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Safety results in the CELESTIAL trial1

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Adverse reactions (ARs) occurring at a higher incidence in patients treated with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) (between-arm difference of ≥5% [All Grades] or ≥2% [Grade 3-4])

  

Percentage (%) of Patients

 

CABOMETYX
(n=467)

Placebo
(n=237)

All Grades*

Grade 3-4

All Grades*

Grade 3-4

Gastrointestinal

    

Diarrhea

54

10

19

2

Nausea

31

2

18

2

Vomiting

26

<1

12

3

Stomatitis

13

2

2

0

Dyspepsia

10

0

3

0

General

    

Fatigue

45

10

30

4

Asthenia

22

7

8

2

Mucosal inflammation

14

2

2

<1

Metabolism and nutrition

    

Decreased appetite

48

6

18

<1

Skin and subcutaneous tissue

    

PPE

46

17

5

0

Rash†

21

2

9

<1

Vascular

    

Hypertension‡

30

16

6

2

Investigations

    

Weight decreased

17

1

6

0

Nervous system

    

Dysgeusia

12

0

2

0

Endocrine

    

Hypothyroidism

8

<1

<1

0

Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal

    

Dysphonia

19

1

2

0

Dyspnea

12

3

10

<1

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue

    

Pain in extremity

9

<1

4

1

Muscle spasms

8

<1

2

0

*

NCI-CTCAE v4.0.

†

Includes the following terms: rash, rash erythematous, rash generalized, rash macular, rash maculopapular, rash papular, rash pruritic, rash pustular, rash vesicular, dermatitis, dermatitis acneiform, dermatitis contact, dermatitis diaper, dermatitis exfoliative, dermatitis infected.

‡

Includes the following terms: hypertension, blood pressure diastolic increased, blood pressure increased.

Laboratory abnormalities occurring at a higher incidence in patients treated with CABOMETYX (between-arm difference of ≥5% [All Grades] or ≥2% [Grade 3-4])1

 

Percentage (%) of Patients

 

CABOMETYX
(n=467)

Placebo
(n=237)

All Grades

Grade 3-4

All Grades

Grade 3-4

Chemistry

    

Increased LDH

84

9

29

2

Increased ALT

73

12

37

6

Increased AST

73

24

46

19

Hypoalbuminemia

51

1

32

1

Increased ALP

43

8

38

6

Hypophosphatemia

25

9

8

4

Hypokalemia

23

6

6

1

Hypomagnesemia

22

3

3

0

Increased amylase

16

2

9

2

Hypocalcemia

8

2

0

0

Hematology

    

Decreased platelets

54

10

16

1

Neutropenia

43

7

8

1

Increased hemoglobin

8

0

1

0

The overall efficacy results in the CELESTIAL trial were achieved in the context of dose modifications1

84%
of patients
experienced

Dose withholds with CABOMETYX
(37% with placebo)2

9
days

Median duration of
each dose withhold2

62%
of patients
experienced

Dose reductions with CABOMETYX
(13% with placebo)3

16%
of patients
experienced

Discontinuations with CABOMETYX
(3% with placebo)2

The most frequent adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to dose reduction of CABOMETYX were: palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, diarrhea, fatigue, hypertension, and increased AST.1

Median time to first occurence for select common ARs4,5

Most frequent ARs leading to permanent discontinuation2

1 Percent
Discontinuation rate due to:

> Decreased appetite
> Diarrhea
> Nausea

2 Percent
Discontinuation rate due to:

> PPE
> Fatigue

Diarrhea and PPE ARs emerged in the first 5 weeks of treatment and infrequently led to discontinuation2,5§

§Sixteen patients discontinued treatment with CABOMETYX due to PPE/diarrhea.2

See Monotherapy Dosing & Administration

Download the CABOMETYX Treatment Management Guide

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ALP=alkaline phosphatase; ALT=alanine aminotransferase; AST=aspartate aminotransferase; HCC=hepatocellular carcinoma; LDH=lactate dehydrogenase; NCI-CTCAE=National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events; PPE=palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia.

References:

  1. CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) Prescribing Information. Exelixis, Inc.
  2. Data on file. Exelixis, Inc.
  3. Abou-Alfa GK, Meyer T, Cheng A-L, et al. Cabozantinib in patients with advanced and progressing hepatocellular carcinoma. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(1):54-63.
  4. European Medicines Agency: Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). Assessment report: CABOMETYX. September 2018. Accessed 2019.
  5. Schwartz G, Darling JO, Mindo M, Damicis L. Management of adverse events associated with cabozantinib treatment in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Target Oncol. 2020;15(4):549-565. doi:10.1007/s11523-020-00736-8

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hemorrhage: Severe and fatal hemorrhages occurred with CABOMETYX. The incidence of Grade 3 to 5 hemorrhagic events was 5% in CABOMETYX patients in RCC, HCC, and DTC studies. Discontinue CABOMETYX for Grade 3 or 4 hemorrhage and prior to surgery as recommended. Do not administer CABOMETYX to patients who have a recent history of hemorrhage, including hemoptysis, hematemesis, or melena.

