Avastin 25 mg/ml concentrate for solution for infusion

*
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    Roche Registration GmbH
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    Product subject to medical prescription which may not be renewed (A)
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    *Additional information is available within the SPC or upon request to the company

Updated on 23 December 2022

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Updated on 23 December 2022

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Updated on 08 July 2022

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Updated on 08 July 2022

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Updated on 27 September 2021

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Updated on 27 September 2021

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Updated on 17 August 2021

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Updated on 17 August 2021

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Updated on 17 August 2021

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Updated on 17 August 2021

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Updated on 18 January 2021

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Updated on 18 January 2021

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Updated on 04 March 2020

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EMEA/H/C/000582/IB/112

Shelf life extension: 48hours to 30 days for in-use stability

Updated on 04 March 2020

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Updated on 04 March 2020

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Updated on 02 October 2019

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Sections 4.4 and 4.8 to be updated to include aneurysms and artery dissections as per PRAC recommendation from 11th July 2019 (EMA/PRAC/347724/2019).

Updated on 02 October 2019

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EMA/PRAC/347724/2019

Updated on 28 May 2019

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Updated on 14 August 2018

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Updated on 23 March 2018

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Updated on 23 March 2018

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7.         MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

 

Roche Registration GmbH

Emil-Barell-Strasse 1

79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen

Germany

Roche Registration Limited

6 Falcon Way

Shire Park

Welwyn Garden City

AL7 1TW

United Kingdom

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

16 March 2018

Updated on 22 March 2018

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PIL_9490_853.pdf

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  • New PIL for new product

Updated on 22 March 2018

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Updated on 13 June 2017

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  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic indications
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.1          Therapeutic indications

[…]

Bevacizumab, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is indicated for the front-line treatment of adult patients with advanced (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages III B, III C and IV) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. (See section 5.1).

Bevacizumab, in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine or in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, is indicated for treatment of adult patients with first recurrence of platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have not received prior therapy with bevacizumab or other VEGF inhibitors or VEGF receptor–targeted agents.

[…]

4.2          Posology and method of administration

[…]

Treatment of platinum-sensitive recurrent disease: Avastin is administered in combination with either carboplatin and gemcitabine for 6 cycles and up to 10 cycles or in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel for 6 cycles and up to 8 cycles, followed by continued use of Avastin as single agent until disease progression.The recommended dose of Avastin is 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

[…]

4.8          Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The overall safety profile of Avastin is based on data from over 5,7400 patients with various malignancies, predominantly treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy in clinical trials.

[…]

Table 1: Adverse Reactions by Frequency

System organ class

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Very Rare

Frequency Not Known

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Anorexia

Hypomagnesaemia

Hyponatraemia

 

Dehydration

 

 

 

 

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Dyspnoea,

Rhinitis

Epistaxis

Cough

Pulmonary

haemorrhage/

Haemoptysisb,d,

Pulmonary

embolism,

Epistaxis,

Hypoxia,

Dysphoniaa

 

 

 

Pulmonary

hypertensiona,

Nasal septum

perforationa

Musculoskeletal  and connective tissue disorders

Arthralgia

Myalgia

 

Fistulab,d,

Myalgia,

Muscular weakness,

Back pain

 

 

 

Osteonecrosis of the jawa,b

Non-mandibular osteonecrosisa,f

 

[…]

Table 2: Severe Adverse Reactions by Frequency

System organ class

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Very Rare

Frequency Not Known

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

 

Dehydration

Hyponatraemia

 

 

 

 

 

[…]

Description of selected serious adverse reactions

 

Gastrointestinal (GI) perforations and Fistulae (see section 4.4)

Avastin has been associated with serious cases of gastrointestinal perforation.

Gastrointestinal perforations have been reported in clinical trials with an incidence of less than 1% in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, up to 1.3% in patients with metastatic breast cancer, up to 2.0% in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer or in patients with ovarian cancer receiving front-line treatment, and up to 2.7% (including gastrointestinal fistula and abscess) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. From a clinical trial in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer (study GOG-0240), GI perforations (all grade) were reported in 3.2% of patients, all of whom had a history of prior pelvic radiation.

[…]

GI-vaginal Fistulae in study GOG-0240

In a trial of patients with persistent, recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, the incidence of GI-vaginal fistulae was 8.3% in Avastin‑treated patients and 0.9% in control patients, all of whom had a history of prior pelvic radiation. The frequency of GI-vaginal fistulae in the group treated with Avastin + chemotherapy was higher in patients with recurrence within the field of prior radiation (16.7%) compared with patients with no prior radiation and/ or no recurrence inside the field of prior radiation (3.6%). with recurrence outside the field of prior radiation (3.6%). The corresponding frequencies in the control group receiving chemotherapy alone were 1.1% vs. 0.8%, respectively. Patients who develop GI-vaginal fistulae may also have bowel obstructions and require surgical intervention as well as diverting ostomies.

[…]

In clinical trials of ovarian cancer, Grade 3-5 wound healing complications were observed in up to 1.82% of patients in the bevacizumab arm versus 0.1% in the control arm (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

[…]

Proteinuria ranged in severity from clinically asymptomatic, transient, trace proteinuria to nephrotic syndrome, with the great majority as Grade 1 proteinuria (NCI-CTCAE v.3). Grade 3 proteinuria was reported in up to 8.110.9% of treated patients. Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) was seen in up to 1.4% of treated patients. Testing for proteinuria is recommended prior to start of Avastin therapy. In most clinical trials urine protein levels of ³ 2g/24 hrs led to the holding of Avastin until recovery to < 2g/24 hrs.

[…]

5.1          Pharmacodynamic properties

[…]

GOG-0218

The GOG-0218 study was a phase III multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three arm study evaluating the effect of adding Avastin to an approved chemotherapy regimen (carboplatin and paclitaxel) in patients with advanced (FIGO Sstages IIIB, IIIC and IV according to FIGO staging version dated 1988) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.

[…]

BO17707 (ICON7)

BO17707 was a Phase III, two arm, multicentre, randomised, controlled, open-label study comparing the effect of adding Avastin to carboplatin plus paclitaxel in patients with FIGO stage I or IIA (Grade 3 or clear cell histology only; n = 142), or FIGO stage IIB - IV (all Grades and all histological types, n = 1386) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer following surgery (NCI-CTCAE v.3). FIGO staging version dated 1988 was used in this trial.

[…]

Recurrent ovarian cancer

The safety and efficacy of Avastin in the treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer was studied in threetwo phase III trials (AVF4095g ,and MO22224 and GOG-0213) with different patient populations and chemotherapy regimens.

          AVF4095g evaluated the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine, followed by bevacizumab as a single agent in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.

          GOG-0213 evaluated the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by bevacizumab as a single agent in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.

          MO22224 evaluated the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with paclitaxel, topotecan, or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.

[…]

GOG-0213

GOG-0213, a phase III randomized controlled open label trial, studied the safety and efficacy of Avastin in the treatment of patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, who have not received prior chemotherapy in the recurrent setting. There was no exclusion criterion for prior anti-angiogenic therapy. The study evaluated the effect of adding Avastin to carboplatin+paclitaxel and continuing Avastin as a single agent until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity compared to carboplatin+paclitaxel alone.

 

A total of 673 patients were randomized in equal proportions to the following two treatment arms:

     CP arm: Carboplatin (AUC5) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2 IV) every 3 weeks for 6 and up to 8 cycles.

     CPB arm: Carboplatin (AUC5) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2 IV) and concurrent Avastin (15 mg/kg) every 3 weeks for 6 and up to 8 cycles, followed by Avastin (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks) alone until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Most patients in both the CP arm (80.4%) and the CPB arm (78.9%) were White. The median age was 60.0 years in the CP arm and 59.0 years in the CPB arm. The majority of patients (CP: 64.6%; CPB: 68.8%) were in the age category < 65 years. At baseline, most patients in both treatment arms had a GOG PS of 0 (CP: 82.4%: CPB; 80.7%) or 1 (CP: 16.7%: CPB; 18.1%). A GOG PS of 2 at baseline was reported in 0.9% of patients in the CP arm and in 1.2% of patients in the CPB arm.“

The primary efficacy endpoint was overall survival (OS). The main secondary efficacy endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).Results are presented in Table 22.

 

Table 22               Efficacy results1,2 from study GOG-0213

Primary Endpoint

Overall Survival (OS)

CP

(n=336)

CPB

(n=337)

Median OS (months)

37.3

42.6

Hazard ratio (95% CI) (eCRF)a

0.823 [CI: 0.680, 0.996]

p-Value

0.0447

Hazard ratio (95% CI) (registration form)b

0.838 [CI: 0.693, 1.014]

p-Value

0.0683

Secondary Endpoints

Progression-free survival (PFS)

CP

(n=336)

CPB

(n=337)

Median PFS (months)

10.2

13.8

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.613 [CI: 0.521, 0.721]

p-value

<0.0001

1 Final Analysis 2 Tumour assessments and response evaluations were determined by the investigators using the GOG RECIST criteria (Revised RECIST guideline (version 1.1). Eur J Cancer. 2009;45:228Y247).

 

a Hazard ratio was estimated from Cox proportional hazards models stratified by the duration of platinum free-interval prior to enrolling onto this study per eCRF (electronic case report form) and secondary surgical debulking status Yes/No (Yes=randomized to undergo cytoreduction or randomized to not undergo cytoreduction; No= not a candidate or did not consent to cytoreduction). b stratified by the duration of treatment free-interval prior to enrolling onto this study per the registration form, and secondary surgical debulking status Yes/No.

 

The trial met its primary objective of OS improvement. Treatment with Avastin at 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) for 6 and up to 8 cycles, followed by Avastin until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity resulted, when data were derived from eCRF, in a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in OS compared to treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel alone.

[…]

10.          DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

02 June 2017

Updated on 08 June 2017

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 1 - what the product is used for
  • Change to section 4 - possible side effects
  • Change to section 6 - date of revision

Updated on 27 February 2017

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 5.2 - Pharmacokinetic properties
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.2          Posology and method of administration

[…]

Paediatric population

 

The safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in children less than 18 years old have not been established. Avastin is not approved for use in patients under the age of 18 years. Currently available data are described in sections 4.8, 5.1 and 5.2 butThere is no relevant use of bevacizumab in the paediatric population and no recommendation on a posology can be made. Currently available data are described in sections 4.8, 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3.

 

There is no relevant use of bevacizumab in the paediatric population in the indications for treatment of cancers of the colon, rectum, breast, lung, ovarian, fallopian tube, peritoneum, cervix and kidney.

[…]

 

4.8          Undesirable effects

[…]

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Avastin in children less than 18 years old  have not been established.

 

In study BO25041 of Avastin added to postoperative radiation therapy (RT) with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide in paediatric patients with newly diagnosed supratentorial, infratentorial, cerebellar, or peduncular high-grade glioma, the safety profile was comparable with that observed in other tumour types in adults treated with Avastin. 

 

In study BO20924 of Avastin with current standard of care in rhabdomyosarcoma and non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma, the safety profile of Avastin treated children was comparable with that observed in adults treated with Avastin.

 

Avastin is not approved for use in patients under the age of 18 years. In published literature reports, cases of non-mandibular osteonecrosis have been observed in patients under the age of 18 years treated with Avastin (please see section 5.3).

[…]

 

5.1          Pharmacodynamic properties

[…]

High-grade glioma

Anti-tumour activity was not observed in two earlier studies among a total of 30 children aged > 3 years old with relapsed or progressive high-grade glioma when treated with bevacizumab and irinotecan (CPT-11). There is insufficient information to determine the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in children with newly-diagnosed high-grade glioma.

 

·              In a single-arm study (PBTC-022), 18 children with recurrent or progressive non-pontine high-grade glioma (including 8 with glioblastoma [WHO Grade IV], 9 with anaplastic astrocytoma [Grade III] and 1 with anaplastic oligodendroglioma [Grade III]) were treated with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) two weeks apart and then with bevacizumab in combination with CPT-11 (125-350 mg/m²) once every two weeks until progression. There were no objective (partial or complete) radiological responses (MacDonald criteria). Toxicity and adverse reactions included arterial hypertension and fatigue as well as CNS ischaemia with acute neurological deficit. 

 

·      In a retrospective single institution series, 12 consecutive (2005 to 2008) children with relapsed or progressive high-grade glioma (3 with WHO Grade IV, 9 with Grade III) were treated with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) and irinotecan (125 mg/m²) every 2 weeks. There were no complete responses and 2 partial responses (MacDonald criteria).

 

In a randomized phase II study (BO25041) a total of 121 patients aged ≥ 3 years to <18 years with newly diagnosed supratentorial or infratentorial cerebellar or peduncular high-grade glioma (HGG) were treated with post operative radiation therapy (RT) and adjuvant temozolomide (T) with and without bevacizumab: 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks IV.  

 

The study did not meet its primary endpoint of demonstrating a significant improvement of EFS (Central Radiology Review Committee (CRRC)-assessed) when bevacizumab was added to the RT/T arm compared with RT/T alone (HR = 1.44; 95% CI: 0.90, 2.30). These results were consistent with those from various sensitivity analyses and in clinically relevant subgroups. The results for all secondary endpoints (investigator assessed EFS, and ORR and OS) were consistent in showing no improvement associated with the addition of bevacizumab to the RT/T arm compared with the RT/T arm alone.

 

Addition of Avastin to RT/T did not demonstrate clinical benefit in study BO25041 in 60 evaluable children patients with newly diagnosed supratentorial or infratentorial cerebellar or peduncular high-grade glioma (HGG) (See section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).

 

Soft tissue sarcoma

In a randomized phase II study (BO20924) a total of 154 patients aged ≥ 6 months to <18 years with newly diagnosed metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma and non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma were treated with standard of care (Induction IVADO/IVA+/- local therapy followed by Maintenance Vinorelbine and cyclophosphamide) with or without bevacizumab (2.5 mg/kg/week) for a total duration of treatment of approximately 18 months. At the time of the final primary analysis, the primary endpoint of EFS by independent central review did not show a statistically significant difference between the two treatment arms, with HR of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.61, 1.41; p-value = 0.72).  The difference in ORR per independent central review was 18% (CI: 0.6%, 35.3%) between the two treatment arms in the few patients who had evaluable tumor at baseline and had a confirmed response prior to receiving any local therapy : 27/75 patients (36.0%, 95% CI: 25.2%, 47.9%) in the Chemo arm and 34/63 patients (54.0%, 95% CI: 40.9%, 66.6%) in the Bv + Chemo arm. The secondary endpoint of Overall Survival (OS) was not mature . Until mature OS results and safety data are available no definitive conclusion can be drawn on the benefit/risk balance.

[…]

 

5.2          Pharmacokinetic properties

[…]

Pharmacokinetics in special populations

The population pharmacokinetics were analysed in adult and pediatric patients to evaluate the effects of demographic characteristics. In adults, tThe results showed no significant difference in the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab in relation to age.

 

Renal impairment

No trials have been conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab in renally impaired patients since the kidneys are not a major organ for bevacizumab metabolism or excretion.

 

Hepatic impairment

No trials have been conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab in patients with hepatic impairment since the liver is not a major organ for bevacizumab metabolism or excretion.

 

Paediatric population

The pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab were evaluated in 152 paediatric patientschildren, adolescents and young adults (7 months to 21 years, 5.9 to 125 kg) across 4 clinical studies in paediatrics using a population pharmacokinetic model. The pharmacokinetic results show that the clearance and volume of distribution of bevacizumab were comparable  between paediatric and young adult patients when normaliszed by body weight, with exposure trending lower as body weight decreased. Age was not associated with the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab when body weight was taken into account.

 

In Study BO20924, the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab was well characterized by the pediatric population PK model in 70 paediatric patients (1.4 to 17.6 years; 11.6 to 77.5 kg). Based on population PK model simulations, bevacizumab exposure was generally lower in paediatric patients from Study BO20924 as compared to a typical adult patient  at the same dose, and trended lower as body weight decreased.

 

The pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab was well characterized by the paediatric population PK model for 70 patients in Study BO20924 ((1.4 to 17.6 years; 11.6 to 77.5 kg) and 59 patients in Study BO25041 (1 to 17 years; 11.2 to 82.3 kg). In Study BO20924, bevacizumab exposure was generally lower compared to a typical adult patient at the same dose. In Study BO25041, bevacizumab exposure was similar compared to a typical adult at the same dose. In both studies, bevacizumb exposure trended lower as body weight decreased.

10.          DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

26 January 2017

 

Updated on 22 February 2017

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 2 - use in children and adolescents
  • Change to section 6 - date of revision

Updated on 14 October 2016

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 5.2 - Pharmacokinetic properties
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.2          Posology and method of administration

[…]

Paediatric population

 

The safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in children less than 18 years old and adolescents have not been established. Avastin is not approved for use in patients under the age of 18 years. There is no relevant use of bevacizumab in the paediatric population in the granted indicationsand no recommendation on a posology can be made. Currently available data are described in sections 4.8, 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 but no recommendation on a posology can be made.

 

Addition of Avastin to standard of care did not demonstrate clinical benefit in clinical trial BO20924, in 71 evaluable children (from age 6 months to less than 18 years old) patients with metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma and non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma or in paediatric patients with primary CNS tumors.

 

 

Avastin should not be used in children aged 3 years to less than 18 years with recurrent or progressive high-grade glioma because of efficacy concerns (see section 5.1 for results of paediatric trials).

 

Dose reduction for adverse reactions is not recommended. If indicated, therapy should either be permanently discontinued or temporarily suspended as described in section 4.4.

 

 

Method of administration

 

The initial dose should be delivered over 90 minutes as an intravenous infusion. If the first infusion is well tolerated, the second infusion may be administered over 60 minutes. If the 60-minute infusion is well tolerated, all subsequent infusions may be administered over 30 minutes.

 

It should not be administered as an intravenous push or bolus.

 

Dose reduction for adverse reactions is not recommended. If indicated, therapy should either be permanently discontinued or temporarily suspended as described in section 4.4.

[…]


4.8          Undesirable effects

[…]

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Avastin in children less than 18 years old  have and adolescents has not been established.

 

In study BO20924 of Avastin with current standard of care in metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma and non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma, the safety profile of Avastin treated children was comparable with that observed in adults treated with Avastin.

 

[…]


5.1          Pharmacodynamic properties

[…]

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies, in all subsets of the paediatric population, in breast carcinoma, adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum, lung carcinoma (small cell and non-small cell carcinoma), kidney and renal pelvis carcinoma (excluding nephroblastoma, nephroblastomatosis, clear cell sarcoma, mesoblastic nephroma, renal medullary carcinoma and rhabdoid tumour of the kidney), ovarian carcinoma (excluding rhabdomyosarcoma and germ cell tumours), fallopian tube carcinoma (excluding rhabdomyosarcoma and germ cell tumours), peritoneal carcinoma (excluding blastomas and sarcomas) and cervix and corpus uteri carcinoma.

 

Anti-tumour activity was not observed in two studies among a total of 30 children aged > 3 years old with relapsed or progressive high-grade glioma when treated with bevacizumab and irinotecan. There is insufficient information to determine the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in children with newly-diagnosed high-grade glioma.

 

In a single-arm study (PBTC-022), 18 children with recurrent or progressive non-pontine high-grade glioma (including 8 with glioblastoma [WHO Grade IV], 9 with anaplastic astrocytoma [Grade III] and 1 with anaplastic oligodendroglioma [Grade III]) were treated with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) two weeks apart and then with bevacizumab in combination with CPT-11 (125-350 mg/m²) once every two weeks until progression. There were no objective (partial or complete) radiological responses (MacDonald criteria). Toxicity and adverse reactions included arterial hypertension and fatigue as well as CNS ischaemia with acute neurological deficit. 

 

·      In a retrospective single institution series, 12 consecutive (2005 to 2008) children with relapsed or progressive high-grade glioma (3 with WHO Grade IV, 9 with Grade III) were treated with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) and irinotecan (125 mg/m²) every 2 weeks. There were no complete responses and 2 partial responses (MacDonald criteria).

 

Anti-tumour activity was not observed Iin a randomized phase II study (BO20924) among a total of 154 patients aged ≥ 6 months to <18 years with newly diagnosed metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma and non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma . In this study, children were treated with standard of care (Induction IVADO/IVA+/- local therapy followed by Maintenance Vinorelbine and cyclophosphamide) with or without bevacizumab (2.5 mg/kg/week) for a total duration of treatment of approximately 18 months. At the time of the final primary analysis, the primary endpoint of EFS by independent central review did not show a statistically significant difference between the two treatment arms, with HR of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.61, 1.41; p-value = 0.72).  The difference in ORR per independent central review was 18% (CI: 0.6%, 35.3%) between the two treatment arms in the few patients who had evaluable tumor at baseline and had a confirmed response prior to receiving any local therapy : 27/75 patients (36.0%, 95% CI: 25.2%, 47.9%) in the Chemo arm and 34/63 patients (54.0%, 95% CI: 40.9%, 66.6%) in the Bv + Chemo arm. The secondary endpoint of Overall Survival (OS) was not mature . Until mature OS results are available No definitive conclusion can be drawn on the benefit/risk balance.

 

Addition of Avastin to standard of care did not demonstrate clinical benefit in clinical trial BO20924, in 71 evaluable children (from age 6 months to less than 18 years old) patients with metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma and non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma

(see section 4.2 for information on paediatric use).

 

The incidence of AEs, including Grade ³ 3 AEs and SAEs, was similar between the two treatment arms.  No AEs leading to death occurred in either treatment arm; all deaths were attributed to disease progression.  Bevacizumab addition to multimodal standard of care treatment seemed to be tolerated in this paediatric population.

 

Accordingly, at time of the primary endpoint final anaylsis, the benefit/risk balance of  the addition of Bevacizumab to standard of care in paediatric patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma or non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma is not established yet.


5.2          Pharmacokinetic properties

[…]

Paediatric population

The pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab were evaluated in 152 have been studied in a limited number of paediatric patients . (7 months to 21 years, 5.9 to 125kg) across 4 clinical studies in paediatrics using a population pharmacokinetic model. The resulting pharmacokinetic results show data suggest that the clearance and volume of distribution and clearance of bevacizumab were comparable to that in adults with solid tumours between paediatric and adult patients when normalized by body weight. Age was not associated with the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab when body weight was taken into account.

 

In Study BO20924, the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab was well characterized by the pediatric population PK model in 70 paediatric patients (1.4 to 17.6 years; 11.6 to 77.5 kg). Based on population PK model simulations, bevacizumab exposure was generally lower in paediatric patients from Study BO20924 as compared to a typical adult patient  at the same dose, and trended lower as body weight decreased.


10.          DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

15 September 2016

 

Updated on 10 June 2016

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic indications
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 4.5 - Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.1          Therapeutic indications

[…]

Bevacizumab, in combination with erlotinib, is indicated for first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) activating mutations (see Section 5.1).

[…]

4.2          Posology and method of administration

[…]

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

 

First-line treatment of non-squamous NSCLC in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy

 

Avastin is administered in addition to platinum-based chemotherapy for up to 6 cycles of treatment followed by Avastin as a single agent until disease progression.

The recommended dose of Avastin is 7.5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

Clinical benefit in NSCLC patients has been demonstrated with both 7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg doses (see section 5.1).

It is recommended that treatment be continued until progression of the underlying disease or until unacceptable toxicity.

 

First-line treatment of non-squamous NSCLC with EGFR activating mutations in combination with erlotinib

 

EGFR mutation testing should be performed prior to initiation of treatment with the combination of Avastin and erlotinib. It is important that a well-validated and robust methodology is chosen to avoid false negative or false positive determinations.

The recommended dose of Avastin when used in addition to erlotinib is 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

It is recommended that the treatment with Avastin in addition to erlotinib is continued until disease progression.

 

For the posology and method of administration of erlotinib, pPlease refer to the full erlotinib prescribing information for erlotinib for patient selection and posology.

[…]

4.5          Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

 

Effect of antineoplastic agents on bevacizumab pharmacokinetics

No clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction of co-administered chemotherapy on Avastin bevacizumab pharmacokinetics has been  was observed based on the results of a population PK pharmacokineticanalysis analyses. There was were neither statistically significantce nor clinically relevant differences in bevacizumab clearance of Avastin in patients receiving Avastin monotherapy compared to patients receiving Avastin in combination with interferon alfa-2a, erlotinib or other chemotherapies (IFL, 5-FU/LV, carboplatin/paclitaxel, capecitabine, doxorubicin or cisplatin/gemcitabine).

 

Effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetics of other antineoplastic agents

No clinically relevant interaction of bevacizumab was observed on the pharmacokinetics of co-administered interferon alpha 2a, erlotinib (and its active metabolite OSI-420), or the chemotherapies irinotecan (and its active metabolite SN38), capecitabine, oxaliplatin (as determined by measurement of free and total platinum), and cisplatin. Conclusions on the impact of bevacizumab on gemcitabine pharmacokinetics cannot be drawn.

 

Results from a dedicated drug-drug interaction trial demonstrated no significant effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetics of irinotecan and its active metabolite SN38.

 

Results from one trial in metastatic colorectal cancer patients demonstrated no significant effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine and its metabolites, and on the pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin, as determined by measurement of free and total platinum.

 

Results from one trial in renal cancer patients demonstrated no significant effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetics of interferon alfa-2a.

 

The potential effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetics of cisplatin and gemcitabine was investigated in non-squamous NSCLC patients. Trial results demonstrated no significant effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetics of cisplatin. Due to high inter-patient variability and limited sampling, the results from that trial do not allow firm conclusions to be drawn on the impact of bevacizumab on gemcitabine pharmacokinetics.

[…]

4.8          Undesirable effects

[…]

Some of the adverse reactions are reactions commonly seen with chemotherapy; however, Avastin may exacerbate these reactions when combined with chemotherapeutic agents. Examples include palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin or capecitabine, peripheral sensory neuropathy with paclitaxel or oxaliplatin, and nail disorders or alopecia with paclitaxel, and paronychia with erlotinib.

[…]

Hypertension (see section 4.4)

In clinical trials, with the exception of study JO25567, the overall An increased incidence of hypertension (all gGrades) ranged of up to 42.1% has been observed in Avastin-treated patients in clinical trials in the Avastin containing arms compared with up to 14% in the control arms those treated with comparator. The overall incidence of NCI-CTC Grade 3 and 4 hypertension (requiring oral anti‑hypertensive medicines) in patients receiving Avastin ranged from 0.4% to 17.9%. Grade 4 hypertension (hypertensive crisis) occurred in up to 1.0% of patients treated with Avastin and chemotherapy compared to up to 0.2% of patients treated with the same chemotherapy alone (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

 

In study JO25567, all grade hypertension was observed in 77.3% of the patients who received Avastin in combination with erlotinib as first-line treatment for non-squamous NSCLC with EGFR activating mutations, compared to 14.3% of patients treated with erlotinib alone. Grade 3 hypertension was 60.0% in patients treated with Avastin in combination with erlotinib compared to 11.7% in patients treated with erlotinib alone. There were no grade 4 or 5 hypertension events.

[…]

In clinical trials, the overall incidence of arterial thromboembolic reactions ranged up to 3.8% in the Avastin containing arms compared with up to 1.7% in the chemotherapy control arms. Fatal outcome was reported in 0.8% of patients receiving Avastin compared to 0.5% in patients receiving chemotherapy alone. Cerebrovascular accidents (including transient ischaemic attacks) were reported in up to 2.72.3% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to up to 0.5% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Myocardial infarction was reported in up to 1.4% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to up to 0.7% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

5.1          Pharmacodynamic properties

[…]

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

 

First-line treatment of non-squamous NSCLC in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy

 

[…]

First-line treatment of non-squamous NSCLC with EGFR activating mutations in combination with erlotinib

 

JO25567

Study JO25567 was a randomized, open-label, multi-center Phase II study conducted in Japan to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Avastin used in addition to erlotinib in patients with non-squamous NSCLC with EGFR activating mutations (exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R mutation) who had not received prior systemic therapy for Stage IIIB/IV or recurrent disease.

The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) based on independent review assessment. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, response rate, disease control rate, duration of response, and safety and Health Related Quality of Life based on the FACT-L (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Patients with Lung Cancer) questionnaire.

EGFR mutation status was determined for each patient prior to patient screening and 154 patients were randomised to receive either erlotinib + Avastin (erlotinib 150 mg oral daily + Avastin [15 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks]) or erlotinib monotherapy (150 mg oral daily) until disease progression (PD) or unacceptable toxicity. In the absence of PD, discontinuation of one component of study treatment in the erlotinib + Avastin arm did not lead to discontinuation of the other component of study treatment as specified in the study protocol.

 

The efficacy results of the study are presented in Table 14.

Table 14                     Efficacy results for study JO25567

 

Erlotinib

N = 77#

Erlotinib + Avastin

N = 75#

PFS^ (months)

Median

 

9.7

 

16.0

HR (95% CI)

p-value

0.54 (0.36; 0.79)

0.0015

Overall Response Rate

Rate (n)

p-value

 

63.6% (49)

 

69.3% (52)

0.4951

Duration of Response (months)

Median

 

9.3

 

13.3

HR (95% CI)

p-value

0.68 (0.43; 1.10)

0.118

Disease Control Rate

Rate

p-value

 

88.3%

 

98.7%

0.0177

Overall Survival* (months)

Median

 

48.5NR

 

48.4NR

HR (95% CI)

p-value

0.91 (0.56; 1.46)1.04 (0.61- 1.77)

0.68380.8926

# A total of 154 patients ​​(ECOG Performance Status  0 or 1)  were randomized. However two of the randomized patients discontinued the study before receiving any study treatment

^ Blinded independent review (protocol-defined primary analysis)

* Exploratory analysis; OS updated analysis at clinical cut-off  on Nov 201428 October 2015, approx. 4535% patient had died and OS is therefore considered immature.

CI, confidence interval; HR, Hazard ratio from unstratified Cox regression analysis; NR, not reached.

 

In the open label study JO25567, Health Related Quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed by the FACT-L total and trial outcome index (TOI) scores and lung cancer symptoms, as assessed by the FACT-L lung cancer symptom subscale (LCS). During the progression-free time, mean baseline FACT-L scores were maintained in both treatment arms. There were no clinically meaningful differences in the FACT-L HRQoL observed between the two treatment arms. Of note, patients in the erlotinib + Avastin arm were treated for a longer duration and received intravenous administration of Avastin as opposed to oral erlotinib monotherapy in the control arm.

[…]

 

10.          DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

02 June 2016

 

Updated on 08 June 2016

Reasons for updating

  • Change to side-effects
  • Change to date of revision
  • Changes to therapeutic indications

Updated on 02 June 2016

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

Legal category:Product subject to medical prescription which may not be renewed (A)

Free text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

Summary of the safety profile

 

The overall safety profile of Avastin is based on data from over 5,4200 patients with various malignancies, predominantly treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy in clinical trials.

 

[ … ]

 

Description of selected serious adverse reactions

 

Gastrointestinal (GI) perforations and Fistulae (see section 4.4)

Avastin has been associated with serious cases of gastrointestinal perforation. Gastrointestinal perforations have been reported in clinical trials with an incidence of less than 1% in patients with metastatic breast cancer or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer,  up to 1.3% in patients with metastatic breast cancer,  up to 2.0% in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer or in patients with ovarian cancer receiving front-line treatment, and up to 2.7% (including gastrointestinal fistula and abscess) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

 

[ … ]

 

 

Thromboembolism (see section 4.4)

 

Arterial thromboembolism: An increased incidence of arterial thromboembolic reactions was observed in patients treated with Avastin across indications, including cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attacks, and other arterial thromboembolic reactions.

 

In clinical trials, the overall incidence of arterial thromboembolic reactions ranged up to 3.8% in the Avastin containing arms compared with up to 2.11.7% in the chemotherapy control arms. Fatal outcome was reported in 0.8% of patients receiving Avastin compared to 0.5% in patients receiving chemotherapy alone. Cerebrovascular accidents (including transient ischaemic attacks) were reported in up to 2.3% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to 0.5% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Myocardial infarction was reported in 1.4% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to 0.7% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

 

[ … ]

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

28 April 2016

Updated on 19 November 2015

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.4          Special warnings and precautions for use

[…]

Proteinuria (see section 4.8)

Patients with a history of hypertension may be at increased risk for the development of proteinuria when treated with Avastin. There is evidence suggesting that all Grade (US National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [NCI-CTCAE v.3]) proteinuria may be related to the dose. Monitoring of proteinuria by dipstick urinalysis is recommended prior to starting and during therapy. Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) was seen in up to 1.4% of patients treated with Avastin. Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

[…]

4.8          Undesirable effects

[…]

Proteinuria ranged in severity from clinically asymptomatic, transient, trace proteinuria to nephrotic syndrome, with the great majority as Grade 1 proteinuria (NCI-CTCAE v.3). Grade 3 proteinuria was reported in up to 8.1% of treated patients. Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) was seen in up to 1.4% of treated patients. The proteinuria seen in clinical trials was not associated with renal dysfunction and rarely required permanent discontinuation of therapy. Testing for proteinuria is recommended prior to start of Avastin therapy. In most clinical trials urine protein levels of ³ 2g/24 hrs led to the holding of Avastin until recovery to < 2g/24 hrs.

[…]

Clinical trials have shown that transient increases in serum creatinine (ranging between 1.5-1.9 times baseline level), both with and without proteinuria, are associated with the use of Avastin. The observed increase in serum creatinine was not associated with a higher incidence of clinical manifestations of renal impairment in patients treated with Avastin.

[…]

10.          DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

22 October 2015

 

Updated on 18 November 2015

Reasons for updating

  • Change to side-effects
  • Change to date of revision

Updated on 24 August 2015

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.2          Posology and method of administration

[…]

Paediatric population

 

The safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in children and adolescents have not been established. Avastin is not approved for use in patients under the age of 18 years. There is no relevant use of bevacizumab in the paediatric population in the granted indications. Currently available data are described in sections 4.8, 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 but no recommendation on a posology can be made.

Avastin should not be used in children aged 3 years to less than 18 years with recurrent or progressive high-grade glioma because of efficacy concerns (see section 5.1 for results of paediatric trials).

[…]

 

4.4          Special warnings and precautions for use

In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the trade name and the batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded (or stated) in the patient file.

[…]

 

4.8          Undesirable effects

[…]

Frequency not known:  Non-mandibular osteonecrosisa,f

f Observed in pediatric population only

[…]

Paediatric population

The safety of Avastin in children and adolescents has not been established. Avastin is not approved for use in patients under the age of 18 years. In published literature reports, cases of non-mandibular osteonecrosis have been observed in patients under the age of 18 years treated with Avastin (see section 5.3).

[…]

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Cases of Oosteonecrosis of the Jjaw (ONJ) have been reported in patients treated with Avastin, most of which occurred in patients who had identified risk factors for ONJ, in particular exposure to intravenous bisphosphonates and/or a history of dental disease requiring invasive dental procedures (see also section 4.4)

Cases of non-mandibular osteonecrosis have been observed in Avastin treated paediatric patients (see section 4.8, Paediatric population).

 

[…]

10.          DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

23 July 2015

 

Updated on 19 August 2015

Reasons for updating

  • Change to warnings or special precautions for use
  • Change to date of revision

Updated on 08 April 2015

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic indications
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 5.3 - Preclinical safety data
  • Change to section 9 - Date of renewal of authorisation
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.1          Therapeutic indications

[…]

Bevacizumab, in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin or, alternatively, paclitaxel and topotecan in patients who cannot receive platinum therapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic carcinoma of the cervix (see Section 5.1).

