BEERSE, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today findings from the investigational Phase 3 TITAN study, which showed the addition of ERLEADA® (apalutamide) to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) compared with placebo plus ADT significantly improved the dual primary endpoints of overall survival (OS) and radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).1 The study included patients with mHSPC regardless of extent of disease or prior docetaxel treatment history.1 Results were presented in an oral session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago (Abstract #5006), and simultaneously published online in The New England Journal of Medicine. The data were selected for Best of ASCO 2019 Meetings, which highlight cutting-edge science and reflect leading research in oncology.
Apalutamide plus ADT significantly extended 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).1,2 In both study arms, median OS was not reached.1,2 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).1,2 The median rPFS was 22.1 months for placebo plus ADT and not reached for apalutamide plus ADT.1,2 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.1,2
These data formed the basis of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval of a new indication for apalutamide for the treatment of patients with mHSPC, which is currently under review through the Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) programme.3
“The data presented today mark a major scientific evidence milestone in the management of patients with mHSPC,” said Prof. Dr. med. Axel S. Merseburger, Chairman of the Department of Urology, Campus Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein. “The TITAN data has shown that apalutamide could significantly benefit patients by delaying disease progression and critically, prolong overall survival in a disease where median overall survival is less than five years. It is clinically relevant to see that this trial has demonstrated that apalutamide has the potential to benefit all types of patients with mHSPC and I am incredibly proud to be a part of this study.”
In addition to meeting the primary dual endpoints of OS and rPFS, the secondary endpoint of prolonged time to cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients treated with apalutamide plus ADT was also met, with a 61 percent risk reduction compared with placebo plus ADT (HR=0.39; 95% CI, 0.27-0.56; P<0.0001).1,2 In exploratory endpoints, median time to PSA progression was more favourable following apalutamide plus ADT, compared with placebo plus ADT, and PSA reached undetectable levels in 68 percent of patients in the apalutamide plus ADT arm and 29 percent in patients in the placebo plus ADT arm.1,2 Additionally, apalutamide plus ADT, compared with placebo plus ADT, achieved a 34 percent risk reduction in median time to second progression-free survival (PFS2), defined as time from randomisation to either disease progression on first subsequent anticancer therapy or death, whichever occurred first (HR= 0.66; 95% CI, 0.50-0.87).1,2 The median PFS2 was not reached for both study arms. Although time to pain progression was tested, it did not reach statistical significance.1,2 Due to a hierarchical statistical design, no formal testing for further secondary endpoints, including median time to chronic opioid use and median time to skeletal-related events, were conducted at this time.1,2
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).1,2 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).1,2 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).1,2 Treatment discontinuation due to AEs was 8 percent in the apalutamide arm compared to 5 percent in the placebo arm.1,2 Rash of any grade was more common among patients treated with apalutamide plus ADT, versus placebo plus ADT (27 percent vs 9 percent, respectively).1,2
“This is the first presentation of the investigational TITAN data. We are encouraged that apalutamide significantly improved overall survival and in a relevant magnitude, underscoring that the efficacy of treatment with ADT alone could offer to patients with mHSPC was, actually, inferior to that provided by apalutamide,” said Dr. Joaquín Casariego, Janssen Therapeutic Area Lead Oncology for Europe, Middle East & Africa, Janssen Cilag SA. “Our mission as physicians is to treat the patient with the right treatment at the right time. We will continue in our endeavors to improve outcomes for patients, through engagement with the investigators’ community in robust clinical research studies, such as TITAN, that could help answer the most relevant health questions for patients suffering from cancer, their HCPs and all stakeholders involved in the fight against this disease.”
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About the TITAN Study1
TITAN is a Phase 3 randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in men with mHSPC regardless of extent of disease or prior docetaxel treatment history. The study included 1,052 patients in intention-to-treat (ITT) population in 23 countries across 260 sites in North America, Latin America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Patients with mHSPC were randomised 1:1 and received either apalutamide (240 mg) plus continuous androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (n=525), or placebo plus ADT (n=527). The recruitment period for the study spanned from December 2015 to July 2017. The study included mHSPC patients with both low- and high-volume disease, those who were newly diagnosed, or those who had received prior definitive local therapy or prior treatment with up to six cycles of docetaxel or up to six months of ADT for mHSPC. Participants were treated until disease progression or the occurrence of unacceptable treatment-related toxicity. An independent data-monitoring committee was commissioned by the sponsor to monitor safety and efficacy before unblinding and make study conduct recommendations. Dual primary endpoints of the study were OS and rPFS. Secondary endpoints included time to cytotoxic chemotherapy, time to pain progression, time to chronic opioid use and time to skeletal-related event. Exploratory endpoints included time to PSA progression, time to second progression-free survival and time to symptomatic progression. For additional study information, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
About ERLEADA
ERLEADA® (apalutamide) is an androgen receptor (AR) inhibitor indicated for use in Europe for the treatment of patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) who are at high risk of developing metastatic disease.4 In the U.S. apalutamide is indicated for the treatment of nmCRPC.5
About Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) refers to prostate cancer that still responds to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and has spread to other parts of the body.6 Patients with mHSPC tend to have a poor prognosis, with a median OS of less than five years, underscoring the need for new treatment options.7,8,9
About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
At Janssen, we’re creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We’re the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Neuroscience, Oncology, and Pulmonary Hypertension.
Learn more at www.janssen.com/emea. Follow us at www.twitter.com/janssenEMEA for our latest news. Janssen R&D, LLC and Janssen Biotech are part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
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Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding potential benefits and further benefits of ERLEADA® (apalutamide). The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in the company’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.
References
1 Chi, Kim. First results from TITAN: A phase III
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with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer receiving androgen
deprivation therapy. American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual
Meeting 2019. Oral presentation, Friday 31st May 2019.
2
Chi, Kim. et al. Apalutamide for Metastatic, Castration-Sensitive
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Last accessed May 2019
3 Janssen. Janssen Submits
Application to U.S. FDA Seeking Approval of ERLEADA®(apalutamide)
for Patients with Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer.
Available at: https://www.jnj.com/janssen-submits-application-to-u-s-fda-seeking-approval-of-erleada-apalutamide-for-patients-with-metastatic-castration-sensitive-prostate-cancer.
Last accessed May 2019.
4 European Medicines Agency.
ERLEADA Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/erleada-epar-product-information_en.pdf.
Last accessed May 2019
5 ERLEADA product information.
Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/210951s000lbl.pdf.
Last accessed May 2019.
6 Cancer.net. Prostate Cancer:
Treatment Options. Available at: http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/treatment-options.
Last accessed May 2019
7 American Cancer Society.
Survival rates for prostate cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html.
Last accessed May 2019.
8 European Association of
Urology. Updated guidelines for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate
cancer: abiraterone acetate combined with castration is another
standard. Available at: https://uroweb.org/wp-content/uploads/Mottet-N.-et-al.-Eur-Urol-733316-321.-Updated-Guidelines-for-Metastatic-Hormone-sensitive-PCa-Abiraterone-Acetate.pdf.
Last accessed May 2019.
9 Fizazi K., et al. Abiraterone
plus Prednisone in Metastatic, Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer. New
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Job code: EM-11239
Date of preparation: May 2019
