutamide plus ADT, versus placebo plus ADT (27 percent vs 9 percent, respectively).2
In Europe, apalutamide is currently approved for use in adults with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) who are at high risk of developing metastatic disease.5 In the U.S. apalutamide is indicated for the treatment of nmCRPC.6
References:
1. Chi, Kim. First results from TITAN: A phase III double-blind, randomized study of apalutamide versus placebo in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy. American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting 2019. Abstract #5006.
2. Chi, Kim, et al. New England Journal of Medicine 2019. Apalutadmide for metastatic, castration-sensitive prostate cancer. Last accessed June 2019. Last accessed June 2019.
3. Janssen. Janssen Submits Application to U.S. FDA Seeking Approval of ERLEADA®(apalutamide) for Patients with Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer. Last accessed June 2019.Last accessed June 2019.
4. Janssen. Application for additional approval for indication of ERLEADA® for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer. Last Accessed June 2019.ast Accessed June 2019.
5. European Medicines Agency. ERLEADA Summary of Product Characteristics. Last accessed June 2019.. Last accessed June 2019.
6. ERLEADA product information. Last accessed June 2019. Last accessed June 2019.
7. Cancer.net. Prostate Cancer: Treatment Options. Last accessed June 2019. Last accessed June 2019.
8. American Cancer Society. Survival rates for prostate cancer. Last accessed June 2019.Last accessed June 2019.
9. European Association of Urology. Updated guidelines for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: abiraterone acetate combined with castration is another standard. Last accessed June 2019.Last accessed June 2019.
10. Fizazi K., et al. Abiraterone plus Prednisone in Metastatic, Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. June 2017.