 

4.2          Posology and method of administration

[…]

Cervical Cancer

Avastin is administered in combination with one of the following chemotherapy regimens: paclitaxel and cisplatin or paclitaxel and topotecan.

The recommended dose of Avastin is 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

It is recommended that treatment be continued until progression of the underlying disease or until unacceptable toxicity (see section 5.1).

[…]

4.4          Special warnings and precautions for use

In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the trade name of the administered product should be clearly recorded (or stated) in the patient file.

Gastrointestinal (GI) perforations and Fistulae (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at an increased risk for the development of gastrointestinal perforation and gall bladder perforation when treated with Avastin. Intra-abdominal inflammatory process may be a risk factor for gastrointestinal perforations in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum, therefore, caution should be exercised when treating these patients. Prior radiation is a risk factor for GI perforation in patients treated for persistent, recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with Avastin and all patients with GI perforation had a history of prior radiation. Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation.

 

GI-vaginal Fistulae in study GOG-0240

Patients treated for persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer with Avastin are at increased risk of fistulae between the vagina and any part of the GI tract (Gastrointestinal-vaginal fistulae). Prior radiation is a major risk factor for the development of GI-vaginal fistulae and all patients with GI-vaginal fistulae had a history of prior radiation. Recurrence of cancer within the field of prior radiation is an additional important risk factor for the development of GI-vaginal fistulae.

 

Non-GI Fistulae (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at increased risk for the development of fistulae when treated with Avastin.

Permanently discontinue Avastin in patients with tracheoesophageal (TE) fistula or any Grade 4 fistula [US National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE v.3)]. Limited information is available on the continued use of Avastin in patients with other fistulae.
In cases of internal fistula not arising in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, discontinuation of Avastin should be considered.

[…]

 

Venous thromboembolism (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at risk of developing venous thromboembolic reactions, including pulmonary embolism under Avastin treatment.

Patients treated for  persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer with Avastin in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin may be at increased risk of venous thromboembolic events.

Avastin should be discontinued in patients with life-threatening (Grade 4) thromboembolic reactions, including pulmonary embolism (NCI-CTCAE v.3). Patients with thromboembolic reactions ≤ Grade 3 need to be closely monitored (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

[…]

Neutropenia and infections (see section 4.8)

Increased rates of severe neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, or infection with or without severe neutropenia (including some fatalities) have been observed in patients treated with some myelotoxic chemotherapy regimens plus Avastin in comparison to chemotherapy alone. This has mainly been seen in combination with platinum- or taxane-based therapies in the treatment of NSCLC, and mBC, and in combination with paclitaxel and topotecan in persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer.

[…]

4.8          Undesirable effects

[…]

Table 1: Adverse Reactions by Frequency

 

System organ class

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Very Rare

Frequency Not Known

Infections and infestations

 

Sepsis,

Abscessb,d,

Cellulitis, Infection,

Urinary tract infection

 

Necrotising

fasciitis a

 

 

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Febrile

neutropenia,

Leucopenia,

Neutropeniab,

Thrombo-cytopenia

Anaemia, Lymphopenia

 

 

 

 

Immune system disorders

 

Hypersensitivity, infusion reactionsa,b,d

 

 

 

 

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Anorexia

Dehydration

 

 

 

 

Nervous system disorders

Peripheral sensory

neuropathyb,

Dysarthria,

Headache,

Dysguesia

Cerebrovascular

accident,

Syncope,

Somnolence

 

 

Posterior

reversible

encephalo-

pathy

syndrome a,b,d

Hypertensive

encephalo-

pathya

 

Eye disorders

 

 

Eye disorder,

Lacrimation increased

 

 

 

 

 

Cardiac disorders

 

Congestive heart

failureb,d,

Supraventricular

 tachycardia

 

 

 

 

Vascular disorders

Hypertensionb,d,

Thrombo-embolism

(venous)b,d

Thrombo-embolism

(arterial)b,d,

Haemorrhageb,d,

Deep vein

thrombosis

 

 

 

Renal

thrombotic

microangiopathya,b

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Dyspnoea,

Rhinitis

Pulmonary

haemorrhage/

Haemoptysisb,d,

Pulmonary

embolism,

Epistaxis,

Hypoxia,

Dysphoniaa

 

 

 

Pulmonary

hypertensiona,

Nasal septum

perforationa

Gastrointestinal disorders

Rectal

haemorrhage,

Stomatitis,

Constipation,

Diarrhoea,

Nausea,

Vomiting, Abdominal pain

Gastrointestinal  perforationb,d,

Intestinal

perforation,

Ileus,

Intestinal

obstruction,

Abdominal pain,Recto-vaginal fistulaed,e,

Gastrointestinal

Disorder,

Proctalgia

 

 

 

Gastrointestinal

ulcera

Hepatobiliary disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Gallbladder perforationa,b

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Wound healing

complicationsb,d,

Exfoliative

dermatitis,

Dry skin,

Skin discoloration

Palmar-plantar

erythro-dysaesthesia

syndrome

 

 

 

 

 

Musculoskeletal  and connective tissue disorders

Arthralgia

Fistulab,d,

Myalgia,

Muscular weakness,

Back pain

 

 

 

Osteonecrosis of the jawa,b

Renal and urinary disorders

Proteinuriab,d

 

 

 

 

 

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Ovarian

failureb,c,d 

 

Pelvic Pain

 

 

 

 

Congenital, familial, and genetic disorder

 

 

 

 

 

Foetal abnormalitiesa,b

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia,

Fatigue,

Pyrexia,

Pain,

Mucosal inflammation

Lethargy

 

 

 

 

 

Investigations

Weight decreased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 When events were noted as both all grade and grade 3-5 adverse drug reactions in clinical trials, the highest frequency observed in patients has been reported. Data are unadjusted for the differential time on treatment. 

 

a For further information please refer to Table 3 'Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting.'

 

b Terms represent a group of events that describe a medical concept rather than a single condition or MedDRA (Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) preferred term.  This group of medical terms may involve the same underlying pathophysiology (e.g. arterial thromboembolic reactions include cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attack and other arterial thromboembolic reactions).

 

 

c Based on a substudy from NSABP C-08 with 295 patients

 

 

 

d For additional information refer below within section "Further information on selected serious adverse reactions."

e Recto-vaginal fistulae are the most common fistulae in the GI-vaginal fistula category.

 

 

Table 2: Severe Adverse Reactions by Frequency

 

System organ class

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Very Rare

Frequency Not Known

Infections and infestations

 

Sepsis,

Cellulitis,

Abscessa,b,

Infection,

Urinary tract infection

 

 

 

Necrotising

fasciitisc

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Febrile

neutropenia,

Leucopenia,

Neutropeniaa,

Thrombo-cytopenia

Anaemia, Lymphopenia

 

 

 

 

Immune system disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Hypersensitivity, infusion reactions a,b,c

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

 

Dehydration

 

 

 

 

Nervous system disorders

 

Peripheral sensory

neuropathya

Cerebrovascular

accident,

Syncope,

Somnolence,

Headache

 

 

 

Posterior

reversible

encephalo-

pathy

syndrome a,b,c,

Hypertensive

encephalo-

pathyc 

Cardiac disorders

 

Congestive heart

failurea,b,

Supraventricular

tachycardia

 

 

 

 

Vascular disorders

Hypertensiona,b

Thromboembolism arteriala,b,

Haemorrhagea,b,

Thromboembolism

(venous)a,b

Deep vein

thrombosis

 

 

 

Renal

thrombotic

microangiopathyb,c

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

 

Pulmonary

haemorrhage/

Haemoptysisa,b,

Pulmonary

embolism,

Epistaxis,

Dyspnoea,

Hypoxia

 

 

 

Pulmonary

hypertensionc,

Nasal septum

perforationc

Gastrointestinal disorders

Diarrhoea,

Nausea,

Vomiting,

Abdominal pain

Intestinal

perforation,

Ileus,

Intestinal

obstruction,

Recto-vaginal fistulaec,d

Abdominal pain,,

Gastrointestinal

disorder,

Stomatitis,

Proctalgia

 

 

 

 

Gastrointestinal

perforationa,b,

Gastrointestinal

ulcerc,

Rectal haemorrhage

 

Hepatobiliary disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Gallbladder perforation b,c

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

 

Wound healing

complicationsa,b,

Palmar-plantar

erythrodysaesthesia

syndrome

 

 

 

 

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

 

Fistulaa,b,

Myalgia,

Arthralgia,

Muscular weakness,

Back Pain

 

 

 

Fistulaa,b,

Osteonecrosis of the jawb,c

Renal and urinary disorders

 

Proteinuriaa,b

 

 

 

 

 

Reproductive system and breast disorders

 

Pelvic pain

 

 

 

Ovarian failurea,b

Congenital, familial, and genetic disorder

 

 

 

 

 

Foetal abnormalitiesa,c

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia,

Fatigue,

Pain,

Lethargy,

Mucosal

Inflammation

 

 

 

 

 

Table 2 provides the frequency of severe adverse reactions. Severe reactions are defined as adverse events with at least a 2% difference compared to the control arm in clinical studies for NCI-CTCAE Grade 3-5 reactions. Table 2 also includes adverse reactions which are considered by the MAH to be clinically significant or severe.  These clinically significant adverse reactions were reported in clinical trials but the grade 3-5 reactions did not meet the threshold of at least a 2% difference compared to the control arm. Table 2 also includes clinically significant adverse reactions that were observed only in the postmarketing setting, therefore, the frequency and NCI-CTCAE grade  is not known.These clinically significant reactions have therefore been included in Table 2 within the column entitled “Frequency Not Known.”

a Terms represent a group of events that describe a medical concept rather than a single condition or MedDRA (Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) preferred term. This group of medical terms may involve the same underlying pathophysiology (e.g. arterial thromboembolic reactions include cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attack and other arterial thromboembolic reactions).

b For additional information refer below within section "Further information on selected serious adverse reactions"

c For further information please refer to Table 3 'Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting.'

d Recto-vaginal fistulae are the most common fistulae in the GI-vaginal fistula category.

 

Description of selected serious adverse reactions

 

Gastrointestinal (GI) perforations and Fistulae (see section 4.4)

Avastin has been associated with serious cases of gastrointestinal perforation.

 

Gastrointestinal perforations have been reported in clinical trials with an incidence of less than 1% in patients with metastatic breast cancer or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, up to 2.0% in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer or in patients with ovarian cancer receiving front-line treatment, and up to 2.7% (including gastrointestinal fistula and abscess) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Fatal outcome was reported in approximately a third of serious cases of gastrointestinal perforations, which represents between 0.2%-1% of all Avastin treated patients. From a clinical trial in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer (study GOG-0240), GI perforations (all grade) were reported in 3.2% of patients, all of whom had a history of prior pelvic radiation.

 

The occurrence of those eventspresentation of these reactions varied in type and severity, ranging from free air seen on the plain abdominal X‑ray, which resolved without treatment, to intestinal perforation with abdominal abscess and fatal outcome. In some cases underlying intra‑abdominal inflammation was present, either from gastric ulcer disease, tumour necrosis, diverticulitis, or chemotherapy-associated colitis.

 

Fatal outcome was reported in approximately a third of serious cases of gastrointestinal perforations, which represents between 0.2%-1% of all Avastin treated patients.

 

In Avastin clinical trials, gastrointestinal fistulae (all grade) have been reported with an incidence of up to 2% in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer, but were also reported less commonly in patients with other types of cancer.

 

GI-vaginal Fistulae in study GOG-0240

In a trial of patients with persistent, recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, the incidence of GI-vaginal fistulae was 8.3% in Avastin‑treated patients and 0.9% in control patients, all of whom had a history of prior pelvic radiation. The frequency of GI-vaginal fistulae in the group treated with Avastin + chemotherapy was higher in patients with recurrence within the field of prior radiation (16.7%) compared with patients with recurrence outside the field of prior radiation (3.6%). The corresponding frequencies in the control group receiving chemotherapy alone were 1.1% vs. 0.8%, respectively. Patients who develop GI-vaginal fistulae may also have bowel obstructions and require surgical intervention as well as diverting ostomies.

 

Non-GI Fistulae (see section 4.4)

Avastin use has been associated with serious cases of fistulae including reactions resulting in death.

 

From a clinical trial in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer (GOG-240), 1.8% of Avastin‑treated patients and 1.4% of control patients were reported to have had non-gastrointestinal vaginal, vesical, or female genital tract fistulae.

 

In clinical trials, gastrointestinal fistulae have been reported with an incidence of up to 2% in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer, but were also reported less commonly in patients with other types of cancers. In a study of platinum resistant ovarian cancer (study MO22224), an incidence of up to 2.2% of fistulae involving the urinary bladder and female genital tract (including rectovaginal fistulae) was observed. Uncommon (³ 0.1% to < 1%) reports of other types of fistulae that involve areas of the body other than the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. bronchopleural and biliary fistulae) were observed across various indications. Fistulae have also been reported in post-marketing experience.

[…]

Haemorrhage (see section 4.4)

In clinical trials across all indications the overall incidence of NCI-CTCAE v.3 Grade 3-5 bleeding reactions ranged from 0.4% to 6.9%6.5% in Avastin treated patients, compared with up to 4.5%2.9% of patients in the chemotherapy control group.

 

From a clinical trial in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer (study GOG-0240), grade 3-5 bleeding reactions have been reported in up to 8.3% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with paclitaxel and topotecan compared with up to 4.6% of patients treated with paclitaxel and topotecan.

[…]

Grade 3-5 (NCI-CTCAE v.3) venous thromboembolic reactions have been reported in up to 7.8% of patients treated with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab compared with up to 4.9% in patients treated with chemotherapy alone (across indications, excluding persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer).

From a clinical trial in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer (study GOG-0240), grade 3-5 venous thromboembolic events have been reported in up to 15.6% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin compared with up to 7.0% of patients treated with paclitaxel and cisplatin.

[…]

Infections

From a clinical trial in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer (study GOG-0240), grade 3-5 infections have been reported in up to 24% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with paclitaxel and topotecan compared with up to 13% of patients treated with paclitaxel and topotecan.

[…]

5.1          Pharmacodynamic properties

[…]

Cervical Cancer

 

GOG-0240

The efficacy and safety of Avastin in combination with chemotherapy (paclitaxel and cisplatin or paclitaxel and topotecan) in the treatment for patients with persistent, recurrent or metastatic carcinoma of the cervix was evaluated in study GOG-0240, a randomised, four-arm, open label, multi-centre phase III trial.

 

A total of 452 patients were randomised to receive either:

 

·      Paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 IV over 24 hours on Day 1 and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 IV on Day 2, every 3 weeks (q3w); or

Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hours on Day 1 and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 IV on Day 2 (q3w); or

Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hours on Day 1 and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 (q3w)

 

·      Paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 IV over 24 hours on Day 1 and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 IV on Day 2 plus bevacizumab 15 mg/kg IV on Day 2 (q3w); or

Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hours on Day 1 and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 IV on Day 2 plus bevacizumab 15 mg/kg IV on Day 2 (q3w); or

Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hours on Day 1 and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 plus bevacizumab 15 mg/kg IV on Day 1 (q3w)

 

·      Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hours on Day 1 and topotecan 0.75 mg/m2 IV over 30 minutes on days 1-3 (q3w)

 

·      Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 IV over 3 hours on Day 1 and topotecan 0.75 mg/m2 IV over 30 minutes on Days 1-3 plus bevacizumab 15 mg/kg IV on Day 1 (q3w)

 

Eligible patients had persistent, recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma of the cervix which was not amenable to curative treatment with surgery and/or radiation therapy and who have not received prior therapy with bevacizumab or other VEGF inhibitors or VEGF receptor–targeted agents.

The median age was 46.0 years (range: 20-83) in the Chemo alone group and 48.0 years (range: 22-85) in the Chemo+Avastin group; with 9.3% of patients in the Chemo alone group and 7.5% of patients in the Chemo+Avastin group over the age of 65 years.

Of the 452 patients randomized at baseline, the majority of patients were white (80.0% in the Chemo alone group and 75.3% in the Chemo+Avastin group), had squamous cell carcinoma (67.1% in the Chemo alone group and 69.6% in the  Chemo+Avastin group), had persistent/recurrent disease (83.6% in the Chemo alone group and 82.8% in the  Chemo+Avastin group), had 1-2 metastatic sites (72.0% in the Chemo alone group and 76.2% in the  Chemo+Avastin group), had lymph node involvement (50.2% in the Chemo alone group and 56.4% in the  Chemo+Avastin group), and had a platinum free interval  ³  6 months (72.5% in the Chemo alone group and 64.4% in the  Chemo+Avastin group).

 

The primary efficacy endpoint was overall survival. Secondary efficacy endpoints included progression-free survival and objective response rate. Results from the primary analysis and the follow-up analysis are presented by Avastin Treatment and by Trial Treatment in Table 23 and Table 24, respectively.

 

Table 23               Efficacy results from study GOG-0240 by Avastin Treatment

 

 

Chemotherapy

(n=225)

Chemotherapy + Avastin

(n=227)

Primary Endpoint

Overall Survival – Primary analysis6

Median (months)1

12.9                           

16.8

Hazard ratio [95% CI]

0.74 [0.58, 0.94]

(p-value5 = 0.0132)

Overall Survival – Follow-up analysis7

Median (months)1

13.3                        

16.8

Hazard ratio [95% CI]

0.76 [0.62, 0.94]

(p-value5,8 = 0.0126)

Secondary Endpoints

Progression-free survival – Primary analysis6

Median PFS (months)1

6.0

8.3

Hazard ratio [95% CI]

0.66 [0.54, 0.81]

(p-value5 <0.0001)

Best Overall Response – Primary analysis6

Responders (Response rate2)

76 (33.8 %)                  

103 (45.4 %)

95% CI for Response Rates3               

[27.6%, 40.4%]                  

[38.8%, 52.1%]

Difference in Response Rates                                 

11.60%

95% CI for Difference in Response Rates4

[2.4%, 20.8%]

p-value (Chi-squared Test)

0.0117

1 Kaplan-Meier estimates

2 Patients and percentage of patients with best overall response of confirmed CR or PR; percentage calculated on patients with measurable disease at baseline  

3 95% CI for one sample binomial using Pearson-Clopper method

4 Approximate 95% CI for difference of two rates using Hauck-Anderson method

5 log-rank test (stratified)

6 Primary analysis was performed with a data cut-off date of 12 December 2012 and is considered the final analysis

7 Follow-up analysis was performed with a data cut-off date of 07 March 2014

8 p-value displayed for descriptive purpose only

 

 

Table 24               Overall survival results from study GOG-0240 by Trial Treatment

 

Treatment Comparison

Other Factor

Overall survival – Primary analysis1

Hazard Ratio (95% CI)

Overall survival - Follow-up analysis2

Hazard Ratio (95% CI)

Avastin vs. No Avastin

Cisplatin+ Paclitaxel

0.72 (0.51, 1.02)

(17.5 vs.14.3 months; p = 0.0609)

0.75 (0.55, 1.01)

(17.5 vs.15.0 months; p = 0.0584)

Topotecan+ Paclitaxel

0.76 (0.55, 1.06)

(14.9 vs. 11.9 months; p = 0.1061)

0.79 (0.59, 1.07)

(16.2 vs. 12.0 months; p = 0.1342)

 

 

 

 

Topotecan+ Paclitaxel vs. Cisplatin+ Paclitaxel

Avastin

1.15 (0.82, 1.61)

(14.9 vs. 17.5 months; p = 0.4146)

1.15 (0.85, 1.56)

(16.2 vs 17.5 months; p = 0.3769)

No Avastin

1.13 (0.81, 1.57)

(11.9 vs.14.3 months; p = 0.4825)

1.08 (0.80, 1.45)

(12.0 vs 15.0 months; p = 0.6267)

1 Primary analysis was performed with a data cut-off date of 12 December 2012 and is considered the final analysis

2 Follow-up analysis was performed with a data cut-off date of 07 March 2014; all p-values are displayed for descriptive purpose only

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies, in all subsets of the paediatric population, in breast carcinoma, adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum, lung carcinoma (small cell and non-small cell carcinoma), kidney and renal pelvis carcinoma (excluding nephroblastoma, nephroblastomatosis, clear cell sarcoma, mesoblastic nephroma, renal medullary carcinoma and rhabdoid tumour of the kidney), ovarian carcinoma (excluding rhabdomyosarcoma and germ cell tumours), fallopian tube carcinoma (excluding rhabdomyosarcoma and germ cell tumours), and peritoneal carcinoma (excluding blastomas and sarcomas) and cervix and corpus uteri carcinoma.

[…]

5.3          Preclinical safety data

[…]

Bevacizumab has been shown to be embryotoxic and teratogenic when administered to rabbits. Observed effects included decreases in maternal and foetal body weights, an increased number of foetal resorptions and an increased incidence of specific gross and skeletal foetal malformations. Adverse foetal outcomes were observed at all tested doses, of which the lowest dose resulted in average serum concentrations approximately 3 times larger than in humans receiving 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Information on foetal malformations observed in the post marketing setting are provided in section 4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation and 4.8 Undesirable Effects.

 

9.            DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 12 January 2005

Date of latest renewal: 14 January 20150

 

10.          DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

30 March 2015

 

 

 

Updated on 01 April 2015

Reasons for updating

  • Change to, or new use for medicine
  • Change to warnings or special precautions for use
  • Change to side-effects
  • Change to date of revision
  • Changes to therapeutic indications

Updated on 26 March 2015

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.6 - Pregnancy and lactation
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.3 - Preclinical safety data
  • Change to section 9 - Date of renewal of authorisation
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.6          Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

 

Women of childbearing potential

Women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception during (and up to 6 months after) treatment.

Pregnancy

There are no clinical trial data on the use of Avastin in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity including malformations (see section 5.3). IgGs are known to cross the placenta, and Avastin is anticipated to inhibit angiogenesis in the foetus, and thus is suspected to cause serious birth defects when administered during pregnancy. In the post-marketing setting, cases of foetal abnormalities in women treated with bevacizumab alone or in combination with known embryotoxic chemotherapeutics have been observed (see section 4.8). Avastin is contraindicated in pregnancy (see section 4.3).

[…]

4.8          Undesirable effects

[…]

Table 1: Adverse Reactions by Frequency

System organ class

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Very Rare

Frequency Not Known

Infections and infestations

 

Sepsis,

Abscessb,d,

Infection,

Urinary tract infection

 

Necrotising

fasciitis a

 

 

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Febrile

neutropenia,

Leucopenia,

Neutropeniab,

Thrombo-cytopenia

Anaemia

 

 

 

 

Immune system disorders

 

Hypersensitivity, infusion reactionsa,b,d

 

 

 

 

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Anorexia

Dehydration

 

 

 

 

Nervous system disorders

Peripheral sensory

neuropathyb,

Dysarthria,

Headache,

Dysguesia

Cerebrovascular

accident,

Syncope,

Somnolence

 

 

Posterior

reversible

encephalo-

pathy

syndrome a,b,d

Hypertensive

encephalo-

pathya

 

Eye disorders

 

 

Eye disorder,

Lacrimation increased

 

 

 

 

 

Cardiac disorders

 

Congestive heart

failureb,d,

Supraventricular

 tachycardia

 

 

 

 

Vascular disorders

Hypertensionb,d,

Thrombo-embolism

(venous)b,d

Thrombo-embolism

(arterial)b,d,

Haemorrhageb,d,

Deep vein

thrombosis

 

 

 

Renal

thrombotic

microangiopathya,b

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Dyspnoea,

Rhinitis

Pulmonary

haemorrhage/

Haemoptysisb,d,

Pulmonary

embolism,

Epistaxis,

Hypoxia,

Dysphoniaa

 

 

 

Pulmonary

hypertensiona,

Nasal septum

perforationa

Gastrointestinal disorders

Rectal

haemorrhage,

Stomatitis,

Constipation,

Diarrhoea,

Nausea,

Vomiting

Gastrointestinal  perforationb,d,

Intestinal

perforation,

Ileus,

Intestinal

obstruction,

Abdominal pain,

Gastrointestinal

disorder

 

 

 

Gastrointestinal

ulcera

Hepatobiliary disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Gallbladder perforationa,b

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Wound healing

complicationsb,d,

Exfoliative

dermatitis,

Dry skin,

Skin discoloration

Palmar-plantar

erythro-dysaesthesia

syndrome

 

 

 

 

 

Musculoskeletal  and connective tissue disorders

Arthralgia

Fistulab,d,

Myalgia,

Muscular weakness

 

 

 

Osteonecrosis of the jawa,b

Renal and urinary disorders

Proteinuriab,d

 

 

 

 

 

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Ovarian

failureb,c,d 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congenital, familial, and genetic disorder

 

 

 

 

 

Foetal abnormalitiesa,b

[…]

Table 2: Severe Adverse Reactions by Frequency

System organ class

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Very Rare

Frequency Not Known

Infections and infestations

 

Sepsis,

Abscessa,b,

Infection,

Urinary tract infection

 

 

 

Necrotising

fasciitisc

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Febrile

neutropenia,

Leucopenia,

Neutropeniaa,

Thrombo-cytopenia

Anaemia

 

 

 

 

Immune system disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Hypersensitivity, infusion reactions a,b,c

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

 

Dehydration

 

 

 

 

Nervous system disorders

 

Peripheral sensory

neuropathya

Cerebrovascular

accident,

Syncope,

Somnolence,

Headache

 

 

 

Posterior

reversible

encephalo-

pathy

syndrome a,b,c,

Hypertensive

encephalo-

pathyc 

Cardiac disorders

 

Congestive heart

failurea,b,

Supraventricular

tachycardia

 

 

 

 

Vascular disorders

Hypertensiona,b

Thromboembolism arteriala,b,

Haemorrhagea,b,

Thromboembolism

(venous)a,b

Deep vein

thrombosis

 

 

 

Renal

thrombotic

microangiopathyb,c

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

 

Pulmonary

haemorrhage/

Haemoptysisa,b,

Pulmonary

embolism,

Epistaxis,

Dyspnoea,

Hypoxia

 

 

 

Pulmonary

hypertensionc,

Nasal septum

perforationc

Gastrointestinal disorders

Diarrhoea,

Nausea,

Vomiting

Intestinal

perforation,

Ileus,

Intestinal

obstruction,

Abdominal pain,

Gastrointestinal

disorder,

Stomatitis

 

 

 

Gastrointestinal

perforationa,b,

Gastrointestinal

ulcerc,

Rectal haemorrhage

 

Hepatobiliary disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Gallbladder perforation b,c

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

 

Wound healing

complicationsa,b,

Palmar-plantar

erythrodysaesthesia

syndrome

 

 

 

 

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

 

Myalgia,

Arthralgia,

Muscular weakness

 

 

 

Fistulaa,b,

Osteonecrosis of the jawb,c

Renal and urinary disorders

 

Proteinuriaa,b

 

 

 

 

 

Reproductive system and breast disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Ovarian failurea,b

Congenital, familial, and genetic disorder

 

 

 

 

 

Foetal abnormalitiesa,c

 

System organ class

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Very Rare

Frequency Not Known

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia,

Fatigue,

Pain,

Lethargy,

Mucosal

Inflammation

 

 

 

 

 

[…]

Table 3           Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting

System organ class (SOC)

Reactions (frequency*)

Infections and Infestations

Necrotising fasciitis, usually secondary to wound healing complications, gastrointestinal perforation or fistula formation (rare) (see also section 4.4)

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity reactions and infusion reactions (not known); with the following possible co-manifestations: dyspnoea/difficulty breathing, flushing/redness/rash, hypotension or hypertension, oxygen desaturation, chest pain, rigors and nausea/vomiting (see also section 4.4 and Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions above)

Nervous system disorders

Hypertensive encephalopathy (very rare) (see also section 4.4 and Hypertension in section 4.8)

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (rare) (see also section 4.4)

Vascular disorders

Renal thrombotic microangiopathy, which may be clinically manifested as proteinuria (not known) with or without concomitant sunitinib use. For further information on proteinuria see section 4.4 and Proteinuria in section 4.8.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Nasal septum perforation (not known)

Pulmonary hypertension (not known)

Dysphonia (common)

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastrointestinal ulcer (not known)

Hepatobiliary disorders

Gall bladder perforation (not known)

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity reactions and infusion reactions (not known); with the following possible co-manifestations: dyspnoea/difficulty breathing, flushing/redness/rash, hypotension or hypertension, oxygen desaturation, chest pain, rigors and nausea/vomiting (see also section 4.4 and Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions above)

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) have been reported in patients treated with Avastin, most of which occurred in patients who had identified risk factors for ONJ, in particular exposure to intravenous bisphosphonates and/or a history of dental disease requiring invasive dental procedures (see also section 4.4)

Infections and Infestations

Necrotising fasciitis, usually secondary to wound healing complications, gastrointestinal perforation or fistula formation (rare) (see also section 4.4)

Congenital, familial, and genetic disorder

Cases of foetal abnormalities in women treated with bevacizumab alone or in combination with known embryotoxic chemotherapeutics have been observed (see section 4.6 )

 

[…]

5.3          Preclinical safety data

 

In studies of up to 26 weeks duration in cynomolgus monkeys, physeal dysplasia was observed in young animals with open growth plates, at bevacizumab average serum concentrations below the expected human therapeutic average serum concentrations. In rabbits, bevacizumab was shown to inhibit wound healing at doses below the proposed clinical dose. Effects on wound healing were shown to be fully reversible.

 

Studies to evaluate the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of bevacizumab have not been performed.

 

No specific studies in animals have been conducted to evaluate the effect on fertility. An adverse effect on female fertility can however be expected as repeat dose toxicity studies in animals have shown inhibition of the maturation of ovarian follicles and a decrease/absence of corpora lutea and associated decrease in ovarian and uterus weight as well as a decrease in the number of menstrual cycles.

 

Bevacizumab has been shown to be embryotoxic and teratogenic when administered to rabbits. Observed effects included decreases in maternal and foetal body weights, an increased number of foetal resorptions and an increased incidence of specific gross and skeletal foetal malformations. Adverse foetal outcomes were observed at all tested doses, of which the lowest dose resulted in average serum concentrations approximately 3 times larger than in humans receiving 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Information on foetal malformations observed in the post marketing setting are provided in section 4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation and 4.8 Undesirable Effects.

 

9.            DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

 

Date of first authorisation: 12 January 2005

Date of latest renewal: 14 January 2015

 

 

10.          DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

26 February 2015

 

Updated on 01 December 2014

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 2 - Qualitative and quantitative composition
  • Change to section 4.7 - Effects on ability to drive and use machines
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 5.2 - Pharmacokinetic properties
  • Change to section 6.6 - Special precautions for disposal and other handling
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

Legal category:Product subject to medical prescription which may not be renewed (A)

Free text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

Underlined Text = new text
Struck Through Text = deleted text

[ … ]

 

2.         QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

 

Each ml of concentrate contains 25 mg of bevacizumab*.

Each 4 ml vial contains 100 mg of bevacizumab, corresponding to 1.4 mg/ml when diluted as recommended.

Each 16 ml vial contains 400 mg of bevacizumab, corresponding to 16.5 mg/ml when diluted as recommended.

For dilution and other handling recommendations, see section 6.6.

 

*Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanised monoclonal antibody produced by DNA technology in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells.

 

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

 

[ … ]

 

4.7       Effects on ability to drive and use machines

 

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, there is no evidence that Avastin treatment results in an increase in adverse reactions that might lead to impairment of the ability to drive or operate machinery or impairment of mental ability. Avastin has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, somnolence and syncope have been reported with Avastin use (see table 1 in section 4.8). If patients are experiencing symptoms that affect their vision or concentration, or their ability to react, they should be advised not to drive and use machines until symptoms abate.

 

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

Summary of the safety profile

 

[ … ]

 

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

 

[ … ]

 

Description of Further information on selected serious adverse reactions

 

[ … ]

 

Ovarian failure/fertility (see sections 4.4 and 4.6)

In NSABP C-08, a phase III trial of Avastin in adjuvant treatment of patients with colon cancer, the incidence of new cases of ovarian failure, defined as amenorrhoea lasting 3 or more months, FSH level ≥ 30 mIU/mL and a negative serum β-HCG pregnancy test, has been evaluated in 295 premenopausal women. New cases of ovarian failure were reported in 2.6% patients in the mFOLFOX-6 group compared to 39% in the mFOLFOX-6 + bevacizumab group. After discontinuation of bevacizumab treatment, ovarian function recovered in 86.2% of these evaluable women. Long term effects of the treatment with bevacizumab on fertility are unknown.

 

Laboratory abnormalities

Decreased neutrophil count, decreased white blood cell count and presence of urine protein may be associated with Avastin treatment.

 

Across clinical trials, the following Grade 3 and 4 (NCI-CTCAE v.3) laboratory abnormalities occurred in patients treated with Avastin with at least a 2% difference compared to the corresponding control groups: hyperglycaemia, decreased haemoglobin, hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, decreased white blood cell count, increased international normalised ratio (INR).

 

 

Other special populations

 

[ … ]

 

Ovarian failure/fertility (see sections 4.4 and 4.6)

In NSABP C-08, a phase III trial of Avastin in adjuvant treatment of patients with colon cancer, the incidence of new cases of ovarian failure, defined as amenorrhoea lasting 3 or more months, FSH level ≥ 30 mIU/mL and a negative serum β-HCG pregnancy test, has been evaluated in 295 premenopausal women. New cases of ovarian failure were reported in 2.6% patients in the mFOLFOX-6 group compared to 39% in the mFOLFOX-6 + bevacizumab group. After discontinuation of bevacizumab treatment, ovarian function recovered in 86.2% of these evaluable women. Long term effects of the treatment with bevacizumab on fertility are unknown.

 

Laboratory abnormalities

Decreased neutrophil count, decreased white blood cell count and presence of urine protein may be associated with Avastin treatment.

 

Across clinical trials, the following Grade 3 and 4 (NCI-CTCAE v.3) laboratory abnormalities occurred in patients treated with Avastin with at least a 2% difference compared to the corresponding control groups: hyperglycaemia, decreased haemoglobin, hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, decreased white blood cell count, increased international normalised ratio (INR).

 

[ … ]

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

 

[ … ]

 

Advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC)

 

Avastin in Combination combination with Interferon interferon alfa-2a for the Firstfirst-Line line Treatment treatment of Advanced advanced and/ or Metastatic metastatic Renal renal Cell cell cCancer (BO17705)

 

[ … ]

 

5.2       Pharmacokinetic properties

 

[ … ]

 

Biotransformation

Metabolism

 

[ … ]

 

6.6       Special precautions for disposal and other handling

 

Avastin should be prepared by a healthcare professional using aseptic technique to ensure the sterility of the prepared solution.

 

The necessary amount of bevacizumab should be withdrawn and diluted to the required administration volume with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection. The concentration of the final bevacizumab solution should be kept within the range of 1.4 mg/ml to 16.5 mg/ml. In the majority of the occasions the necessary amount of Avastin can be diluted with 0.9 % sodium chloride solution for injection to a total volume of 100 mL.

