Phase 3 DECISION Trial Investigating the Use of Nexavar® (sorafenib) Demonstrated Significant Improvement in Progression-Free Survival in Patients with Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

WAYNE, N.J. and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONXX) today announced positive results from the Phase 3 DECISION trial investigating the use of Nexavar^® (sorafenib) tablets in patients with locally advanced or metastatic radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. These data will be presented in a plenary session on June 2, 2013, at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, IL at 3:20pm CDT (Abstract #4).

Sorafenib significantly extended progression-free survival (PFS), the primary endpoint of the study, compared to placebo. The median PFS was 10.8 months among patients treated with sorafenib, compared to 5.8 months among patients receiving placebo (HR=0.587 [95% CI, 0.454-0.758]; p<0.0001). PFS was evaluated by an independent radiological review committee using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Safety and tolerability in the study were generally consistent with the known profile of sorafenib.

At the time of progression, patients had the option to cross over to open-label sorafenib at the discretion of the investigator; 71% of patients in the placebo arm received open-label sorafenib after progression; 27% of patients in the sorafenib arm received open-label sorafenib after progression.

There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between the treatment arms (HR=0.802 [95% CI, 0.539-1.194]; p=0.138), a secondary endpoint of the trial. Median overall survival has not yet been reached in either arm.

The most common treatment-emergent adverse events across all grades occurring in >20% of patients taking sorafenib vs. placebo were hand-foot skin reaction (76.3% vs. 9.6%), diarrhea (68.6% vs. 15.3%), alopecia (67.1% vs. 7.7%), rash/desquamation (50.2% vs. 11.5%), fatigue (49.8% vs. 29.4%), weight loss (46.9% vs. 13.9%) hypertension (40.6% vs. 12.4), metabolic/laboratory (35.7% vs. 16.7%), anorexia (31.9% vs. 4.8%),oral mucositis (23.2% vs. 3.3%), pruritis (21.3% and 10.5%) and nausea (20.8% and 11.5%).  Treatment-emergent adverse events led to discontinuation in 18.8% of patients who received sorafenib, compared to 3.8% of patients who received placebo.

"While most patients with differentiated thyroid cancer are cured, there is a major treatment gap for patients whose cancer no longer responds to standard therapies," said Marcia Brose, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator of the DECISION trial and Assistant Professor in the Abramson Cancer Center and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "The DECISION results demonstrate sorafenib's ability to extend progression-free survival compared to placebo in these patients, potentially providing a new treatment option for these patients."

"This trial is representative of our continued commitment to fully understanding sorafenib's potential applicability, especially in hard-to-treat cancers where there are limited treatment options," said Kemal Malik, MD, Member of the Bayer HealthCare Executive Committee and Head of Global Development.

"In the past 30 years, there have been no new treatment options approved for patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer," said Pablo J. Cagnoni, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Research & Development and Technical Operations, Onyx Pharmaceuticals. "We are pleased with the results of the DECISION study, which demonstrate sorafenib's activity in patients who have no other treatment options."

The Phase 3 DECISION data will form the basis for regulatory submissions of sorafenib for the treatment of RAI-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. Submission of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) in the United States is planned for mid-year 2013, with additional submissions to follow globally.

DECISION Trial Design
The DECISION (stuDy of sorafEnib in loCally advanced or metastatIc patientS with radioactive Iodine refractory thyrOid caNcer) trial was an international, multicenter, placebo-controlled study. A total of 417 patients with locally advanced or metastatic, RAI-refractory, differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, Hurthle 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 were randomized to receive 400 mg of oral sorafenib twice daily (207 patients) or matching placebo (210 patients). Ninety-six percent of randomized patients had metastatic disease.

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 has become the fastest-increasing cancer in the world in recent years and is the sixth most common cancer in women.^1,2 There are more than 213,000 new cases of thyroid cancer annually and approximately 35,000 people die from thyroid cancer worldwide each year.³

Papillary, follicular, Hurthle cell and poorly differentiated types of thyroid cancer are classified as "differentiated thyroid cancer" and account for approximately 94 percent of all thyroid cancers.⁴ 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 patient survival rate.^4,5

About Nexavar® (sorafenib) Tablets
Nexavar is approved in the U.S. 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 in vitro 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) Tablets
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 childbearing 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 coadministered 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 U.S. Nexavar prescribing information, visit www.nexavar-us.com or call 1.866.NEXAVAR (1.866.639.2827).

About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals business of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a subsidiary of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, and combines the activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions.  As a specialty pharmaceutical company, Bayer HealthCare provides products for General Medicine, Hematology, Neurology, Oncology and Women's Healthcare.  The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

About Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Based in South San Francisco, California, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for improving the lives of people with cancer. The company is focused on developing novel medicines that target key molecular pathways. For more information about Onyx, visit the company's website at www.onyx.com. Onyx Pharmaceuticals is on Twitter. Sign up to follow our Twitter feed @OnyxPharm at http://twitter.com/OnyxPharm. 

Forward Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer Web site at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" of Onyx within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding the progress and results of the clinical development, safety, regulatory processes, commercialization efforts or commercial potential of Nexavar. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated, including risks related to the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Reference should be made to Onyx's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading "Risk Factors" for a more detailed description of such factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this release. Onyx undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date of this release except as required by law.

Nexavar^® is a registered trademark of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

References:

1. Raghunandan Venkat and Marlon A. Guerrero, "Recent Advances in the Surgical Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Comprehensive Review," The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2013. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/425136/.  Accessed April 11, 2013.
2. Brown RL, de Souza JA, Cohen EEW. Thyroid Cancer: Burden of Illness and Management of Disease. J Cancer 2011; 2:193-199. http://www.jcancer.org/v02p0193.htm. Accessed April 11, 2013.
3. World Health Organization: GLOBOCAN 2008. Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide in 2008. http://globocan.iarc.fr/factsheets/populations/factsheet.asp?uno=900. Accessed October 16, 2012.
4. Naifa Lamki Busaidy and Maria E. Cabanillas, "Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Management of Patients with Radioiodine Nonresponsive Disease," Journal of Thyroid Research, vol. 2012. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jtr/2012/618985/cta/. Accessed April 11, 2013.
5. Lucia Brilli, Furio Pacini. Future Oncology. Targeted Therapy in Refractory Thyroid Cancer. 2011;7(5):657-668. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/742987. Accessed April 22, 2013.

SOURCE Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.