IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) Pooled Outcomes Data from Three Phase 3 Studies Suggest Potential Clinical Efficacy in Patients with High-Risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL)

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., May 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced results from an analysis of data pooled from three Phase 3 studies evaluating IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) use in patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL): RESONATE^TM, RESONATE^TM-2 and HELIOS. In this analysis, CLL/SLL patients with genomic abnormalities that typically put them at high risk for poor outcomes achieved higher complete response (CR) rates and overall response rates (ORR), as well as longer progression free survival (PFS) at 24 months and overall survival (OS) at 30 months, when treated with IMBRUVICA versus comparator-treated patients. In RESONATE, patients received IMBRUVICA or ofatumumab; in RESONATE-2, patients received IMBRUVICA or chlorambucil; and in HELIOS, patients received IMBRUVICA plus bendamustine and rituximab (BR) or placebo plus BR. The high-risk genomic abnormalities reviewed were deletion 11q (del 11q), trisomy 12, complex karyotype (CK) and unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable-region (IGHV). In IMBRUVICA-treated patients, the presence of del 11q was associated with trends of longer PFS and OS than patients without del 11q when treated with IMBRUVICA (abstract #19). These data will be presented today in an oral presentation at the 17^th International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) biennial meeting in New York, NY.

IMBRUVICA, a first-in-class Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, is jointly developed and commercialized by Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company and Janssen Biotech, Inc.

"Over the past few years, we've seen tremendous improvements in the treatment of people with CLL and SLL. Newly introduced medications can improve the outcome of therapy, particularly for patients with high-risk prognostic markers who typically do not respond well to standard chemotherapy," said Thomas J. Kipps, M.D., Ph.D., University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center and lead investigator of the study.^† "Analysis of the clinical data suggests an improvement in outcomes for certain high-risk CLL/SLL patients treated with IMBRUVICA."

CLL is a type of cancer that starts from cells that become certain white blood cells (called lymphocytes) in the bone marrow. The cancer (leukemia) cells start in the bone marrow but then go into the blood. There are approximately 19,000 newly diagnosed CLL patients every year.¹ SLL is a slow-growing lymphoma biologically similar to CLL in which too many immature white blood cells cause lymph nodes to become larger than normal.² CLL/SLL are predominately a disease of the elderly, with a median age of 71 at diagnosis.³ Genomic abnormalities in CLL, including del 11q, deletion 17p (del 17p), trisomy 12, CK and IGHV, are detected in up to 80 percent of patients and play an important role in disease pathogenesis and evolution, determining patient outcomes and therapeutic strategies.⁶

"We are encouraged by the findings from these analyses, which add to the large body of data supporting IMBRUVICA in treating CLL/SLL patients," said Danelle James, M.D., M.S., Head of Clinical Science, Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company. "We have one of the most robust databases for a single molecule in hematological oncology and more than 25,000 CLL patients have been treated in the U.S. alone with IMBRUVICA since approval in 2014. We continue to investigate the use of IMBRUVICA in high-risk patients so that ideally they too can achieve better response rates and overall outcomes to treatment."

About the Study

Abstract #19: Outcomes of Ibrutinib-Treated Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL/SLL) with High-Risk Prognostic Factors in an Integrated Analysis of 3 Randomized Phase 3 Studies

• Oral presentation: Sunday, May 14, 2017, 5:00 PM ET

Data from three studies, RESONATE, RESONATE-2 and HELIOS, were pooled to analyze the outcomes of IMBRUVICA and comparator-treated patients when separated on the basis of genomic abnormality. The ORR in patients treated with IMBRUVICA was 89 percent in unmutated IGHV, 88 percent in del 11q, 86 percent in trisomy 12 and 87 percent in CK, with patients achieving a CR rate of 22 percent in unmutated IGHV, 18 percent in del 11q, 25 percent in trisomy 12 and 10 percent in CK. At 24 months, in patients treated with IMBRUVICA, PFS was 78 percent in unmutated IGHV, 82 percent in del 11q, 77 percent in trisomy 12 and 76 percent in CK. In patients treated with IMBRUVICA, at 30 months, OS was 88 percent in unmutated IGHV, 93 percent in del 11q, 89 percent in trisomy 12 and 84 percent in CK.³