 

[ … ]

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

17 November 2014

 

[ … ]

Updated on 25 November 2014

Reasons for updating

  • Change to warnings or special precautions for use
  • Change to information about driving or using machinery
  • Change to date of revision
  • Change to improve clarity and readability
  • Improved electronic presentation

Updated on 27 October 2014

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

Legal category:Product subject to medical prescription which may not be renewed (A)

Free text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

Underlined text has been added:

4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use


[...]

Wound healing complications (see section 4.8)

Avastin may adversely affect the wound healing process. Serious wound healing complications including anastomotic complications,with a fatal outcome have been reported. Therapy should not be initiated for at least 28 days following major surgery or until the surgical wound is fully healed. In patients who experienced wound healing complications during therapy, treatment should be withheld until the wound is fully healed. Therapy should be withheld for elective surgery.

[...]

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

25 September 2014

Updated on 12 August 2014

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic indications
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to Section 4.8 – Undesirable effects - how to report a side effect
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

Legal category:Product subject to medical prescription which may not be renewed (A)

Free text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

Underlined Text = new text
Struck Through Text = deleted text

[ … ]

 

4.1       Therapeutic indications

 

[ … ]

 

Bevacizumab in combination with paclitaxel, topotecan, or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who received no more than two prior chemotherapy regimens and who have not received prior therapy with bevacizumab or other VEGF inhibitors or VEGF receptor–targeted agents (see Section 5.1).

 

4.2       Posology and method of administration

 

[ … ]

 

Treatment of recurrent platinum-sensitive recurrent disease: Avastin is administered in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine for 6 cycles and up to 10 cycles followed by continued use of Avastin as single agent until disease progression.The recommended dose of Avastin is 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

 

Treatment of recurrent platinum-resistant recurrent disease: Avastin is administered in combination with one of the following agents – paclitaxel, topotecan (given weekly) or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. The recommended dose of Avastin is 10 mg/kg of body weight given once every 2 weeks as an intravenous infusion. When Avastin is administered in combination with topotecan (given on days 1-5, every 3 weeks), the recommended dose of Avastin is 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion. It is recommended that treatment be continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (see section 5.1, study MO22224).

 

[ … ]

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

[ … ]

 

Adverse reactions are added to the appropriate frequency category in the tables below according to the highest incidence seen in any indication.

Within each frequency category, adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness.

Some of the adverse reactions are reactions commonly seen with chemotherapy, (e.g. palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome with capecitabine and peripheral sensory neuropathy with paclitaxel or oxaliplatin); however, an exacerbation by Avastin therapy can not be excluded. Avastin may exacerbate these reactions when combined with chemotherapeutic agents. Examples include palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin or capecitabine, peripheral sensory neuropathy with paclitaxel or oxaliplatin, and nail disorders or alopecia with paclitaxel.

 

[ … ]

 

In clinical trials, gastrointestinal fistulae have been reported with an incidence of up to 2% in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer, but were also reported less commonly in patients with other types of cancers. In a study of platinum resistant ovarian cancer (study MO22224), an incidence of up to 2.2% of fistulae involving the urinary bladder and female genital tract (including rectovaginal fistulae) was observed. Uncommon (³ 0.1% to < 1%) reports of other types of fistulae that involve areas of the body other than the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. bronchopleural, urogenital and biliary fistulae) were observed across various indications. Fistulae have also been reported in post-marketing experience.

 

[ … ]

 

Elderly patients

In randomised clinical trials, age > 65 years was associated with an increased risk of developing arterial thromboembolic reactions, including cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) and myocardial infarctions (MIs). Other reactions with a higher frequency seen in patients over 65 were Grade 3-4 leucopenia and thrombocytopenia (NCI-CTCAE v.3); and all Grade neutropenia, diarrhoea, nausea, headache and fatigue as compared to those aged ≤ 65 years when treated with Avastin (see sections 4.4 and 4.8 under Thromboembolism). In one clinical trial, the incidence of hypertension of grade ≥ 3 was twofold higher in patients aged > 65 years than in the younger age group (<65 years). In a study of platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer patients, alopecia, mucosal inflammation, peripheral sensory neuropathy, proteinuria and hypertension were also reported and occurred at a rate at least 5% higher in the CT + BV arm for bevacizumabtreated patients ³ 65 years of age compared with bevacizumab-treated patients aged < 65 years.

No increase in the incidence of other reactions, including gastrointestinal perforation, wound healing complications, proteinuria, congestive heart failure, and haemorrhage was observed in elderly patients (> 65 years) receiving Avastin as compared to those aged ≤ 65 years treated with Avastin.

 

[ … ]

 

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

 

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions (see details below).

 

Ireland

IMB HPRA Pharmacovigilance

Earlsfort Terrace

IRL - Dublin 2

Tel: +353 1 6764971

Fax: +353 1 6762517

Website: www.imbhpra.ie

e-mail: imbpharmacovigilance@imb.ie

medsafety@hpra.ie

 

[ … ]

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

 

[ … ]

 

Recurrent ovarian cancer

 

The safety and efficacy of Avastin in the treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer was studied in two phase III trials (AVF4095g and MO22224) with different patient populations and chemotherapy regimens.

 

        AVF4095g evaluated the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.

        MO22224 evaluated the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with paclitaxel, topotecan, or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.

 

[ … ]

 

MO22224

Study MO22224 evaluated the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy for platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. This study was designed as an open-label, randomized, two-arm Phase III evaluation of bevacizumab plus chemotherapy (CT+BV) versus chemotherapy alone (CT).

A total of 361 patients were enrolled into this study and administered either chemotherapy (paclitaxel, topotecan, or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) alone or in combination with bevacizumab:

 

·    CT Arm (chemotherapy alone):

·    Paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 as a 1-hour IV infusion on Days 1, 8, 15, and 22 every 4 weeks.

·    Topotecan 4 mg/m2 as a 30-minute IV infusion on Days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks. Alternatively, a 1.25 mg/m2 dose could be administered over 30 minutes on Days 1–5 every 3 weeks.

·    PLD 40 mg/m2 as a 1 mg/min IV infusion on Day 1 only every 4 weeks.  After Cycle 1, the drug could be delivered as a 1-hour infusion.

·    CT+BV Arm (chemotherapy plus bevacizumab):

·    The chosen chemotherapy was combined with bevacizumab 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks (or bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks if used in combination with topotecan 1.25 mg/m2 on Days 1–5 every 3 weeks).

 

Eligible patients had epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer that progressed within <6 months of previous platinum therapy consisting of a minimum of 4 platinum therapy cycles.  Patients should have had a life expectancy of ³ 12 weeks and no prior radiotherapy to the pelvis or abdomen. Most patients were FIGO Stage IIIC or Stage IV. The majority of patients in both arms had an ECOG Performance Status (PS) of 0 (CT: 56.4% vs. CT + BV: 61.2%). The percentage of patients with an ECOG PS of 1 or ³ 2 was 38.7% and 5.0% in the CT arm, and 29.8% and 9.0% in the CT + BV arm. Information on race exists for 29.3% of patients and nearly all patients were white. The median age of patients was 61.0 (range: 25-84) years.  A total of 16 patients (4.4%) were > 75 years old. The overall rates of discontinuation due to adverse events were 8.8% in the CT arm and 43.6% in the CT + BV arm (mostly due to Grade 2-3 adverse events) and the median time to discontinuation in the CT + BV arm was 5.2 months compared with 2.4 months in the CT arm. The rates of discontinuation due to adverse events in the subgroup of patients > 65 years old were 8.8% in the CT arm and 50.0% in the CT + BV arm. The HR for PFS was 0.47 (95% CI: 0.35, 0.62) and 0.45 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.67) for the < 65 and ³ 65 subgroups, respectively.   

The primary endpoint was progression-free-survival, with secondary endpoints including objective response rate and overall survival. Results are presented in Table 21.

 

Table 21          Efficacy Results from Study MO22224

 

Primary Endpoint

Progression-Free Survival*

 

CT

(n=182)

CT+BV

(n=179)

Median (months)

3.4

6.7

Hazard ratio

(95% CI)

0.379 [0.296, 0.485]

p-value

<0.0001

Secondary Endpoints

Objective Response Rate**

 

CT

(n=144)

CT+BV

(n=142)

% patients with objective response

18 (12.5%)

40 (28.2%)

p –value

0.0007

Overall Survival (final analysis)***

 

 

CT

(n=182)

CT+BV

(n=179)

Median OS (months)

13.3

16.6

Hazard Ratio

(95% CI)

0.870 [0.678, 1.116]

p-value

0.2711

All analyses presented in this table are stratified analyses.

* Primary analysis was performed with a data cut-off date of 14 November 2011.

**Randomized Patients with Measurable Disease at Baseline.

***The final analysis of overall survival was performed when 266 deaths, which account for 73.7 % of enrolled patients, were observed.

 

The trial met its primary objective of PFS improvement. Compared to patients treated with chemotherapy (paclitaxel, topotecan or PLD) alone in the recurrent platinum-resistant setting, patients who received bevacizumab at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks (or 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks if used in combination with 1.25 mg/m2 topotecan on Days 1–5 every 3 weeks) in combination with chemotherapy and continued to receive bevacizumab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, had a statistically significant improvement in PFS. The exploratory PFS and OS analyses by chemotherapy cohort (paclitaxel, topotecan and PLD) are summarized in Table 22.

 

Table 22: Exploratory PFS and OS analyses by chemotherapy cohort

 

 

 

CT

 

CT+BV

 

Paclitaxel

n=115

Median PFS (months)

3.9

9.2

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.47 [0.31, 0.72]

Median OS (months)

13.2

22.4

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.64 [0.41, 0.99]

Topotecan

n=120

Median PFS (months)

2.1

6.2

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.28 [0.18, 0.44]

Median OS (months)

13.3

13.8

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

1.07 [0.70, 1.63]

 

PLD

n=126

Median PFS (months)

3.5

5.1

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.53 [0.36, 0.77]

Median OS (months)

14.1

13.7

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.91 [0.61, 1.35]

 

[ … ]

 

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

31 July 2014

 

[ … ]

Updated on 06 August 2014

Reasons for updating

  • Change to date of revision
  • Changes to therapeutic indications
  • Addition of information on reporting a side effect.

Updated on 26 June 2014

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects

Legal category:Product subject to medical prescription which may not be renewed (A)

Free text change information supplied by the pharmaceutical company

Underlined Text = new text
Struck Through Text = deleted text

 

4.2       Posology and method of administration

 

[ … ]

 

Advanced and/or metastatic Renal renal Cell cell Cancer cancer (mRCC)

 

[ … ]

 

Epithelial Ovarianovarian, Fallopian fallopian Tube tube and Primary primary Peritoneal peritoneal Cancercancer

 

[ … ]

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

[ … ]

 

The adverse reactions listed in this section fall into the following frequency categories: Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000).); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).  

 

Tables 1 and 2 lists adverse reactions associated with the use of Avastin in combination with different chemotherapy regimens in multiple indications.

 

Table 1 provides all grade adverse reactions by frequency that . Table 2 provides grade 3-5 adverse reactions by frequency. These reactions were determined to have a causal relationship with Avastin through:

·    comparative incidences noted between clinical trial treatment arms , (with at least a 10% difference compared to the control arm for NCI-CTCAE Grade 1-5 reactions or at least a 2% difference compared to the control arm for NCI-CTCAE Grade 3-5 reactions,

  •  post-authorisation safety studies,
  • spontaneous reporting,
  • epidemiological studies\non-interventional or observational studies,
  • or through an evaluation of individual case reports.These reactions had occurred either with at least a 2% difference compared to the control arm (NCI-CTCAE Grade 3-5 reactions) or with at least a 10% difference compared to the control arm (NCI-CTCAE Grade 1-5 reactions), in at least one of the major clinical trials (NCI-CTCAE v.3).  

 

Table 2 provides the frequency of severe adverse reactions. Severe reactions are defined as adverse events with at least a 2% difference compared to the control arm in clinical studies for NCI-CTCAE Grade 3-5 reactions. Table 2 also includes adverse reactions which are considered by the MAH to be clinically significant or severe. 

 

Post-marketing adverse reactions are included in both Tables 1 and 2, where applicable. Detailed information about these post-marketing reactions are provided in Table 3.

 

The adverse reactions listed in this table fall into the following categories: Very Common and Common. Adverse reactions are added to the appropriate frequency category in the tabletables below according to the highest incidence seen in any  indication. of the major clinical trials.

Within each frequency grouping category, adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness.

 

Some of the adverse reactions are reactions commonly seen with chemotherapy, (e.g. palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome with capecitabine and peripheral sensory neuropathy with paclitaxel or oxaliplatin); however, an exacerbation by Avastin therapy can not be excluded.

 

Table 1            Very common and common adverse reactions

 

 

* Pooled arterial thromboembolic reactions including cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attack and other arterial thromboembolic reactions.

Table 1: All Grade Adverse Reactions by Frequency

 

System organ class (SOC)

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Very Rare

Frequency Not Known

Infections and infestations

 

Sepsis,

Abscessb,d,

Infection,

Urinary tract infection

 

Necrotising

fasciitis a

 

 

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Febrile

neutropenia,

Leucopenia,

Neutropeniab,

Thrombo-cytopenia

Anaemia

 

 

 

 

Immune system disorders

 

Hypersensitivity, infusion reactions a,b,d

 

 

 

Hypersensitivity, infusion reactions a,b,d

Endocrine disorders

Ovarian failureb,c,d

 

 

 

 

 

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Anorexia

Dehydration

 

 

 

 

Nervous system disorders

Peripheral sensory

neuropathyb,

Dysarthria,

Headache,

Dysgeuuesia

Cerebrovascular

accident,

Syncope,

Somnolence

 

 

Posterior

reversible

encephalo-

pathy

syndrome a,b,d

Hypertensive

encephalo-

pathya

 

Eye disorders

 

 

Eye disorder,

Lacrimation increased

 

 

 

 

 

Cardiac disorders

 

Congestive heart

failureb,d,

Supraventricular

 tachycardia

 

 

 

 

Vascular disorders

Hypertensionb,d,

Thrombo-embolism

(venous)b,d

Thrombo-embolism

(arterial)b,d,

Haemorrhageb,d,

Deep vein

thrombosis

 

 

 

Renal

thrombotic

microangiopathya,b

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Dyspnoea,

Epistaxis,

Rhinitis

Pulmonary

haemorrhage/

Haemoptysisb,d,

Pulmonary

embolism,

Epistaxis,

Hypoxia,

Dysphoniaa

 

 

 

Pulmonary

hypertensiona,

Nasal septum

perforationa

Gastrointestinal disorders

Rectal

haemorrhage,

Stomatitis,

Constipation,

Diarrhoea,

Nausea,

Vomiting

Gastrointestinal  perforationb,d,

Intestinal

perforation,

Ileus,

Intestinal

obstruction,

Abdominal pain,

Gastrointestinal

disorder

 

 

 

Gastrointestinal

ulcer a

Hepatobiliary disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Gallbladder perforation a,b

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Wound healing

complicationsb,d,

Exfoliative

dermatitis,

Dry skin,

Skin discoloration

Palmar-plantar

erythro-dysaesthesia

syndrome

 

 

 

 

 

Musculoskeletal  and connective tissue disorders

Arthralgia

Fistulab,d,

Myalgia,

Muscular weakness

 

 

 

Osteonecrosis of the jawa,b

Renal and urinary disorders

Proteinuriab,d

 

 

 

 

 

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Ovarian

failureb,c,d 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia,

Fatigue,

Pyrexia,

Pain,

Mucosal inflammation

Lethargy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terms refer to NCI-CTC all grade event severity; the highest frequency observed in patients is reported, regardless of indication for use. When events were noted as both all grade and grade 3-5 adverse drug reactions in clinical trials, the highest frequency observed in patients has been reported.   Data are unadjusted for the differential time on treatment. 

** Based on a substudy from NSABP C-08 with 295 patients

 

a For further information please refer to Table 3 'Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting.'

 

b Terms represent a group of events that describe a medical concept rather than a single condition or MedDRA (Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) preferred term.  This group of medical terms may involve the same underlying pathophysiology (e.g. arterial thromboembolic reactions include cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attack and other arterial thromboembolic reactions).

 

 

c Based on a substudy from NSABP C-08 with 295 patients

 

 

 

d For additional information refer below within section "Further information on selected serious adverse reactions."

 

 

 

Table 2: Grade 3-5Severe Adverse Reactions by Frequency

 

System organ class (SOC)

Very Common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Very Rare

Frequency Not Known

Infections and infestations

 

Sepsis,

Abscessa, b,d,

Infection,

Urinary tract infection

 

 

 

Necrotising

fasciitisc

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Febrile

neutropenia,

Leucopenia,

Neutropeniaa,

Thrombo- cytopenia

Anaemia

 

 

 

 

Immune system disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Hypersensitivity, infusion reactions a,b,c

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

 

Dehydration

 

 

 

 

Nervous system disorders

 

Peripheral sensory

neuropathya

Cerebrovascular

accident,

Syncope,

Somnolence,

Headache

 

 

 

Posterior

reversible

encephalo-

pathy

syndrome a,b,c,

Hypertensive

encephalo-

pathyc 

Cardiac disorders

 

Congestive heart

failurea,b,

Supraventricular

tachycardia

 

 

 

 

Vascular disorders

Hypertensiona,b

Thromboembolism arteriala,b,

Haemorrhagea,b,

Thromboembolism

(venous)a,b

Deep vein

thrombosis

 

 

 

Renal

thrombotic

microangiopathyb,c

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

 

Pulmonary

haemorrhage/

Haemoptysisa,b,

Pulmonary

embolism,

Epistaxis,

Dyspnoea,

Hypoxia

 

 

 

Pulmonary

hypertensionc,

Nasal septum

perforationc

Gastrointestinal disorders

Diarrhoea,

Nausea,

Vomiting

Intestinal

perforation,

Ileus,

Intestinal

obstruction,

Abdominal pain,

Gastrointestinal

disorder,

Stomatitis

 

 

 

Gastrointestinal

perforationa,b,

Gastrointestinal

ulcerc,

Rectal haemorrhage

 

Hepatobiliary disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Gallbladder perforation b,c

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

 

Wound healing

complicationsa,b ,

Palmar-plantar

erythrodysaesthesia

syndrome

 

 

 

 

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

 

Myalgia,

Arthralgia,

Muscular weakness

 

 

 

Fistulaa,b,

Osteonecrosis of the jawb,c

Renal and urinary disorders

 

Proteinuriaa,b,

Urinary tract infection

 

 

 

 

Reproductive system and breast disorders

 

 

 

 

 

Ovarian failurea,b

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia,

Fatigue,

Pain,

Lethargy,

Mucosal

Inflammation

 

 

 

 

Terms refer to NCI-CTC grade 3-5 event severity; the highest frequency observed in patients is reported, regardless of indication for use.  Data are unadjusted for the differential time on treatment. 

Table 2 provides the frequency of severe adverse reactions. Severe reactions are defined as adverse events with at least a 2% difference compared to the control arm in clinical studies for NCI-CTCAE Grade 3-5 reactions. Table 2 also includes adverse reactions which are considered by the MAH to be clinically significant or severe.  These clinically significant adverse reactions were reported in clinical trials but the grade 3-5 reactions did not meet the threshold of at least a 2% difference compared to the control arm. Table 2 also includes clinically significant adverse reactions that were observed only in the postmarketing setting, therefore, the frequency and NCI-CTCAE grade  is not known.These clinically significant reactions have therefore been included in Table 2 within the column entitled “Frequency Not Known.”

a Terms represent a group of events that describe a medical concept rather than a single condition or MedDRA (Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) preferred term. This group of medical terms may involve the same underlying pathophysiology (e.g. * Pooled arterial thromboembolic reactions including include cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attack and other arterial thromboembolic reactions).

Data are unadjusted for the differential time on treatment.

** Based on a substudy from NSABP C-08 with 295 patients

b For additional information refer below within section "Further information on selected serious adverse reactions".

c For further information please refer to Table 3 'Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting.'

 

[ … ]

 

Table 23        Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting

 

[ … ]

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

 

[ … ]

 

The primary efficacy variable of the trial was overall survival. The addition of Avastin to IFL resulted in statistically significant increases in overall survival, progression-free survival and overall response rate (see Table 34). The clinical benefit, as measured by overall survival, was seen in all pre‑specified patient subgroups, including those defined by age, sex, performance status, location of primary tumour, number of organs involved and duration of metastatic disease.

 

The efficacy results of Avastin in combination with IFL-chemotherapy are displayed in Table 34.

 

Table 34          Efficacy results for trial AVF2107g

 

[ … ]

 

AVF0780g

This was a phase II randomised, active-controlled, open-labelled clinical trial investigating Avastin in combination with 5‑FU/FA as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. The median age was 64 years. 19% of the patients had received prior chemotherapy and 14% prior radiotherapy. Seventy‑one patients were randomised to receive bolus 5‑FU/FA or 5‑FU/FA + Avastin (5 mg/kg every 2 weeks). A third group of 33 patients received bolus 5‑FU/FA + Avastin (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks). Patients were treated until disease progression. The primary endpoints of the trial were objective response rate and progression‑free survival. The addition of Avastin 5 mg/kg every two weeks to 5‑FU/FA resulted in higher objective response rates, longer progression‑free survival, and a trend in longer survival, compared with 5‑FU/FA chemotherapy alone (see Table 45). These efficacy data are consistent with the results from trial AVF2107g.

 

The efficacy data from trials AVF0780g and AVF2192g investigating Avastin in combination with 5‑FU/FA-chemotherapy are summarised in Table 45.

 

Table 45        Efficacy results for trials AVF0780g and AVF2192g

 

[ … ]

 

Table 56          Treatment regimens in trial NO16966 (mCRC)

 

[ … ]

 

        Superiority of the Avastin-containing arms versus the chemotherapy alone arms in the overall comparison was demonstrated in terms of progression-free survival in the ITT population (Table 67).

 

Secondary PFS analyses, based on ‘on-treatment’-based response assessments, confirmed the significantly superior clinical benefit for patients treated with Avastin (analyses shown in Table 67), consistent with the statistically significant benefit observed in the pooled analysis.

 

Table 6 7         Key efficacy results for the superiority analysis (ITT population, trial NO16966)

 

[ … ]

 

ECOG E3200

This was a phase III randomised, active-controlled, open-label trial investigating Avastin 10 mg/kg in combination with leucovorin with 5‑fluorouracil bolus and then 5‑fluorouracil infusional, with IV oxaliplatin (FOLFOX-4), administered on a 2-weekly schedule in previously-treated patients (second line) with advanced colorectal cancer. In the chemotherapy arms, the FOLFOX-4 regimen used the same doses and schedule as shown in Table 5 6 for trial NO16966.

 

The primary efficacy parameter of the trial was overall survival, defined as the time from randomisation to death from any cause. Eight hundred and twenty-nine patients were randomised (292 FOLFOX-4, 293 Avastin + FOLFOX-4 and 244 Avastin monotherapy). The addition of Avastin to FOLFOX-4 resulted in a statistically significant prolongation of survival. Statistically significant improvements in progression-free survival and objective response rate were also observed (see Table 78).

 

Table 78          Efficacy results for trial E3200

 

[ … ]

 

A total of 820 patients were randomised. The addition of bevacizumab to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy resulted in a statistically significant prolongation of survival in patients with mCRC who have progressed on a first-line bevacizumab-containing regimen (ITT = 819) (see Table 89).

 

Table 89                      Efficacy Results for Study ML18147 (ITT population)

 

[ … ]

 

In trial E2100, patients were treated until disease progression. In situations where early discontinuation of chemotherapy was required, treatment with Avastin as a single agent continued until disease progression. The patient characteristics were similar across the trial arms. The primary endpoint of this trial was progression free survival (PFS), based on trial investigators’ assessment of disease progression. In addition, an independent review of the primary endpoint was also conducted. The results of this trial are presented in Table 910.

 

Table 910        Trial E2100 efficacy results

 

[ … ]

 

The results of this study from the final protocol defined analyses for progression free survival and response rates for the independently powered capecitabine cohort of Study AVF3694g are presented in Table 10.11 Results from an exploratory overall survival analysis which include an additional 7 months of follow-up (approximately 46% of patients had died) are also presented. The percentage of patients who received Avastin in the open-label phase was 62.1% in the capecitabine + placebo arm and 49.9% in the capecitabine + Avastin arm.

 

Table 10 11     Efficacy results for study AVF3694g: – Capecitabinea and Avastin/Placebo (Cap + Avastin/Pl)

 

[ … ]

 

The primary endpoint was duration of survival. Results are presented in Table 1112.

 

Table 1112      Efficacy results for trial E4599

 

[ … ]

 

The efficacy results are presented in Table 1213.

 

Table 12 13 Efficacy results for trial BO17704

 

[ … ]

 

Advanced and/or metastatic Renal renal Cell cell Cancer cancer (mRCC)

 

[ … ]

 

The efficacy results are presented in Table 1314.

 

Table 13 14 Efficacy results for trial BO17705

 

[ … ]

 

Epithelial Ovarianovarian, Fallopian fallopian Tube tube and Primary primary Peritoneal peritoneal Cancercancer

 

Front-line treatment of Ovarian ovarian Cancercancer

 

[ … ]

 

The results of this study are summarised in Table 1415.

 

Table 1415      Efficacy results from study GOG-0218

 

[ … ]

 

PFS subgroup analyses by disease stage and debulking status are summarised in Table 1516. These results demonstrate robustness of the analysis of PFS as shown in Table 1415.

 

Table 15 16 PFS1 results by disease stage and debulking status from study GOG-0218

 

[ … ]

 

The results of this study are summarised in Table 1617.

 

Table 1617      Efficacy results from study BO17707 (ICON7)

 

[ … ]

 

PFS subgroup analyses by disease stage and debulking status are summarised in Table 1718. These results demonstrate robustness of the primary analysis of PFS as shown in Table 1617.

 

Table 17 18 PFS1 results by disease stage and debulking status from study BO17707 (ICON7)

 

[ … ]

 

Recurrent Ovarian ovarian Cancercancer

 

[ … ]

 

The results of this study are summarised in Table 1819.

 

Table 1819      Efficacy results from study AVF4095g

 

[ … ]

 

PFS subgroup analyses depending on recurrence since last platinum therapy are summarised in Table 1920.

 

Table 1920      Progression-free survival by time from last platinum therapy to recurrence

 

[ … ]

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

22 May 2014

 

[ … ]

Updated on 19 June 2014

Reasons for updating

  • Change to warnings or special precautions for use
  • Change to side-effects
  • Change to dosage and administration
  • Change to improve clarity and readability

Updated on 29 May 2014

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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[ … ]

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

 

[ … ]

 

The majority of patients included in the study were White (96%), the median age was 57 years in both treatment arms, 25% of patients in each treatment arm were 65 years of age or over, and approximately 50% of patients had an ECOG PS of 1; 7% of patients in each treatment arm had an ECOG PS of 2. The majority of patients had EOC (87.7%) followed by PPC (6.9%) and FTC (3.7%) or a mixture of the three origins (1.7%). Most patients were FIGO Stage III (both 68%) followed by FIGO Stage IV (13% and 14%), FIGO Stage II (10% and 11%) and FIGO Stage I (9% and 7%). The majority of the patients in each treatment arm (74% and 71%) had poorly differentiated (Grade 3) (NCI-CTCAE v.3) primary tumours at baseline. The incidence of each histologic sub-type of EOC was similar between the treatment arms; 69% of patients in each treatment arm had serous adenocarcinoma histologic type.

 

[ … ]

 

Table 16          Efficacy results from study BO17707 (ICON7)

 

Progression-free survival

 

 

 

 

CP
(n = 764)

CPB7.5+
(n =764
)

Median PFS (months) 2

16.9

19.3

Hazard ratio [95% CI] 2

0.86 [0.75; 0.98]

(p-value = 0.0185)

Objective Response Rate 1

 

CP
(n = 277)

CPB7.5+
(n = 272)

Response rate

54.9%

64.7%

 

(p-value = 0.0188)

Overall Survival 3

 

CP
(n = 764)

CPB7.5+
(n = 764
)

Median (months)

58.0Not reached

57.4Not reached

Hazard ratio [95% CI]

0.99 0.85 [0. 8570; 1. 151.04]

(p-value = 0. 89101167)

1 In patients with measurable disease at baseline.

2 Investigator assessed PFS analysis with data cut-off date of 30 November 2010.

3 Final overall survival analysis performed when 46.7% of the patients had died with data cut-off date of 31 March 2013Exploratory OS analysis when approximately 25% of patients died.

 

[ … ]

 

Table 19          Progression-free survival by time from last platinum therapy to recurrence

 

 

Investigator Assessment

Time from last platinum therapy to recurrence

Placebo + C/G

(n = 242)

Avastin + C/G

(n = 242)

6 - 12 months (n=202)

 

 

Median

8.18.0

10.611.9

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.350.41 (0.24 29 - 0.5158)

> 12 months (n=282)

 

 

Median

10.29.7

12.512.4

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.570.55 (0.41 – 0.7973)

 

[ … ]

 

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

25 April 2014

 

[ … ]

 

Updated on 25 March 2014

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
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[ … ]

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

 

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions (see details below)via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V*.

 

Ireland

Pharmacovigilance Section

Irish Medicines Board

Kevin O’Malley House

Earlsfort Centre

IMB Pharmacovigilance

Earlsfort Terrace

IRL - Dublin 2

Tel: +353 1 6764971

Fax: +353 1 6762517

Website: www.imb.ie

e-mail: imbpharmacovigilance@imb.ie

 

[ … ]

 

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

 

[ … ]

 

Table 18          Efficacy results from study AVF4095g

 

Progression-free survival

 

Investigator Assessment

IRC Assessment

 

Placebo+ C/G

(n=242)

Avastin + C/G

(n=242)

Placebo+ C/G (n=242)

Avastin + C/G

(n=242)

Not censored for NPT

 

Median PFS (months)

8.4

12.4

8.6

12.3

Hazard ratio

(95% CI)

0.524 [0.425, 0.645]

0.480 [0.377, 0.613]

p –value

 <0.0001

<0.0001

Censored for NPT

 

Median PFS (months)

8.4*

12.4*

8.6

12.3

Hazard ratio

(95% CI)

0.484 [0.388, 0.605]*

0.451 [0.351, 0.580]

p –value

 < 0.0001*

<0.0001

Objective response rate

 

Investigator Assessment

IRC Assessment

 

Placebo+ C/G

(n = 242)

Avastin + C/G

(n = 242)

Placebo+ C/G (n = 242)

Avastin + C/G

(n = 242)

% pts with objective response

57.4%

78.5%

53.7%

74.8%

p –value

< 0.0001

< 0.0001

Overall survival**

 

Placebo+ C/G

(n = 242)

Avastin + C/G

(n = 242)

Median OS (months)

32.933.7

33.633.4

Hazard Ratio

 (95% CI)

 0.960.952  [0.7710.760, 1.1761.214]

p-value

0.64790.7360

* Primary analysis

**        Interim protocol-specified overall survival analysis performed when approximately 59% of the patients had died

 

[ … ]

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

20 February 2014

 

[ … ]

Updated on 24 March 2014

Reasons for updating

  • Change to date of revision
  • Addition of information on reporting a side effect.

Updated on 24 October 2013

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to Section 4.8 – Undesirable effects - how to report a side effect
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

 

[ … ]

 

Arterial thromboembolism (see section 4.8)

In clinical trials, the incidence of arterial thromboembolic reactions including cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) and myocardial infarctions (MIs) was higher in patients receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to those who received chemotherapy alone.

 

Patients receiving Avastin plus chemotherapy, with a history of arterial thromboembolism, diabetes or age greater than 65 years have an increased risk of developing arterial thromboembolic reactions during therapy. Caution should be taken when treating these patients with Avastin.

 

[ … ]

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

[ … ]

 

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

 

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions (see details below)via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V*.

 

Ireland

Pharmacovigilance Section

Irish Medicines Board

Kevin O’Malley House

Earlsfort Centre

Earlsfort Terrace

IRL - Dublin 2

Tel: +353 1 6764971

Fax: +353 1 6762517

Website: www.imb.ie

e-mail: imbpharmacovigilance@imb.ie

 

Malta

ADR Reporting

The Medicines Authority

Post-Licensing Directorate

203 Level 3, Rue D'Argens

GŻR-1368 Gżira

Website: www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt

e-mail: postlicensing.medicinesauthority@gov.mt

 

United Kingdom

Yellow Card Scheme

Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

 

[ … ]

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

19 September 2013

 

[ … ]

Updated on 18 October 2013

Reasons for updating

  • Change to warnings or special precautions for use
  • Change to date of revision
  • Addition of marketing authorisation holder
  • Addition of information on reporting a side effect.

Updated on 10 July 2013

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

 

[ … ]

 

Systemic effects following intravitreal use

A reduction of circulating VEGF concentration has been demonstrated following intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. Systemic adverse reactions including non-ocular haemorrhages and arterial thromboembolic reactions have been reported following intravitreal injection of VEGF inhibitors, and there is a theoretical risk that these may relate to VEGF inhibition.

 

[ … ]

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

27 May 201302 July 2013

 

[ … ]

Updated on 06 June 2013

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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[ ... ]

 

4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

 

[ … ]

 

Necrotising fasciitis, including fatal cases, has rarely been reported in patients treated with Avastin. This condition is usually secondary to wound healing complications, gastrointestinal perforation or fistula formation. Avastin therapy should be discontinued in patients who develop necrotising fasciitis, and appropriate treatment should be promptly initiated.

 

[ … ]

 

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

[ … ]

 

Gastrointestinal perforations have been reported in clinical trials with an incidence of less than 1% in patients with metastatic breast cancer or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, up to 2.0% in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer or in patients with ovarian cancer receiving front-line treatment, and up to 2.7% (including gastrointestinal fistula and abscess) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Fatal outcome was reported in approximately a third of serious cases of gastrointestinal perforations, which represents between 0.2%-1% of all Avastin treated patients.

 

[ … ]

 

Post-marketing experience

 

Table 2          Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting

 

System organ class (SOC)

Reactions (frequency*)

[ … ]

 

Infections and Infestations

Necrotising fasciitis, usually secondary to wound healing complications, gastrointestinal perforation or fistula formation (rare) (see also section 4.4)

 

[ … ]

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

27 May 2013

 

[ … ]

Updated on 31 May 2013

Reasons for updating

  • Change to warnings or special precautions for use
  • Change to side-effects
  • Change to date of revision
  • Change to improve clarity and readability

Updated on 02 April 2013

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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[ … ]

 

4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

 

In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the trade name of the administered product should be clearly recorded (or stated) in the patient file.

 

[ … ]

 

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) (see section 4.8)

Cases of ONJ have been reported in cancer patients treated with Avastin, the majority of whom had received prior or concomitant treatment with intravenous bisphosphonates, for which ONJ is an identified risk. Caution should be exercised when Avastin and intravenous bisphosphonates are administered simultaneously or sequentially.

Invasive dental procedures are also an identified risk factor. A dental examination and appropriate preventive dentistry should be considered prior to starting the treatment with Avastin. In patients who have previously received or are receiving intravenous bisphosphonates invasive dental procedures should be avoided, if possible.

 

[ … ]

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

[ … ]

 

Serious wound healing complications, including anastomotic complications, have been reported, some of which had a fatal outcome.

