Dose adjustments for adverse reactions in the EXAM study1,2

Dose adjustment rates
Dose adjustment rates in EXAM

Results of the international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind EXAM study in patients with progressive, metastatic MTC (N=330). The primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints included ORR and OS.1,2


Dose modifications were used to help manage adverse reactions1

  • Reductions: Most patients had a dose reduction after starting on 140 mg/day1
  • Discontinuations: 16% of patients discontinued COMETRIQ because of adverse reactions vs 8% with placebo1,2
    • The most frequent adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation in patients treated with COMETRIQ were hypocalcemia, increased lipase, PPE, diarrhea, fatigue, hypertension, nausea, pancreatitis, tracheal fistula formation, and vomiting1
    • 44.7% of patients receiving COMETRIQ continued to receive treatment at the time of data cutoff compared with 13.5% of patients receiving placebo3

Drug Interactions and Use in Specific Populations1

  • In patients with mild or moderate (Child-Pugh score A or B) hepatic impairment, the recommended starting dose of COMETRIQ is 80 mg daily
    • COMETRIQ is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment
  • Avoid the use of concomitant strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, atazanavir, indinavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, voriconazole) in patients receiving COMETRIQ
    • For patients who require treatment with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, reduce the daily dose of COMETRIQ by 40 mg (eg, from 140 mg to 100 mg daily or from 100 mg to 60 mg daily). Resume the dose that was used prior to initiating the CYP3A4 inhibitor 2 to 3 days after discontinuation of the CYP3A4 inhibitor
  • Avoid the chronic use of concomitant strong CYP3A4 inducers (eg, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenobarbital, St. John’s Wort) if alternative therapy is available
    • For patients who require treatment with a strong CYP3A4 inducer, increase the daily dose of COMETRIQ by 40 mg (eg, from 140 mg to 180 mg daily or from 100 mg to 140 mg daily, as tolerated). Resume the dose that was used prior to initiating the CYP3A4 inducer 2 to 3 days after discontinuation of the CYP3A4 inducer. The daily dose of COMETRIQ should not exceed 180 mg
  • Concomitant administration of MRP2 inhibitors may increase the exposure to COMETRIQ. Monitor patients for increased toxicity when MRP2 inhibitors (eg, abacavir, adefovir, cidofovir, furosemide, lamivudine, nevirapine, ritonavir, probenecid, saquinavir, and tenofovir) are co-administered with COMETRIQ
  • Dosage adjustments are not required in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. There is no experience with COMETRIQ in patients with severe renal impairment
  • Advise patients not to ingest foods (eg, grapefruit, grapefruit juice) or nutritional supplements that are known to inhibit cytochrome P450 activity while taking COMETRIQ
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Perforations and Fistulas: Gastrointestinal (GI) perforations and fistulas, including fatal cases, were reported in 3% and 1% of COMETRIQ-treated patients (N=214), respectively. Non-GI fistulas, including tracheal/esophageal fistulas, including fatal cases, were reported in 4% of COMETRIQ-treated patients. Monitor patients for symptoms of perforations and fistulas, including abscess and sepsis. Discontinue COMETRIQ in patients who experience a Grade 4 fistula or a GI perforation.

Hemorrhage: Severe and fatal hemorrhage occurred with COMETRIQ. The incidence of Grade ≥3 hemorrhagic events was higher in COMETRIQ-treated patients compared with placebo (3% vs 1%). Discontinue COMETRIQ for Grade 3 or 4 hemorrhage. Do not administer COMETRIQ to patients with a recent history of hemorrhage, including hemoptysis, hematemesis, or melena.

Thrombotic Events: COMETRIQ treatment resulted in an increased incidence vs placebo of venous thromboembolism (6% vs 3%) and arterial thromboembolism (2% vs 0%). Discontinue COMETRIQ in patients who develop an acute myocardial infarction or arterial or venous thromboembolic events that require medical intervention.

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

Hypertension and Hypertensive Crisis: COMETRIQ treatment resulted in an increased incidence of treatment-emergent hypertension vs placebo (61% vs 30%). Do not initiate COMETRIQ in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Monitor blood pressure regularly during COMETRIQ treatment. Withhold COMETRIQ for hypertension that is not adequately controlled with medical management; when controlled, resume COMETRIQ at a reduced dose. Discontinue COMETRIQ for severe hypertension that cannot be controlled with anti-hypertensive therapy and for hypertensive crisis.

