Press Release: Sarclisa® (isatuximab) combination provides unprecedented median progression free survival in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma receiving a proteasome inhibitor therapy
These results, presented at the Controversies in Multiple Myeloma World Congress, represent the longest mPFS among studies investigating a proteasome inhibitor backbone in the second-line setting for the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma (MM).
Sarclisa® (isatuximab) combination provides unprecedented median progression free survival in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma receiving a proteasome inhibitor therapy
- Latest results of the Phase 3 IKEMA trial demonstrate the longest median progression free survival (mPFS) on a proteasome inhibitor backbone in patients who relapsed after a prior therapy, including lenalidomide
- The median progression free survival, increased from 19.2 months to 35.7 months when Sarclisa was added to carfilzomib and dexamethasone
- Further analysis, following U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommendations on censoring rules, showed mPFS increased from 20.8 to 41.7 months when Sarclisa was added to carfilzomib and dexamethasone
PARIS, May 15, 2022. Latest results from the Phase 3 IKEMA clinical trial evaluating Sarclisa® (isatuximab) in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Kd) demonstrated a median progression free survival (mPFS) of 35.7 months (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.58; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 25.8 to 44.0; n=179), compared to 19.2 months in patients treated with Kd alone (95% CI: 15.8 to 25.1; n=123), as evaluated by an Independent Review Committee. These results, presented at the Controversies in Multiple Myeloma World Congress, represent the longest mPFS among studies investigating a proteasome inhibitor backbone in the second-line setting for the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). These data will also be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology on May 19.
Philippe Moreau, MD
Head of the Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Nantes, France
“The increase in progression free survival, observed consistently across all subgroups, when adding Sarclisa to carfilzomib and dexamethasone is remarkable in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma in a proteasome inhibitor combination. Relapse is common in multiple myeloma, creating the need for differentiated second-line treatments that provide patients a longer period of time without disease progression. This updated analysis reinforces the potential for Sarclisa to become a new standard of care for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.”
A PFS analysis following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommendations on censoring rules, as applied in the approved U.S. prescribing information, showed an mPFS of 41.7 months for Sarclisa added to Kd (Sarclisa combination therapy) compared to 20.8 months in patients treated with Kd alone (HR 0.59; 95% CI: 27.1 to Not Calculable [NC]).
Time to next treatment for patients treated with Sarclisa combination therapy was 44.9 months (HR 0.55; 95% CI: 31.6 to NC) versus those treated with Kd alone at 25 months (95% CI: 17.9 to 31.3). Time to next treatment measured the interval from the date of randomization1 to the date of commencement of the next line of therapy, thereby allowing for measurement of the period of therapeutic benefit.2
Peter C. Adamson, MD
Global Head of Oncology Clinical Development and Pediatric Innovation at Sanofi
“To observe progression free survival of more than three years in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma when Sarclisa was added to a proteasome inhibitor backbone of therapy is unprecedented and reinforces our confidence in Sarclisa as a potential best in class anti-CD38 antibody.”
The safety and tolerability of Sarclisa observed in this analysis were consistent with the safety profile of Sarclisa in other clinical trials, with no new safety signals observed. For the Sarclisa combination therapy and Kd groups, the most common adverse events were infusion related reaction (45.8%, 3.3%), diarrhea (39.5%, 32%), hypertension (37.9%, 35.2%), upper respiratory tract infection (37.3%, 27%), fatigue (31.6%, 20.5%), dyspnoea (30.5%, 22.1%), pneumonia (27.1%, 21.3%), back pain (25.4%, 21.3%), insomnia (25.4%, 24.6%), and bronchitis (24.3%, 12.3%). Treatment exposure in the Sarclisa combination therapy arm was 30 weeks longer than in the control arm. Treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of ≥ Grade 3 were reported in 83.6% of patients treated with Sarclisa combination therapy and in 73% of those treated with Kd alone. Serious TEAEs were higher in the Sarclisa combination therapy arm versus Kd alone (70.1% versus 59.8%). No difference was observed after exposure adjustment.”
These results will be discussed with regulatory authorities at a future date.
About the IKEMA trial
The randomized, multi-center, open label Phase 3 IKEMA clinical trial enrolled 302 patients with relapsed MM across 69 centers spanning 16 countries. All study participants had received one to three prior anti-myeloma therapies. During the trial, Sarclisa was administered through an intravenous infusion at a dose of 10mg/kg once weekly for four weeks, then every other week for 28-day cycles in combination with carfilzomib twice weekly at the 20/56mg/m2 dose and dexamethasone at the standard dose for the duration of treatment. The primary endpoint of IKEMA was progression free survival. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate, the rate of complete response or better, the rate of very good partial response or better, rate of minimal residual disease-negativity, overall survival and safety.3
About Sarclisa
Sarclisa is a monoclonal antibody that targets a specific epitope on the CD38 receptor on multiple myeloma (MM) cells. It is designed to work through multiple mechanisms of action including programmed tumor cell death (apoptosis) and immunomodulatory activity. CD38 is highly and uniformly expressed on the surface of MM cells, making it a potential target for antibody-based therapeutics such as Sarclisa.
Based on the Phase 3 ICARIA-MM study, Sarclisa is approved in a number of countries, including the U.S. and EU, in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed refractory MM (RRMM) who have received ≥2 prior therapies, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. Based on the Phase 3 IKEMA study, Sarclisa is also approved in multiple countries in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone, including in the U.S. for the treatment of patients with RRMM who have received 1–3 prior lines of therapy and in the European Union for patients with MM who have received at least 1 prior therapy. In the U.S., the generic name for Sarclisa is isatuximab-irfc, with irfc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Sarclisa continues to be evaluated in multiple ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials in combination with current standard treatments across the MM treatment continuum. It is also under investigation for the treatment of other hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The safety and efficacy of these additional uses have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority worldwide.
For more information on Sarclisa clinical trials, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About multiple myeloma
MM is the second most common hematologic malignancy,4 with more than 130,000 new diagnoses of MM worldwide yearly.5 Despite available treatments, MM remains an incurable malignancy and is associated with significant patient burden. Since MM does not have a cure, most patients will relapse. Relapsed MM is the term for when the cancer returns after treatment or a period of remission. Refractory MM refers to when the cancer does not respond or no longer responds to therapy.
About Sanofi
We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.
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1 ClincalTrials.gov. Identifier # NCT03275285.
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03275285?term=IKEMA&draw=2&rank=1. Accessed April 2022.
2 Campbell. Time to Next Treatment as a Meaningful Endpoint for Trials of Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma. Cancers vol. 12,8 2311. 17 Aug. 2020, doi:10.3390/cancers12082311.
3 ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier # NCT03275285. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03275285?cond=NCT03275285&draw=2&rank=1. Accessed April 2022.
4 Kazandjian. Multiple myeloma epidemiology and survival: A unique malignancy. Semin Oncol. 2016;43(6):676-681. doi:10.1053/j/seminoncol.2016.11.004.
5 International Myeloma Foundation. Myeloma Action Month. https://mam.myeloma.org/learn-more-about-multiple-myeloma/. Accessed April 2022.
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