FDA Update

On February 14, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved apalutamide (Erleada) for patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (NM-CRPC).

Approval was based on a multicenter, double-blind, clinical trial (SPARTAN, NCT01946204) randomizing 1,207 patients with NM-CRPC (2:1) to receive either apalutamide, 240 mg orally once daily in combination with ADT (medical castration or surgical castration) (n=806), or placebo once daily with ADT (n=401).

The major efficacy endpoint was metastasis-free survival (MFS). MFS was defined as the time from randomization to the time of first evidence of distant metastasis (new bone or soft tissue lesions or enlarged lymph nodes outside the pelvis), or death due to any cause, whichever occurred first. The estimated median MFS was 40.5 months for patients receiving apalutamide and 16.2 months for those receiving placebo (hazard ratio 0.28; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.35; p<0.0001).

The most common adverse reactions in at least 10% of patients were fatigue, hypertension, rash, diarrhea, nausea, weight decreased, arthralgia, fall, hot flush, decreased appetite, fracture, and peripheral edema.

The recommended apalutamide dose is 240 mg (four 60 mg tablets) administered orally once daily.

Full prescribing information is available.

FDA granted this application priority review. A description of FDA expedited programs is in the Guidance for Industry: Expedited Programs for Serious Conditions-Drugs and Biologics.

Healthcare professionals should report all serious adverse events suspected to be associated with the use of any medicine and device to FDA’s MedWatch Reporting System by completing a form online, by faxing (1-800-FDA-0178) or mailing the postage-paid address form provided online, or by telephone (1-800-FDA-1088).

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Check out recent approvals at the OCE’s podcast, Drug Information Soundcast in Clinical Oncology (DISCO).

In collaboration with the FDA and as a service to our members, ONS provides updates on recent FDA approvals and other important FDA actions (e.g., updated safety information, new prescribing information) pertaining to therapies for patients with cancer. This allows the agency to inform oncologists and professionals in oncology-related fields in a timely manner. Included in the FDA updates is a link to the product label or to other sites for additional relevant clinical information. In supplying this information, ONS does not endorse any product or therapy and does not take any position on the safety or efficacy of the product or therapy described.