 

[ … ]

 

A total of 484 patients with measurable disease were randomised 1:1 to either:

        Carboplatin (AUC4, Day 1) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 8) and concurrent placebo every 3 weeks for 6 and up to 10 cycles followed by placebo (every 3 weeks) alone until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

        Carboplatin (AUC4, Day 1) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 8) and concurrent Avastin (15 mg/kg Day 1) every 3 weeks for 6 and up to 10 cycles followed by Avastin (15 mg/kgq every 3 weeks) alone until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

 [ … ]

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

21 February 2013

 

[ … ]

Updated on 21 March 2013

Reasons for updating

  • Change to warnings or special precautions for use
  • Change to side-effects
  • Change to date of revision

Updated on 21 December 2012

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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4.         CLINICAL PARTICULARS

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

 

 

 

The overall safety profile of Avastin is based on data from over 34,500 patients with various malignancies, predominantly treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy in clinical trials.

 

 

[ .. ]

 

Further information on selected serious adverse reactions

 

Gastrointestinal perforations (see section 4.4)

Avastin has been associated with serious cases of gastrointestinal perforation.

 

Gastrointestinal perforations have been reported in clinical trials with an incidence of less than 1% in patients with metastatic breast cancer or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, and up to 2.0% in metastatic colorectal cancer patients or in patients with ovarian cancer receiving front-line treatment, and up to 2.7% (including gastrointestinal fistula and abscess) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Fatal outcome was reported in approximately a third of serious cases of gastrointestinal perforations, which represents between 0.2%-1% of all Avastin treated patients.

 

[ … ]

 

 

5.         PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

 

[ … ]

 

Clinical efficacy

 

[ … ]

 

Threewo additional studies with bevacizumab have been conducted in mCRC patients: first-linetrials were conducted in first (NO16966), and second- line with no previous bevacizumab treatment (E3200), and second-line with previous bevacizumab treatment following disease progression in first-line (ML18147). In these studies, bevacizumab was) treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum, with Avastin administered inat the following dosing regimens, in combination with FOLFOX-4 (5-FU/LV/Ooxaliplatin), and XELOX (cCapecitabine/Ooxaliplatin), and fluoropyrimidine/irinotecan and fluoropyrimidine/oxaliplatin:

 

•       NO16966: Avastin 7.5 mg/kg of body weight every 3 weeks in combination with oral capecitabine and intravenous oxaliplatin (XELOX) or Avastin 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks in combination with leucovorin plus 5‑fluorouracil bolus, followed by 5-fluorouracil infusion, with intravenous oxaliplatin (FOLFOX-4).

 

•       E3200: Avastin 10 mg/kg of body weight every 2 weeks in combination with leucovorin and 5‑fluorouracil bolus, followed by 5-fluorouracil infusion, with intravenous oxaliplatin (FOLFOX-4) in bevacizumab-naïve patients.

 

•       ML18147: Avastin 5.0 mg/kg of body weight every 2 weeks or Avastin 7.5 mg/kg of body weight every 3 weeks in combination with fluoropyrimidine/irinotecan or fluoropyrimidine/oxaliplatin in patients with disease progression following first-line treatment with bevacizumab. Use of irinotecan- or oxaliplatin-containing regimen was switched depending on first-line usage of either oxaliplatin or irinotecan.

 

 

[ … ]

 

 

No significant difference was observed in the duration of overall survival between patients who received Avastin monotherapy compared to patients treated with FOLFOX-4. Progression-free survival and objective response rate were inferior in the Avastin monotherapy arm compared to the FOLFOX-4 arm.

 

The benefit of Avastin re-treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer patients who were exposed to Avastin in previous therapies has not been addressed in randomised clinical trials.

ML18147

This was a Phase III randomized, controlled, open-label trial investigating Avastin 5.0 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy versus fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy alone in patients with mCRC who have progressed on a first-line bevacizumab-containing regimen.

Patients with histologically confirmed mCRC and disease progression were randomized 1:1 within 3 months after discontinuation of bevacizumab first-line therapy to receive fluoropyrimidine/oxaliplatin- or fluoropyrimidine/irinotecan-based chemotherapy (chemotherapy switched depending on first-line chemotherapy) with or without bevacizumab. Treatment was given until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. The primary outcome measure was overall survival defined as the time from randomization until death from any cause.

A total of 820 patients were randomized. The addition of bevacizumab to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy resulted in a statistically significant prolongation of survival in patients with mCRC who have progressed on a first-line bevacizumab-containing regimen (ITT = 819) (see Table 8).

 

Table 8                        Efficacy Results for Study ML18147 (ITT population)

 

 

ML18147

 

fluoropyrimidine/irinotecan or

fluoropyrimidine/oxaliplatin

based chemotherapy

fluoropyrimidine/irinotecan or

fluoropyrimidine/oxaliplatin

based chemotherapy

+ Avastina

 

Number of Patients

410

409

Overall Survival

 

Median (months)

9.8

11.2

Hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)

0.81 (0.69, 0.94)

(p-value = 0.0062)

Progression-Free Survival

 

Median (months)

4.1

5.7

Hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)

0.68 (0.59, 0.78)

(p-value < 0.0001)

Objective Response Rate (ORR)

 

Patients included in analysis

406

404

Rate

3.9%

5.4%

 

(p-value = 0.3113)

a 5.0 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks

 

Statistically significant improvements in progression-free survival were also observed. Objective response rate was low in both treatment arms and the difference was not significant.

 

Study E3200 used a 5 mg/kg/week equivalent dose of bevacizumab in bevacizumab-naïve patients, while study ML18147 used a 2.5 mg/kg/week equivalent dose of bevacizumab in bevacizumab-pretreated patients. A cross-trial comparison of the efficacy and safety data is limited by differences between these studies, most notably in patient populations, previous bevacizumab exposure and chemotherapy regimens. Both the 5 mg/kg/week and 2.5 mg/kg/week equivalent doses of bevacizumab provided a statistically significant benefit with regards to OS (HR 0.751 in study E3200; HR 0.81 in study ML18147) and PFS (HR 0.518 in study E3200; HR 0.68 in study ML18147). In terms of safety, there was a higher overall incidence of grade 3-5 AEs in study E3200 relative to study ML18147.

 

[ … ]

 

In trial E2100, patients were treated until disease progression. In situations where early discontinuation of chemotherapy was required, treatment with Avastin as a single agent continued until disease progression. The patient characteristics were similar across the trial arms. The primary endpoint of this trial was progression free survival (PFS), based on trial investigators’ assessment of disease progression. In addition, an independent review of the primary endpoint was also conducted. The results of this trial are presented in Table 89.

 

Table 89          Trial E2100 efficacy results

 

[ … ]

 

 

AVF3694g

[ … ]

 

The results of this study from the final protocol defined analyses for progression free survival and response rates for the independently powered capecitabine cohort of Study AVF3694g are presented in Table 109. Results from an exploratory overall survival analysis which include an additional 7 months of follow-up (approximately 46% of patients had died) are also presented. The percentage of patients who received Avastin in the open-label phase was 62.1% in the capecitabine + placebo arm and 49.9% in the capecitabine + Avastin arm.

 

Table 109 Efficacy results for study AVF3694g: – Capecitabinea and Avastin/Placebo (Cap + Avastin/Pl)

 

[ … ]

 

E4599

[ … ]

 

The primary endpoint was duration of survival. Results are presented in Table 101.

 

Table 101        Efficacy results for trial E4599

 

 

BO17704

[ … ]

 

The efficacy results are presented in Table 121.

 

Table 112 Efficacy results for trial BO17704

 

 

[ … ]

 

Avastin in Combination with Interferon alfa-2a for the First-Line Treatment of Advance and/ or Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer (BO17705)

 

[ … ]

 

The efficacy results are presented in Table 123.

 

Table 123 Efficacy results for trial BO17705

 

[ … ]

 

 

The results of this study are summarised in Table 143.

 

Table 134        Efficacy results from study GOG-0218

 

[ … ]

 

PFS subgroup analyses by disease stage and debulking status are summarised in Table 145. These results demonstrate robustness of the analysis of PFS as shown in Table 134.

 

Table 145 PFS1 results by disease stage and debulking status from study GOG-0218

 

[ … ]

 

The results of this study are summarised in Table 165.

 

Table 156        Efficacy results from study BO17707 (ICON7)

 

[ … ]

 

PFS subgroup analyses by disease stage and debulking status are summarised in Table 176. These results demonstrate robustness of the primary analysis of PFS as shown in Table 165.

 

Table 167 PFS1 results by disease stage and debulking status from study BO17707 (ICON7)

 

 

[ … ]

 

The results of this study are summarised in Table 178.

 

Table 187        Efficacy results from study AVF4095g

 

[ … ]

 

PFS subgroup analyses depending on recurrence since last platinum therapy are summarised in Table 198.

 

Table 1819      Progression-free survival by time from last platinum therapy to recurrence

 

 

[ … ]

 

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

15 November 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated on 17 December 2012

Reasons for updating

  • Change to date of revision
  • Correction of spelling/typing errors

Updated on 07 November 2012

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 2 - Qualitative and quantitative composition
  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic indications
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 4.3 - Contraindications
  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to section 4.5 - Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
  • Change to section 4.7 - Effects on ability to drive and use machines
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 6.3 - Shelf life
  • Change to section 6.4 - Special precautions for storage
  • Change to section 6.6 - Special precautions for disposal and other handling
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text

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2.         QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

 

Each ml of concentrate contains 25 mg of bevacizumab*.

Each 4 ml vial contains 100 mg of bevacizumab in 4 ml and 400 mg in 16 ml respectively, corresponding to 1.4  to 16.5 mg/ml when diluted as recommended.

Each 16 ml vial contains 400 mg of bevacizumab, corresponding to 16.5 mg/ml when diluted as recommended.

 

*Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanised monoclonal antibody produced by DNA technology in Chinese Hamster Oovary cells.

 

For thea full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

 

4.1       Therapeutic indications

 

Avastin (bBevacizumab) in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy is indicated for treatment of adult  patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.

 

Avastin Bevacizumab in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic breast cancer. For further information as to human epidermal growth factor recepter 2 (HER2) status, please refer to section 5.1.

 

Avastin Bevacizumab in combination with capecitabine is indicated for first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic breast cancer in whom treatment with other chemotherapy options including taxanes or anthracyclines is not considered appropriate. Patients who have received taxane and anthracycline-containing regimens in the adjuvant setting within the last 12 months should be excluded from treatment with Avastin in combination with capecitabine. For further information as to human epidermal growth factor recepter 2 (HER2) status, please refer to section 5.1.

 

AvastinBevacizumab, in addition to platinum-based chemotherapy, is indicated for first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer other than predominantly squamous cell histology.

 

Avastin Bevacizumab in combination with interferon alfa-2a is indicated for first line treatment of adult patients with advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer.

 

AvastinBevacizumab, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is indicated for the front-line treatment of  adult patients with advanced (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages III B, III C and IV) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

 

Bevacizumab, in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine, is indicated for treatment of adult patients with first recurrence of platinum-sensitive epithelian ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have not received prior therapy with bevacizumab or other VEGF inhibitors or VEGF receptor–targeted agents”.

 

4.2       Posology and method of administration

 

Avastin must be administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of antineoplastic medicinal products.

Dose reduction for adverse events is not recommended. If indicated, therapy should either be permanently discontinued or temporarily suspended as described in section 4.4.

 

[ … ]

 

Clinical benefit in NSCLC patients has been demonstrated with both 7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg doses . For details refer to(see section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)).

 

[ … ]

 

Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneal Cancer

 

Front-line treatment: Avastin is administered in addition to carboplatin and paclitaxel for up to 6 cycles of treatment followed by continued use of Avastin as single agent until disease progression or for a maximum of 15  months or until unacceptable toxicity, whichever occurs earlier.

The recommended dose of Avastin is 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

 

Treatment of recurrent disease:Avastin is administered in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine for 6 cycles and up to 10 cycles followed by continued use of Avastin as single agent until disease progression.The recommended dose of Avastin is 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

 

Special populations

 

Elderly patients: No dose adjustment is required in the elderly.

 

Patients with rRenal impairment: The safety and efficacy have not been studied in patients with renal impairment (see section 5.2).

 

Patients with hHepatic impairment: The safety and efficacy have not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment (see section 5.2).

 

Paediatric population

 

[ … ]

 

Avastin should not be used in children aged 3 years to less than 18 years with recurrent or progressive high-grade glioma because of efficacy concerns (see section 5.1 for results of paediatric trials).

 

Dose reduction for adverse eventsreactions is not recommended. If indicated, therapy should either be permanently discontinued or temporarily suspended as described in section 4.4.

 

Method of administration

 

[ … ]

 

It should not beis not administered Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus.

 

[ … ]

 

4.3       Contraindications

 

         Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

            Hypersensitivity to Chinese Hhamster Oovary (CHO) cell products or other recombinant human or humanised antibodies.

            Pregnancy (see section 4.6).

 

4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

 

[ … ]

 

Fistulae (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at increased risk for the development of fistulae when treated with Avastin.

Permanently discontinue Avastin in patients with TE (tracheoesophageal (TE) fistula or any gGrade 4 fistula [US National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [NCI-CTCAE v.3)]. Limited information is available on the continued use of Avastin in patients with other fistulae.
In cases of internal fistula not arising in the gastrointestinal (GI)  tract, discontinuation of Avastin should be considered.

 

[ …]

 

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) (see section 4.8)

There have been rare reports of Avastin-treated patients developing signs and symptoms that are consistent with Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS)Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES), a rare neurologic disorder, which can present with the following signs and symptoms among others: seizures, headache, altered mental status, visual disturbance, or cortical blindness, with or without associated hypertension. A diagnosis of RPLSPRES requires confirmation by brain imaging, preferably magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In patients developing RPLSPRES, treatment of specific symptoms including control of hypertension is recommended along with discontinuation of Avastin. The safety of reinitiating Avastin therapy in patients previously experiencing RPLSPRES is not known.

 

Proteinuria (see section 4.8)

Patients with a history of hypertension may be at increased risk for the development of proteinuria when treated with Avastin. There is evidence suggesting that all Grade [(US National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [(NCI-CTCAE[) version 3.0]] proteinuria may be related to the dose. Monitoring of proteinuria by dipstick urinalysis is recommended prior to starting and during therapy. Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

 

Arterial thromboembolism (see section 4.8)

In clinical trials, the incidence of arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents including cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) and myocardial infarctions (MIs) was higher in patients receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to those who received chemotherapy alone.

 

Patients receiving Avastin plus chemotherapy, with a history of arterial thromboembolism or age greater than 65 years have an increased risk of developing arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents during therapy. Caution should be taken when treating these patients with Avastin.

 

Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents.

 

Venous thromboembolism (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at risk of developing venous thromboembolic reactionsevents, including pulmonary embolism under Avastin treatment. Avastin should be discontinued in patients with life-threatening (Grade 4) thromboembolic reactionsevents, including pulmonary embolism (NCI-CTCAE v.3). Patients with thromboembolic reactionsevents   Grade 3 need to be closely monitored (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

 

Haemorrhage

Patients treated with Avastin have an increased risk of haemorrhage, especially tumour-associated haemorrhage. Avastin should be discontinued permanently in patients who experience Grade 3 or 4 bleeding during Avastin therapy (NCI-CTCAE v.3) (see section 4.8).

 

[ … ]

 

There is no information on the safety profile of Avastin in patients with congenital bleeding diathesis, acquired coagulopathy or in patients receiving full dose of anticoagulants for the treatment of thromboembolism prior to starting Avastin treatment, as such patients were excluded from clinical trials. Therefore, caution should be exercised before initiating therapy in these patients. However, patients who developed venous thrombosis while receiving therapy did not appear to have an increased rate of Ggrade 3 or above bleeding when treated with a full dose of warfarin and Avastin concomitantly (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

 

[ … ]

 

Congestive heart failure (CHF) (see section 4.8)

ReactionsEvents consistent with CHF were reported in clinical trials. The findings ranged from asymptomatic declines in left ventricular ejection fraction to symptomatic CHF, requiring treatment or hospitalisation. Caution should be exercised when treating patients with clinically significant cardiovascular disease such as pre-existing coronary artery disease, or congestive heart failure with Avastin.

 

[ … ]

 

In patients in AVF3694g who received treatment with anthracyclines and who had not received anthracyclines before, no increased incidence of all gGrade CHF was observed in the anthracycline + bevacizumab group compared to the treatment with anthracyclines only. CHF gGrade 3 or higher reactionsevents were somewhat more frequent among patients receiving bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy than in patients receiving chemotherapy alone. This is consistent with results in patients in other studies of metastatic breast cancer who did not receive concurrent anthracycline treatment (NCI-CTCAE v.3) (see section 4.8).

 

[ … ]

 

Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at risk of developing infusion/hypersensitivity reactions. Close observation of the patient during and following the administration of bevacizumab is recommended as expected for any infusion of a therapeutic humanizsed monoclonal antibody. If a reaction occurs, the infusion should be discontinued and appropriate medical therapies should be administered. A systematic premedication is not warranted.

 

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (see section 4.8)

Cases of ONJ have been reported in cancer patients treated with Avastin, the majority of whom had received prior or concomitant treatment with intravenous i.v. bisphosphonates, for which ONJ is an identified risk. Caution should be exercised when Avastin and intravenous i.v. bisphosphonates are administered simultaneously or sequentially.

Invasive dental procedures are also an identified risk factor. A dental examination and appropriate preventive dentistry should be considered prior to starting the treatment with Avastin. In patients who have previously received or are receiving intravenous i.v. bisphosphonates invasive dental procedures should be avoided, if possible.

 

[ … ]

 

Eye disorders

Individual cases and clusters of serious ocular adverse reactionsevents have been reported following unapproved intravitreal use of Avastin compounded from vials approved for intravenous administration in cancer patients. These reactionsevents included infectious endophthalmitis, intraocular inflammation such as sterile endophthalmitis, uveitis and vitritis, retinal detachment, retinal pigment epithelial tear, intraocular pressure increased, intraocular haemorrhage such as vitreous haemorrhage or retinal haemorrhage and conjunctival haemorrhage. Some of these reactionsevents have resulted in various degrees of visual loss, including permanent blindness.

 

Systemic effects following intravitreal use

A reduction of circulating VEGF concentration has been demonstrated following intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. Systemic adverse reactionsevents including non-ocular haemorrhages and arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents have been reported following intravitreal injection of VEGF inhibitors, and there is a theoretical risk that these may relate to VEGF inhibition.

 

[ … ]

 

4.5       Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

 

[ … ]

 

MAHA is a haemolytic disorder which can present with red cell fragmentation, anaemia, and thrombocytopenia. In addition, hypertension (including hypertensive crisis), elevated creatinine, and neurological symptoms were observed in some of these patients. All of these findings were reversible upon discontinuation of bevacizumab and sunitinib malate (see Hypertension, Proteinuria, RPLSPRES in section 4.4).

 

[ … ]

 

4.7       Effects on ability to drive and use machines

 

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, there is no evidence that Avastin treatment results in an increase in adverse reactionsevents that might lead to impairment of the ability to drive or operate machinery or impairment of mental ability.

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

The adverse reactions listed in this section fall into the following categories: Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000).

 

Table 1 lists adverse reactions associated with the use of Avastin in combination with different chemotherapy regimens in multiple indications. These reactions had occurred either with at least a 2% difference compared to the control arm (NCI-CTCAE gGrade 3-5 reactions) or with at least a 10% difference compared to the control arm (NCI-CTCAE Ggrade 1-5 reactions), in at least one of the major clinical trials .(NCI-CTCAE v.3).  

 

The adverse reactions listed in this table fall into the following categories: Very Common (³ 1/10) and Common (³ 1/100 - < 1/10). Adverse reactions are added to the appropriate category in the table below according to the highest incidence seen in any of the major clinical trials.

Within each frequency grouping adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness. Some of the adverse reactions are reactions commonly seen with chemotherapy, (e.g. palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome with capecitabine and peripheral sensory neuropathy with paclitaxel or oxaliplatin); however, an exacerbation by Avastin therapy can not be excluded.

 

Table 1            Very common and common adverse reactions

 

 

 

 

System organ class (SOC)

NCI-CTCAE gGrade 3-5 reactions

(³ 2% difference between the trial arms in at least one clinical trial) (NCI-CTCAE v.3)

All Ggrade reactions

(³ 10% difference between the trial arms in at least one clinical trial)(NCI-CTCAE v.3))

 

Very common

 

 

Common

 

 

Very common

 

Infections and infestations

 

Sepsis

Abscess

Infection

 

 

Blood and the lymphatic systems disorders

Febrile neutropenia

Leucopenia

Thrombocytopenia

Neutropenia

 

Anaemia

 

 

 

Endocrine disorders

 

 

Ovarian failure**

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

 

Dehydration

 

Anorexia

Nervous system disorders

Peripheral sensory neuropathy

Cerebrovascular accident

Syncope

Somnolence

Headache

Dysgeusia

Headache

Dysarthria

Eye disorders

 

 

Eye disorder

Lacrimation increased

Cardiac disorders

 

Cardiac failure congestive

Supraventricular tachycardia

 

Vascular disorders

Hypertension

Thromboembolism (arterial)*

Deep vein thrombosis

Haemorrhage

Hypertension

 

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

 

Pulmonary embolism

Dyspnoea

Hypoxia

Epistaxis

 

Dyspnoea

Epistaxis

Rhinitis

 

Gastrointestinal disorders

Diarrhoea

Nausea

Vomiting

Intestinal Pperforation

Ileus

Intestinal obstruction

Abdominal pain

Gastrointestinal disorder

Stomatitis

Constipation

Stomatitis

Rectal haemorrhage

Diarrhoea

 

Endocrine disorders

 

 

Ovarian failure**

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

 

Palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome

Exfoliative dermatitis

Dry skin

Skin discolouration

 

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders

 

Muscular weakness

Myalgia

Arthralgia

Arthralgia

Renal and urinary disorders

 

Proteinuria

Urinary Ttract Iinfection

Proteinuria

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia

Fatigue

Pain

Lethargy

Mucosal inflammation

Pyrexia

Asthenia

Pain

Mucosal inflammation

 

* Pooled arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents including cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attack and other arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents.

Data are unadjusted for the differential time on treatment.

** Based on a substudy from NSABP C-08 with 295 patients

 

[ … ]

 

The presentation of these reactionsevents varied in type and severity, ranging from free air seen on the plain abdominal X‑ray, which resolved without treatment, to intestinal perforation with abdominal abscess and fatal outcome. In some cases underlying intra‑abdominal inflammation was present, either from gastric ulcer disease, tumour necrosis, diverticulitis, or chemotherapy-associated colitis.

 

Fistulae (see section 4.4)

Avastin use has been associated with serious cases of fistulae including reactionsevents resulting in death.

 

In clinical trials, gastrointestinal fistulae have been reported with an incidence of up to 2% in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer, but were also reported less commonly in patients with other types of cancers. Uncommon (³ 0.1% to < 1%) reports of other types of fistulae that involve areas of the body other than the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. bronchopleural, urogenital and biliary fistulae) were observed across various indications. Fistulae have also been reported in post-marketing experience.

 

ReactionsEvents were reported at various time points during treatment ranging from one week to greater than
1  year from initiation of Avastin, with most reactionsevents occurring within the first 6 months of therapy.

 

[ … ]

 

In locally recurrent and metastatic breast cancer trials, Grade 3-5 wound healing complications were observed in up to 1.1% of patients receiving Avastin compared with up to 0.9% of patients in the control arms (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

 

In clinical trials of ovarian cancer, gGrade 3-5 wound healing complications were observed in up to 1.2% of patients in the bevacizumab arm versus 0.1% in the control arm (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

 

Hypertension (see section 4.4)

An increased incidence of hypertension (all Ggrades) of up to 42.134% has been observed in Avastin-treated patients in clinical trials compared with up to 14% in those treated with comparator. Grade 3 and 4 hypertension (requiring oral anti‑hypertensive medicines) in patients receiving Avastin ranged from 0.4% to 17.9%. Grade 4 hypertension (hypertensive crisis) occurred in up to 1.0% of patients treated with Avastin and chemotherapy compared to up to 0.2% of patients treated with the same chemotherapy alone (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

 

[ … ]

 

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (see section 4.4)

There have been rare reports of Avastin-treated patients developing signs and symptoms that are consistent with Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES), a rare neurological disorder. Presentation may include seizures, headache, altered mental status, visual disturbance, or cortical blindness, with or without associated hypertension. The clinical presentation of PRES is often nonspecific, and therefore the diagnosis of PRES requires confirmation by brain imaging, preferably magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

 

In patients developing PRES, early recognition of symptoms with prompt treatment of specific symptoms including control of hypertension (if associated with severe uncontrolled hypertension) is recommended in addition to discontinuation of bevacizumab therapy. Symptoms usually resolve or improve within days after treatment discontinuation, although some patients have experienced some neurologic sequelae. The safety of reinitiating Avastin therapy in patients previously experiencing PRES is not known.

 

Across clinical trials, 98 cases of PRES have been reported. ThreeTwo of the nineeight cases did not have radiological confirmation via MRI.

 

[ … ]

 

Proteinuria ranged in severity from clinically asymptomatic, transient, trace proteinuria to nephrotic syndrome, with the great majority as Grade 1 proteinuria (NCI-CTCAE v.3). Grade 3 proteinuria was reported in up to 8.1< 3% of treated patients.: however, in patients treated for advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma this was up to 7% in patients having minimal to no proteinuria at baseline. Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) was seen in up to 1.4% of treated patients. The proteinuria seen in clinical trials was not associated with renal dysfunction and rarely required permanent discontinuation of therapy. Testing for proteinuria is recommended prior to start of Avastin therapy. In most clinical trials urine protein levels of ³ 2g/24 hrs led to the holding of Avastin until recovery to < 2g/24 hrs.

 

Haemorrhage (see section 4.4)

In clinical trials across all indications the overall incidence of NCI-CTCAE v.3 Grade 3-5 bleeding reactionsevents ranged from 0.4% to 6.55% in Avastin treated patients, compared with up to 2.9% of patients in the chemotherapy control group.

 

The haemorrhagic reactionsevents that have been observed in clinical trials were predominantly tumour-associated haemorrhage (see below) and minor mucocutaneous haemorrhage (e.g. epistaxis).

 

[ … ]

 

In patients with NSCLC excluding predominant squamous histology, all gGrade reactionsevents were seen with a frequency of up to 9% when treated with Avastin plus chemotherapy compared with 5% in the patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Grade 3-5 reactionsevents have been observed in up to 2.3% of patients treated with Avastin plus chemotherapy as compared with < 1% with chemotherapy alone (NCI-CTCAE v.3). Major or massive pulmonary haemorrhage/haemoptysis can occur suddenly and up to two thirds of the serious pulmonary haemorrhages resulted in a fatal outcome.

 

[ … ]

 

The incidence of CNS bleeding in patients with untreated CNS metastases receiving bevacizumab has not been prospectively evaluated in randomised clinical trials. In an exploratory retrospective analysis of data from 13 completed randomised trials in patients with various tumour types, 3 patients out of 91 (3.3%) with brain metastases experienced CNS bleeding (all Grade 4) when treated with bevacizumab, compared to 1 case (Grade 5) out of 96 patients (1%) that were not exposed to bevacizumab. In two subsequent studies in patients with treated brain metastases (which included around 800 patients), one case of Grade 2 CNS haemorrhage was reported in 83 subjects treated with bevacizumab (1.2%) at the time of interim safety analysis .

(NCI-CTCAE v.3).

Across all clinical trials, mucocutaneous haemorrhage has been seen in up to 50% of Avastin-treated patients. These were most commonly NCI-CTCAE v.3 Grade 1 epistaxis that lasted less than 5 minutes, resolved without medical intervention and did not require any changes in the Avastin treatment regimen. Clinical safety data suggest that the incidence of minor mucocutaneous haemorrhage (e.g. epistaxis) may be dose-dependent.

 

There have also been less common reactionsevents of minor mucocutaneous haemorrhage in other locations, such as gingival bleeding or vaginal bleeding.

 

Thromboembolism (see section 4.4)

 

Arterial thromboembolism: An increased incidence of arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents was observed in patients treated with Avastin across indications, including cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attacks, and other arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents.

 

In clinical trials, the overall incidence of arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents ranged up to 3.8% in the Avastin containing arms compared with up to 1.7% in the chemotherapy control arms. Fatal outcome was reported in 0.8% of patients receiving Avastin compared to 0.5% in patients receiving chemotherapy alone. Cerebrovascular accidents (including transient ischaemic attacks) were reported in up to 2.3% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to 0.5% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Myocardial infarction was reported in 1.4% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to 0.7% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

 

In one clinical trial evaluating Avastin in combination with 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid, AVF2192g, patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were not candidates for treatment with irinotecan were included. In this trial arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents were observed in 11% (11/100) of patients compared to 5.8% (6/104) in the chemotherapy control group.

 

Venous thromboembolism: The incidence of venous thromboembolic reactionsevents in clinical trials was similar in patients receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to those receiving the control chemotherapy alone. Venous thromboembolic reactionsevents include deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and thrombophlebitis.

 

In clinical trials across indications, the overall incidence of venous thromboembolic reactionsevents ranged from 2.8% to 17.3% of Avastin-treated patients compared with 3.2% to 15.6% in the control arms.

 

Grade 3-5 (NCI-CTCAE v.3)  venous thromboembolic reactionsevents have been reported in up to 7.8% of patients treated with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab compared with up to 4.9% in patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

 

Patients who have experienced a venous thromboembolic reactionevent may be at higher risk for a recurrence if they receive Avastin in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone.

 

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

In clinical trials with Avastin, congestive heart failure (CHF) was observed in all cancer indications studied to date, but occurred predominantly in patients with metastatic breast cancer. In four phase III trials (AVF2119g, E2100, BO17708 and AVF3694g) in patients with metastatic breast cancer CHF Grade 3 (NCI-CTCAE v.3) or higher was reported in up to 3.5% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared with up to 0.9% in the control arms. For patients in study AVF3694g who received anthracyclines concomitantly with bevacizumab, the incidences of Ggrade 3 or higher CHF for the respective bevacizumab and control arms were similar to those in the other studies in metastatic breast cancer: 2.9% in the anthracycline + bevacizumab arm and 0% in the anthracycline + placebo arm. In addition, in study AVF3694g the incidences of all Ggrade CHF were similar between the anthracycline + Avastin (6.2%) and the anthracycline + placebo arms (6.0%).

 

[ … ]

 

rituximab/cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone (R-CHOP) plus bevacizumab to R-CHOP without bevacizumab. While the incidence of CHF was, in both arms, above that previously observed for doxorubicin therapy, the rate was higher in the R-CHOP plus bevacizumab arm. These results suggest that close clinical observation with appropriate cardiac assessments should be considered for patients exposed to cumulative doxorubicin doses greater than 300 mg/ m2.m2 when combined with bevacizumab.

 

[ … ]

 

Elderly patients

In randomised clinical trials, age > 65 years was associated with an increased risk of developing arterial thromboembolic reactionsevents, including cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) and myocardial infarctions (MIs). Other reactions with a higher frequency seen in patients over 65 were gGrade 3-4 leucopenia and thrombocytopenia (NCI-CTCAE v.3); and all Ggrade neutropenia, diarrhoea, nausea, headache and fatigue as compared to those aged ≤ 65 years when treated with Avastin (see sections 4.4 and 4.8 under Thromboembolism). In one clinical trial, the incidence of hypertension of grade ≥ 3 was twofold higher in patients aged > 65 years than in the younger age group (<65 years).

 

No increase in the incidence of other reactions, including gastrointestinal perforation, wound healing complications, hypertension, proteinuria, congestive heart failure, and haemorrhage was observed in elderly patients (> 65 years) receiving Avastin as compared to those aged ≤ 65 years treated with Avastin.

 

[ … ]

 

Across clinical trials, the following Grade 3 and 4 (NCI-CTCAE v.3) laboratory abnormalities occurred in patients treated with Avastin with at least a 2% difference compared to the corresponding control groups: hyperglycaemia, decreased haemoglobin, hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, decreased white blood cell count, increased international normalised ratio (INR).

 

Post-marketing experience

 

Table 2          Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting

 

System organ class (SOC)

Reactions (frequency*)

Nervous system disorders

Hypertensive encephalopathy (very rare) (see also section 4.4 and Hypertension in section 4.8)

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndromePosterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (rare) (see also section 4.4)

Vascular disorders

Renal thrombotic microangiopathy, which may be clinically manifested as proteinuria (not known) with or without concomitant sunitinib use. For further information on proteinuria see section 4.4 and Proteinuria in section 4.8.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Nasal septum perforation (not known)

Pulmonary hypertension (not known)

Dysphonia (common)

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastrointestinal ulcer (not known)

Hepatobiliary disorders

Gall bladder perforation (not known)

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity reactions and infusion reactions (not known); with the following possible co-manifestations: dyspnoea/difficulty breathing, flushing/redness/rash, hypotension or hypertension, oxygen desaturation, chest pain, rigors and nausea/vomiting (see also section 4.4 and Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions above)

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) have been reported in patients treated with Avastin, most of which occurred in patients who had identified risk factors for ONJ, in particular exposure to i.v.intravenous bisphosphonates and/or a history of dental disease requiring invasive dental procedures (see also section 4.4)

               

* if specified, the frequency has been derived from clinical trial data

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

 

Pharmacotherapeutic group: antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents, antineoplastic agents, other antineoplastic agents, monoclonal antibodiesy, ATC code: L01X C07

 

[ … ]

 

The efficacy results of Avastin in combination with IFL-chemotherapy are displayed in Table 3.

 

Table 3            Efficacy results for trial AVF2107g

 

 

AVF2107g

Arm 1

IFL + placebo

Arm 2

IFL + Avastina

Number of patients

411

402

Overall survival

Median time (months)

15.6

20.3

95% Confidence intervalCI

14.29 – 16.99

18.46 – 24.18

Hazard ratiob

 

0.660

(p-value = 0.00004)

Progression-free survival

Median time (months)

6.2

10.6

Hazard ratio

 

0.54

(p-value< 0.0001)

Overall response rate

Rate (%)

34.8

44.8

 

(p-value = 0.0036)

a           5 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

b Relative to control arm.

 

 

 

[ … ]

 

Table 4          Efficacy results for trials AVF0780g and AVF2192g

 

 

AVF0780g

AVF2192g

 5-FU/FA

5-FU/FA + Avastina

5-FU/FA + Avastinb

5-FU/FA + placebo

5-FU/FA + Avastin

Number of patients

36

35

33

105

104

Overall survival

Median time (months)

13.6

17.7

15.2

12.9

16.6

95% Confidence intervaCIl

 

 

 

10.35 - 16.95

13.63 - 19.32

Hazard ratioc

-

0.52

1.01

 

0.79

p-value

 

0.073

0.978

 

0.16

Progression-free survival

Median time (months)

5.2

9.0

7.2

5.5

9.2

Hazard ratio

 

0.44

0.69

 

0.5

p-value

-

0.0049

0.217

 

0.0002

Overall response rate

Rate (percent)

16.7

40.0

24.2

15.2

26

95% CI

7.0 - 33.5

24.4 - 57.8

11.7 –  42.6

9.2 - 23.9

18.1 - 35.6

p-value

 

0.029

0.43

 

0.055

Duration of response

Median time (months)

NR

9.3

5.0

6.8

9.2

25–75 percentile (months)

5.5 - NR

6.1 - NR

3.8 – 7.8

5.59 - 9.17

5.88 - 13.01

a 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

b 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

c Relative to control arm.

