Phase 3 DECISION Trial of Nexavar (sorafenib) Meets Primary Endpoint

Nexavar shows efficacy for radioactive iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer

/ Author:  / Reviewed by: Joseph V. Madia, MD

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that a Phase 3 trial of Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets in patients with locally advanced or metastatic radioactive iodine-refractory (RAI) differentiated thyroid cancer has met its primary endpoint of a statistically significant improvement of progression-free survival.

The study, called DECISION, evaluated the efficacy and safety of Nexavar compared to placebo. Adverse events were generally consistent with the known profile for Nexavar. Data from this study are expected to be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.

“These results demonstrate Nexavar’s activity in patients with RAI-refractory locally advanced, or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer,” said Dimitris Voliotis, MD, Vice President, Global Clinical Development Oncology, Bayer HealthCare. “These types of thyroid cancer are difficult to treat and are associated with a poor prognosis.”

“Effective treatment options are urgently needed for patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer,” said Barbara Klencke, MD, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development at Onyx Pharmaceuticals. “We are pleased that the results of this study demonstrate that Nexavar may provide a treatment option for these patients.”

The companies anticipate that this data will form the basis for regulatory submission of Nexavar in the treatment of RAI-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer.

About the DECISION Trial

The DECISION (stuDy of sorafEnib in loCally advanced or metastatIc patientS with radioactive Iodine refractory thyrOid caNcer) trial was an international, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study that randomized 417 patients with locally advanced or metastatic, radioactive iodine-refractory, differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, Hürthle cell and poorly differentiated) who had received no prior chemotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies that target VEGF or VEGF receptor, or other targeted agents for thyroid cancer.

Patients were randomized to receive 400 mg of oral Nexavar twice daily or matching placebo. At the time of progression, patients receiving placebo had the option to cross over to Nexavar at the discretion of the investigator, based on the patient’s clinical status. The primary endpoint of the study was progression-free survival, as defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Secondary endpoints included overall survival, time to progression, response rate and duration of response. Safety and tolerability were also evaluated.

About Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer, one of the few cancers that has increased in incidence over the past several years, is the sixth most common cancer in women, with about three times as many women as men diagnosed. There are more than 160,000 new cases of thyroid cancer and approximately 25,000 people die worldwide each year.

Papillary, follicular and Hürthle cell types of thyroid cancer are classified as “differentiated thyroid cancer” and account for that vast majority of thyroid cancers. While the majority of differentiated thyroid cancers are treatable, RAI-refractory, locally advanced, or metastatic disease is more difficult to treat and is associated with a lower survival rate.

About Nexavar (sorafenib) Tablets
Nexavar is approved in the US for the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Nexavar is thought to inhibit both the tumor cell and tumor vasculature. In preclinical studies, Nexavar has been shown to inhibit multiple kinases thought to be involved in both cell proliferation (growth) and angiogenesis (blood supply) – two important processes that enable cancer growth. These kinases include Raf kinase, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, PDGFR-B, KIT, FLT-3 and RET.

Nexavar is currently approved in more than 100 countries.

Nexavar is also being evaluated by Bayer and Onyx, international study groups, government agencies and individual investigators in a range of cancers.

Important Safety Considerations For Nexavar (sorafenib)
Nexavar in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is contraindicated in patients with squamous cell lung cancer.

Cardiac ischemia and/or myocardial infarction may occur. Temporary or permanent discontinuation of Nexavar should be considered in patients who develop cardiac ischemia and/or myocardial infarction.

An increased risk of bleeding may occur following Nexavar administration. If bleeding necessitates medical intervention, consider permanent discontinuation of Nexavar.

Hypertension may occur early in the course of treatment. Monitor blood pressure weekly during the first 6 weeks and periodically thereafter and treat, if required.

Hand-foot skin reaction and rash are common and management may include topical therapies for symptomatic relief. In cases of any severe or persistent adverse reactions, temporary treatment interruption, dose modification, or permanent discontinuation of Nexavar should be considered. Nexavar should be discontinued if Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis are suspected, as these may be life threatening.

Gastrointestinal perforation was an uncommon adverse reaction and has been reported in less than 1% of patients taking Nexavar. Discontinue Nexavar in the event of a gastrointestinal perforation.

Patients taking concomitant warfarin should be monitored regularly for changes in prothrombin time (PT), International Normalized Ratio (INR) or clinical bleeding episodes.

Temporary interruption of Nexavar therapy is recommended in patients undergoing major surgical procedures.

Nexavar in combination with gemcitabine/cisplatin is not recommended in patients with squamous cell lung cancer. The safety and effectiveness of Nexavar has not been established in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Nexavar can prolong the QT/QTc interval and increase the risk for ventricular arrhythmias. Avoid use in patients with congenital long QT syndrome and monitor patients with congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, drugs known to prolong the QT interval, and electrolyte abnormalities.

Drug-induced hepatitis with Nexavar may result in hepatic failure and death. Liver function tests should be monitored regularly and in cases of increased transaminases without alternative explanation Nexavar should be discontinued.

Nexavar may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Women of child-bearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while on Nexavar and female patients should also be advised against breastfeeding while receiving Nexavar.

Elevations in serum lipase and reductions in serum phosphate of unknown etiology have been associated with Nexavar.

Avoid concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inducers, when possible, because inducers can decrease the systemic exposure of Nexavar. Nexavar exposure decreases when co-administered with oral neomycin. Effects of other antibiotics on Nexavar pharmacokinetics have not been studied.

Most common adverse reactions reported for Nexavar-treated patients vs. placebo-treated patients in unresectable HCC, respectively, were: diarrhea (55% vs. 25%), fatigue (46% vs. 45%), abdominal pain (31% vs. 26%), weight loss (30% vs. 10%), anorexia (29% vs. 18%), nausea (24% vs. 20%), and hand-foot skin reaction (21% vs. 3%). Grade 3/4 adverse reactions were 45% vs. 32%.

Most common adverse reactions reported for Nexavar-treated patients vs. placebo-treated patients in advanced RCC, respectively, were: diarrhea (43% vs. 13%), rash/desquamation (40% vs. 16%), fatigue (37% vs. 28%), hand-foot skin reaction (30% vs. 7%), alopecia (27% vs. 3%), and nausea (23% vs. 19%). Grade 3/4 adverse reactions were 38% vs. 28%.

For information about Nexavar including US Nexavar prescribing information, visit www.nexavar.com or call 1.866.NEXAVAR (1.866.639.2827).

Review Date: 
January 3, 2013