ZEVALIN Demonstrates 35-Month Progression-Free Survival Benefit after Single Dose in Patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Eleven Presentations Including Five Oral Sessions Highlight Strong
ZEVALIN Data Including the Nearly Three Year Advantage in Median PFS
versus Control Demonstrated in Phase 3 FIT Trial Follow-up
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NasdaqGM: SPPI) today announced that
updated data from the ZEVALIN (ibritumomab tiuxetan) injection for
intravenous use Phase 3 First-line Indolent Trial (FIT) released in an
oral presentation at the 52nd American Society of Hematology (ASH)
Annual Meeting by independent researchers demonstrated that after a
median follow-up of 66.2 months, patients with previously untreated
follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with a standard, single-dose
infusion of ZEVALIN as part of the ZEVALIN Therapeutic Regimen after
partial or complete response to first-line chemotherapy had a nearly
three-year advantage in median progression-free survival (PFS) compared
to patients treated with either chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy plus
rituximab (49 months versus 14 months).
"ZEVALIN is in my opinion the most effective single drug available with
an acceptable hematological toxicity profile for the treatment of
patients with low-grade malignant follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,"
said Anton Hagenbeek, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Hematology, Academic
Medical Center, Amsterdam and principal investigator of the FIT trial
who presented the updated data in an oral presentation at ASH.
"Hematologists should seriously consider this cost-effective treatment
modality, which is relatively easy to administer, for their patients in
first remission."
"The compelling five-year follow-up FIT data underscore the strong
clinical utility of ZEVALIN for its approved indication of consolidation
of first remission in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma," said Rajesh
C. Shrotriya, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive
Officer, and President of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Since
obtaining commercial rights to ZEVALIN over a year ago, we have made
great strides in broadening the utilization of ZEVALIN, including
securing FDA approval as first-line consolidation therapy, establishment
of full reimbursement, and inclusion in the National Comprehensive
Cancer Network treatment guidelines. These accomplishments further
strengthen the ZEVALIN brand and its growth potential," Dr. Shrotriya
continued.
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals plans to submit data for consideration to the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration to remove the bioscan requirement
prior to ZEVALIN administration. Spectrum believes removal of the
requirement will further improve the convenience of ZEVALIN
administration and thereby further facilitate its adoption as the
standard of care in first-line consolidation setting for follicular
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Second Follow-Up Data from FIT — Oral Session, ASH Abstract #594
90-Y-Ibritumomab Tiuxetan (ZEVALIN) Consolidation of First Remission
in Advanced-Stage Follicular Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Updated Results
After a Median Follow-up of 66.2 Months From the International,
Randomized, Phase III First-Line Indolent Trial (FIT) in 414 Patients
As published in 2008, results from the first extended follow-up of the
FIT trial after a median of 42 months revealed a significant improvement
in PFS from the time of randomization with ZEVALIN consolidation
compared with control (36.5 versus 13.3 months, respectively; p<0.0001;
Morschhauser et al. JCO. 2008; 26:5156-5164).
The multinational, randomized, open-label Phase 3 FIT trial evaluates
clinical benefit and safety of a single infusion of ZEVALIN in 414
patients with CD20-positive follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who had
achieved a partial response or a complete response after receiving one
of the standard first-line chemotherapy regimens.
Patients were randomly assigned to either ZEVALIN treatment (n=207) or
observation (n=202) within three months of completing induction
chemotherapy (chemotherapy only: 86%; rituximab in combination with
chemotherapy: 14%).
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FIT-study results at 66.2 months median follow-up (5.5 years)
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|
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ZEVALIN
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Control
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P-value
|
|
|
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(Months)
|
|
(Months)
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|
|
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Median Progression-Free Survival (PFS) in all patients randomized
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49
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14
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<0.001
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PFS Among Patients with Complete Response after Chemotherapy
Induction
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Median not yet reached at 92 months
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32
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0.011
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PFS Among Patients with Partial Response after Chemotherapy Induction
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30
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6
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<0.001
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Time to Next Treatment/Time without need for further treatment
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Median not yet reached at 99 months
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35
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<0.0001
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At the 66.2 month analysis, five-year PFS was 47% in the ZEVALIN group
and 29% in the control group (p<0.0001). Median PFS in the ZEVALIN group
was 49 months versus 14 months in the control group (p<0.001). For all
patients, the time to next treatment (as calculated from the date of
randomization) differed significantly between the two groups; the median
was not reached at 99 months in the ZEVALIN group versus 35 months in
the control group (p<0.0001). At current follow-up, no significant
difference in incidence of secondary malignancies has been observed,
with 16 malignancies reported in the ZEVALIN group versus nine in the
control group (P=0.19). Six cases of myelodysplastic syndrome
(MDS)/acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were reported in the ZEVALIN
group versus one case in the control group (P=0.062). Following disease
relapse on study, patients were treated at the discretion of the
investigator with treatments that included, besides chemotherapy,
autologous (n=44) or allogeneic (n=4) stem cell transplantation, or
ZEVALIN for patients originally assigned to the control group (n=12).