NR = not reached.

 

[ … ]

 

Table 7            Efficacy results for trial E3200

 

 

E3200

 

FOLFOX-4

FOLFOX-4 + Avastina

Number of patients

292

293

Overall survival

Median (months)

10.8

13.0

95% confidence intervalCI

10.12 – 11.86

12.09 – 14.03

Hazard ratiob

0.751

(p-value = 0.0012)

Progression-free survival

Median (months)

4.5

7.5

Hazard ratio

0.518

(p-value < 0.0001)

Objective response rate

Rate

8.6%

22.2%

 

(p-value < 0.0001)

a 10 mg /kg every 2 weeks

b Relative to control arm

 

[ … ]

 

This study included a blinded treatment phase, an optional open‑label post‑progression phase, and a survival follow‑up phase. During the blinded treatment phase, patients received chemotherapy and study drug medicinal product (Avastin or placebo) every 3 weeks until disease progression, treatment‑limiting toxicity, or death. On documented disease progression, patients who entered the optional open-label phase could receive open-label Avastin together with a wide-range of second line therapies.

 

[ … ]

 

Patients were randomiszed to platinum-based chemotherapy (paclitaxel 200 mg/ m2.)m2 and carboplatin AUC = 6.0, both by IV infusion) (PC) on day 1 of every 3-week cycle for up to 6 cycles or PC in combination with Avastin at a dose of 15 mg/kg IV infusion day 1 of every 3-week cycle. After completion of six cycles of carboplatin-paclitaxel chemotherapy or upon premature discontinuation of chemotherapy, patients on the Avastin + carboplatin–paclitaxel arm continued to receive Avastin as a single agent every 3 weeks until disease progression. 878 patients were randomised to the two arms.

 

[ … ]

 

Patients were randomised to platinum-based chemotherapy, cisplatin 80 mg/ m2.m2 i.v.  intravenous infusion on day 1 and gemcitabine 1250 mg/ m2.m2 intravenous i.v. infusion on days 1 and 8 of every 3-week cycle for up to 6 cycles (CG) with placebo or CG with Avastin at a dose of 7.5 or 15 mg/kg IV infusion day 1 of every 3-week cycle. In the Avastin-containing arms, patients could receive Avastin as a single-agent every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Trial results show that 94% (277 / 296) of eligible patients went on to receive single agent bevacizumab at cycle 7. A high proportion of patients (approximately 62%) went on to receive a variety of non-protocol specified anti-cancer therapies, which may have impacted the analysis of overall survival.

 

[ … ]

 

This was a phase III randomised double-blind trial conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Avastin in combination with interferon (IFN) alfa-2a (Roferon®) versus IFN alfa-2a alone as first-line treatment in mRCC. The 649 randomizsed patients (641 treated) had Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) of ≥ 70%, no CNS metastases and adequate organ function. Patients were nephrectomised for primary renal cell carcinoma. Avastin 10 mg/kg was given every 2 weeks until disease progression. IFN alfa-2a was given up to 52 weeks or until disease progression at a recommended starting dose of 9 MIU three times a week, allowing a dose reduction to 3 MIU three times a week in 2 steps. Patients were stratified according to country and Motzer score and the treatment arms were shown to be well balanced for the prognostic factors.

 

[ … ]

 

Front-line treatment of Ovarian Cancer

 

[ … ]

 

A total of 1873 patients were randomiszed in equal proportions to the following three arms:

 

  • CPP arm: Five cycles of placebo (started cycle 2) in combination with carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2m2) for 6 cycles followed by placebo alone, for a total of up to 15 months of therapy
  • CPB15 arm: Five cycles of Avastin (15 mg/kg q3w started cycle 2) in combination with carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2m2) for 6 cycles followed by placebo alone, for a total of up to 15 months of therapy
  • CPB15+ arm: Five cycles of Avastin (15 mg/kg q3w started cycle 2) in combination with carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2m2) for 6 cycles followed by continued use of Avastin (15 mg/kg q3w) as single agent for a total of up to 15 months of therapy.

 

[ … ]

 

BO17707 (ICON7)

BO17707 was a Phase III, two arm, multicentreer, randomizsed, controlled, open-label study comparing the effect of adding Avastin to carboplatin plus paclitaxel in patients with FIGO Stage I or IIA (Grade 3 or clear cell histology only; n = 142), or FIGO Stage IIB - IV (all gGrades and all histological types, n = 1386) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer following surgery (NCI-CTCAE v.3).

Patients who had received prior therapy with bevacizumab or prior systemic anticancer therapy for ovarian cancer (e.g. chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, or hormonal therapy) or previous radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis were excluded from the study.

 

A total of 1528 patients were randomiszed in equal proportions to the following two arms:

 

·             CP arm: Carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/ m2.m2) for 6 cycles of 3 weeks duration

·             CPB7.5+ arm: Carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/ m2.m2) for 6 cycles of 3 weeks plus Avastin (7.5 mg/kg q3w) for up to 12 months (Avastin was started at cycle 2 of chemotherapy if treatment was initiated within 4 weeks of surgery or at cycle 1 if treatment was initiated more than 4 weeks after surgery).

 

The majority of patients included in the study were White (96%), the median age was 57 years in both treatment arms, 25% of patients in each treatment arm were 65 years of age or over, and approximately 50% of patients had an ECOG PS of 1; 7% of patients in each treatment arm had an ECOG PS of 2. The majority of patients had EOC (87.7%) followed by PPC (6.9%) and FTC (3.7%) or a mixture of the three origins (1.7%). Most patients were FIGO Stage III (both 68%) followed by FIGO Stage IV (13% and 14%), FIGO Stage II (10% and 11%) and FIGO Stage I (9% and 7%). The majority of the patients in each treatment arm (74% and 71%) had poorly differentiated (Grade 3) (NCI-CTCAE v.3)

 primary tumors at baseline. The incidence of each histologic sub-type of EOC was similar between the treatment arms; 69% of patients in each treatment arm had serous adenocarcinoma histologic type.

 

The primary endpoint was PFS as assessed by the investigator using RECIST criteria.

 

[ … ]

 

Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

 

AVF4095g

The safety and efficacy of Avastin in the treatment of patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, who have not received prior chemotherapy in the recurrent setting or prior bevacizumab treatment, was studied in a phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (AVF4095g). The study compared the effect of adding Avastin to carboplatin and gemcitabine chemotherapy and continuing Avastin as a single agent to progression, to carboplatin and gemcitabine alone.

 

Only patients with histologically documented ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube carcinoma that had recurred > 6 months after platinum-based chemotherapy and who had not received chemotherapy in the recurrent setting  and who have not received prior therapy with bevacizumab or other VEGF inhibitors or VEGF receptor–targeted agents were included in the study.

 

A total of 484 patients with measurable disease were randomised 1:1 to either:

        Carboplatin (AUC4, Day 1) and gemcitabine (1000 mg mg/m2 on Days 1 and 8) and concurrent placebo every 3 weeks for 6 and up to 10 cycles followed by placebo (every 3 weeks) alone until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

        Carboplatin (AUC4, Day 1) and gemcitabine (1000 mg mg/m2 on Days 1 and 8) and concurrent Avastin (15 mg mg/kg Day 1) every 3 weeks for 6 and up to 10 cycles followed by Avastin (15 mg mg/kq every 3 weeks) alone until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

 

The primary endpoint was progression-free survival based on investigator assessment using modified RECIST 1.0. Additional endpoints included objective response, duration of response, overall survival and   safety. An independent review of the primary endpoint was also conducted.

 

The results of this study are summarised in Table 17.

 

Table 17          Efficacy results from study AVF4095g

 

Progression-free survival

 

Investigator Assessment

IRC Assessment

 

Placebo+ C/G

(n=242)

Avastin + C/G

(n=242)

Placebo+ C/G (n=242)

Avastin + C/G

(n=242)

Not censored for NPT

 

Median PFS (months)

8.4

12.4

8.6

12.3

Hazard ratio

(95% CI)

0.524 [0.425, 0.645]

0.480 [0.377, 0.613]

p –value

 <0.0001

<0.0001

Censored for NPT

 

Median PFS (months)

8.4*

12.4*

8.6

12.3

Hazard ratio

(95% CI)

0.484 [0.388, 0.605]*

0.451 [0.351, 0.580]

p –value

 < 0.0001*

<0.0001

Objective response rate

 

Investigator Assessment

IRC Assessment

 

Placebo+ C/G

(n = 242)

Avastin + C/G

(n = 242)

Placebo+ C/G (n = 242)

Avastin + C/G

(n = 242)

% pts with objective response

57.4 %

78.5%

53.7 %

74.8%

p –value

< 0.0001

< 0.0001

Overall survival**

 

Placebo+ C/G

(n = 242)

Avastin + C/G

(n = 242)

Median OS (months)

33.729.9

35.533.4

Hazard Ratio

 (95% CI)

0. 0.96 [0.760, 1.214]751 [0.537, 1.052]

p-value

0.73600.094

* Primary analysis (This analysis was censored for NPT prior to PD and also for patients without a PD, but NPT use prior to death.)

**        Interim protocol-specified overall survival analysis performed when approximately 2959% of the patients had died

 

PFS subgroup analyses depending on recurrence since last platinum therapy are summarised in Table 18.

 

Table 18          Progression-free survival by time from last platinum therapy to  recurrence

 

 

Investigator Assessment

Time from last platinum therapy to recurrence

Placebo+ C/G

(n = 242)

Avastin + C/G

(n = 242)

6- 12 months (n=202)

 

 

Median

8.1

10.6

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.35 (0.24 - 0.51)

> 12 months (n=282)

 

 

Median

10.2

12.5

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.57 (0.41 – 0.79)

 

[ … ]

 

In a single-arm study (PBTC-022), 18 children with recurrent or progressive non-pontine high-grade glioma (including 8 with glioblastoma [WHO Ggrade IV], 9 with anaplastic astrocytoma [Ggrade III] and 1 with anaplastic oligodendroglioma [Ggrade III]) were treated with bevacizumab (10  mg/kg) two weeks apart and then with bevacizumab in combination with CPT-11 (125-350  mg/m²) once every two weeks until progression. There were no objective (partial or complete) radiological responses (MacDonald criteria). Toxicity and adverse reactionsevents included arterial hypertension and fatigue as well as CNS ischaemia with acute neurological deficit.   

 

[ … ]

 

6.3       Shelf life

 

Vial (unopened)

 

[ … ]

 

Diluted medicinal product

 

[ … ]

 

6.4       Special precautions for storage

 

[ … ]

 

For storage conditions after dilution of the diluted medicinal product, see section 6.3.

 

[ … ]

 

6.6       Special precautions for disposal and other handling

 

[ … ]

 

The necessary amount of bevacizumab should be withdrawn and diluted to the required administration volume with sodium chloride 9  mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection. The concentration of the final bevacizumab solution should be kept within the range of 1.4  mg/ml to 16.5 mg/ml1.4-16.5 mg/ml.

 

[ … ]

 

Avastin is for single-use only, as the product contains no preservatives. Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

 

[ … ]

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

24 October 2012

 

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency (EMA): http://www.ema.europa.eu

 

 

Updated on 30 October 2012

Reasons for updating

  • Change to, or new use for medicine
  • Change to warnings or special precautions for use
  • Change to side-effects
  • Change to drug interactions
  • Change to information about pregnancy or lactation
  • Change to how the medicine works
  • Change to date of revision
  • Change to improve clarity and readability

Updated on 18 September 2012

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use

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section 4.4

[...]

Intravitreal use

Avastin is not formulated for intravitreal use.

 

Eye disorders

Individual cases and clusters of serious ocular adverse eventsAdverse reactions have been reported followingfrom unapproved intravitreal use of Avastin compounded from vials approved for intravenous administration in cancer patients. These reactions events included infectious endophthalmitis, intraocular inflammation such as sterile endophthalmitis, uveitis and vitritis, retinal detachment, retinal pigment epithelial tear, intraocular pressure increased, intraocular haemorrhage such as vitreous haemorrhage or retinal haemorrhage and conjunctival haemorrhage. Some of these events have resulted in various degrees of visual loss, including permanent blindnessappeared as serious adverse reactions.

 

Systemic effects following intravitreal use

A reduction of circulating VEGF concentration has been demonstrated following intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. Systemic adverse events including non-ocular haemorrhages and arterial thromboembolic events have been reported following intravitreal injection of VEGF inhibitors, and there is a theoretical risk that these may relate to VEGF inhibition.



[...]

Updated on 05 September 2012

Reasons for updating

  • Change to side-effects

Updated on 12 July 2012

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
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5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

 

[…]

 

Table 13          Efficacy Results from Study GOG-0218

 

Progression-free survival 1

 

CPP

(n = 625)

CPB15

(n = 625)

CPB15+

(n = 623)

Median PFS (months)

10.6

11.6

14.7

Hazard ratio (95% CI) 2

 

0.89

(0.78, 1.02)

0.70

(0.61, 0.81)

p-value 3, 4

 

0.0437

< 0.0001

Objective response Rate 5

 

CPP

(n = 396)

CPB15

(n = 393)

CPB15+ (n = 403)

% pts with objective response

63.4

66.2

66.0

p-value

 

0.2341

 0.2041

Overall survival 6

 

CPP
(n = 625)

CPB15
(n = 625)

CPB15+
(n = 623)

Median OS (months)

39.440.6

37.938.8

43.443.8

Hazard Ratio (95% CI) 2

 

1.141.07 (0.95, 1.370.91, 1.25)

0.900.88 (0.740.75, 1.081.04)

p-value 3

 

0.08090.2197

0.12530.0641

Investigator assessed GOG protocol-specified PFS analysis (neither censored for CA‑125 progressions nor censored for NPT prior to disease progression) with data cut-off date of 25 February, 2010.

2 Relative to the control arm; stratified hazard ratio.

One-sided log-rank p-value

4 Subject to a p-value boundary of 0.0116.

5 Patients with measurable disease at baseline.

Final oOverall survival analysis performed when approximately 3646.9% of the patients had died.

 

[…]

 

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

27 June 2012

 

[…]

 

Updated on 30 March 2012

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
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4.2         Posology and method of administration

[…]

Paediatric population

 

The safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in children and adolescents have not been established. There is no relevant use of bevacizumab in the paediatric population in the granted indications. Currently available data are described in section s 5.1, 5.2 and section 5.3 but no recommendation on a posology can be made.

Avastin should not be used in children aged 3 years to less than 18 years with recurrent or progressive high-grade glioma because of efficacy concerns (see 5.1 for results of paediatric trials).

[…]

5.1         Pharmacodynamic properties

[…]

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies, in all subsets of the paediatric population, in breast carcinoma, adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum, lung carcinoma (small cell and non-small cell carcinoma) kidney and renal pelvis carcinoma (excluding nephroblastoma, nephroblastomatosis, clear cell sarcoma, mesoblastic nephroma, renal medullary carcinoma and rhabdoid tumour of the kidney), ovarian carcinoma (excluding rhabdomyosarcoma and germ cell tumours), fallopian tube carcinoma (excluding rhabdomyosarcoma and germ cell tumours) and peritoneal carcinoma (excluding blastomas and sarcomas).

 

Anti-tumour activity was not observed in two studies among a total of 30 children aged > 3 years old with relapsed or progressive high-grade glioma when treated with bevacizumab and irinotecan. There is insufficient information to determine the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in children with newly-diagnosed high-grade glioma.

 

In a single-arm study (PBTC-022), 18 children with recurrent or progressive non-pontine high-grade glioma (including 8 with glioblastoma [WHO grade IV], 9 with anaplastic astrocytoma [grade III] and 1 with anaplastic oligodendroglioma [grade III]) were treated with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) two weeks apart and then with bevacizumab in combination with CPT-11 (125-350 mg/m²) once every two weeks until progression. There were no objective (partial or complete) radiological responses (MacDonald criteria). Toxicity and adverse events included arterial hypertension and fatigue as well as CNS ischaemia with acute neurological deficit.   

 

In a retrospective single institution series, 12 consecutive (2005 to 2008) children with relapsed or progressive high-grade glioma (3 with WHO grade IV, 9 with grade III) were treated with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) and irinotecan (125 mg/m²) every 2 weeks. There were no complete responses and 2 partial responses (MacDonald criteria).

[…]

 

Updated on 27 February 2012

Reasons for updating

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  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
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4.5       Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

 

EGFR monoclonal antibodies in combination with bevacizumab chemotherapy regimens

No interaction studies have been performed. EGFR monoclonal antibodies should not be administered for the treatment of mCRC in combination with bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy.  Results from the randomized phase III studies, PACCE and CAIRO-2, in patients with mCRC suggest that the use of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies panitumumab and cetuximab, respectively, in combination with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy, is associated with decreased PFS and/or OS, and with increased toxicity compared with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy alone.

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

Post-marketing experience

 

Table 2          Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting

 

System organ class (SOC)

Reactions (frequency*)

Nervous system disorders

Hypertensive encephalopathy (very rare) (see also section 4.4 and Hypertension in section 4.8)

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (rare) (see also section 4.4)

Vascular disorders

Renal thrombotic microangiopathy, which may be clinically manifested as proteinuria (not known) with or without concomitant sunitinib use. For further information on proteinuria see section 4.4 and Proteinuria in section 4.8.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Nasal septum perforation (not known)

Pulmonary hypertension (not known)

Dysphonia (common)

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastrointestinal ulcer (not known)

Hepatobiliary disorders

Gall bladder perforation (not known)

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity reactions and infusion reactions (not known); with the following possible co-manifestations: dyspnoea/difficulty breathing, flushing/redness/rash, hypotension or hypertension, oxygen desaturation, chest pain, rigors and nausea/vomiting (see also section 4.4 and Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions above)

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) have been reported in patients treated with Avastin, most of which occurred in patients who had identified risk factors for ONJ, in particular exposure to i.v. bisphosphonates and/or a history of dental disease requiring invasive dental procedures (see also section 4.4)

               

* if specified, the frequency has been derived from clinical trial data

 

 

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

6 February 2012

 

 

 

Updated on 06 January 2012

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic indications
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties

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4.1         Therapeutic indications

 

Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy is indicated for treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.

 

Avastin in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. For further information as to HER2 status, please refer to section 5.1.

 

Avastin in combination with capecitabine is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer in whom treatment with other chemotherapy options including taxanes or anthracyclines is not considered appropriate. Patients who have received taxane and anthracycline-containing regimens in the adjuvant setting within the last 12 months should be excluded from treatment with Avastin in combination with capecitabine. For further information as to HER2 status, please refer to section 5.1.

 

Avastin, in addition to platinum-based chemotherapy, is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer other than predominantly squamous cell histology.

 

Avastin in combination with interferon alfa-2a is indicated for first line treatment of patients with advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer.

 

Avastin, in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is indicated for the front-line treatment of  advanced (FIGO stages III B, III C and IV) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

4.2         Posology and method of administration

 

Avastin must be administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of antineoplastic medicinal products.

 

It is recommended that treatment be continued until progression of the underlying disease.

 

Dose reduction for adverse events is not recommended. If indicated, therapy should either be permanently discontinued or temporarily suspended as described in section 4.4.

 

Metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum (mCRC)

 

The recommended dose of Avastin, administered as an intravenous infusion, is either 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg of body weight given once every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks.

It is recommended that treatment be continued until progression of the underlying disease or until unacceptable toxicity.

 

Metastatic breast cancer (mBC)

 

The recommended dose of Avastin is 10 mg/kg of body weight given once every 2 weeks or 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

It is recommended that treatment be continued until progression of the underlying disease or until unacceptable toxicity.

 

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

 

Avastin is administered in addition to platinum-based chemotherapy for up to 6 cycles of treatment followed by Avastin as a single agent until disease progression.

 

The recommended dose of Avastin is 7.5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

 

Clinical benefit in NSCLC patients has been demonstrated with both 7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg doses. For details refer to section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

It is recommended that treatment be continued until progression of the underlying disease or until unacceptable toxicity.

 

Advanced and/or metastatic Renal Cell Cancer (mRCC)

 

The recommended dose of Avastin is 10 mg/kg of body weight given once every 2 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

It is recommended that treatment be continued until progression of the underlying disease or until unacceptable toxicity.

 

Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneal Cancer

 

Avastin is administered in addition to carboplatin and paclitaxel for up to 6 cycles of treatment followed by continued use of Avastin as single agent until disease progression or for a maximum of 15 months or until unacceptable toxicity, whichever occurs earlier.

The recommended dose of Avastin is 15 mg/kg of body weight given once every 3 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

 

Special populations

 

Elderly: No dose adjustment is required in the elderly.

 

Renal impairment: The safety and efficacy have not been studied in patients with renal impairment.

 

Hepatic impairment: The safety and efficacy have not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment.

 

Paediatric population

 

The safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in children and adolescents have not been established. There is no relevant use of bevacizumab in the paediatric population in the granted indications. Currently available data are described in section 5.2 and section 5.3 but no recommendation on a posology can be made.

 

Method of administration

 

The initial dose should be delivered over 90 minutes as an intravenous infusion. If the first infusion is well tolerated, the second infusion may be administered over 60 minutes. If the 60-minute infusion is well tolerated, all subsequent infusions may be administered over 30 minutes.

 

Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus.

 

Precautions to be taken before handling or administering the medicinal product

 

For instructions on dilution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6. Avastin infusions should not be administered or mixed with glucose solutions. This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.

4.8         Undesirable effects

[…]

Table 1                Very common and common adverse reactions

 

 

 

 

System organ class (SOC)

NCI-CTC grade 3-5 reactions

(³ 2% difference between the trial arms in at least one clinical trial)

All grade reactions

(³ 10% difference between the trial arms in at least one clinical trial)

 

Very common

 

 

Common

 

 

Very common

 

Infections and infestations

 

Sepsis

Abscess

Infection

 

 

Blood and the lymphatic systems disorders

Febrile neutropenia

Leucopenia

Thrombocytopenia

Neutropenia

 

Anaemia

 

 

 

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

 

Dehydration

 

Anorexia

Nervous system disorders

Peripheral sensory neuropathy

Cerebrovascular accident

Syncope

Somnolence

Headache

Dysgeusia

Headache

Dysarthria

Eye disorders

 

 

Eye disorder

Lacrimation increased

Cardiac disorders

 

Cardiac failure congestive

Supraventricular tachycardia

 

Vascular disorders

Hypertension

Thromboembolism (arterial)*

Deep vein thrombosis

Haemorrhage

Hypertension

 

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

 

Pulmonary embolism

Dyspnoea

Hypoxia

Epistaxis

 

Dyspnoea

Epistaxis

Rhinitis

 

Gastrointestinal disorders

Diarrhoea

Nausea

Vomiting

Intestinal Perforation

Ileus

Intestinal obstruction

Abdominal pain

Gastrointestinal disorder

Stomatitis

Constipation

Stomatitis

Rectal haemorrhage

Diarrhoea

 

Endocrine disorders

 

 

Ovarian failure**

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

 

Palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome

Exfoliative dermatitis

Dry skin

Skin discolouration

 

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders

 

Muscular weakness

Myalgia

Arthralgia

Arthralgia

Renal and urinary disorders

 

Proteinuria

Urinary Tract Infection

Proteinuria

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia

Fatigue

Pain

Lethargy

Mucosal inflammation

Pyrexia

Asthenia

Pain

Mucosal inflammation

 

* Pooled arterial thromboembolic events including cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attack and other arterial thromboembolic events.

Data are unadjusted for the differential time on treatment.

** Based on a substudy from NSABP C-08 with 295 patients

 

Further information on selected serious adverse reactions

 

Gastrointestinal perforations (see section 4.4)

Avastin has been associated with serious cases of gastrointestinal perforation.

 

Gastrointestinal perforations have been reported in clinical trials with an incidence of less than 1% in patients with metastatic breast cancer or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, and up to 2.0% in metastatic colorectal cancer patients or in patients with ovarian cancer receiving front-line treatment. Fatal outcome was reported in approximately a third of serious cases of gastrointestinal perforations, which represents between 0.2%-1% of all Avastin treated patients.

[…]

In clinical trials of ovarian cancer, grade 3-5 wound healing complications were observed in up to 1.2% of patients in the bevacizumab arm versus 0.1% in the control arm.

[…]

5.1         Pharmacodynamic properties

Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneal Cancer

 

The safety and efficacy of Avastin in the front-line treatment of patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer were studied in two phase III trials (GOG-0218 and BO17707) that evaluated the effect of the addition of Avastin to carboplatin and paclitaxel compared to the chemotherapy regimen alone.

 

GOG-0218

The GOG-0218 study was a phase III multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three arm study evaluating the effect of adding Avastin to an approved chemotherapy regimen (carboplatin and paclitaxel) in patients with advanced (FIGO stages IIIB, IIIC and IV) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.

Patients who had received prior therapy with bevacizumab or prior systemic anticancer therapy for ovarian cancer (e.g. chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, or hormonal therapy) or previous radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis were excluded from the study.

 

A total of 1873 patients were randomized in equal proportions to the following three arms :

 

  • CPP arm: Five cycles of placebo (started cycle 2) in combination with carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) for 6 cycles followed by placebo alone, for a total of up to 15 months of therapy
  • CPB15 arm: Five cycles of Avastin (15 mg/kg q3w started cycle 2) in combination with carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) for 6 cycles followed by placebo alone, for a total of up to 15 months of therapy
  • CPB15+ arm: Five cycles of Avastin (15 mg/kg q3w started cycle 2) in combination with carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) for 6 cycles followed by continued use of Avastin (15 mg/kg q3w) as single agent for a total of up to 15 months of therapy.

 

The majority of patients included in the study were White (87% in all three arms); the median age was 60 years in CPP and CPB15 arms and 59 years in CPB15+ arm; and 29% of patients in CPP or CPB15 and 26% in CPB15+ were over 65 years of age. Overall approximately 50% of patients had a GOG PS of 0 at baseline, ~43% a GOG PS score of 1, and ~7% a GOG PS score of 2. Most patients had EOC (82% in CPP and CPB15, 85% in CPB15+) followed by PPC (16% in CPP, 15% in CPB15, 13% in CPB15+) and FTC (1% in CPP, 3% in CPB15, 2% in CPB15+). The majority of patients had serous adenocarcinoma histologic type (85% in CPP and CPB15, 86% in CPB15+).  Overall approximately 34% of patients were FIGO Stage III optimally debulked with gross residual disease, 40% Stage III sub-optimally debulked, and 26% were Stage IV patients.

 

The primary endpoint was PFS based on investigator’s assessment of disease progression based on radiological scans or CA 125 levels, or symptomatic deterioration per protocol. In addition, a prespecified analysis of the data censoring for CA-125 progression events was conducted, as well as an independent review of PFS as determined by radiological scans.

 

The trial met its primary objective of PFS improvement. Compared to patients treated with chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) alone in the front-line setting, patients who received bevacizumab at a dose of 15 mg/kg q3w in combination with chemotherapy and continued to receive bevacizumab alone (CPB15+), had a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in PFS.

 

In patients who only received bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy and did not continue to receive bevacizumab alone (CPB15), no clinically meaningful benefit in PFS was observed.

 

The results of this study are summarized in Table 13.

 

Table 13              Efficacy Results from Study GOG-0218

 

Progression-free survival 1

 

CPP

 (n = 625)

CPB15

 (n = 625)

CPB15+

(n = 623)

Median PFS (months)

10.6

11.6

14.7

Hazard ratio (95% CI) 2

 

0.89

(0.78, 1.02)

0.70

(0.61, 0.81)

p-value 3, 4

 

0.0437

< 0.0001

Objective response Rate 5

 

CPP

(n = 396)

CPB15

(n = 393)

CPB15+ (n = 403)

% pts with objective response

63.4

66.2

66.0

p-value

 

0.2341

 0.2041

Overall survival 6

 

CPP
(n = 625)

CPB15
(n = 625)

CPB15+
(n = 623)

Median OS (months)

39.4

37.9

43.4

Hazard Ratio (95% CI) 2

 

1.14 (0.95, 1.37)

0.90 (0.74, 1.08)

p-value 3

 

0.0809

0.1253

Investigator assessed GOG protocol-specified PFS analysis (neither censored for CA‑125 progressions nor censored for NPT prior to disease progression) with data cut-off date of 25 February, 2010.

2 Relative to the control arm; stratified hazard ratio.

One-sided log-rank p-value

4 Subject to a p-value boundary of 0.0116.

5 Patients with measurable disease at baseline.

Overall survival analysis performed when approximately 36% of the patients had died.

 

Prespecified PFS analyses were conducted, all with a cut-off date of 29 September 2009. The results of these prespecified analyses are as follows:

  • The protocol specified analysis of investigator-assessed PFS (without censoring for CA-125 progression or non-protocol therapy [NPT]) shows a stratified hazard ratio of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.61-0.83, 1-sided logrank p-value < 0.0001) when CPB15+ is compared with CPP, with a median PFS of 10.4 months in the CPP arm and 14.1 months in the CPB15+ arm.

 

  • The primary analysis of investigator-assessed PFS (censoring for CA-125 progressions and NPT) shows a stratified hazard ratio of 0.62 (95% CI: 0.52-0.75, 1-sided log‑rank p-value < 0.0001) when CPB15+ is compared with CPP, with a median PFS of 12.0 months in the CPP arm and 18.2 months in the CPB15+ arm.

 

  • The analysis of PFS as determined by the independent review committee (censoring for NPT) shows a stratified hazard ratio of 0.62 (95% CI: 0.50-0.77, 1-sided logrank p-value < 0.0001) when CPB15+ is compared with CPP, with a median PFS of 13.1 in the CPP arm and 19.1 months in the CPB15+ arm.

 

PFS subgroup analyses by disease stage and debulking status are summarized in Table 14. These results demonstrate robustness of the analysis of PFS as shown in Table 13.

 

Table 14  PFS1 Results by Disease Stage and Debulking Status from Study GOG-0218

 

Randomized patients stage III optimally debulked disease 2,3

 

CPP

 (n = 219)

CPB15

 (n = 204)

CPB15+

(n = 216)

Median PFS (months)

12.4

14.3

17.5

Hazard ratio (95% CI)4

 

0.81

(0.62, 1.05)

0.66

(0.50, 0.86)

Randomized patients with stage III suboptimally debulked disease3

 

CPP

(n = 253)

CPB15

(n = 256)

CPB15+

(n = 242)

Median PFS (months)

10.1

10.9

13.9

Hazard ratio (95% CI)4

 

0.93

(0.77, 1.14)

0.78

(0.63, 0.96)

Randomized patients with stage IV disease

 

CPP
(n = 153)

CPB15
(n = 165)

CPB15+
(n = 165)

Median PFS (months)

9.5

10.4

12.8

Hazard Ratio (95% CI)4

 

0.90

(0.70, 1.16)

0.64

(0.49, 0.82)

Investigator assessed GOG protocol-specified PFS analysis (neither censored for CA‑125 progressions nor censored for NPT prior to disease progression) with data cut-off date of 25 February, 2010

2 With gross residual disease.

3.7% of the overall randomized patient population had Stage IIIB disease.

4 Relative to the control arm.

 

 

BO17707 (ICON7)

BO17707 was a Phase III, two arm, multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label study comparing the effect of adding Avastin to carboplatin plus paclitaxel in patients with FIGO Stage I or IIA (Grade 3 or clear cell histology only; n = 142), or FIGO Stage IIB - IV (all grades and all histological types, n  = 1386) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer following surgery.

Patients who had received prior therapy with bevacizumab or prior systemic anticancer therapy for ovarian cancer (e.g. chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, or hormonal therapy) or previous radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis were excluded from the study.

 

A total of 1528 patients were randomized in equal proportions to the following two arms:

 

·         CP arm: Carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) for 6 cycles of 3 weeks duration

·         CPB7.5+ arm: Carboplatin (AUC 6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) for 6 cycles of 3 weeks plus Avastin (7.5 mg/kg q3w) for up to 12 months (Avastin was started at cycle 2 of chemotherapy if treatment was initiated within 4 weeks of surgery or at cycle 1 if treatment was initiated more than 4 weeks after surgery).

 

The majority of patients included in the study were White (96%), the median age was 57 years in both treatment arms, 25% of patients in each treatment arm were 65 years of age or over, and approximately 50% of patients had an ECOG PS of 1; 7% of patients in each treatment arm had an ECOG PS of 2. The majority of patients had EOC (87.7%) followed by PPC (6.9%) and FTC (3.7%) or a mixture of the three origins (1.7%). Most patients were FIGO Stage III (both 68%) followed by FIGO Stage IV (13% and 14%), FIGO Stage II (10% and 11%) and FIGO Stage I (9% and 7%). The majority of the patients in each treatment arm (74% and 71%) had poorly differentiated (Grade 3) primary tumors at baseline. The incidence of each histologic sub-type of EOC was similar between the treatment arms; 69% of patients in each treatment arm had serous adenocarcinoma histologic type.

 

The primary endpoint was PFS as assessed by the investigator using RECIST criteria.

 

The trial met its primary objective of PFS improvement. Compared to patients treated with chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) alone in the front-line setting, patients who received bevacizumab at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg q3w in combination with chemotherapy and continued to receive bevacizumab for up to 18 cycles had a statistically significant improvement in PFS

 

The results of this study are summarized in Table 15.

 

Table 15              Efficacy Results from Study BO17707 (ICON7)

 

Progression-free survival

 

 

 

 

CP
(n = 764)

CPB7.5+
(n =764
)

Median PFS (months) 2

16.9

19.3

Hazard ratio [95% CI] 2

0.86 [0.75; 0.98]

(p-value = 0.0185)

Objective Response Rate 1

 

CP
(n = 277)

CPB7.5+
(n = 272)

Response rate

54.9%

64.7%

 

(p-value = 0.0188)

Overall Survival 3

 

CP
(n = 764)

CPB7.5+
(n = 764
)

Median (months)

Not reached

Not reached

Hazard ratio [95% CI]

0.85 [0.70; 1.04]

(p-value = 0.1167)

1 In patients with measurable disease at baseline.

2 Investigator assessed PFS analysis with data cut-off date of 30 November 2010.

3 Exploratory OS analysis when approximately 25% of patients died.

 

The primary analysis of investigator-assessed PFS with a data cut-off date of 28 February 2010 shows an unstratified hazard ratio of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.68-0.91, 2-sided log-rank p-value 0.0010) with a median PFS of 16.0 months in the CP arm and 18.3 months in the CPB7.5+ arm.

 

PFS subgroup analyses by disease stage and debulking status are summarized in Table 16. These results demonstrate robustness of the primary analysis of PFS as shown in Table 15.

 

Table 16  PFS1 Results by Disease Stage and Debulking Status from Study BO17707 (ICON7)

 

 

 

Randomized patients stage III optimally debulked disease 2,3

 

CP

 (n = 368)

CPB7.5+

 (n = 383)

Median PFS (months)

17.7

19.3

Hazard ratio (95% CI) 4

 

0.89

(0.74, 1.07)

Randomized patients with stage III suboptimally debulked disease3

 

CP

(n = 154)

CPB7.5+

 (n = 140)

Median PFS (months)

10.1

16.9

Hazard ratio (95% CI)4

 

0.67

(0.52, 0.87)

Randomized patients with stage IV disease

 

CP
(n = 97)

CPB7.5+
(n = 104)

Median PFS (months)

10.1

13.5

Hazard Ratio (95% CI)4

 

0.74

(0.55, 1.01)

1 Investigator assessed PFS analysis with data cut-off date of 30 November 2010.

2 With or without gross residual disease.

3 5.8% of the overall randomized patient population had Stage IIIB disease.

