KOSELUGO® (selumetinib) Showed Significant and Clinically Meaningful Improvement in Objective Response Rate Versus Placebo in Adults With Neurofibromatosis Type 1 who Have Symptomatic, Inoperable Plexiform Neurofibromas in Global Phase 3 KOMET Trial
These results showed reduction in tumor volume, building on the established safety and efficacy profile of KOSELUGO in certain children and has the potential to support expanded use in certain adults
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a rare, progressive genetic condition affecting an estimated 1.7 million people worldwide, approximately
Professor Ignacio Blanco Guillermo, M.D., Ph.D., chairman, genetic counseling and clinical genetics program at the Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, chairman, Spanish National Reference Center for Adult Patients with Neurofibromatosis and principal investigator of the KOMET trial, said, “With limited options to manage NF1 plexiform neurofibromas in adults, many patients experience functional impairment and symptoms, which can substantially impact their lives. These clinically meaningful data show KOSELUGO has the potential to make a positive impact in patient care by reducing the size of plexiform neurofibromas.”
Marc Dunoyer, chief executive officer, Alexion, said, “These promising results demonstrate that KOSELUGO, the first and only approved targeted therapy for certain children with NF1 plexiform neurofibromas, now has the potential to benefit adult patients for whom there are no approved targeted therapies. As the largest and only global placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial in adults with NF1 plexiform neurofibromas, KOMET reinforces our leadership in advancing potential treatment options for people living with this debilitating disease. We look forward to sharing these findings with regulatory authorities.”
Dr. Scot Ebbinghaus, vice president, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories, said, “Adults with NF1 are in critical need of treatment options to help manage symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas. These positive results from the Phase 3 KOMET trial demonstrate the potential to expand the use of KOSELUGO beyond pediatric patients to also treat adult patients living with this rare and challenging genetic condition.”
In the trial, ORR was defined as the percentage of patients with confirmed complete response (disappearance of PNs) or partial response (at least
The safety profile of KOSELUGO in this study was consistent with that observed in clinical trials among children and adolescents. No new safety signals were identified.
Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease will share these data with regulatory authorities and present these data at a forthcoming medical meeting. AstraZeneca and Merck are jointly developing and commercializing KOSELUGO globally.
About KOMET
KOMET is a global randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04924608) designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of KOSELUGO in adults with NF1 who have symptomatic, inoperable PNs. The trial enrolled 145 adults from 13 countries across the
The primary endpoint is confirmed ORR by cycle 16 as assessed by ICR. Objective response rate is defined as the percentage of patients with confirmed complete response (disappearance of PNs) or partial response (at least
After 12 cycles, patients on placebo were switched to KOSELUGO and patients on KOSELUGO remained on treatment for an additional 12 cycles. Patients who had the opportunity to complete both treatment periods 24 cycles of treatment have the option to participate in a long-term extension period and continue to receive KOSELUGO.
About NF1
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a rare, progressive, genetic condition that is caused by a spontaneous or inherited mutation in the NF1 gene. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is associated with a variety of symptoms, including soft lumps on and under the skin (cutaneous neurofibromas) and, in 30
About KOSELUGO® (selumetinib)
KOSELUGO is a kinase inhibitor that blocks specific enzymes (MEK1 and MEK2), which are involved in stimulating cells to grow. In NF1, these enzymes are overactive, causing tumor cells to grow in an unregulated way creating so-called plexiform neurofibromas (PN). By blocking these enzymes, KOSELUGO slows down the growth of tumor cells, and, therefore, the PN growth.
KOSELUGO is approved in the
KOSELUGO (selumetinib) Indication in the
KOSELUGO is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who have symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas (PN).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Cardiomyopathy. A decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥
Ocular Toxicity. Blurred vision, photophobia, cataracts, and ocular hypertension occurred. Retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPED) occurred in the pediatric population during treatment with single agent KOSELUGO and resulted in permanent discontinuation. Conduct ophthalmic assessments prior to initiating KOSELUGO, at regular intervals during treatment, and for new or worsening visual changes. Permanently discontinue KOSELUGO in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Withhold KOSELUGO in patients with RPED, conduct ophthalmic assessments every 3 weeks until resolution, and resume KOSELUGO at a reduced dose.
Gastrointestinal Toxicity. Diarrhea occurred, including Grade 3. Diarrhea resulting in permanent discontinuation, dose interruption or dose reduction occurred. Advise patients to start an anti-diarrheal agent (eg, loperamide) and to increase fluid intake immediately after the first episode of diarrhea. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue KOSELUGO based on severity of adverse reaction.
Skin Toxicity. Rash occurred in
Increased Creatinine Phosphokinase (CPK). Increased CPK occurred, including Grade 3 or 4 resulting in dose reduction. Increased CPK concurrent with myalgia occurred, including one patient who permanently discontinued KOSELUGO for myalgia. Obtain serum CPK prior to initiating KOSELUGO, periodically during treatment, and as clinically indicated. If increased CPK occurs, evaluate for rhabdomyolysis or other causes. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue KOSELUGO based on severity of adverse reaction.
Increased Levels of Vitamin E and Risk of Bleeding. KOSELUGO capsules contain vitamin E which can inhibit platelet aggregation and antagonize vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Supplemental vitamin E is not recommended if daily vitamin E intake (including the amount of vitamin E in KOSELUGO and supplement) will exceed the recommended or safe limits due to increased risk of bleeding. An increased risk of bleeding may occur in patients who are coadministered vitamin-K antagonists or anti-platelet antagonists with KOSELUGO. Monitor for bleeding in these patients and increase international normalized ratio (INR) in patients taking a vitamin-K antagonist. Perform anticoagulant assessments more frequently and adjust the dose of vitamin K antagonists or anti-platelet agents as appropriate.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity. Based on findings from animal studies, KOSELUGO can cause fetal harm when administered during pregnancy. In animal studies, administration of selumetinib to mice during organogenesis caused reduced fetal weight, adverse structural defects, and effects on embryo-fetal survival at approximate exposures >5 times the human exposure at the clinical dose of 25 mg/m2 twice daily. Advise patients of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception during treatment with KOSELUGO and for 1 week after the last dose.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Common adverse reactions ≥
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Effect of Other Drugs on KOSELUGO
Concomitant use of KOSELUGO with a strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor or fluconazole increased selumetinib plasma concentrations, which may increase the risk of adverse reactions. Avoid coadministration with KOSELUGO. If coadministration cannot be avoided, reduce KOSELUGO dosage.
Concomitant use of KOSELUGO with a strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducer decreased selumetinib plasma concentrations, which may reduce KOSELUGO efficacy. Avoid concomitant use with KOSELUGO.
SPECIAL POPULATIONS
Pregnancy & Lactation. Verify the pregnancy status of patients of reproductive potential prior to initiating KOSELUGO. Due to the potential for adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise patients not to breastfeed during treatment with KOSELUGO and for 1 week after the last dose.
About the AstraZeneca and Merck strategic collaboration
In July 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck, known as MSD outside of
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About Merck
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Please see Prescribing Information and Patient Information (Medication Guide) for KOSELUGO (selumetinib) at https://alexion.com/Documents/koselugo_uspi.pdf
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