In each subgroup, PFS, OS, ORR and CR rates trended higher in IMBRUVICA-treated patients versus comparator-treated patients, regardless of genomic factors. In IMBRUVICA-treated patients, unmutated IGHV, del 11q, trisomy 12 or CK were generally not associated with shorter PFS or OS, or decreased ORR or CR rate. Further, in IMBRUVICA-treated patients, del 11q was associated with a trend of longer PFS (82 percent at 24 months for those with del 11q, compared with 75 percent for those without del 11q) and OS (93 percent at 30 months for those with del 11q, compared with 86 percent for those without del 11q) and trisomy 12 with increased CR rate (25 percent for those with trisomy 12, compared with 6 percent for those without trisomy 12). In a multivariate analysis, ibrutinib-treated patient outcomes in those only having received one or more prior lines of therapy versus treatment in the first-line was associated with shorter PFS and OS.³

In RESONATE, patients received IMBRUVICA 420 mg once daily until disease progression or ofatumumab for up to 24 weeks. In RESONATE-2, patients age 65 or older with treatment-naïve CLL/SLL, not including del 17p, received IMBRUVICA 420 mg once daily until disease progression, or chlorambucil. In HELIOS, a Janssen-sponsored, randomized, multi-center, double-blind study, previously treated CLL/SLL patients were randomized to receive IMBRUVICA or placebo, once daily continuing until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity with six cycles of BR.³

Adverse events (AEs) were similar in patients with or without genomic factors, and reflect a median treatment exposure of 19-20 months for IMBRUVICA-treated patients and 5-10 months for comparator-treated patients. Discontinuation due to AEs ranged from 8-15 percent in IMBRUVICA-treated patients and 13-17 percent in comparator-treated patients.³

P-values ranged from 0.03-0.96. To view more abstract data, including all P-values, see Table 1 and Table 2 at the end.

About IMBRUVICA
IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) is a first-in-class, oral, once-daily therapy that inhibits a protein called Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). BTK is a key signaling molecule in the B-cell receptor signaling complex that plays an important role in the survival and spread of malignant B cells.^4,5 IMBRUVICA blocks signals that tell malignant B cells to multiply and spread uncontrollably.⁴

IMBRUVICA is FDA-approved in five distinct patient populations: CLL, SLL, WM, along with previously-treated MCL and MZL.⁴

• IMBRUVICA was first approved for patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy in November 2013.
• Soon after, IMBRUVICA was initially approved in CLL patients who have received at least one prior therapy in February 2014. By July 2014, the therapy received approval for CLL patients with 17p deletion, and by March 2016, the therapy was approved as a frontline CLL treatment.
• IMBRUVICA was approved for patients with WM in January 2015.
• In May 2016, IMBRUVICA was approved in combination with bendamustine and rituximab (BR) for CLL/SLL patients.
• In January 2017, IMBRUVICA was approved for patients with MZL who require systemic therapy and have received at least one prior anti-CD20-based therapy.

Accelerated approval was granted for the MCL and MZL indications based on overall response rate. Continued approval for MCL and MZL may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.⁴

IMBRUVICA was one of the first medicines to receive U.S. FDA approval via the new Breakthrough Therapy Designation pathway.

IMBRUVICA is being studied alone and in combination with other treatments in several blood and solid tumor cancers and other serious illnesses. IMBRUVICA has one of the most robust clinical oncology development programs for a single molecule in the industry, with approximately 130 ongoing clinical trials. There are total of 30 ongoing company-sponsored trials, 14 of which are in Phase 3, and approximately 100 investigator-sponsored trials and external collaborations that are active around the world. To date, more than 65,000 patients around the world have been treated with IMBRUVICA in clinical practice and clinical trials.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hemorrhage - Fatal bleeding events have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA®. Grade 3 or higher bleeding events (intracranial hemorrhage [including subdural hematoma], gastrointestinal bleeding, hematuria, and post-procedural hemorrhage) have occurred in up to 6% of patients. Bleeding events of any grade, including bruising and petechiae, occurred in approximately half of patients treated with IMBRUVICA®.

The mechanism for the bleeding events is not well understood. IMBRUVICA® may increase the risk of hemorrhage in patients receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapies and patients should be monitored for signs of bleeding. Consider the benefit-risk of withholding IMBRUVICA® for at least 3 to 7 days pre- and postsurgery depending upon the type of surgery and the risk of bleeding.

Infections - Fatal and nonfatal infections have occurred with IMBRUVICA® therapy. Grade 3 or greater infections occurred in 14% to 29% of patients. Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA®. Evaluate patients for fever and infections and treat appropriately.