4 Relative to the control arm.

 

 

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies, in all subsets of the paediatric population, in breast carcinoma, adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum, lung carcinoma (small cell and non-small cell carcinoma) and kidney and renal pelvis carcinoma (excluding nephroblastoma, nephroblastomatosis, clear cell sarcoma, mesoblastic nephroma, renal medullary carcinoma and rhabdoid tumour of the kidney), ovarian carcinoma (excluding rhabdomyosarcoma and germ cell tumours), fallopian tube carcinoma (excluding rhabdomyosarcoma and germ cell tumours) and peritoneal carcinoma (excluding blastomas and sarcomas).

 

Updated on 23 December 2011

Reasons for updating

  • Change to side-effects
  • Change to how the medicine works
  • Change to date of revision

Updated on 02 December 2011

Reasons for updating

  • Change to side-effects
  • Change to date of revision

Updated on 09 August 2011

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to section 4.6 - Pregnancy and lactation
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects

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4.4         Special warnings and precautions for use

Ovarian failure/fertility

Avastin may impair female fertility (see sections 4.6 and 4.8). Therefore fertility preservation strategies should be discussed with women of child-bearing potential prior to starting treatment with Avastin.

4.6         Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

 

Women of childbearing potential

Women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception during (and up to 6 months after) treatment.

 

Pregnancy

There are no data on the use of Avastin in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity including malformations (see section 5.3). IgGs are known to cross the placenta, and Avastin is anticipated to inhibit angiogenesis in the foetus, and thus is suspected to cause serious birth defects when administered during pregnancy. Avastin is contraindicated in pregnancy (see section 4.3).

 

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether bevacizumab is excreted in human milk. As maternal IgG is excreted in milk and bevacizumab could harm infant growth and development (see section 5.3), women must discontinue breast-feeding during therapy and not breast-feed for at least six months following the last dose of Avastin.

 

Fertility

No specific trials in human or animals have been conducted to study the effect of bevacizumab on fertility. However, rRepeat dose toxicity studies in animals have shown that bevacizumab may have an adverse effect on female fertility (see section 5.3). In a phase III trial in the adjuvant treatment of patients with colon cancer, a substudy with premenopausal women has shown a higher incidence of new cases of ovarian failure in the bevacizumab group compared to the control group.  After discontinuation of bevacizumab treatment, ovarian function recovered in the majority of patients.  Long term effects of the treatment with bevacizumab on fertility are unknown.

4.8         Undesirable effects

[…]

An increased incidence of CHF has been observed in a clinical trial of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma when receiving bevacizumab with a cumulative doxorubicin dose greater than 300 mg/m2.  This phase III clinical trial compared rituximab/cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone (R-CHOP) plus bevacizumab to R-CHOP without bevacizumab. While the incidence of CHF was, in both arms, above that previously observed for doxorubicin therapy, the rate was higher in the R-CHOP plus bevacizumab arm. These results suggest that close clinical observation with appropriate cardiac assessments should be considered for patients exposed to cumulative doxorubicin doses greater than 300 mg/m2 when combined with bevacizumab.

[…]

 

Ovarian failure/fertility (see sections 4.4 and 4.6)

In NSABP C-08, a phase III trial of Avastin in adjuvant treatment of patients with colon cancer, the incidence of new cases of ovarian failure, defined as amenorrhoea lasting 3 or more months, FSH level ≥30 mIU/mL and a negative serum β-HCG pregnancy test, has been evaluated in 295 premenopausal women. New cases of ovarian failure were reported in 2.6% patients in the mFOLFOX-6 group compared to 39% in the mFOLFOX-6 + bevacizumab group. After discontinuation of bevacizumab treatment, ovarian function recovered in 86.2% of these evaluable women. Long term effects of the treatment with bevacizumab on fertility are unknown.

[…]

 

Updated on 05 August 2011

Reasons for updating

  • Change to side-effects

Updated on 12 July 2011

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic indications
  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties

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4.1         Therapeutic indications

 

Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy is indicated for treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.

 

Avastin in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. For further information as to HER2 status, please refer to section 5.1.

 

Avastin in combination with capecitabine is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer in whom treatment with other chemotherapy options including taxanes or anthracyclines is not considered appropriate. Patients who have received taxane and anthracycline-containing regimens in the adjuvant setting within the last 12 months should be excluded from treatment with Avastin in combination with capecitabine. For further information as to HER2 status, please refer to section 5.1.

 

Avastin, in addition to platinum-based chemotherapy, is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer other than predominantly squamous cell histology.

 

Avastin in combination with interferon alfa-2a is indicated for first line treatment of patients with advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer.

4.4         Special warnings and precautions for use

 

Gastrointestinal perforations (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at an increased risk for the development of gastrointestinal perforation when treated with Avastin. Intra-abdominal inflammatory process may be a risk factor for gastrointestinal perforations in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum, therefore, caution should be exercised when treating these patients. Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation.

 

Fistulae (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at increased risk for the development of fistulae when treated with Avastin.

Permanently discontinue Avastin in patients with TE (tracheoesophageal) fistula or any grade 4 fistula. Limited information is available on the continued use of Avastin in patients with other fistulae.
In cases of internal fistula not arising in the GI tract, discontinuation of Avastin should be considered.

 

Wound healing complications (see section 4.8)

Avastin may adversely affect the wound healing process. Therapy should not be initiated for at least 28 days following major surgery or until the surgical wound is fully healed. In patients who experienced wound healing complications during therapy, treatment should be withheld until the wound is fully healed. Therapy should be withheld for elective surgery.

 

Hypertension (see section 4.8)

An increased incidence of hypertension was observed in Avastin-treated patients. Clinical safety data suggest that the incidence of hypertension is likely to be dose-dependent. Pre existing hypertension should be adequately controlled before starting Avastin treatment. There is no information on the effect of Avastin in patients with uncontrolled hypertension at the time of initiating therapy. Monitoring of blood pressure is generally recommended during therapy.

 

In most cases hypertension was controlled adequately using standard antihypertensive treatment appropriate for the individual situation of the affected patient. The use of diuretics to manage hypertension is not advised in patients who receive a cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimen. Avastin should be permanently discontinued if medically significant hypertension cannot be adequately controlled with antihypertensive therapy, or if the patient develops hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy.

 

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) (see section 4.8)

There have been rare reports of Avastin-treated patients developing signs and symptoms that are consistent with Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), a rare neurologic disorder, which can present with the following signs and symptoms among others: seizures, headache, altered mental status, visual disturbance, or cortical blindness, with or without associated hypertension. A diagnosis of RPLS requires confirmation by brain imaging. In patients developing RPLS, treatment of specific symptoms including control of hypertension is recommended along with discontinuation of Avastin. The safety of reinitiating Avastin therapy in patients previously experiencing RPLS is not known.

 

Proteinuria (see section 4.8)

Patients with a history of hypertension may be at increased risk for the development of proteinuria when treated with Avastin. There is evidence suggesting that all Grade [US National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) version 3.0] proteinuria may be related to the dose. Monitoring of proteinuria by dipstick urinalysis is recommended prior to starting and during therapy. Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome).

 

Arterial thromboembolism (see section 4.8)

In clinical trials, the incidence of arterial thromboembolic events including cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) and myocardial infarctions (MIs) was higher in patients receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to those who received chemotherapy alone.

 

Patients receiving Avastin plus chemotherapy, with a history of arterial thromboembolism or age greater than 65 years have an increased risk of developing arterial thromboembolic events during therapy. Caution should be taken when treating these patients with Avastin.

 

Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop arterial thromboembolic events.

 

Venous thromboembolism (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at risk of developing venous thromboembolic events, including pulmonary embolism under Avastin treatment. Avastin should be discontinued in patients with life-threatening (Grade 4) pulmonary embolism, patients with ≤Grade 3 need to be closely monitored.

 

Haemorrhage

Patients treated with Avastin have an increased risk of haemorrhage, especially tumour-associated haemorrhage. Avastin should be discontinued permanently in patients who experience Grade 3 or 4 bleeding during Avastin therapy (see section 4.8).

 

Patients with untreated CNS metastases were routinely excluded from clinical trials with Avastin, based on imaging procedures or signs and symptoms. Therefore, the risk of CNS haemorrhage in such patients has not been prospectively evaluated in randomised clinical trials (see section 4.8). Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of CNS bleeding, and Avastin treatment discontinued in cases of intracranial bleeding.

 

There is no information on the safety profile of Avastin in patients with congenital bleeding diathesis, acquired coagulopathy or in patients receiving full dose of anticoagulants for the treatment of thromboembolism prior to starting Avastin treatment, as such patients were excluded from clinical trials. Therefore, caution should be exercised before initiating therapy in these patients. However, patients who developed venous thrombosis while receiving therapy did not appear to have an increased rate of grade 3 or above bleeding when treated with a full dose of warfarin and Avastin concomitantly.

 

Pulmonary haemorrhage/haemoptysis

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with Avastin may be at risk of serious, and in some cases fatal, pulmonary haemorrhage/haemoptysis. Patients with recent pulmonary haemorrhage/ haemoptysis (> 2.5 ml of red blood) should not be treated with Avastin.

 

Congestive heart failure (CHF) (see section 4.8)

Events consistent with CHF were reported in clinical trials. The symptoms findings ranged from asymptomatic declines in left ventricular ejection fraction to symptomatic CHF, requiring treatment or hospitalisation. Caution should be exercised when treating patients with clinically significant cardiovascular disease such as pre-existing coronary artery disease, or congestive heart failure with Avastin.

 

Most of the patients who experienced CHF had metastatic breast cancer and had received previous treatment with anthracyclines, prior radiotherapy to the left chest wall or other risk factors for CHF were present., such as pre-existing coronary heart disease or concomitant cardiotoxic therapy.

 

In patients in AVF3694g who received treatment with anthracyclines and who had not received anthracyclines before, no increased incidence of all grade CHF was observed in the anthracycline + bevacizumab group compared to the treatment with anthracyclines only. CHF grade 3 or higher events were somewhat more frequent among patients receiving bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy than in patients receiving chemotherapy alone. This is consistent with results in patients in other studies of metastatic breast cancer who did not receive concurrent anthracycline treatment (see section 4.8).

 

Caution should be exercised when treating patients with clinically significant cardiovascular disease or pre-existing congestive heart failure with Avastin.

 

Neutropenia and infections (see section 4.8)

Increased rates of severe neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, or infection with or without severe neutropenia (including some fatalities) have been observed in patients treated with some myelotoxic chemotherapy regimens plus Avastin in comparison to chemotherapy alone. This has mainly been seen in combination with platinum- or taxane-based therapies in the treatment of NSCLC and mBC.

 

Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at risk of developing infusion/hypersensitivity reaction. Close observation of the patient during and following the administration of bevacizumab is recommended as expected for any infusion of a therapeutic humanized monoclonal antibody. If a reaction occurs, the infusion should be discontinued and appropriate medical therapies should be administered. A systematic premedication is not warranted.

 

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (see section 4.8)

Cases of ONJ have been reported in cancer patients treated with Avastin, the majority of whom had received prior or concomitant treatment with i.v. bisphosphonates, for which ONJ is an identified risk. Caution should be exercised when Avastin and i.v. bisphosphonates are administered simultaneously or sequentially.

Invasive dental procedures are also an identified risk factor. A dental examination and appropriate preventive dentistry should be considered prior to starting the treatment with Avastin. In patients who have previously received or are receiving i.v. bisphosphonates invasive dental procedures should be avoided, if possible.

 

Eye disorders

Adverse reactions have been reported from unapproved intravitreal use. These reactions included infectious endophthalmitis, intraocular inflammation such as sterile endophthalmitis, uveitis and vitritis, retinal detachment, retinal pigment epithelial tear, intraocular pressure increased, intraocular haemorrhage such as vitreous haemorrhage or retinal haemorrhage and conjunctival haemorrhage. Some of these appeared as serious adverse reactions.

4.8         Undesirable effects

 

The overall safety profile of Avastin is based on data from over 3,500 patients with various malignancies, predominantly treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy in clinical trials.

 

The most serious adverse reactions were:

 

           Gastrointestinal perforations (see section 4.4).

           Haemorrhage, including pulmonary haemorrhage/haemoptysis, which is more common in non-small cell lung cancer patients (see section 4.4).

           Arterial thromboembolism (see section 4.4).

 

The most frequently observed adverse reactions across clinical trials in patients receiving Avastin were hypertension, fatigue or asthenia, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

 

Analyses of the clinical safety data suggest that the occurrence of hypertension and proteinuria with Avastin therapy are likely to be dose-dependent.

 

Table 1 lists adverse reactions associated with the use of Avastin in combination with different chemotherapy regimens in multiple indications. These reactions had occurred either with at least a 2% difference compared to the control arm (NCI-CTC grade 3-5 reactions) or with at least a 10% difference compared to the control arm (NCI-CTC grade 1-5 reactions), in at least one of the major clinical trials.

 

The adverse reactions listed in this table fall into the following categories: Very Common (³ 1/10) and Common (³ 1/100 - < 1/10). Adverse reactions are added to the appropriate category in the table below according to the highest incidence seen in any of the major clinical trials.

Within each frequency grouping adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness. Some of the adverse reactions are reactions commonly seen with chemotherapy, (e.g. palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome with capecitabine and peripheral sensory neuropathy with paclitaxel or oxaliplatin); however, an exacerbation by Avastin therapy can not be excluded.

 

Table 1                Very common and common adverse reactions

 

 

 

 

System organ class (SOC)

NCI-CTC grade 3-5 reactions

(³ 2% difference between the trial arms in at least one clinical trial)

All grade reactions

(³ 10% difference between the trial arms in at least one clinical trial)

 

Very common

 

 

Common

 

 

Very common

 

Infections and infestations

 

Sepsis

Abscess

Infection

 

 

Blood and the lymphatic systems disorders

Febrile neutropenia

Leucopenia

Thrombocytopenia

Neutropenia

 

Anaemia

 

 

 

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

 

Dehydration

 

Anorexia

Nervous system disorders

Peripheral sensory neuropathy

Cerebrovascular accident

Syncope

Somnolence

Headache

Dysgeusia

Headache

Eye disorders

 

 

Eye disorder

Lacrimation increased

Cardiac disorders

 

Cardiac failure congestive

Supraventricular tachycardia

 

Vascular disorders

Hypertension

Thromboembolism (arterial)*

Deep vein thrombosis

Haemorrhage

Hypertension

 

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

 

Pulmonary embolism

Dyspnoea

Hypoxia

Epistaxis

 

Dyspnoea

Epistaxis

Rhinitis

 

Gastrointestinal disorders

Diarrhoea

Nausea

Vomiting

Intestinal Perforation

Ileus

Intestinal obstruction

Abdominal pain

Gastrointestinal disorder

Stomatitis

Constipation

Stomatitis

Rectal haemorrhage

 

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

 

Palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome

Exfoliative dermatitis

Dry skin

Skin discolouration

 

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders

 

Muscular weakness

Myalgia

Arthralgia

Renal and urinary disorders

 

Proteinuria

Urinary Tract Infection

Proteinuria

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia

Fatigue

Pain

Lethargy

Mucosal inflammation

Pyrexia

Asthenia

Pain

Mucosal inflammation

 

* Pooled arterial thromboembolic events including cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, transient ischaemic attack and other arterial thromboembolic events.

Data are unadjusted for the differential time on treatment.

 

Further information on selected serious adverse reactions

 

Gastrointestinal perforations (see section 4.4)

Avastin has been associated with serious cases of gastrointestinal perforation.

 

Gastrointestinal perforations have been reported in clinical trials with an incidence of less than 1% in patients with metastatic breast cancer or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, and up to 2.0% in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Fatal outcome was reported in approximately a third of serious cases of gastrointestinal perforations, which represents between 0.2%-1% of all Avastin treated patients.

 

The presentation of these events varied in type and severity, ranging from free air seen on the plain abdominal X‑ray, which resolved without treatment, to intestinal perforation with abdominal abscess and fatal outcome. In some cases underlying intra‑abdominal inflammation was present, either from gastric ulcer disease, tumour necrosis, diverticulitis, or chemotherapy-associated colitis.

 

Fistulae (see section 4.4)

Avastin use has been associated with serious cases of fistulae including events resulting in death.

 

In clinical trials, gastrointestinal fistulae have been reported with an incidence of up to 2% in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, but were also reported less commonly in patients with other types of cancers. Uncommon (³ 0.1% to < 1%) reports of other types of fistulae that involve areas of the body other than the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. bronchopleural, urogenital and biliary fistulae) were observed across various indications. Fistulae have also been reported in post-marketing experience.

 

Events were reported at various time points during treatment ranging from one week to greater than
1 year from initiation of Avastin, with most events occurring within the first 6 months of therapy.

 

Wound healing (see section 4.4)

As Avastin may adversely impact wound healing, patients who had major surgery within the last 28 days were excluded from participation in phase III clinical trials.

 

In clinical trials of metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum, there was no increased risk of post-operative bleeding or wound healing complications observed in patients who underwent major surgery 28-60 days prior to starting Avastin. An increased incidence of post-operative bleeding or wound healing complication occurring within 60 days of major surgery was observed if the patient was being treated with Avastin at the time of surgery. The incidence varied between 10% (4/40) and 20% (3/15).

 

In locally recurrent and metastatic breast cancer trials, Grade 3-5 wound healing complications were observed in up to 1.1% of patients receiving Avastin compared with up to 0.9% of patients in the control arms.

 

Hypertension (see section 4.4)

An increased incidence of hypertension (all grades) of up to 34% has been observed in Avastin-treated patients in clinical trials compared with up to 14% in those treated with comparator. Grade 3 and 4 hypertension (requiring oral anti‑hypertensive medicines) in patients receiving Avastin ranged from 0.4% to 17.9%. Grade 4 hypertension (hypertensive crisis) occurred in up to 1.0% of patients treated with Avastin and chemotherapy compared to up to 0.2% of patients treated with the same chemotherapy alone.

 

Hypertension was generally adequately controlled with oral anti‑hypertensives such as angiotensin‑converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics and calcium-channel blockers. It rarely resulted in discontinuation of Avastin treatment or hospitalisation.

 

Very rare cases of hypertensive encephalopathy have been reported, some of which were fatal.

 

The risk of Avastin-associated hypertension did not correlate with the patients’ baseline characteristics, underlying disease or concomitant therapy.

 

Proteinuria (see section 4.4)

In clinical trials, proteinuria has been reported within the range of 0.7% to 38% of patients receiving Avastin.

 

Proteinuria ranged in severity from clinically asymptomatic, transient, trace proteinuria to nephrotic syndrome, with the great majority as Grade 1 proteinuria. Grade 3 proteinuria was reported in < 3% of treated patients: however, in patients treated for advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma this was up to 7% in patients having minimal to no proteinuria at baseline. Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) was seen in up to 1.4% of treated patients. The proteinuria seen in clinical trials was not associated with renal dysfunction and rarely required permanent discontinuation of therapy. Testing for proteinuria is recommended prior to start of Avastin therapy. In most clinical trials urine protein levels of ³ 2g/24 hrs led to the holding of Avastin until recovery to < 2g/24 hrs.

 

Haemorrhage (see section 4.4)

In clinical trials across all indications the overall incidence of NCI-CTC Grade 3-5 bleeding events ranged from 0.4% to 5% in Avastin treated patients, compared with up to 2.9% of patients in the chemotherapy control group.

 

The haemorrhagic events that have been observed in clinical trials were predominantly tumour-associated haemorrhage (see below) and minor mucocutaneous haemorrhage (e.g. epistaxis).

 

Tumour‑associated haemorrhage (see section 4.4)

Major or massive pulmonary haemorrhage/haemoptysis has been observed primarily in trials in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Possible risk factors include squamous cell histology, treatment with antirheumatic/anti-inflammatory substances, treatment with anticoagulants, prior radiotherapy, Avastin therapy, previous medical history of atherosclerosis, central tumour location and cavitation of tumours prior to or during therapy. The only variables that showed statistically significant correlations with bleeding were Avastin therapy and squamous cell histology. Patients with NSCLC of known squamous cell histology or mixed cell type with predominant squamous cell histology were excluded from subsequent phase III trials, while patients with unknown tumour histology were included.

 

In patients with NSCLC excluding predominant squamous histology, all grade events were seen with a frequency of up to 9% when treated with Avastin plus chemotherapy compared with 5% in the patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Grade 3-5 events have been observed in up to 2.3% of patients treated with Avastin plus chemotherapy as compared with < 1% with chemotherapy alone. Major or massive pulmonary haemorrhage/haemoptysis can occur suddenly and up to two thirds of the serious pulmonary haemorrhages resulted in a fatal outcome.

 

Gastrointestinal haemorrhages, including rectal bleeding and melaena have been reported in colorectal cancer patients, and have been assessed as tumour-associated haemorrhages.

 

Tumour-associated haemorrhage was also seen rarely in other tumour types and locations, including cases of central nervous system (CNS) bleeding in patients with CNS metastases (see section 4.4).

 

The incidence of CNS bleeding in patients with untreated CNS metastases receiving bevacizumab has not been prospectively evaluated in randomised clinical trials. In an exploratory retrospective analysis of data from 13 completed randomised trials in patients with various tumour types, 3 patients out of 91 (3.3%) with brain metastases experienced CNS bleeding (all Grade 4) when treated with bevacizumab, compared to 1 case (Grade 5) out of 96 patients (1%) that were not exposed to bevacizumab. In two ongoing trials in patients with treated brain metastases, one case of Grade 2 CNS haemorrhage was reported in 83 subjects treated with bevacizumab (1.2%) at the time of interim safety analysis.

 

Across all clinical trials, mucocutaneous haemorrhage has been seen in up to 50% of Avastin-treated patients. These were most commonly NCI-CTC Grade 1 epistaxis that lasted less than 5 minutes, resolved without medical intervention and did not require any changes in the Avastin treatment regimen. Clinical safety data suggest that the incidence of minor mucocutaneous haemorrhage (e.g. epistaxis) may be dose-dependent.

 

There have also been less common events of minor mucocutaneous haemorrhage in other locations, such as gingival bleeding or vaginal bleeding.

 

Thromboembolism (see section 4.4)

 

Arterial thromboembolism: An increased incidence of arterial thromboembolic events was observed in patients treated with Avastin across indications, including cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attacks, and other arterial thromboembolic events.

 

In clinical trials, the overall incidence of arterial thromboembolic events ranged up to 3.8% in the Avastin containing arms compared with up to 1.7% in the chemotherapy control arms. Fatal outcome was reported in 0.8% of patients receiving Avastin compared to 0.5% in patients receiving chemotherapy alone. Cerebrovascular accidents (including transient ischemic attacks) were reported in up to 2.3% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to 0.5% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Myocardial infarction was reported in 1.4% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to 0.7% of patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

 

In one clinical trial evaluating Avastin in combination with 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid, AVF2192g, patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were not candidates for treatment with irinotecan were included. In this trial arterial thromboembolic events were observed in 11% (11/100) of patients compared to 5.8% (6/104) in the chemotherapy control group.

 

Venous thromboembolism: The incidence of venous thromboembolic events in clinical trials was similar in patients receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to those receiving the control chemotherapy alone. Venous thromboembolic events include deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and thrombophlebitis.

 

In clinical trials across indications, the overall incidence of venous thromboembolic events ranged from 2.8% to 17.3% of Avastin-treated patients compared with 3.2% to 15.6% in the control arms.

 

Grade 3-5 venous thromboembolic events have been reported in up to 7.8% of patients treated with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab compared with up to 4.9% in patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

 

Patients who have experienced a venous thromboembolic event may be at higher risk for a recurrence if they receive Avastin in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone.

 

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

In clinical trials with Avastin, congestive heart failure (CHF) was observed in all cancer indications studied to date, but occurred predominantly in patients with metastatic breast cancer. In two four phase III trials (AVF2119g,  and E2100, BO17708 and AVF3694g) in patients with metastatic breast cancer an increase of CHF Grade 3 or more higherwith Avastin was seen. CHF was reported in up to 3.5% of patients treated with Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared with up to 0.9% in the control arms. For patients in study AVF3694g who received anthracyclines concomitantly with bevacizumab, the incidences of grade 3 or higher CHF for the respective bevacizumab and control arms were similar to those in the other studies in metastatic breast cancer: 2.9% in the anthracycline + bevacizumab arm and 0% in the anthracycline + placebo arm. In addition, in study AVF3694g the incidences of all grade CHF were similar between the anthracycline + Avastin (6.2%) and the anthracycline + placebo arms (6.0%).

 

Most of these patients who developed CHF during mBC trials showed improved symptoms and/or left ventricular function following appropriate medical therapy.

 

In most clinical trials of Avastin, patients with pre-existing CHF of NYHA (New York Heart Association) II‑IV were excluded, therefore, no information is available on the risk of CHF in this population.

 

Prior anthracyclines exposure and/or prior radiation to the chest wall may be possible risk factors for the development of CHF.

 

Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions (see section 4.4 and Post-marketing experience below)

In some clinical trials anaphylactic and anaphylactoid-type reactions were reported more frequently in patients receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy than with chemotherapy alone. The incidence of these reactions in some clinical trials of Avastin is common (up to 5% in bevacizumab-treated patients).

 

Elderly patients

In randomised clinical trials, age > 65 years was associated with an increased risk of developing arterial thromboembolic events, including cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) and myocardial infarctions (MIs). Other reactions with a higher frequency seen in patients over 65 were grade 3-4 leucopenia and thrombocytopenia; and all grade neutropenia, diarrhoea, nausea, headache and fatigue as compared to those aged ≤ 65 years when treated with Avastin (see sections 4.4 and 4.8 under Thromboembolism).

 

No increase in the incidence of other reactions, including gastrointestinal perforation, wound healing complications, hypertension, proteinuria, congestive heart failure, and haemorrhage was observed in elderly patients (> 65 years) receiving Avastin as compared to those aged ≤ 65 years treated with Avastin.

 

Paediatric population

The safety of Avastin in children and adolescents has not been established.

 

Laboratory abnormalities

Decreased neutrophil count, decreased white blood cell count and presence of urine protein may be associated with Avastin treatment.

 

Across clinical trials, the following Grade 3 and 4 laboratory abnormalities occurred in patients treated with Avastin with at least a 2% difference compared to the corresponding control groups: hyperglycaemia, decreased haemoglobin, hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, decreased white blood cell count, increased international normalised ratio (INR).

 

Post-marketing experience

 

Table 2           Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting

 

System organ class (SOC)

Reactions (frequency*)

Nervous system disorders

Hypertensive encephalopathy (very rare) (see also section 4.4 and Hypertension in section 4.8)

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (rare) (see also section 4.4)

Vascular disorders

Renal thrombotic microangiopathy, clinically manifested as proteinuria (not known). For further information on proteinuria see section 4.4 and Proteinuria in section 4.8.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Nasal septum perforation (not known)

Pulmonary hypertension (not known)

Dysphonia (common)

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastrointestinal ulcer (not known)

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity reactions and infusion reactions (not known); with the following possible co-manifestations: dyspnoea/difficulty breathing, flushing/redness/rash, hypotension or hypertension, oxygen desaturation, chest pain, rigors and nausea/vomiting (see also section 4.4 and Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions above)

Osteonecrosis of the jaw

Cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) have been reported in patients treated with Avastin, most of which occurred in patients who had identified risk factors for ONJ, in particular exposure to i.v. bisphosphonates and/or a history of dental disease requiring invasive dental procedures (see also section 4.4)

                * if specified, the frequency has been derived from clinical trial data

5.1         Pharmacodynamic properties

 

Pharmacotherapeutic group: monoclonal antibody, ATC code: L01X C07

 

Mechanism of action

Bevacizumab binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the key driver of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, and thereby inhibits the binding of VEGF to its receptors, Flt‑1 (VEGFR-1) and KDR (VEGFR-2), on the surface of endothelial cells. Neutralising the biological activity of VEGF regresses the vascularisation of tumours, normalises remaining tumour vasculature, and inhibits the formation of new tumour vasculature, thereby inhibiting tumour growth.

 

Pharmacodynamic effects

Administration of bevacizumab or its parental murine antibody to xenotransplant models of cancer in nude mice resulted in extensive anti-tumour activity in human cancers, including colon, breast, pancreas and prostate. Metastatic disease progression was inhibited and microvascular permeability was reduced.

 

Clinical efficacy

 

Metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum (mCRC)

 

The safety and efficacy of the recommended dose (5 mg/kg of body weight every two weeks) in metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum were studied in three randomised, active-controlled clinical trials in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based first‑line chemotherapy. Avastin was combined with two chemotherapy regimens:

 

           AVF2107g: A weekly schedule of irinotecan/bolus 5‑fluorouracil/folinic acid (IFL) for a total of 4 weeks of each 6 week-cycle (Saltz regimen).

           AVF0780g: In combination with bolus 5‑fluorouracil/ folinic acid (5‑FU/FA) for a total of 6 weeks of each 8 week-cycle (Roswell Park regimen).

           AVF2192g: In combination with bolus 5‑FU/FA for a total of 6 weeks of each 8 week-cycle (Roswell Park regimen) in patients who were not optimal candidates for first-line irinotecan treatment.

 

Two additional trials were conducted in first (NO16966) and second line (E3200) treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum, with Avastin administered in the following dosing regimens, in combination with FOLFOX-4 (5FU/LV/Oxaliplatin) and XELOX (Capecitabine/Oxaliplatin):

 

         NO16966: Avastin 7.5 mg/kg of body weight every 3 weeks in combination with oral capecitabine and intravenous oxaliplatin (XELOX) or Avastin 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks in combination with leucovorin plus 5‑fluorouracil bolus, followed by 5-fluorouracil infusion, with intravenous oxaliplatin (FOLFOX-4).

 

         E3200: Avastin 10 mg/kg of body weight every 2 weeks in combination with leucovorin and 5‑fluorouracil bolus, followed by 5-fluorouracil infusion, with intravenous oxaliplatin (FOLFOX-4).

 

AVF2107g

This was a phase III randomised, double‑blind, active‑controlled clinical trial evaluating Avastin in combination with IFL as first‑line treatment for metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum. Eight hundred and thirteen patients were randomised to receive IFL + placebo (Arm 1) or IFL + Avastin (5 mg/kg every 2 weeks, Arm 2). A third group of 110 patients received bolus 5‑FU/FA+Avastin (Arm 3). Enrolment in Arm 3 was discontinued, as pre‑specified, once safety of Avastin with the IFL regimen was established and considered acceptable. All treatments were continued until disease progression. The overall mean age was 59.4 years; 56.6% of patients had an ECOG performance status of 0, 43% had a value of 1 and 0.4% had a value of 2. 15.5% had received prior radiotherapy and 28.4% prior chemotherapy.

 

The primary efficacy variable of the trial was overall survival. The addition of Avastin to IFL resulted in statistically significant increases in overall survival, progression-free survival and overall response rate (see Table 3). The clinical benefit, as measured by overall survival, was seen in all pre‑specified patient subgroups, including those defined by age, sex, performance status, location of primary tumour, number of organs involved and duration of metastatic disease.

 

The efficacy results of Avastin in combination with IFL-chemotherapy are displayed in Table 3.

 

Table 3                Efficacy results for trial AVF2107g

 

 

AVF2107g

Arm 1

IFL + placebo

Arm 2

IFL + Avastina

Number of patients

411

402

Overall survival

Median time (months)

15.6

20.3

95% Confidence interval

14.29 – 16.99

18.46 – 24.18

Hazard ratiob

 

0.660

(p-value = 0.00004)

Progression-free survival

Median time (months)

6.2

10.6

Hazard ratio

 

0.54

(p-value< 0.0001)

Overall response rate

Rate (%)

34.8

44.8

 

(p-value = 0.0036)

a 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

b Relative to control arm.

 

 

 

Among the 110 patients randomised to Arm 3 (5-FU/FA + Avastin) prior to discontinuation of this arm, the median overall survival was 18.3 months and the median progression free survival was 8.8 months.

 

AVF2192g

This was a phase II randomised, double-blind, active-controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Avastin in combination with 5‑FU/FA as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer in patients who were not optimal candidates for first-line irinotecan treatment. One hundred and five patients were randomised to 5-FU/FA + placebo arm and 104 patients to 5-FU/FA + Avastin (5 mg/kg every 2 weeks) arm. All treatments were continued until disease progression. The addition of Avastin 5 mg/kg every two weeks to 5‑FU/FA resulted in higher objective response rates, significantly longer progression‑free survival, and a trend in longer survival as compared to 5‑FU/FA chemotherapy alone.

 

AVF0780g

This was a phase II randomised, active-controlled, open-labelled clinical trial investigating Avastin in combination with 5‑FU/FA as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. The median age was 64 years. 19% of the patients had received prior chemotherapy and 14% prior radiotherapy. Seventy‑one patients were randomised to receive bolus 5‑FU/FA or 5‑FU/FA + Avastin (5 mg/kg every 2 weeks). A third group of 33 patients received bolus 5‑FU/FA + Avastin (10 mg/kg every 2 weeks). Patients were treated until disease progression. The primary endpoints of the trial were objective response rate and progression‑free survival. The addition of Avastin 5 mg/kg every two weeks to 5‑FU/FA resulted in higher objective response rates, longer progression‑free survival, and a trend in longer survival, compared with 5‑FU/FA chemotherapy alone (see Table 4). These efficacy data are consistent with the results from trial AVF2107g.

 

The efficacy data from trials AVF0780g and AVF2192g investigating Avastin in combination with 5‑FU/FA-chemotherapy are summarised in Table 4.

 

Table 4              Efficacy results for trials AVF0780g and AVF2192g

 

 

AVF0780g

AVF2192g

 5-FU/FA

5-FU/FA + Avastina

5-FU/FA + Avastinb

5-FU/FA + placebo

5-FU/FA + Avastin

Number of patients

36

35

33

105

104

Overall survival

Median time (months)

13.6

17.7

15.2

12.9

16.6

95% Confidence interval

 

 

 

10.35 - 16.95

13.63 - 19.32

Hazard ratioc

-

0.52

1.01

 

0.79

p-value

 

0.073

0.978

 

0.16

Progression-free survival

Median time (months)

5.2

9.0

7.2

5.5

9.2

Hazard ratio

 

0.44

0.69

 

0.5

p-value

-

0.0049

0.217

 

0.0002

Overall response rate

Rate (percent)

16.7

40.0

24.2

15.2

26

95% CI

7.0 - 33.5

24.4 - 57.8

11.7 –  42.6

9.2 - 23.9

18.1 - 35.6

p-value

 

0.029

0.43

 

0.055

Duration of response

Median time (months)

NR

9.3

5.0

6.8

9.2

25–75 percentile (months)

5.5 - NR

6.1 - NR

3.8 – 7.8

5.59 - 9.17

5.88 - 13.01

a 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

b 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

c Relative to control arm.

NR = not reached.