Use of ZEVALIN upfront in this study did not appear to affect responses
to subsequent treatments given for relapsed disease. The toxicity
profile in this study is reflected in currently approved product
labeling, which is based on results from this trial.
About ZEVALIN® and the
ZEVALIN Therapeutic Regimen
ZEVALIN (ibritumomab tiuxetan) injection for intravenous use is
indicated for the treatment of patients with previously untreated
follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), who achieve a partial or
complete response to first-line chemotherapy. ZEVALIN is also indicated
for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory, low-grade or
follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
ZEVALIN is a CD20-directed radiotherapeutic antibody. The ZEVALIN
therapeutic regimen consists of three components: rituximab, Indium-111
(In-111) radiolabeled ZEVALIN for imaging, and Yttrium-90 (Y-90)
radiolabeled ZEVALIN for therapy. The ZEVALIN therapeutic regimen is a
form of cancer therapy called radioimmunotherapy. Radioimmunotherapy
(RIT) is an innovative form of cancer treatment with a mechanism of
action that is different from traditional chemotherapy. RIT builds on
the combined effect of a targeted biologic monoclonal antibody augmented
with the therapeutic effects of a beta-emitting radioisotope.
Full prescribing information can be found at www.ZEVALIN.com.
Important ZEVALIN(R) Safety
Information
Deaths have occurred within 24 hours of rituximab infusion, an essential
component of the ZEVALIN therapeutic regimen. These fatalities were
associated with hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory
distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, or
cardiogenic shock. Most (80%) fatalities occurred with the first
rituximab infusion. ZEVALIN administration results in severe and
prolonged cytopenias in most patients. Severe cutaneous and
mucocutaneous reactions, some fatal, can occur with the ZEVALIN
therapeutic regimen.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, for
ZEVALIN and rituximab. Patients and healthcare professionals can visit http://www.ZEVALIN.com
for more information.
About Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is caused by the abnormal proliferation of
white blood cells and spreads through the lymphatic system, a system of
vessels that drains fluid from the body. NHL can be broadly classified
into two main forms: aggressive NHL, a rapidly spreading acute form of
the disease; and indolent NHL, which progresses more slowly. Follicular
lymphoma is a type of indolent lymphoma. According to the National
Cancer Institute's SEER database (http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/nhl.html)
there were approximately 419,533 patients alive with a history of NHL.
According to the American Cancer Society, NHL is one of the most common
cancers in the United States, accounting for approximately 4% of all
cancers. In 2010, an estimated 65,540 people will be diagnosed and
approximately 20,210 people will die from the disease.
About Spectrum Pharmaceuticals
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company with fully
integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary
focus in oncology. The Company's strategy is comprised of acquiring,
developing and commercializing a broad and diverse pipeline of
late-stage clinical and commercial products. The Company markets two
oncology drugs, FUSILEV and ZEVALIN and has two drugs, apaziquone and
belinostat, in late stage development along with a diversified pipeline
of novel drug candidates. The Company has assembled an integrated
in-house scientific team, including clinical development, medical
research, regulatory affairs, biostatistics and data management,
formulation development, and has established a commercial infrastructure
for the marketing of its drug products. The Company also leverages the
expertise of its worldwide partners to assist in the execution of its
strategy. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.sppirx.com.
Forward-looking statement — This press release may contain
forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future
performance of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals that involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
These statements include but are not limited to statements that relate
to our business and its future, including certain company milestones,
Spectrum's ability to identify, acquire, develop and commercialize a
broad and diverse pipeline of late-stage clinical and commercial
products, leveraging the expertise of partners and employees, around the
world to assist us in the execution of our strategy, and any statements
that relate to the intent, belief, plans or expectations of Spectrum or
its management, or that are not a statement of historical fact. Risks
that could cause actual results to differ include the possibility that
our existing and new drug candidates, may not prove safe or effective,
the possibility that our existing and new drug candidates may not
receive approval from the FDA, and other regulatory agencies in a timely
manner or at all, the possibility that our existing and new drug
candidates, if approved, may not be more effective, safer or more cost
efficient than competing drugs, the possibility that our efforts to
acquire or in-license and develop additional drug candidates may fail,
our lack of revenues, our limited marketing experience, our dependence
on third parties for clinical trials, manufacturing, distribution and
quality control and other risks that are described in further detail in
the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
We do not plan to update any such forward-looking statements and
expressly disclaim any duty to update the information contained in this
press release except as required by law.
SPECTRUM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.®, ZEVALIN®, and FUSILEV® are
registered trademarks of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. REDEFINING
CANCER CARE™ and the Spectrum Pharmaceutical logos are trademarks owned
by Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
© 2010 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All Rights
Reserved.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Paul Arndt
Senior Manager,
Investor Relations
949-788-6700 x 216
Source: Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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