Epizyme Announces Two Lancet Oncology Publications on TAZVERIK® (tazemetostat) Phase 2 Data in Epithelioid Sarcoma and Follicular Lymphoma
Epizyme (Nasdaq: EPZM) announced the publication of results from its Phase 2 trials of TAZVERIK (tazemetostat) in epithelioid sarcoma and relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma in The Lancet Oncology. These results support the accelerated FDA approvals granted in January and June 2020. The trials showed durable clinical responses and a favorable safety profile. The company aims to expand TAZVERIK's application to more cancers, highlighting its potential as a first-in-class treatment.
- Durable clinical responses of TAZVERIK demonstrated in Phase 2 trials.
- TAZVERIK received accelerated FDA approvals for two indications in 2020.
- Publications in The Lancet Oncology enhance credibility and support for TAZVERIK.
- Continued approval of TAZVERIK contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in future trials.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Epizyme, (Nasdaq: EPZM), a fully integrated, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and delivering novel epigenetic therapies, today announced that The Lancet Oncology published results of the company’s Phase 2 trial cohorts evaluating TAZVERIK® (tazemetostat) for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma and relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. Data included in these publications supported the accelerated approval of TAZVERIK by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma in January 2020, and the accelerated approval of TAZVERIK by the FDA for the treatment of relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma in June 2020.
“The two publications in such a highly regarded, peer-reviewed journal as the Lancet are the culmination of years of hard work by our team, and the significant contributions by the patients and physicians who participated in our clinical trials,” said Dr. Shefali Agarwal, chief medical officer of Epizyme. “In our Phase 2 trials, TAZVERIK demonstrated durable clinical responses in both patient populations, including in patients with advanced disease who had previously received multiple therapeutic regimens. In addition, we observed consistently favorable safety with TAZVERIK, which we view as one of its most attractive features. These publications provide important support for TAZVERIK’s novel epigenetic approach, and I am very proud that we are able to offer it as an approved therapy for both patient populations.”
“Based on its compelling clinical data and first-in-class mechanism, we believe TAZVERIK has a pipeline in-a-product opportunity that we hope may offer benefit to patients with a wide range of cancers,” said Robert Bazemore, president and chief executive officer of Epizyme. “The two FDA accelerated approvals this year highlight the therapeutic impact TAZVERIK could have for patients, and we look forward to continuing to explore its potential in additional tumor types and combinations to reach as many patients as possible.”
The publications can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/onlinefirst
About TAZVERIK
TAZVERIK is a methyltransferase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of:
- Adults and pediatric patients aged 16 years and older with metastatic or locally advanced epithelioid sarcoma not eligible for complete resection.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma whose tumors are positive for an EZH2 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test and who have received at least 2 prior systemic therapies.
- Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
The most common (≥
Dosage and Administration
The recommended dosage of TAZVERIK is 800 mg taken orally twice daily with or without food.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Warnings and Precautions
Secondary Malignancies
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The risk of developing secondary malignancies is increased following treatment with TAZVERIK. Across clinical trials of 729 adults who received TAZVERIK 800 mg twice daily, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) occurred in
0.7% of patients. One pediatric patient developed T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T LBL). Monitor patients long-term for the development of secondary malignancies.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
- Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, TAZVERIK can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. There are no available data on TAZVERIK use in pregnant women to inform the drug-associated risk. Administration of tazemetostat to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis resulted in dose-dependent increases in skeletal developmental abnormalities in both species beginning at maternal exposures approximately 1.5 times the adult human exposure (area under the plasma concentration time curve [AUC0-45h]) at the 800 mg twice daily dose.
- Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with TAZVERIK and for 6 months after the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with TAZVERIK and for 3 months after the final dose.
Adverse Reactions
Epithelioid Sarcoma
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In 62 clinical study patients with epithelioid sarcoma receiving TAZVERIK 800 mg twice daily: Serious adverse reactions occurred in
37% of patients who received TAZVERIK. Serious adverse reactions occurring in ≥3% were hemorrhage, pleural effusion, skin infection, dyspnea, pain, and respiratory distress. The most common (≥20% ) adverse reactions were pain (52% ), fatigue (47% ), nausea (36% ), decreased appetite (26% ), vomiting (24% ), and constipation (21% ).
Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma
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In 99 clinical study patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma receiving TAZVERIK 800 mg twice daily: Serious adverse reactions occurred in
30% of patients who received TAZVERIK. Serious adverse reactions occurring in ≥2% were general physical health deterioration, abdominal pain, pneumonia, sepsis, and anemia. The most common (≥20% ) adverse reactions were fatigue (36% ), upper respiratory tract infection (30% ), musculoskeletal pain (22% ), nausea (24% ), and abdominal pain (20% ).
Drug Interactions
- Avoid coadministration of strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors with TAZVERIK. If coadministration of moderate CYP3A inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce TAZVERIK dose.
- Avoid coadministration of moderate and strong CYP3A inducers with TAZVERIK, which may decrease the efficacy of TAZVERIK.
- Coadministration of TAZVERIK with CYP3A substrates, including hormonal contraceptives, can result in decreased concentrations and reduced efficacy of CYP3A substrates.
Lactation
- Because of the potential risk for serious adverse reactions from TAZVERIK in the breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with TAZVERIK and for one week after the final dose.
About Epizyme, Inc.
Epizyme, Inc. is a fully integrated, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to its mission of rewriting treatment for cancer and other serious diseases through novel epigenetic medicines. In addition to an active research and discovery pipeline, Epizyme has one U.S. FDA approved product, TAZVERIK® (tazemetostat), for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients aged 16 years and older with metastatic or locally advanced epithelioid sarcoma (ES) who are not eligible for complete resection; adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma whose tumors are positive for an EZH2 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test and who have received at least two prior systemic therapies; and adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s). The company is also exploring the treatment potential of tazemetostat in investigational clinical trials in other solid tumors and hematological malignancies, as a monotherapy and combination therapy in both relapsed and front-line disease settings. By focusing on the genetic drivers of disease, Epizyme seeks to match medicines with the patients who need them. For more information, visit www.epizyme.com.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects for Epizyme, Inc. and other statements containing the words “anticipate," “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: the successful launch of commercial sales of TAZVERIK for epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma in the approved indications; whether tazemetostat will receive marketing approval for epithelioid sarcoma or follicular lymphoma in other jurisdictions, full approval in the United States or approval in any other indication; whether results from preclinical studies or earlier clinical studies will be predictive of the results of future trials, such as the ongoing confirmatory trials; whether results from clinical studies will warrant meetings with regulatory authorities, submissions for regulatory approval or review by governmental authorities under the accelerated approval process; expectations for regulatory approvals, including accelerated approval, to conduct trials or to market products; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company’s business, results of operations and financial condition; whether the company's cash resources will be sufficient to fund the company's foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; other matters that could affect the availability or commercial success of tazemetostat or the company's therapeutic candidates; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the company's most recent Form 10-Q filed with the SEC and in the company's other filings from time to time with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the company's views as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing the company's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. The company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the company's views to change. However, while the company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.
TAZVERIK® is a registered trademark of Epizyme, Inc.