Perforations and Fistulas: Fistulas, including fatal cases, occurred in 1% of CABOMETYX patients. Gastrointestinal (GI) perforations, including fatal cases, occurred in 1% of CABOMETYX patients. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of fistulas and perforations, including abscess and sepsis. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who experience a Grade 4 fistula or a GI perforation.

Thrombotic Events: CABOMETYX increased the risk of thrombotic events. Venous thromboembolism occurred in 7% (including 4% pulmonary embolism) and arterial thromboembolism in 2% of CABOMETYX patients. Fatal thrombotic events occurred in CABOMETYX patients. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop an acute myocardial infarction or serious arterial or venous thromboembolic events that require medical intervention.

Hypertension and Hypertensive Crisis: CABOMETYX can cause hypertension, including hypertensive crisis. Hypertension was reported in 37% (16% Grade 3 and <1% Grade 4) of CABOMETYX patients. Do not initiate CABOMETYX in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Monitor blood pressure regularly during CABOMETYX treatment. Withhold CABOMETYX for hypertension that is not adequately controlled with medical management; when controlled, resume at a reduced dose. Permanently discontinue CABOMETYX for severe hypertension that cannot be controlled with anti-hypertensive therapy or for hypertensive crisis.

Diarrhea: Diarrhea occurred in 62% of CABOMETYX patients. Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 10% of CABOMETYX patients. Monitor and manage patients using antidiarrheals as indicated. Withhold CABOMETYX until improvement to ≤ Grade 1, resume at a reduced dose.

Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE): PPE occurred in 45% of CABOMETYX patients. Grade 3 PPE occurred in 13% of CABOMETYX patients. Withhold CABOMETYX until improvement to Grade 1 and resume at a reduced dose for intolerable Grade 2 PPE or Grade 3 PPE.

Proteinuria: Proteinuria was observed in 8% of CABOMETYX patients. Monitor urine protein regularly during CABOMETYX treatment. For Grade 2 or 3 proteinuria, withhold CABOMETYX until improvement to ≤ Grade 1 proteinuria; resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop nephrotic syndrome.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ): ONJ occurred in <1% of CABOMETYX patients. ONJ can manifest as jaw pain, osteomyelitis, osteitis, bone erosion, tooth or periodontal infection, toothache, gingival ulceration or erosion, persistent jaw pain, or slow healing of the mouth or jaw after dental surgery. Perform an oral examination prior to CABOMETYX initiation and periodically during treatment. Advise patients regarding good oral hygiene practices. Withhold CABOMETYX for at least 3 weeks prior to scheduled dental surgery or invasive dental procedures, if possible. Withhold CABOMETYX for development of ONJ until complete resolution, resume at a reduced dose. 

Impaired Wound Healing: Wound complications occurred with CABOMETYX. Withhold CABOMETYX for at least 3 weeks prior to elective surgery. Do not administer CABOMETYX for at least 2 weeks after major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of CABOMETYX after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS): RPLS, a syndrome of subcortical vasogenic edema diagnosed by characteristic findings on MRI, can occur with CABOMETYX. Evaluate for RPLS in patients presenting with seizures, headache, visual disturbances, confusion, or altered mental function. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop RPLS.

Thyroid Dysfunction: Thyroid dysfunction, primarily hypothyroidism, has been observed with CABOMETYX. Based on the safety population, thyroid dysfunction occurred in 19% of patients treated with CABOMETYX, including Grade 3 in 0.4% of patients.

Patients should be assessed for signs of thyroid dysfunction prior to the initiation of CABOMETYX and monitored for signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction during CABOMETYX treatment. Thyroid function testing and management of dysfunction should be performed as clinically indicated.

Hypocalcemia: CABOMETYX can cause hypocalcemia. Based on the safety population, hypocalcemia occurred in 13% of patients treated with CABOMETYX, including Grade 3 in 2% and Grade 4 in 1% of patients. Laboratory abnormality data were not collected in CABOSUN.

In COSMIC-311, hypocalcemia occurred in 36% of patients treated with CABOMETYX, including Grade 3 in 6% and Grade 4 in 3% of patients.

Monitor blood calcium levels and replace calcium as necessary during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue CABOMETYX depending on severity.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: CABOMETYX can cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating CABOMETYX and advise them to use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions are:

CABOMETYX as a single agent: diarrhea, fatigue, PPE, decreased appetite, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, weight decreased, and constipation. 

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: If coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: If coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inducers cannot be avoided, increase the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid St. John’s wort.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed during CABOMETYX treatment and for 4 months after the final dose.

Hepatic Impairment: In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid CABOMETYX in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Please see full Prescribing Information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Indication

CABOMETYX is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib.

CABOMETYX is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib.

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