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ABRAXANE® Plus Gemcitabine Demonstrates Significant Survival Advantage in Phase III Study of Patients with Advanced Pancreatic CancerBOUDRY, Switzerland --(Business Wire)-- Celgene International Sàrl, a subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), today announced that its phase III clinical trial of ABRAXANE® (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) in combination with gemcitabine in treatment-naïve patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival compared to patients receiving gemcitabine alone [(median of 8.5 vs. 6.7 months) (HR 0.72, P=0.000015)]. In the MPACT (Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial) study, ABRAXANE plus gemcitabine demonstrated a 59% increase in one-year survival (35% vs. 22%, p=0.0002) and demonstrated double the rate of survival at two years (9% vs. 4%, p=0.02) as compared to gemcitabine alone. ABRAXANE plus gemcitabine also demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in key secondary endpoints compared to gemcitabine alone, including a 31% reduction in the risk of progression or death with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.5 vs. 3.7 months (HR 0.69, P=0.000024) and an overall response rate (ORR) of 23% compared to 7% (response rate ratio of 3.19, p=1.1 x 10-10). Another endpoint assessed included time to treatment failure, which was significantly improved with the ABRAXANE combination compared to gemcitabine alone [(median 5.1 vs. 3.6 months) (HR 0.70, P<0.0001)]. "The past few decades have brought us very few treatment advances for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, which is both deadly and incredibly difficult to treat with success," said Daniel D. Von Hoff, M.D., F.A.C.P., lead principal investigator of the MPACT study and Chief Scientific Officer for Scottsdale Healthcare's Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials and Physician-In-Chief for the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). "The fact that Abraxane plus gemcitabine demonstrated an overall survival benefit, and also did so at one and two years, is a significant step forward in offering potential new hope for our patients." The most common grade = 3 treatment-related adverse events in the study for ABRAXANE plus gemcitabine vs. gemcitabine alone were neutropenia (38% vs. 27%), fatigue (17% vs. 7%), and neuropathy (17% vs. 1%). In the ABRAXANE plus gemcitabine arm, the median time to neuropathy improvement was 29 days. There was no difference in serious life threatening toxicity (4% in each arm). "We are excited by the results of the Abraxane MPACT study and the potential this treatment combination may bring to patients with advanced pancreatic cancer," said Jean-Pierre Bizzari, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Head Hematology & Oncology Clinical Research, Celgene Corporation. "As the largest phase III real-world clinical trial in advanced pancreatic cancer, the clinically meaningful findings seen across key study endpoints and patient subgroups are a reflection of our ongoing commitment to develop innovative new therapies in critical areas of need." Further details of the study will be highlighted in a late-breaking oral presentation by Dr. Daniel D. Von Hoff:
Based on the results of the MPACT study, Celgene plans to submit dossiers for registration in the US and Europe during the first half of 2013 followed by submissions in other countries/regions during the second half of 2013. These results are from an investigational phase III study. ABRAXANE is not currently approved for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. About the MPACT Study In the MPACT (Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial) study, a Celgene-sponsored, open-label, randomized, international study of 861 metastatic pancreatic cancer patients were randomized to receive either ABRAXANE plus gemcitabine (125 mg/m2 followed by 1000 mg/m2 gemcitabine for 3 weeks followed by a week of rest) or gemcitabine alone (1000 mg/m2 administered weekly for 7 weeks followed by a week of rest followed by cycles of weekly administration for 3 weeks followed by one week of rest). The primary endpoint for the study is improvement in overall survival. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, and overall response rate determined by independent radiological review. Other endpoints included progression-free survival, overall response rate determined by investigator and the safety and tolerability of this combination in this patient population. About Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Advanced pancreatic cancer is a difficult-to-treat cancer with the lowest survival rates among all cancer types. Across all patients with pancreatic cancer, relative 5-year survival is 6% and is less than 2% for those with advanced disease. There are two main types of pancreatic cancer - adenocarcinomas, which accounts for approximately 90% of all pancreatic cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors. Pancreatic cancer is relatively uncommon with new cases accounting for only 2.1% of all newly diagnosed cancers. However, pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the United States and eighth globally. About ABRAXANE® ABRAXANE is an albumin-bound form of paclitaxel that is manufactured using patented nab® technology. ABRAXANE is formulated with albumin, a human protein, and is free of solvents. In the United States, ABRAXANE was first approved in January 2005 for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated. ABRAXANE is also approved in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA), Canada, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, United Arab Emirates and China for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. In October 2012, ABRAXANE was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with carboplatin, in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery r radiation therapy. For the full prescribing information for ABRAXANE please visit http://www.abraxane.com. ABRAXANE is currently in various stages of investigation for the treatment of the following cancers: pancreatic, metastatic melanoma, bladder, ovarian, and expanded applications for breast cancer. U.S. Regulatory Information for Abraxane ABRAXANE® for Injectable Suspension (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin bound) is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated. ABRAXANE is indicated for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with carboplatin, in patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy. Important Safety Information WARNING - NEUTROPENIA
CONTRAINDICATIONS Neutrophil Counts
Hypersensitivity
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hematologic Effects
Nervous System
Hypersensitivity
Hepatic Impairment
Albumin (Human)
Use in Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category D
Use in Men
ADVERSE REACTIONS Randomized Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Study
Non-Small Cell Lung (NSCLC) Cancer Study
Post-Marketing Experience with ABRAXANE and other Paclitaxel Formulations
DRUG INTERACTIONS
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Nursing Mothers
Pediatric
Geriatric
Renal Impairment
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS, and ADVERSE REACTIONS. About Celgene Celgene International Sàrl, located in Boudry, in the Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is a wholly owned subsidiary and international headquarters of Celgene Corporation. Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global pharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.celgene.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "will," "outlook" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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