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

Diarrhea: Diarrhea occurred in 63% of patients treated with COMETRIQ. Grade 3 to 4 diarrhea occurred in 16% of patients treated with COMETRIQ. Withhold COMETRIQ until improvement to Grade 1 and resume COMETRIQ at a reduced dose for intolerable Grade 2 diarrhea, Grade 3 diarrhea that cannot be managed with standard antidiarrheal treatments, or Grade 4 diarrhea.

Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE): PPE occurred in 50% of patients treated with COMETRIQ and was severe (Grade 3) in 13% of patients. Withhold COMETRIQ in patients who develop intolerable Grade 2 PPE or Grade 3 PPE until improvement to Grade 1; resume COMETRIQ at a reduced dose.

Proteinuria: Proteinuria was observed in 2% of patients receiving COMETRIQ, including 1 patient with nephrotic syndrome, vs 0% in placebo. Monitor urine protein regularly during COMETRIQ treatment. Discontinue COMETRIQ in patients who develop nephrotic syndrome.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS): RPLS, a syndrome of subcortical vasogenic edema diagnosed by characteristic finding on MRI, occurred in 1 (<1%) patient. Evaluate for RPLS in patients presenting with seizures, headache, visual disturbances, confusion, or altered mental function. Discontinue COMETRIQ in patients who develop RPLS.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: COMETRIQ can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during COMETRIQ treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.

Hypocalcemia: COMETRIQ can cause hypocalcemia. Based on the safety population, hypocalcemia occurred in 52% of patients treated with COMETRIQ, including Grade 3 or 4 in 12% of patients. Monitor blood calcium levels and replace calcium as necessary during treatment. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or discontinue COMETRIQ depending on severity.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most commonly reported adverse drug reactions (≥25% and ≥5% difference vs placebo) were diarrhea (63% vs 33%), stomatitis (51% vs 6%), PPE (50% vs 2%), decreased weight (48% vs 10%), decreased appetite (46% vs 16%), nausea (43% vs 21%), fatigue (41% vs 28%), oral pain (36% vs 6%), hair color changes (34% vs 1%), dysgeusia (34% vs 6%), hypertension (33% vs 4%), abdominal pain (27% vs 13%), and constipation (27% vs 6%).

The most common laboratory abnormalities (≥25%) were increased AST (86% vs 35%), increased ALT (86% vs 41%), lymphopenia (53% vs 51%), increased ALP (52% vs 35%), hypocalcemia (52% vs 27%), hypoalbuminemia (43% vs 16%), neutropenia (35% vs 15%), thrombocytopenia (35% vs 4%), hypophosphatemia (28% vs 10%), and hyperbilirubinemia (25% vs 14%).

Increased levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were observed in 57% of patients receiving COMETRIQ (vs 19% receiving placebo).

In clinical trials, the dose was reduced in 79% of patients receiving COMETRIQ compared to 9% of patients receiving placebo. The median number of dosing delays was 1 in patients receiving COMETRIQ compared to 0 in patients receiving placebo. Adverse reactions led to study treatment discontinuation in 16% of patients receiving COMETRIQ and in 8% of patients receiving placebo.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Reduce the dosage of COMETRIQ if concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors cannot be avoided. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: Increase the dosage of COMETRIQ if concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inducers cannot be avoided. Avoid St. John’s wort.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

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

Reproductive Potential: Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential before starting treatment with COMETRIQ. COMETRIQ may impair fertility in females and males of reproductive potential.

Hepatic Impairment: Reduce the COMETRIQ dosage in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. COMETRIQ is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

INDICATION

COMETRIQ® (cabozantinib) is indicated for the treatment of patients with progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

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.

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MRP2=multi-drug resistance-associated protein 2; MTC=medullary thyroid cancer; ORR=objective response rate; OS=overall survival; PFS=progression-free survival.

References: 1. COMETRIQ® (cabozantinib) Prescribing Information. Exelixis, Inc,. 2. Elisei R, Schlumberger MJ, Müller SP, et al. Cabozantinib in progressive medullary thyroid cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2013;31(29):3639-3646. 3. Data on file. Exelixis, Inc.