 

NO16966

This was a phase III randomised, double-blind (for bevacizumab), clinical trial investigating Avastin 7.5 mg/kg in combination with oral capecitabine and IV oxaliplatin (XELOX), administered on a 3-weekly schedule; or Avastin 5 mg/kg in combination with leucovorin with 5‑fluorouracil bolus, followed by 5‑fluorouracil infusional, with IV oxaliplatin (FOLFOX-4), administered on a 2-weekly schedule. The trial contained two parts: an initial unblinded 2-arm part (Part I) in which patients were randomised to two different treatment groups (XELOX and FOLFOX-4) and a subsequent 2 x 2 factorial 4-arm part (Part II) in which patients were randomised to four treatment groups (XELOX + placebo, FOLFOX‑4 + placebo, XELOX + Avastin, FOLFOX‑4 + Avastin). In Part II, treatment assignment was double-blind with respect to Avastin.

 

Approximately 350 patients were randomised into each of the 4 trial arms in the Part II of the trial.

 

Table 5                Treatment regimens in trial N016966 (mCRC)

 

 

Treatment

Starting dose

Schedule

FOLFOX-4

or

FOLFOX-4 + Avastin

Oxaliplatin

85 mg/m2 IV 2 h

Oxaliplatin on day 1

Leucovorin on day 1 and 2

5-fluorouracil IV bolus/infusion, each on days 1 and 2

Leucovorin

200 mg/m2 IV 2 h

5-Fluorouracil

400 mg/m2 IV bolus, 600 mg/ m2 IV 22 h

Placebo or Avastin

5 mg/kg IV 30-90 min

Day 1, prior to FOLFOX-4, every 2 weeks

XELOX

or

XELOX+ Avastin

Oxaliplatin

130 mg/m2 IV 2 h

Oxaliplatin on day 1

Capecitabine oral bid for 2 weeks (followed by 1 week off treatment)

Capecitabine

1000 mg/m2 oral bid

 

 

Placebo or Avastin

7.5 mg/kg IV 30-90 min

Day 1, prior to XELOX, q 3 weeks

5-Fluorouracil:             IV bolus injection immediately after leucovorin

 

The primary efficacy parameter of the trial was the duration of progression-free survival. In this trial, there were two primary objectives: to show that XELOX was non-inferior to FOLFOX-4 and to show that Avastin in combination with FOLFOX-4 or XELOX chemotherapy was superior to chemotherapy alone. Both co-primary objectives were met:

 

        Non-inferiority of the XELOX-containing arms compared with the FOLFOX-4-containing arms in the overall comparison was demonstrated in terms of progression-free survival and overall survival in the eligible per-protocol population.

 

        Superiority of the Avastin-containing arms versus the chemotherapy alone arms in the overall comparison was demonstrated in terms of progression-free survival in the ITT population (Table 6).

 

Secondary PFS analyses, based on ‘on-treatment’-based response assessments, confirmed the significantly superior clinical benefit for patients treated with Avastin (analyses shown in Table 6), consistent with the statistically significant benefit observed in the pooled analysis.

 

Table 6                Key efficacy results for the superiority analysis (ITT population, trial NO16966)

 

Endpoint (months)

FOLFOX-4
or XELOX

+ placebo

(n=701)

FOLFOX-4
or XELOX

+ bevacizumab  (n=699)

P value

Primary endpoint

Median PFS**

8.0

9.4

0.0023

Hazard ratio (97.5% CI)a

0.83 (0.72–0.95)

 

Secondary endpoints

Median PFS (on treatment)**

7.9

10.4

<0.0001

Hazard ratio (97.5% CI)

0.63 (0.52-0.75)

 

Overall response rate
(invest. assessment)**

 

49.2%,

46.5%

 

Median overall survival*

19.9

21.2

0.0769

Hazard ratio (97.5% CI)

0.89 (0.76-1.03)

 

* Overall survival analysis at clinical cut-off 31 January 2007

** Primary analysis at clinical cut-off 31 January 2006

a relative to control arm

 

In the FOLFOX treatment subgroup, the median PFS was 8.6 months in placebo and 9.4 months in bevacizumab treated patients, HR = 0.89, 97.5% CI = [0.73 ; 1.08]; p-value = 0.1871, the corresponding results in the XELOX treatment subgroup being 7.4 vs. 9.3 months, HR = 0.77, 97.5% CI = [0.63 ; 0.94]; p-value = 0.0026.

 

The median overall survival was 20.3 months in placebo and 21.2 months in bevacizumab treated patients in the FOLFOX treatment subgroup, HR=0.94, 97.5% CI = [0.75 ; 1.16]; p-value = 0.4937, the corresponding results in the XELOX, treatment subgroup being 19.2 vs. 21.4 months, HR = 0.84, 97.5% CI = [0.68 ; 1.04]; p-value = 0.0698.

 

ECOG E3200

This was a phase III randomised, active-controlled, open-label trial investigating Avastin 10 mg/kg in combination with leucovorin with 5‑fluorouracil bolus and then 5‑fluorouracil infusional, with IV oxaliplatin (FOLFOX-4), administered on a 2-weekly schedule in previously-treated patients (second line) with advanced colorectal cancer. In the chemotherapy arms, the FOLFOX-4 regimen used the same doses and schedule as shown in Table 5 for trial NO16966.

 

The primary efficacy parameter of the trial was overall survival, defined as the time from randomization to death from any cause. Eight hundred and twenty-nine patients were randomised (292 FOLFOX-4, 293 Avastin + FOLFOX-4 and 244 Avastin monotherapy). The addition of Avastin to FOLFOX-4 resulted in a statistically significant prolongation of survival. Statistically significant improvements in progression-free survival and objective response rate were also observed (see Table 7).

 

Table 7                Efficacy results for trial E3200

 

 

E3200

 

FOLFOX-4

FOLFOX-4 + Avastina

Number of patients

292

293

Overall survival

Median (months)

10.8

13.0

95% confidence interval

10.12 – 11.86

12.09 – 14.03

Hazard ratiob

0.751

(p-value = 0.0012)

Progression-free survival

Median (months)

4.5

7.5

Hazard ratio

0.518

(p-value < 0.0001)

Objective response rate

Rate

8.6%

22.2%

 

(p-value < 0.0001)

a 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks

b Relative to control arm

 

No significant difference was observed in the duration of overall survival between patients who received Avastin monotherapy compared to patients treated with FOLFOX-4. Progression-free survival and objective response rate were inferior in the Avastin monotherapy arm compared to the FOLFOX-4 arm.

 

The benefit of Avastin re-treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer patients who were exposed to Avastin in previous therapies has not been addressed in randomized clinical trials.

 

Metastatic breast cancer (mBC)

 

Two large Phase III trials were designed to investigate the treatment effect of Avastin in combination with two individual chemotherapy agents, as measured by the primary endpoint of PFS.  A clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in PFS was observed in both trials.

 

Summarised below are PFS results for the individual chemotherapy agents included in the indication:

 

  • Study E2100 (paclitaxel)
    • Median PFS increase 5.6 months, HR 0.421 (p = <0.0001, 95% CI 0.343 ; 0.516)
  • Study AVF3694g (capecitabine)
    • Median PFS increase 2.9 months, HR 0.69 (p = 0.0002, 95% CI 0.56 ; 0.84)

 

Further details of each study and the results are provided below.

 

ECOG E2100

Trial E2100 was an open-label, randomised, active controlled, multicentre clinical trial evaluating Avastin in combination with paclitaxel for locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer in patients who had not previously received chemotherapy for locally recurrent and metastatic disease. Patients were randomised to paclitaxel alone (90 mg/m2 IV over 1 hour once weekly for three out of four weeks) or in combination with Avastin (10 mg/kg IV infusion every two weeks). Prior hormonal therapy for the treatment of metastatic disease was allowed. Adjuvant taxane therapy was allowed only if it was completed at least 12 months prior to trial entry. Of the 722 patients in the trial, the majority of patients had HER2-negative disease (90%), with a small number of patients with unknown (8%) or confirmed HER2-positive status (2%), who had previously been treated with or were considered unsuitable for trastuzumab therapy. Furthermore, 65% of patients had received adjuvant chemotherapy including 19% prior taxanes and 49% prior anthracyclines. Patients with central nervous system metastasis, including previously treated or resected brain lesions, were excluded.

 

In trial E2100, patients were treated until disease progression. In situations where early discontinuation of chemotherapy was required, treatment with Avastin as a single agent continued until disease progression. The patient characteristics were similar across the trial arms. The primary endpoint of this trial was progression free survival (PFS), based on trial investigators’ assessment of disease progression. In addition, an independent review of the primary endpoint was also conducted. The results of this trial are presented in Table 8.

 

Table 8                Trial E2100 efficacy results

 

Progression-free survival

 

 

Investigator assessment*

IRF assessment

 

Paclitaxel


(n=354)

Paclitaxel/
Avastin

(n=368)

Paclitaxel


(n=354)

Paclitaxel/
Avastin

(n=368)

Median PFS (months)

5.8

11.4

5.8

11.3

HR

(95% CI)

0.421

(0.343 ; 0.516)

0.483

(0.385 ; 0.607)

p-value

<0.0001

<0.0001

Response rates (for patients with measurable disease)

 

Investigator assessment

IRF assessment

 

Paclitaxel


(n=273)

Paclitaxel/
Avastin

(n=252)

Paclitaxel


(n=243)

Paclitaxel/
Avastin

(n=229)

% pts with objective response

23.4

48.0

22.2

49.8

p-value

<0.0001

<0.0001

 

 

 

* primary analysis

 

Overall survival

 

Paclitaxel


(n=354)

Paclitaxel/
Avastin

(n=368)

Median OS (months)

24.8

26.5

HR 

(95% CI)

0.869

(0.722 ; 1.046)

p-value

0.1374

 

The clinical benefit of Avastin as measured by PFS was seen in all pre-specified subgroups tested (including disease‑free interval, number of metastatic sites, prior receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy

and estrogen receptor (ER) status).

 

AVF3694g

Study AVF3694g was a Phase III, multicentre, randomised, placebo‑controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy plus placebo as first-line treatment for patients with HER2-negative metastatic or locally recurrent breast cancer.

 

Chemotherapy was chosen at the investigator's discretion prior to randomization in a 2:1 ratio to receive either chemotherapy plus Avastin or chemotherapy plus placebo. The choices of chemotherapy included capecitabine, taxane (protein-bound paclitaxel, docetaxel), and anthracycline-based agents (doxorubicin/ cyclophosphamide, epirubicin/ cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil/ doxorubicin/ cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil/epirubicin/cyclophosphamide) given every three weeks (q3w). Avastin or placebo was administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg q3w.

 

This study included a blinded treatment phase, an optional open‑label post‑progression phase, and a survival follow‑up phase. During the blinded treatment phase, patients received chemotherapy and study drug (Avastin or placebo) every 3 weeks until disease progression, treatment‑limiting toxicity, or death. On documented disease progression, patients who entered the optional open-label phase could receive open-label Avastin together with a wide-range of second line therapies.

 

Statistical analyses were performed independently for 1) patients who received capecitabine in combination with Avastin or placebo; 2) patients who received taxane-based or anthracycline-based chemotherapy in combination with Avastin or placebo. The primary endpoint of the study was PFS by investigator assessment. In addition, the primary endpoint was also assessed by an independent review committee (IRC). 

 

The results of this study from the final protocol defined analyses for progression free survival and response rates for the independently powered capecitabine cohort of Study AVF3694g are presented in Table 9. Results from an exploratory overall survival analysis which include an additional 7 months of follow-up (approximately 46% of patients had died) are also presented. The percentage of patients who received Avastin in the open-label phase was 62.1% in the capecitabine + placebo arm and 49.9% in the capecitabine + Avastin arm.

 

Table 9        Efficacy results for study AVF3694g: – Capecitabinea and Avastin/Placebo (Cap + Avastin/Pl)

 

Progression-free survivalb

 

Investigator Assessment

IRC Assessment

 

Cap + Pl    (n= 206)

Cap + Avastin (n=409)

Cap + Pl    (n= 206)

Cap + Avastin (n=409)

Median PFS (months)

5.7

8.6

6.2

9.8

Hazard ratio vs placebo arm (95% CI)

 

0.69 (0.56; 0.84)

0.68 (0.54; 0.86)

p-value

0.0002

0.0011

Response rate (for patients with measurable disease)b

 

Cap + Pl (n= 161)

Cap + Avastin (n=325)

% pts with objective response

23.6

35.4

p-value

0.0097

 

Overall survivalb

 

HR

(95% CI)

0.88 (0.69, 1.13)

 

p-value (exploratory)

0.33

a1000 mg/m2 oral twice daily for 14 days administered every 3 weeks

bStratified analysis included all progression and death events except those where non-protocol therapy (NPT) was initiated prior to documented progression; data from those patients were censored at the last tumor assessment prior to starting NPT.

 

An unstratified analysis of PFS (investigator assessed) was performed that did not censor for non-protocol therapy prior to disease progression. The results of these analyses were very similar to the primary PFS results.

 

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

 

The safety and efficacy of Avastin, in addition to platinum-based chemotherapy, in the first-line treatment of patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), was investigated in trials E4599 and BO17704. An overall survival benefit has been demonstrated in trial E4599 with a 15 mg/kg/q3wk dose of bevacizumab. Trial BO17704 has demonstrated that both 7.5 mg/kg/q3wk and 15 mg/kg/q3wk bevacizumab doses increase progression free survival and response rate.

 

E4599

E4599 was an open-label, randomised, active-controlled, multicentre clinical trial evaluating Avastin as first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced (stage IIIb with malignant pleural effusion), metastatic or recurrent NSCLC other than predominantly squamous cell histology.

 

Patients were randomized to platinum-based chemotherapy (paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC = 6.0, both by IV infusion) (PC) on day 1 of every 3-week cycle for up to 6 cycles or PC in combination with Avastin at a dose of 15 mg/kg IV infusion day 1 of every 3-week cycle. After completion of six cycles of carboplatin-paclitaxel chemotherapy or upon premature discontinuation of chemotherapy, patients on the Avastin + carboplatin–paclitaxel arm continued to receive Avastin as a single agent every 3 weeks until disease progression. 878 patients were randomised to the two arms.

 

During the trial, of the patients who received trial treatment, 32.2% (136/422) of patients received 7‑12 administrations of Avastin and 21.1% (89/422) of patients received 13 or more administrations of Avastin.

 

The primary endpoint was duration of survival. Results are presented in Table 910.

 

Table 910           Efficacy results for trial E4599

 

 

Arm 1

 

Carboplatin/

Paclitaxel

 

 

Arm 2

 

Carboplatin/ Paclitaxel +
Avastin
15 mg/kg q 3 weeks

Number of patients

444

434

Overall survival

Median (months)

10.3

12.3

Hazard ratio

 

0.80 (p=0.003)

95% CI (0.69, 0.93)

Progression‑free survival

Median (months)

4.8

6.4

Hazard ratio

 

0.65 (p<0.0001)

95% CI (0.56, 0.76)

Overall response rate

Rate (percent)

 

12.9

29.0 (p<0.0001)

 

In an exploratory analysis, the extent of Avastin benefit on overall survival was less pronounced in the subgroup of patients who did not have adenocarcinoma histology.

 

BO17704

Trial BO17704 was a randomised, double-blind phase III trial of Avastin in addition to cisplatin and gemcitabine versus placebo, cisplatin and gemcitabine in patients with locally advanced (stage IIIb with supraclavicular lymph node metastases or with malignant pleural or pericardial effusion), metastatic or recurrent non-squamous NSCLC, who had not received prior chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression free survival, secondary endpoints for the trial included the duration of overall survival.

 

Patients were randomised to platinum-based chemotherapy, cisplatin 80 mg/m2 i.v. infusion on day 1 and gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 i.v. infusion on days 1 and 8 of every 3-week cycle for up to 6 cycles (CG) with placebo or CG with Avastin at a dose of 7.5 or 15 mg/kg IV infusion day 1 of every 3-week cycle. In the Avastin-containing arms, patients could receive Avastin as a single-agent every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Trial results show that 94% (277 / 296) of eligible patients went on to receive single agent bevacizumab at cycle 7. A high proportion of patients (approximately 62%) went on to receive a variety of non-protocol specified anti-cancer therapies, which may have impacted the analysis of overall survival.

 

The efficacy results are presented in Table 110.

 

Table 110 Efficacy results for trial BO17704

 

 

Cisplatin/Gemcitabine
+ placebo

Cisplatin/Gemcitabine  + Avastin
7.5 mg/kg q 3 weeks

Cisplatin/Gemcitabine
+ Avastin
15 mg/kg q 3 weeks

Number of patients

347

345

351

Progression‑free survival

 

 

 

Median (months)

6.1

6.7
(p = 0.0026)

6.5
(p = 0.0301)

Hazard ratio

 

0.75
[0.62;0.91]

0.82
[0.68;0.98]

Best overall response rate a

 

20.1%

34.1%
(p< 0.0001)

30.4%
 (p=0.0023)

                a  patients with measurable disease at baseline

 

Overall survival

Median (months)

13.1

13.6

(p = 0.4203)

13.4

(p = 0.7613)

Hazard ratio

 

0.93
[0.78; 1.11]

1.03
[0.86, 1.23]

 

Advanced and/or metastatic Renal Cell Cancer (mRCC)

 

Avastin in Combination with Interferon alfa-2a for the First-Line Treatment of Advance and/ or Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer (BO17705)

 

This was a phase III randomised double-blind trial conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Avastin in combination with interferon (IFN) alfa-2a (Roferon®) versus IFN alfa-2a alone as first-line treatment in mRCC. The 649 randomized patients (641 treated) had Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) of ≥ 70%, no CNS metastases and adequate organ function. Patients were nephrectomised for primary renal cell carcinoma. Avastin 10 mg/kg was given every 2 weeks until disease progression. IFN alfa-2a was given up to 52 weeks or until disease progression at a recommend starting dose of 9 MIU three times a week, allowing a dose reduction to 3 MIU three times a week in 2 steps. Patients were stratified according to country and Motzer score and the treatment arms were shown to be well balanced for the prognostic factors.

 

The primary endpoint was overall survival, with secondary endpoints for the trial including progression-free survival. The addition of Avastin to IFN-alpha-2a significantly increased PFS and objective tumour response rate. These results have been confirmed through an independent radiological review. However, the increase in the primary endpoint of overall survival by 2 months was not significant (HR= 0.91). A high proportion of patients (approximately 63% IFN/placebo; 55% Avastin/IFN) received a variety of non-specified post-trial anti-cancer therapies, including antineoplastic agents, which may have impacted the analysis of overall survival.

 

The efficacy results are presented in Table 121.

 

Table 121 Efficacy results for trial BO17705

 

 

BO17705

 

Placebo+ IFNa

Bvb + IFNa

Number of patients

322

327

Progression-free survival

 

 

Median (months)

5.4

10.2

Hazard ratio

95% CI

0.63

0.52, 0.75

(p-value < 0.0001)

Objective response rate (%) in Patients with measurable disease

            n

 

 

289

 

 

306

Response rate

12.8%

31.4%

 

(p-value < 0.0001)

a Interferon alfa-2a 9 MIU 3x/week

b Bevacizumab 10 mg/kg q 2 wk

 

Overall survival

 

 

Median (months)

21.3

23.3

Hazard ratio

95% CI

0.91

0.76, 1.10

(p-value 0.3360)

 

An exploratory multivariate Cox regression model using backward selection indicated that the following baseline prognostic factors were strongly associated with survival independent of treatment: gender, white blood cell count, platelets, body weight loss in the 6 months prior to trial entry, number of metastatic sites, sum of longest diameter of target lesions, Motzer score. Adjustment for these baseline factors resulted in a treatment hazard ratio of 0.78 (95% CI [0.63;0.96], p = 0.0219), indicating a 22% reduction in the risk of death for patients in the Avastin+ IFN alfa-2a arm compared to IFN alfa-2a arm.

 

Ninety seven (97) patients in the IFN alfa-2a arm and 131 patients in the Avastin arm reduced the dose of IFN alfa-2a from 9 MIU to either 6 or 3 MIU three times a week as pre-specified in the protocol. Dose-reduction of IFN alfa-2a did not appear to affect the efficacy of the combination of Avastin and IFN alfa-2a based on PFS event free rates over time, as shown by a sub-group analysis. The 131 patients in the Avastin + IFN alfa-2a arm who reduced and maintained the IFN alfa-2a dose at 6 or 3 MIU during the trial, exhibited at 6, 12 and 18 months PFS event free rates of 73, 52 and 21% respectively, as compared to 61, 43 and 17% in the total population of patients receiving Avastin + IFN alfa-2a.

 

AVF2938

This was a randomised, double-blind, phase II clinical trial investigating Avastin 10 mg/kg in a 2 weekly schedule with the same dose of Avastin in combination with 150 mg daily erlotinib, in patients with metastatic clear cell RCC. A total of 104 patients were randomised to treatment in this trial, 53 to Avastin 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks plus placebo and 51 to Avastin 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks plus erlotinib 150 mg daily. The analysis of the primary endpoint showed no difference between the Avastin + Placebo arm and the Avastin + Erlotinib arm (median PFS 8.5 versus 9.9 months). Seven patients in each arm had an objective response. The addition of erlotinib to bevacizumab did not result in an improvement in OS (HR = 1.764; p=0.1789), duration of objective response (6.7 vs 9.1 months) or time to symptom progression (HR = 1.172; p = 0.5076).

 

AVF0890

This was a randomised phase II trial conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab versus placebo. A total of 116 patients were randomized to receive bevacizumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks (n=39), 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks; (n=37), or placebo (n=40). An interim analysis showed there was a significant prolongation of the time to progression of disease in the 10 mg/kg group as compared with the placebo group (hazard ratio, 2.55; p<0.001). There was a small difference, of borderline significance, between the time to progression of disease in the 3 mg/kg group and that in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.26; p=0.053). Four patients had objective (partial) response, and all of these had received the 10 mg/kg dose bevacizumab; the ORR for the 10 mg/kg dose was 10%.

 

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies, in all subsets of the paediatric population, in breast carcinoma, adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum, lung carcinoma (small cell and non-small cell carcinoma) and kidney and renal pelvis carcinoma (excluding nephroblastoma, nephroblastomatosis, clear cell sarcoma, mesoblastic nephroma, renal medullary carcinoma and rhabdoid tumour of the kidney).

 

Updated on 08 July 2011

Reasons for updating

  • Change to, or new use for medicine

Updated on 04 April 2011

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.4 - Special warnings and precautions for use
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects

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4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

 

[…]

 

Proteinuria (see section 4.8)

Patients with a history of hypertension may be at increased risk for the development of proteinuria when treated with Avastin. There is evidence suggesting that all Grade 1 [US National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) version 32.0] proteinuria may be related to the dose. Monitoring of proteinuria by dipstick urinalysis is recommended prior to starting and during therapy. Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome).

 

Arterial thromboembolism (see section 4.8)

In five randomised clinical trials, the incidence of arterial thromboembolic events including cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) and myocardial infarctions (MIs) was higher in patients receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy compared to those who received chemotherapy alone.

 

[…]

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

[…]

 

Proteinuria ranged in severity from clinically asymptomatic, transient, trace proteinuria to nephrotic syndrome, with the great majority as Grade 1 proteinuria. Grade 3 proteinuria was reported in < 3% of treated patients: however, in patients treated for advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma this was up to 7% in patients having minimal to no proteinuria at baseline. Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) was seen in up to 1.4% of treated patients. The proteinuria seen in clinical trials was not associated with renal dysfunction and rarely required permanent discontinuation of therapy. Testing for proteinuria is recommended prior to start of Avastin therapy. In most clinical trials urine protein levels of ³ 2g/24 hrs led to the holding of Avastin until recovery to < 2g/24 hrs.

 

[…]

 

In one clinical trial evaluating Avastin in combination with 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid, AVF2192g, patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were not candidates for treatment with irinotecan were included. In this trial arterial thromboembolic events were observed in 11% (11/100) of patients compared to 5.8% (6/104) in the chemotherapy control group.

 

[…]

Updated on 08 March 2011

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic indications
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties

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4.1       Therapeutic indications

 

Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy is indicated for treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.

 

Avastin in combination with paclitaxel or docetaxel is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. For further information as to HER2 status, please refer to section 5.1.

 

Avastin, in addition to platinum-based chemotherapy, is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer other than predominantly squamous cell histology.

 

Avastin in combination with interferon alfa-2a is indicated for first line treatment of patients with advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer.

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

 

BO17708

Trial BO17708 was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre (phase III) trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Avastin in combination with docetaxel compared with docetaxel plus placebo, as first-line treatment for patients with HER2-negative metastatic or locally recurrent breast cancer who have not received prior chemotherapy for their metastatic disease.

 

Patients were randomised in a 1:1:1 ratio to treatment with either

 

     placebo + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks

 

     Avastin 7.5 mg/kg + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks

 

     Avastin 15 mg/kg + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks.

 

Docetaxel, Avastin or placebo treatment was continued until disease progression/death or unacceptable toxicity. Docetaxel treatment was limited to a maximum of 9 cycles. The patient and disease characteristics were similar across the three arms.

 

On documented disease progression, patients from all three treatment arms could enter into a post-trial treatment phase during which they received open-label Avastin together with a wide-range of subsequent lines of therapies. (The percentage of patients in each arm who received open-label Avastin were: placebo + doc: 42%, Avastin 7.5 + doc: 37% and Avastin 15 + doc: 26%).

The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS), as assessed by investigators. For the efficacy endpoints two comparisons were performed:

 

     Avastin 7.5 mg/kg + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks versus placebo + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks

 

     Avastin 15 mg/kg + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks vs placebo + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks.

 

The results of this trial are presented in Table 9. For progression free survival and response rates this includes results from the pre-specified final analysis and results from an exploratory (updated) analysis carried out at the same time as the pre-specified final OS analysis which included an additional 18 months of follow-up. Overall survival results presented are those from the pre-specified final analysis for OS. At this point approximately 45% of patients across all treatment arms had died.

 

Table 9            Efficacy results for trial BO17708

 

Progression-free survival

 

Docetaxel

+ Placebo
q 3 weeks

(n=241)

Docetaxel

+ Avastin 7.5 mg/kg q 3 weeks
(n=248)

Docetaxel + Avastin 15 mg/kg q 3 weeks
(n=247)

Median PFS (months)

[updated analysis]

8.0

[8.2]

8.7

[9.0]

8.8

[10.1]

Hazard ratio vs placebo arm (95% CI)

[updated analysis]

 

0.79

(0.63; 0.98)

[0.86]

[(0.72; 1.04)]

0.72

(0.57; 0.90)

[0.77]

[(0.64; 0.93)]

P value (log rank test) vs placebo arm

[exploratory p value from  updated analysis]

 

0.0318

 

[0.1163]

0.0099

 

[0.0061]

Progression-free survival (sensitivity analysis)*

 

Docetaxel

+ Placebo

q 3 weeks

(n=241)

Docetaxel + Avastin

7.5 mg/kg q 3 weeks
(n=248)

Docetaxel + Avastin

15 mg/kg q 3 weeks
(n=247)

Median PFS (months)

[updated analysis]

8.0

[8.1]

8.7

[9.0]

8.8

[10.0]

Hazard ratio vs placebo arm (95% CI)

[updated analysis]

 

0.69

(0.54; 0.89)

[0.80]

[(0.65; 1.00)]

0.61

(0.48; 0.78)

[0.67]

[(0.54; 0.83)]

P value (log rank test) vs placebo arm

[exploratory p value from updated analysis]

 

0.0035

 

[0.0450]

0.0001

 

[0.0002]

Response rates (for patients with measurable disease)

 

Docetaxel

+ Placebo

q 3 weeks
(n=
207)

Docetaxel + Avastin 7.5 mg/kg

q 3 weeks
(n=201)

Docetaxel + Avastin 15 mg/kg

q 3 weeks
(n=206)

% pts with objective response

[updated analysis]

44.4

 

[46.4]

55.2

 

[55.2]

63.1

 

[64.1]

p-value vs placebo arm

[exploratory p value from updated analysis])

 

0.0295

[0.0739]

0.0001

[0.0003]

Overall survival

HR

(95% CI)

 

1.05

(0.81; 1.36)

1.03

(0.79; 1.33)

p-value

 

0.7198

0.8528

* Stratified analysis which included all progression and death events except those where non-protocol therapy (NPT) was initiated prior to documented progression - those patients were censored at the last tumor assessment prior to the start of NPT.

 

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

 

The safety and efficacy of Avastin, in addition to platinum-based chemotherapy, in the first-line treatment of patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), was investigated in trials E4599 and BO17704. An overall survival benefit has been demonstrated in trial E4599 with a 15 mg/kg/q3wk dose of bevacizumab. Trial BO17704 has demonstrated that both 7.5 mg/kg/q3wk and 15 mg/kg/q3wk bevacizumab doses increase progression free survival and response rate.

 

 

Updated on 07 March 2011

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  • Change to, or new use for medicine

Updated on 13 January 2011

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4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

 

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (see section 4.8)

Cases of ONJ have been reported in cancer patients treated with Avastin, the majority of whom had received prior or concomitant treatment with i.v. bisphosphonates, for which ONJ is an identified risk. Invasive dental procedures are identified as an additional risk factor.

Caution should be exercised when Avastin and i.v. bisphosphonates are administered simultaneously or sequentially.

Invasive dental procedures are also an identified risk factor.

A dental examination and appropriate preventive dentistry should be carried out considered prior to starting the treatment with Avastin. In patients who have previously recently received or are receiving i.v. bisphosphonates invasive dental procedures should be avoided, if possible.

 

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

Osteonecrosis of the jaw

Cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) have been reported in patients treated with Avastin, most of which occurred in patients who had identified risk factors for ONJ, in particular exposure to i.v. bisphosphonates and/or a history of dental disease requiring invasive dental procedures (see also section 4.4.)

 

Updated on 11 January 2011

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  • Change to side-effects

Updated on 06 December 2010

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Combination with platinum- or taxane-based therapies (see sections 4.4 and 4.8)

Increased rates of severe neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, or infection with or without severe neutropenia (including some fatalities) have been observed mainly in patients treated with platinum- or taxane-based therapies in the treatment of NSCLC and mBC.

Updated on 09 September 2010

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4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

Eye disorders

Adverse reactions have been reported from unapproved intravitreal use. These reactions included infectious endophthalmitis, intraocular inflammation such as sterile endophthalmitis, uveitis and vitritis, retinal detachment, retinal pigment epithelial tear, intraocular pressure increased, intraocular haemorrhage such as vitreous haemorrhage or retinal haemorrhage and conjunctival haemorrhage. Some of these appeared as serious adverse reactions.

 

Updated on 08 September 2010

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  • Change to side-effects

Updated on 23 July 2010

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  • Change to section 4.6 - Pregnancy and lactation
  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 5.2 - Pharmacokinetic properties
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Special populations

 

Children and adolescents: The safety and efficacy in children and adolescents have not been established. Avastin is not recommended for use in children and adolescents due to a lack of data on safety and efficacy (see section 5.3).

 

Elderly: No dose adjustment is required in the elderly.

 

Renal impairment: The safety and efficacy have not been studied in patients with renal impairment.

 

Hepatic impairment: The safety and efficacy have not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment.

 

Paediatric population

 

The safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in children and adolescents have not been established. There is no relevant use of bevacizumab in the paediatric population in the granted indications. Currently available data are described in section 5.2 and section 5.3 but no recommendation on a posology can be made.

Precautions to be taken before handling or administering the medicinal product

 

For Iinstructions on dilution of the medicinal product before administration, seefor the preparation of Avastin infusions are described in section 6.6. Avastin infusions should not be administered or mixed with glucose solutions. This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.

 

 

4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

Neutropenia and infections (see section 4.8)

Increased rates of severe neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, or infection with or without severe neutropenia (including some fatalities) have been observed in patients treated with some myelotoxic chemotherapy regimens plus Avastin in comparison to chemotherapy alone. This has mainly been seen in combination with platinum- or taxane-based therapies in the treatment of NSCLC and mBC.

 

4.6       Fertility, Ppregnancy and lactation

 

Women of childbearing potential

Women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception during (and up to 6 months) after treatment.

 

Pregnancy

There are no data on the use of Avastin in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity including malformations (see section 5.3). IgGs are known to cross the placenta, and Avastin is anticipated to inhibit angiogenesis in the foetus, and thus is suspected to cause serious birth defects when administered during pregnancy. Avastin is contraindicated in pregnancy (see section 4.3). Women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception during (and up to 6 months after treatment).

 

LactationBreastfeeding

It is not known whether bevacizumab is excreted in human milk. As maternal IgG is excreted in milk and bevacizumab could harm infant growth and development (see section 5.3), women must discontinue breast-feeding during therapy and not breast-feed for at least six months following the last dose of Avastin.

 

Fertility

No specific trials in human or animals have been conducted to study the effect of bevacizumab on fertility. However, repeat dose toxicity studies in animals have shown that bevacizumab may have an adverse effect on female fertility (see section 5.3).

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

Paediatric population

The safety of Avastin in children and adolescents has not been established.

 

System organ class (SOC)

Reactions (frequency*)

Nervous system disorders

Hypertensive encephalopathy (very rare) (see also section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use, and Hypertension in section 4.8 Undesirable Effects)

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (rare) (see also section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use)

Vascular disorders

Renal thrombotic microangiopathy, clinically manifested as proteinuria (frequency not known). For further information on proteinuria see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use, and Proteinuria in section 4.8 Undesirable Effects.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Nasal septum perforation (not known)

Pulmonary hypertension (not known)

Dysphonia (common)

Gastrointestinal disorders

Gastrointestinal ulcer (not known)

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity reactions and infusion reactions (not known); with the following possible co-manifestations: dyspnoea/difficulty breathing, flushing/redness/rash, hypotension or hypertension, oxygen desaturation, chest pain, rigors and nausea/vomiting (see also section 4.4 and Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions above)

                * if specified, the frequency has been derived from clinical trial data

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies, in all subsets of the paediatric population, in breast carcinoma, adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum, lung carcinoma (small cell and non-small cell carcinoma) and kidney and renal pelvis carcinoma (excluding nephroblastoma, nephroblastomatosis, clear cell sarcoma, mesoblastic nephroma, renal medullary carcinoma and rhabdoid tumour of the kidney).

 

5.2       Pharmacokinetic properties

Pharmacokinetics in sSpecial Ppopulations

The population pharmacokinetics were analysed to evaluate the effects of demographic characteristics. The results showed no significant difference in the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab in relation to age.

 

Children and adolescents: The pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab have been studied in a limited number of paediatric patients. The resulting pharmacokinetic data suggest that the volume of distribution and clearance of bevacizumab were comparable to that in adults with solid tumours.

 

Renal impairment: No trials have been conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab in renally impaired patients since the kidneys are not a major organ for bevacizumab metabolism or excretion.

 

Hepatic impairment: No trials have been conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab in patients with hepatic impairment since the liver is not a major organ for bevacizumab metabolism or excretion.

 

Paediatric population

The pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab have been studied in a limited number of paediatric patients. The resulting pharmacokinetic data suggest that the volume of distribution and clearance of bevacizumab were comparable to that in adults with solid tumours.

 

 

Updated on 20 July 2010

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Updated on 14 June 2010

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4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at risk of developing infusion/hypersensitivity reaction. Close observation of the patient during and following the administration of bevacizumab is recommended as expected for any infusion of a therapeutic humanized monoclonal antibody. If a reaction occurs, the infusion should be discontinued and appropriate medical therapies should be administered. A systemic premedication is not warranted.

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions (see section 4.4 and Post-marketing experience below)

In some clinical trials anaphylactic and anaphylactoid-type reactions were reported more frequently in patients receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy than with chemotherapy alone. The incidence of these reactions in some clinical trials of Avastin is common (up to 5% in bevacizumab-treated patients).