Cytopenias - Treatment-emergent Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias including neutropenia (range, 13% to 29%), thrombocytopenia (range, 5% to 17%), and anemia (range, 0% to 13%) based on laboratory measurements occurred in patients treated with single agent IMBRUVICA®. Monitor complete blood counts monthly.

Atrial Fibrillation - Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (range, 6% to 9%) have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA®, particularly in patients with cardiac risk factors, hypertension, acute infections, and a previous history of atrial fibrillation. Periodically monitor patients clinically for atrial fibrillation. Patients who develop arrhythmic symptoms (eg, palpitations, lightheadedness) or new-onset dyspnea should have an ECG performed. Atrial fibrillation should be managed appropriately and if it persists, consider the risks and benefits of IMBRUVICA® treatment and follow dose modification guidelines.

Hypertension - Hypertension (range, 6% to 17%) has occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA® with a median time to onset of 4.6 months (range, 0.03 to 22 months). Monitor patients for new-onset hypertension or hypertension that is not adequately controlled after starting IMBRUVICA®. Adjust existing antihypertensive medications and/or initiate antihypertensive treatment as appropriate.

Second Primary Malignancies - Other malignancies (range, 3% to 16%) including non-skin carcinomas (range, 1% to 4%) have occurred in patients treated with IMBRUVICA®. The most frequent second primary malignancy was non-melanoma skin cancer (range, 2% to 13%).

Tumor Lysis Syndrome - Tumor lysis syndrome has been infrequently reported with IMBRUVICA® therapy. Assess the baseline risk (eg, high tumor burden) and take appropriate precautions. Monitor patients closely and treat as appropriate.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity - Based on findings in animals, IMBRUVICA® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise women to avoid becoming pregnant while taking IMBRUVICA® and for 1 month after cessation of therapy. If this drug is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus. Advise men to avoid fathering a child during the same time period.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients with B-cell malignancies (MCL, CLL/SLL, WM and MZL) were neutropenia** (61%), thrombocytopenia** (62%), diarrhea (43%), anemia** (41%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), rash (30%), nausea (29%), bruising (30%), fatigue (29%), hemorrhage (22%), and pyrexia (21%).

** Based on adverse reactions and/or laboratory measurements (noted as platelets, neutrophils, or hemoglobin decreased).

The most common Grade 3 or 4 non-hematologic adverse reactions (≥5%) in MCL patients were pneumonia (7%), abdominal pain (5%), atrial fibrillation (5%), diarrhea (5%), fatigue (5%), and skin infections (5%).

The most common Grade 3 or 4 non-hematologic adverse reactions (≥5%) in MZL patients were pneumonia (10%), fatigue (6%), diarrhea (5%), rash (5%), and hypertension (5%).

Approximately 6% (CLL/SLL), 14% (MCL), 11% (WM) and 10% (MZL) of patients had a dose reduction due to adverse reactions. Approximately 4%-10% (CLL/SLL), 9% (MCL), and 9% (WM [6%] and MZL [13%]) of patients discontinued due to adverse reactions. Most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation were pneumonia, hemorrhage, atrial fibrillation, rash, and neutropenia (1% each) in CLL/SLL patients and subdural hematoma (1.8%) in MCL patients. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation were interstitial lung disease, diarrhea, and rash (1.6% each) in WM and MZL patients.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

CYP3A Inhibitors - Avoid coadministration with strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors. If a moderate CYP3A inhibitor must be used, reduce the IMBRUVICA® dose.

CYP3A Inducers - Avoid coadministration with strong CYP3A inducers.

SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Hepatic Impairment - Avoid use in patients with moderate or severe baseline hepatic impairment. In patients with mild impairment, reduce IMBRUVICA® dose.

Please see Full Prescribing Information: https://www.imbruvica.com/prescribing-information.

About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-driven biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative advanced therapies for some of the world's most complex and critical conditions. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to markedly improve treatments across four primary therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, virology and neuroscience. In more than 75 countries, AbbVie employees are working every day to advance health solutions for people around the world. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in AbbVie's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

IMBRUVICA is a registered trademark of Pharmacyclics LLC

^†Disclaimer: Dr. Kipps served as investigator of Pharmacyclics-sponsored clinical studies as noted.Dr. Kipps does not have a financial interest in the company.

Table 1.  Number of Patients with Cancer-Cell Genomic Data

Table 2. Efficacy Outcomes in Ibrutinib- and Comparator-Treated Patients by Genomic Prognostic Factors (Univariate)

SOURCE AbbVie

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