Takeda Pharmaceutical Company has announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved a Type II variation for ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) to include data on the retreatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) Hodgkin lymphoma or R/R systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) who previously responded to ADCETRIS and who later relapse. The decision from the EC follows a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in October 2015.
ADCETRIS was granted conditional marketing authorization by the EC in 2012 for the treatment of R/R CD30+ Hodgkin lymphoma following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), or at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option, and for R/R sALCL.
The SmPC variation includes an update to the clinical sections, including safety, to include data on retreatment of adult patients who have responded to previous treatment with ADCETRIS (CR or PR) under the existing indications, but later relapsed.
The Type II variation is based on data from the Phase 2 SGN35-006 Part A study that demonstrated effective anti-tumor responses can be achieved in the majority of R/R Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL patients with ADCETRIS retreatment. The safety and efficacy results from this trial were consistent with the positive profile demonstrated in the pivotal Phase 2 studies (SGN35-003 and SGN35-004).
“ADCETRIS has transformed the treatment landscape for relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL patients in Europe, and has emerged as a most valuable tool to induce a remission. However, lymphoma is a relentless disease, and relapse occurs in some of these very difficult to treat patients. Now, with the opportunity for retreatment, we can offer patients with very limited options another chance to potentially benefit from ADCETRIS,” said Professor Anton Hagenbeek, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Hematology, Department of Hematology, Academic Medical Center in the University of Amsterdam.
“The EC decision to include data on retreatment in the ADCETRIS label is important in advancing care for patients battling these diseases,” said Dirk Huebner, M.D., Executive Medical Director, Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit, Takeda. “We look forward to continuing our ongoing clinical program of ADCETRIS in Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL, as well as in a variety of other forms of lymphoma, with the goal of bringing this important therapy to patients who might benefit from it.”