 

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity reactions and infusion reactions (not known); with the following possible co-manifestations: dyspnoea/difficulty breathing, flushing/redness/rash, hypotension or hypertension, oxygen desaturation, chest pain, rigors and nausea/vomiting (see also section 4.4 and Hypersensitivity reactions/infusion reactions above)

 

Updated on 10 June 2010

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  • Change to side-effects

Updated on 01 February 2010

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  • Change to section 2 - Qualitative and quantitative composition
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 6.2 - Incompatibilities
  • Change to section 6.5 - Nature and contents of container
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2.         QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

 

Bevacizumab 25 mg per ml. Each ml contains 25 mg of bevacizumab.

Each vial contains 100 mg of bevacizumab in 4 ml and 400 mg in 16 ml respectively, corresponding to 1.4 to 16.5 mg/ml when diluted as recommended.

 

4.2       Posology and method of administration

 

General

 

Avastin must be administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of antineoplastic medicinal products.

 

It is recommended that treatment be continued until progression of the underlying disease.

 

The initial dose should be delivered over 90 minutes as an intravenous infusion. If the first infusion is well tolerated, the second infusion may be administered over 60 minutes. If the 60-minute infusion is well tolerated, all subsequent infusions may be administered over 30-minutes.

 

Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus.

 

Instructions for the preparation of Avastin infusions are described in section 6.6. Avastin infusions should not be administered or mixed with glucose solutions (see section 6.2).

 

Method of administration

 

The initial dose should be delivered over 90 minutes as an intravenous infusion. If the first infusion is well tolerated, the second infusion may be administered over 60 minutes. If the 60-minute infusion is well tolerated, all subsequent infusions may be administered over 30-minutes.

 

Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus.

 

Instructions for the preparation of Avastin infusions are described in section 6.6. Avastin infusions should not be administered or mixed with glucose solutions. This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

 

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antineoplastic agents, monoclonal antibody, ATC code: L01X C07

 

6.2       Incompatibilities

 

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.

 

A concentration dependent degradation profile of bevacizumab was observed when diluted with glucose solutions (5%).

 

6.5       Nature and contents of container

 

Single-use 4 ml solution in a vial (Type I glass) with a stopper (butyl rubber stopper ) containing 100 mg of bevacizumab in 4.
16
 ml of concentrate for solution for infusion.
Single-use
in a vial (Type I glass) with a stopper (butyl rubber stopper ) containing 400 mg of bevacizumab in 16 ml of concentrate for solution for infusion.

 

Pack of 1 vial containing 4 ml.

Pack of 1 vial containing 16 ml.

 

6.6       Special precautions for disposal and other handling

 

Avastin does not contain any antimicrobial preservative; therefore, care must be taken to ensure the sterility of the prepared solution.

 

Avastin should be prepared by a healthcare professional using aseptic technique. Withdraw the  to ensure the sterility of the prepared solution.

 

The necessary amount of bevacizumab should be withdrawn and dilutediluted to the required administration volume with 0.9% sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution for injection. The concentration of the final bevacizumab solution should be kept within the range of 1.4-16.5 mg/ml.

 

Discard any unused portion left in a vial, as the product contains no preservatives. Parenteral medicinal products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration.

 

Avastin is for single-use only, as the product contains no preservatives. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

 

Updated on 22 January 2010

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Updated on 04 August 2009

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  • Change to section 4.5 - Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
  • Change to section 5.1 - Pharmacodynamic properties
  • Change to section 4.1 - Therapeutic indications
  • Change to section 4.2 - Posology and method of administration

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4.1       Therapeutic indications

Avastin in combination with paclitaxel or docetaxel is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. For further information as to HER2 status, please refer to section 5.1.

 

4.2       Posology and method of administration

Dose reduction for adverse events is not recommended. If indicated, therapy should either be permanently discontinued or temporarily suspended as described in section 4.4.

 

4.5       Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

 

Effect of antineoplastic agents on bevacizumab pharmacokinetics

 

No clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction of co-administered chemotherapy on Avastin pharmacokinetics has been observed based on the results of a population PK analysis There was neither statistical significance nor clinically relevant difference in clearance of Avastin in patients receiving Avastin monotherapy compared to patients receiving Avastin in combination with Interferon alpha 2a or other chemotherapies (IFL, 5-FU/LV, carboplatin-paclitaxel, capecitabine doxorubicin or cisplatin/gemcitabine).

 

No clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction of co-administered chemotherapy on Avastin disposition has been observed based on the results of a population PK analysis. There was no difference in clearance of Avastin in patients treated with single-agent Avastin compared to patients receiving Avastin in combination with the bolus‑IFL regimen. The effect of other co-administered chemotherapies on Avastin clearance is considered not clinically significant.

 

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

BO17708

 

Study BO17708 was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre (phase III) trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Avastin in combination with docetaxel compared with docetaxel plus placebo, as first-line treatment for patients with HER2-negative metastatic or locally recurrent breast cancer who have not received prior chemotherapy for their metastatic disease.

 

Patients were randomised in a 1:1:1 ratio to treatment with either

 

     placebo + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks

 

     Avastin 7.5 mg/kg + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks

 

     Avastin 15 mg/kg + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks.

 

Docetaxel, Avastin or placebo treatment was continued until disease progression/death or unacceptable toxicity. Docetaxel treatment was limited to a maximum of 9 cycles.  The patient and disease characteristics were similar across the three arms.

 

On documented disease progression, patients from all three treatment arms could enter into a post-study treatment phase during which they received open-label Avastin together with a wide-range of subsequent lines of therapies. (The percentage of patients in each arm who received open-label Avastin were: placebo + doc: 42%, Avastin 7.5 + doc: 37% and Avastin 15 + doc: 26%).  

The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS), as assessed by investigators. For the efficacy endpoints two comparisons were performed:

 

     Avastin 7.5 mg/kg + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks versus placebo + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks

 

     Avastin 15 mg/kg + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks vs placebo + docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks.

 

The results of this study are presented in Table 9. For progression free survival and response rates this includes results from the pre-specified final analysis and results from an exploratory (updated) analysis carried out at the same time as the pre-specified final OS analysis which included an additional 18 months of follow-up.  Overall survival results presented are those from the pre-specified final analysis for OS.  At this point approximately 45% of patients across all treatment arms had died.

 

Table 9            Efficacy results for study BO17708

 

Progression-free survival

 

Docetaxel

+ Placebo
q 3 weeks

(n=241)

Docetaxel

+ Avastin 7.5 mg/kg  q 3 weeks
(n=248)

Docetaxel + Avastin 15 mg/kg q 3 weeks
(n=247)

Median PFS (months)

[updated analysis]

8.0

[8.2]

8.7

[9.0]

8.8

[10.1]

Hazard ratio vs placebo arm

(95% CI)

[updated analysis]

 

0.79

(0.63; 0.98)

[0.86]

[(0.72; 1.04)]

0.72

(0.57; 0.90)

[0.77]

[(0.64; 0.93)]

P value (log rank test) vs placebo arm

[exploratory p value from  updated analysis]

 

0.0318

 

[0.1163]

0.0099

 

[0.0061]

Progression-free survival (sensitivity analysis)*

 

Docetaxel

+ Placebo

q 3 weeks

(n=241)

Docetaxel + Avastin

7.5 mg/kg q 3 weeks
(n=248)

Docetaxel + Avastin

15 mg/kg q 3 weeks
(n=247)

Median PFS (months)

[updated analysis]

8.0

[8.1]

8.7

[9.0]

8.8

[10.0]

Hazard ratio vs placebo arm (95% CI)

[updated analysis]

 

0.69

(0.54; 0.89)

[0.80]

[(0.65; 1.00)]

0.61

(0.48; 0.78)

[0.67]

[(0.54; 0.83)]

P value (log rank test) vs placebo arm

[exploratory p value from updated analysis]

 

0.0035

 

[0.0450]

0.0001

 

[0.0002]

Response rates (for patients with measurable disease)

 

Docetaxel

+ Placebo

q 3 weeks
(n=207)

Docetaxel

+ Avastin 7.5 mg/kg

q 3 weeks
(n=201)

Docetaxel + Avastin 15 mg/kg

q 3 weeks
(n=206)

% pts with objective response

[updated analysis]

44.4

 

[46.4]

55.2

 

[55.2]

63.1

 

[64.1]

p-value vs placebo arm

[exploratory p value from updated analysis])

 

0.0295

[0.0739]

0.0001

[0.0003]

Overall Survival

HR

(95% CI)

 

1.05

(0.81; 1.36)

1.03

(0.79; 1.33)

p-value

 

0.7198

0.8528

* Stratified analysis which included all progression and death events except those where non-protocol therapy (NPT) was initiated prior to documented progression - those patients were censored at the last tumor assessment prior to the start of NPT.

 

The primary endpoint was overall survival, with secondary endpoints for the study including progression-free survival. The addition of Avastin to IFN-alpha-2a significantly increased PFS and objective tumour response rate. These results have been confirmed through an independent radiological review. However, the increase in the primary endpoint of overall survival by 2 months was not significant (HR= 0.91). A high proportion of patients (approximately 63% IFN/placebo; 55% Avastin/IFN) received a variety of non-specified post-study anti-cancer therapies, including antineoplastic agents, which may have impacted the analysis of overall survival.

 

 

Overall Survival

 

 

Median (months)

21.3

23.3

Hazard ratio

95% CI

0.91

0.76, 1.10

(p-value 0.3360)

 

An exploratory multivariate Cox regression model using backward selection indicated, that the following baseline prognostic factors were strongly associated with survival independent of treatment: gender , white blood cell count, platelets, body weight loss in the 6 months prior to study entry, number of metastatic sites, sum of longest diameter of target lesions, Motzer score. Adjustment for these baseline factors resulted in a treatment hazard ratio of 0.78 (95% CI [0.63;0.96], p = 0.0219), indicating a 22% reduction in the risk of death for patients in the Avastin+ IFN alfa-2a arm compared to IFN alfa-2a arm.

 

Ninety seven (97) patients in the IFN alfa-2a arm and 131 patients in the Avastin arm reduced the dose of IFN alfa-2a from 9 MIU to either 6 or 3 MIU three times a week as pre-specified in the protocol. Dose-reduction of IFN alfa-2a did not appear to affect the efficacy of the combination of Avastin and IFN alfa-2a based on PFS event free rates over time, as shown by a sub-group analysis. The 131 patients in the Avastin + IFN alfa-2a arm who reduced and maintained the IFN alfa-2a dose at 6 or 3 MIU during the study, exhibited at 6, 12 and 18 months PFS event free rates of 73, 52 and 21% respectively, as compared to 61, 43 and 17% in the total population of patients receiving Avastin + IFN alfa-2a.

 

Distribution

The typical value for central volume (Vc) was 2.73 L and 3.28 L for female and male patients respectively, which is in the range that has been described for IgGs and other monoclonal antibodies. The typical value for peripheral volume (Vp) was 1.69 L and 2.35 L for female and male patients respectively, when bevacizumab is coadministered with anti-neoaplastic agents. After correcting for body weight, male patients had a larger Vc (+ 20%) than female patients.

Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis of 491 subjects receiving Avastin weekly, every 2 weeks, or every 3 weeks, in doses ranging from 1 to 20 mg/kg, the volume of the central compartment (Vc) was 2.92 l. Results also indicated that, after correcting for body weight, male subjects had a larger Vc (+ 22%) than females.

 

Metabolism

Assessment of bevacizumab metabolism in rabbits following a single IV dose of 125I-bevacizumab indicated that its metabolic profile was similar to that expected for a native IgG molecule which does not bind VEGF. The metabolism and elimination of bevacizumab is similar to endogenous IgG i.e. primarily via proteolytic catabolism throughout the body, including endothelial cells, and does not rely primarily on elimination through the kidneys and liver. Binding of the IgG to the FcRn receptor result in protection from cellular metabolism and the long terminal half-life.

 

Elimination

The value for clearance is, on average, equal to 0.188 and 0.220 L/day for female and male patients, respectively. After correcting for body weight, male patients had a higher bevacizumab clearance (+ 17%) than females. According to the two-compartmental model, the elimination half-life is 18 days for a typical female patient and 20 days for a typical male patient.

 

Low albumin and high tumour burden are generally indicative of disease severity. Bevacizumab clearance was approximately 30% faster in patients with low levels of serum albumin and 7% faster in subjects with higher tumour burden when compared with a typical patient with median values of albumin and tumour burden.

Bevacizumab clearance was 0.231 l/day. The volume of the central compartment (Vc) and clearance correspond to an initial half‑life of 1.4 days and a terminal half‑life of about 20 days. This half‑life is consistent with the terminal elimination half‑life for human endogenous IgG, which is 18 to 23 days. In patients with low albumin (£ 29g/l) and high alkaline phosphatase (³ 484U/l) (both markers of disease severity), clearance was approximately 20% higher than in patients with median laboratory values.

 

 

Updated on 30 July 2009

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  • Change to warnings or special precautions for use

Updated on 08 April 2009

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  • Change to section 4.3 - Contraindications
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  • Change to section 4.6 - Pregnancy and lactation
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4.3       Contraindications

           Avastin is contraindicated in patients with untreated CNS metastases (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).

 

4.4       Special warnings and precautions for use

Haemorrhage

The risk of CNS haemorrhage in patients with CNS metastases receiving Avastin could not be fully evaluated, as these patients were excluded from clinical trials. Thus, Avastin should not be used in these patients (see sections 4.3 and 4.8).

 

Patients treated with Avastin have an increased risk of haemorrhage, especially tumour-associated haemorrhage. Avastin should be discontinued permanently in patients who experience Grade 3 or 4 bleeding during Avastin therapy (see section 4.8).

 

Patients with untreated CNS metastases were routinely excluded from clinical trials with Avastin, based on imaging procedures or signs and symptoms. Therefore, the risk of CNS haemorrhage in such patients has not been prospectively evaluated in randomised clinical studies (see section 4.8). Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of CNS bleeding, and Avastin treatment discontinued in case of intracranial bleeding.

 

4.5       Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Results from one study in metastatic colorectal cancer patients demonstrated no significant effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine and its metabolites, and on the pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin, as determined by measurement of free and total platinum.

 

4.6       Pregnancy and lactation

 

Pregnancy

There are no data on the use of Avastin in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity including malformations (see section 5.3). IgGs are known to cross the placenta, and Avastin is anticipated to inhibit angiogenesis in the foetus, and thus is suspected to cause serious birth defects when administered during pregnancy. Avastin is contraindicated (see section 4.3) in pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception during (and up to 6 months after) treatment).

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

 

Proteinuria ranged in severity from clinically asymptomatic, transient, trace proteinuria to nephrotic syndrome, with the great majority as Grade 1 proteinuria. Grade 3 proteinuria was reported in < 3% of treated patients: however, in patients treated for advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma this was up to 7%. Grade 4 proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) was seen in up to 1.4% of treated patients.

Tumour-associated haemorrhage was also seen rarely in other tumour types and locations, including a cases of central nervous system (CNS) bleeding in a patients with hepatoma with occult CNS metastases (see section 4.43) and another patient who developed continuous oozing of blood from a thigh sarcoma with necrosis.

 

The incidence of CNS bleeding in patients with untreated CNS metastases receiving bevacizumab has not been prospectively evaluated in randomised clinical studies. In an exploratory retrospective analysis of data from 13 completed randomised trials in patients with various tumour types, 3 patients out of 91 (3.3%) with brain metastases experienced CNS bleeding (all Grade 4) when treated with bevacizumab, compared to 1 case (Grade 5) out of 96 patients (1%) that were not exposed to bevacizumab. In two ongoing studies in patients with treated brain metastases, one case of Grade 2 CNS haemorrhage was reported in 83 subjects treated with bevacizumab (1.2%) at the time of interim safety analysis.

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

E4599

E4599 was an open-label, randomised, active-controlled, multicentre clinical trial evaluating Avastin as first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced (stage IIIb with malignant pleural effusion), metastatic or recurrent NSCLC other than predominantly squamous cell histology.

BO17704

Study BO17704 was a randomised, double-blind phase III study of Avastin in addition to cisplatin and gemcitabine versus placebo, cisplatin and gemcitabine in patients with locally advanced (stage IIIb with supraclavicular lymph node metastases or with malignant pleural or pericardial effusion), metastatic or recurrent non-squamous NSCLC, who had not received prior chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS), secondary endpoints for the study included the duration of overall survival.

 

Patients were randomised to platinum-based chemotherapy, cisplatin 80 mg/m2 i.v. infusion on day 1 and gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 i.v. infusion on days 1 and 8 of every 3-week cycle for up to 6 cycles (CG) with placebo or CG with Avastin at a dose of 7.5 or 15 mg/kg IV infusion day 1 of every 3-week cycle. In the Avastin-containing arms, patients could receive Avastin as a single-agent every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Study results show that 94% (277 / 296) of eligible patients went on to receive single agent bevacizumab at cycle 7. A high proportion of patients (approximately 62%) went on to receive a variety of non-protocol specified anti-cancer therapies, which may have impacted the analysis of overall survival.

 

Overall Survival

Median (months)

13.1

13.6

(p = 0.4203)

13.4

(p = 0.7613)

Hazard ratio

 

0.93
[0.78; 1.11]

1.03
[0.86, 1.23]

At the data cut-off, 505 progression events had occurred, 111 patients remained on treatment, 287 had discontinued (discontinuations of trial treatment due to AEs were 12% with IFN alfa-2a vs. 28% with IFN alfa-2a +Avastin), and 251 died. Ninety seven (97) patients in the IFN alfa-2a arm and 131 patients in the Avastin arm reduced the dose of IFN alfa-2a from 9 MIU to either 6 or 3 MIU three times a week as pre-specified in the protocol. Dose-reduction of IFN alfa-2a did not appear to affect the efficacy of the combination of Avastin and IFN alfa-2a based on PFS event free rates over time, as shown by a sub-group analysis. The 131 patients in the Avastin + IFN alfa-2a arm who reduced and maintained the IFN alfa-2a dose at 6 or 3 MIU during the study, exhibited at 6, 12 and 18 months PFS event free rates of 73, 52 and 21% respectively, as compared to 61, 43 and 17% in the total population of patients receiving Avastin + IFN alfa-2a. The addition of Avastin to IFN alfa-2a significantly increased PFS and objective tumour response rate (Table 11). Investigator-assessed median PFS was 10.2 months for Avastin plus IFN-alfa-2a, and 5.4 months for placebo plus IFN-alfa-2a (see Table 11). An independent review of progression and response assessments confirmed the investigator-assessed PFS and ORR results. The overall survival (OS) data were not mature at the time of the interim final PFS analysis.

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

E4599

E4599 was an open-label, randomised, active-controlled, multicentre clinical trial evaluating Avastin as first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced (stage IIIb with malignant pleural effusion), metastatic or recurrent NSCLC other than predominantly squamous cell histology.

BO17704

Study BO17704 was a randomised, double-blind phase III study of Avastin in addition to cisplatin and gemcitabine versus placebo, cisplatin and gemcitabine in patients with locally advanced (stage IIIb with supraclavicular lymph node metastases or with malignant pleural or pericardial effusion), metastatic or recurrent non-squamous NSCLC, who had not received prior chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS), secondary endpoints for the study included the duration of overall survival.

 

Patients were randomised to platinum-based chemotherapy, cisplatin 80 mg/m2 i.v. infusion on day 1 and gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 i.v. infusion on days 1 and 8 of every 3-week cycle for up to 6 cycles (CG) with placebo or CG with Avastin at a dose of 7.5 or 15 mg/kg IV infusion day 1 of every 3-week cycle. In the Avastin-containing arms, patients could receive Avastin as a single-agent every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Study results show that 94% (277 / 296) of eligible patients went on to receive single agent bevacizumab at cycle 7. A high proportion of patients (approximately 62%) went on to receive a variety of non-protocol specified anti-cancer therapies, which may have impacted the analysis of overall survival.

 

Overall Survival

Median (months)

13.1

13.6

(p = 0.4203)

13.4

(p = 0.7613)

Hazard ratio

 

0.93
[0.78; 1.11]

1.03
[0.86, 1.23]

At the data cut-off, 505 progression events had occurred, 111 patients remained on treatment, 287 had discontinued (discontinuations of trial treatment due to AEs were 12% with IFN alfa-2a vs. 28% with IFN alfa-2a +Avastin), and 251 died. Ninety seven (97) patients in the IFN alfa-2a arm and 131 patients in the Avastin arm reduced the dose of IFN alfa-2a from 9 MIU to either 6 or 3 MIU three times a week as pre-specified in the protocol. Dose-reduction of IFN alfa-2a did not appear to affect the efficacy of the combination of Avastin and IFN alfa-2a based on PFS event free rates over time, as shown by a sub-group analysis. The 131 patients in the Avastin + IFN alfa-2a arm who reduced and maintained the IFN alfa-2a dose at 6 or 3 MIU during the study, exhibited at 6, 12 and 18 months PFS event free rates of 73, 52 and 21% respectively, as compared to 61, 43 and 17% in the total population of patients receiving Avastin + IFN alfa-2a. The addition of Avastin to IFN alfa-2a significantly increased PFS and objective tumour response rate (Table 11). Investigator-assessed median PFS was 10.2 months for Avastin plus IFN-alfa-2a, and 5.4 months for placebo plus IFN-alfa-2a (see Table 11). An independent review of progression and response assessments confirmed the investigator-assessed PFS and ORR results. The overall survival (OS) data were not mature at the time of the interim final PFS analysis.

10.       DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

 

29 August 2008

25 March 2009

 

Updated on 08 April 2009

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Updated on 17 December 2008

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Updated on 23 September 2008

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4.5       Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

 

Combination of bevacizumab and sunitinib malate

 

In two clinical studies of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA) was reported in 7 of 19 patients treated with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg every two weeks) and sunitinib malate (50 mg daily) combination.

 

MAHA is a haemolytic disorder which can present with red cell fragmentation, anaemia, and thrombocytopenia. In addition, hypertension (including hypertensive crisis), elevated creatinine, and neurological symptoms were observed in some of these patients. All of these findings were reversible upon discontinuation of bevacizumab and sunitinib malate (see Hypertension, Proteinuria, RPLS in section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use).

 

Radiotherapy

 

The safety and efficacy of concomitant administration of radiotherapy and Avastin has not been established.

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS) (see section 4.4)

There have been rare reports of Avastin-treated patients developing signs and symptoms that are consistent with Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), a rare neurological disorder, which can present with the following signs and symptoms among others: seizures, headache, altered mental status, visual disturbance or cortical blindness, with or without associated hypertension.

 

Other adverse events reported in post-marketing setting: nasal septum perforation, pulmonary hypertension.

Post-marketing experience:

Table 2:         Adverse reactions reported in post-marketing setting

 

System Organ Class (SOC)

Reactions (frequency*)

Nervous system disorders

Hypertensive encephalopathy (very rare) (see also section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use, and Hypertension in section 4.8 Undesirable Effects)

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (rare) (see also section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use)

Vascular Disorders

Renal Thrombotic Microangiopathy, clinically manifested as proteinuria (frequency not known). For further information on proteinuria see section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use, and Proteinuria in section 4.8 Undesirable Effects.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Nasal septum perforation (not known)

Pulmonary hypertension (not known)

Dysphonia (common)

 

 

Updated on 23 September 2008

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4.8              Undesirable effects

 

Nasal Septum Perforations:

Very rare cases of nasal septum perforations have been reported in patients treated with Avastin.

 

In the clinical trials in NSCLC an increase of the overall incidence of venous thromboembolic events with Grade 3-5 venous thromboembolic events have been reported in up to 7.8% of patients treated with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab severity was observed of up to 5.6% in the Avastin containing arm compared with up to 4.93.2% in patients treated with the chemotherapy alone control arm. One event (0.2%) was fatal on the Avastin containing arm compared to none in the carboplatin-paclitaxel arm.

 

Other adverse events reported in post-marketing setting: nasal septum perforation, pulmonary hypertension.

 

5.1              Pharmacodynamic properties

 

Mechanism of action

Bevacizumab binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the key driver of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, and thereby inhibits the binding of VEGF to its receptors, Flt‑1 (VEGFR-1) and KDR (VEGFR-2), on the surface of endothelial cells. Neutralising the biological activity of VEGF regresses the vascularisation of tumours, normalises remaining tumour vasculature, and inhibits the formation of new tumour vasculature reduces the vascularisation of tumours, thereby inhibiting tumour growth.

 

In Study E2100, patients were treated until disease progression. In situations where early discontinuation of chemotherapy was required, treatment with Avastin as a single agent continued until disease progression. The patient characteristics were similar across the study arms. The primary endpoint of this trial was progression free survival (PFS), based on study investigators’ assessment of disease progression. In addition, an independent review of the primary endpoint was also conducted. The results of this study are presented in Table 7.

 

Progression-free survival

 

 

Investigator Assessment*

IRF Assessment

 

Paclitaxel

(n=354)

Paclitaxel/Avastin

(n=368)

Paclitaxel

(n=354)

Paclitaxel/Avastin

(n=368)

Median PFS (months)

5.8

11.4

5.8

11.3

HR

(95% CI)

0.421

(0.343 ; 0.516)

0.483

(0.385 ; 0.607)

p-value

<0.0001

<0.0001

Response rates (for patients with measurable disease)

 

Investigator Assessment

IRF Assessment

 

Paclitaxel

(n=243)

Paclitaxel/Avastin

(n=229)

Paclitaxel

(n=243)

Paclitaxel/Avastin

(n=229)

% pts with objective response

23.4

48.0

22.2

49.8

p-value

<0.0001

<0.0001

 

 

 

* primary analysis

 

Overall Survival

 

Paclitaxel

(n=354)

Paclitaxel/Avastin

(n=368)

Median OS (months)

24.8

26.5

HR 

(95% CI)

0.869

(0.722 ; 1.046)

p-value

0.1374

 

 

5.2              Pharmacokinetic properties

 

Pharmacokinetics in Special Populations

The population pharmacokinetics were analysed to evaluate the effects of demographic characteristics. The results showed no significant difference in the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab in relation to age.

 

Children and adolescents: No studies have been conducted to investigate the The pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab have been studied in a limited number of paediatric patients. The resulting pharmacokinetic data suggest that the volume of distribution and clearance of bevacizumab were comparable to that in adults with solid tumours.

 

Updated on 12 February 2008

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Updated on 29 January 2008

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4.1       Therapeutic indications

Avastin in combination with interferon alfa-2a is indicated for first line treatment of patients with advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer.

 

4.2       Posology and method of administration

Advanced and/or metastatic Renal Cell Cancer (mRCC)

 

The recommended dose of Avastin is 10 mg/kg of body weight given once every 2 weeks as an intravenous infusion.

 

4.5       Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

 

Effect of antineoplastic agents on bevacizumab pharmacokinetics

 

No clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction of co-administered chemotherapy on Avastin disposition has been observed based on the results of a population PK analysis. There was no difference in clearance of Avastin in patients treated with single-agent Avastin compared to patients receiving Avastin in combination with the bolus‑IFL regimen. The effect of other co-administered chemotherapies on Avastin clearance is considered not clinically significant.

 

Effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetics of other antineoplastic agents

 

Results from a dedicated drug-drug interaction study, demonstrated no significant effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetics of irinotecan and its active metabolite SN38.

 

Results from one study in metastatic colorectal cancer patients demonstrated no significant effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetic of capecitabine and its metabolites, and on the pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin, as determined by measurement of free and total platinum.

 

Results from one study in renal cancer patients demonstrated no significant effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetics of interferon alfa-2a.

 

4.8       Undesirable effects

Within each frequency grouping adverse drug reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness. Some of the adverse drug reactions are reactions commonly seen with chemotherapy, (e.g. palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome with capecitabine and peripheral sensory neuropathy with paclitaxel or oxaliplatin); however, an exacerbation by Avastin therapy can not be excluded.

 

Proteinuria (see section 4.4):

 

Proteinuria ranged in severity from clinically asymptomatic, transient, trace proteinuria to nephrotic syndrome, with the great majority as Grade 1 proteinuria. Grade 3 proteinuria was reported in< 3% of treated patients: however, in patients treated up to 7% of patients treated for advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma this was up to 7%.

 

Across clinical trials, the following Grade 3 and 4 laboratory abnormalities occurred in patients treated with Avastin with at least a 2% difference compared to the corresponding control groups: hyperglycaemia, decreased haemoglobin, hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, decreased white blood cell count, increased international normalised ratio (INR). were seen with an increased (³ 2%) incidence in patients treated with Avastin compared to those in the control groups: hyperglycaemia, decreased haemoglobin, hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, decreased white blood cell count, increased prothrombine time and normalised ratio.

 

5.1       Pharmacodynamic properties

Advanced and/or metastatic Renal Cell Cancer (mRCC)

 

Avastin in Combination with Interferon alfa-2a for the First-Line Treatment of Advance and/ or Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer (BO17705)

 

This was a phase III randomised double-blind trial conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Avastin in combination with interferon (IFN) alfa-2a (Roferon®) versus IFN alfa-2a alone as first-line treatment in mRCC. The 649 randomizsed patients (641 treated) had Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) of ≥ 70%, no CNS metastases and adequate organ function. Patients were nephrectomised for primary renal cell carcinoma. Avastin 10 mg/kg was given every 2 weeks until disease progression. IFN alfa-2a was given up to 52 weeks or until disease progression at a recommended starting dose of 9 MIU three times a week, allowing a dose reduction to 3 MIU three times a week in 2 steps. Patients were stratified according to country and Motzer score and the treatment arms were shown to be well balanced for the prognostic factors. At the data cut-off, 505 progression events had occurred, 111 patients remained on treatment, 287 had discontinued (discontinuations of trial treatment due to AEs were 12% with IFN alfa-2a vs. 28% with IFN alfa-2a +/Avastin), and 251 died. Ninety seven (97) patients in the IFN alfa-2a arm and 131 patients in the Avastin arm reduced the dose of IFN alfa-2a  from 9 MIU to either 6 or 3 MIU three times a week as pre-specified in the protocol. Dose-reduction of IFN alfa-2a did not appear to affect the efficacy of the combination of Avastin and IFN alfa-2a based on PFS event free rates over time, as shown by a sub-group analysis. The 131 patients in the bevacizumabAvastin + IFN alfa-2a arm who reduced and maintained the IFN alfa-2a dose at 6 or 3 MIU during the study, exhibited at 6, 12 and 18 months PFS event free rates of 73, 52 and 21% respectively, as compared to 61, 43 and 17% in the total population of patients receiving bevacizumabAvastin + IFN alfa-2a. The addition of Avastin to IFN alfa-2a significantly increased PFS and objective tumour response rate (Table 8). The overall survival (OS) data were not mature at the time of the interim analysis.

 

Table 8            Efficacy Results for Study BO17705

 

 

BO17705

 

Placebo+ IFNa

Bvb + IFNa

Number of Patients

322

327

Progression-Free Survival

 

 

Median (months)

5.4

10.2

Hazard ratio

95% CI

0.63

0.52, 0.75

(p-value < 0.0001)

Objective Response Rate (%) in Patients with Measurable Disease

                n

 

 

289

 

 

306

Response rate

12.8%

31.4 %

 

(p-value < 0.0001)

a Interferon alfa-2a 9 MIU 3x/week

b Bevacizumab 10 mg/kg q 2 wk

 

 

AVF2938

 

This was a randomised, double-blind, phase II clinical study investigating Avastin 10 mg/kg in a 2 weekly schedule with the same dose of Avastin  in combination with 150 mg daily erlotinib, in patients with metastatic clear cell RCC. A total of 104 patients were randomised to treatment in this study, 53 to Avastin 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks plus placebo and 51 to Avastin 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks plus erlotinib 150 mg daily. The analysis of the primary endpoint showed no difference between the Avastin + Placebo arm and the Avastin + Erlotinib arm (median PFS 8.5 versus 9.9 months). Seven patients in each arm had an objective response. The addition of erlotinib to bevacizumab did not result in an improvement in OS (HR = 1.764; p=0.1789), duration of objective response (6.7 vs 9.1 months) or time to symptom progression (HR = 1.172; p = 0.5076).

 

AVF0890

 

This was a randomised phase II trial conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab versus placebo. A total of 116 patients were randomizsed to receive bevacizumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks (n=39), 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks; (n=37), or placebo (n=40). An interim analysis showed there was a significant prolongation of the time to progression of disease in the 10 mg/kg group as compared with the placebo group (hazard ratio, 2.55; p<0.001). There was a small difference, of borderline significance, between the time to progression of disease in the 3 mg/kg group and that in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.26; p=0.053). Four patients had objective (partial) response, and all of these had received the 10 mg/kg dose bevacizumab; the ORR for the 10 mg/kg dose was 10%.

 

 

5.2       Pharmacokinetic properties

Metabolism

Assessment of bevacizumab metabolism in rabbits following a single IV dose of 125I-bevacizumab indicated that its metabolic profile was similar to that expected for a native IgG molecule which does not bind VEGF. The metabolism and elimination of bevacizumab is similar to endogenous IgG i.e. primarily via proteolytic catabolism throughout the body, including endothelial cells, and does not rely primarily on elimination through the kidneys and liver.  Binding of the IgG to the FcRn receptor result in protection from cellular metabolism and the long terminal half-life.

 

Pharmacokinetics in Special Populations

 

Renal impairment: No studies have been conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab in renally impaired patients since the kidneys are not a major organ for bevacizumab metabolism or excretion.

 

Hepatic impairment: No studies have been conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetics of bevacizumab in patients with hepatic impairment since the liver is not a major organ for bevacizumab metabolism or excretion.

 

Updated on 29 January 2008

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Updated on 12 December 2007

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Updated on 12 November 2007

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4.4              Special warnings and precautions for use

 

Fistulae (see section 4.8)

Patients may be at increased risk for the development of fistulae when treated with Avastin.

Permanently discontinue Avastin in patients with TE (tracheoesophageal) fistula or any grade 4 fistula. Limited information is available on the continued use of Avastin in patients with other fistulae.
In cases of internal fistula not arising in the GI tract, discontinuation of Avastin should be considered

 

 

4.8              Undesirable effects

 

Table 1:          Very Common and Common Adverse Drug Reactions

 

Very common

 

Blood and the lymphatic systems disorders

Leucopenia

Thrombocytopenia

Neutropenia

 

Further information on selected serious adverse drug reactions:

 

Gastrointestinal perforations (see section 4.4):

Avastin has been associated with serious cases of gastrointestinal perforation or fistulae (see also under heading Fistulae).

Fistulae (see section 4.4):

Avastin use has been associated with serious cases of fistulae including events resulting in death.

 

In clinical trials, gastrointestinal fistulae have been reported with an incidence of up to 2% in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, but were also reported less commonly in patients with other types of cancers. Uncommon (¡Ý 0.1% to < 1%) reports of other types of fistulae that involve areas of the body other than the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. bronchopleural, urogenital and biliary fistulae) were observed across various indications. Fistulae have also been reported in post-marketing experience.  

 

Events were reported at various time points during treatment ranging from one week to greater than
1 year from initiation of Avastin, with most events occurring within the first 6 months of therapy.

 

6.6       Special precautions for disposal and other handling

Avastin should be prepared by a healthcare professional using aseptic technique. Withdraw the necessary amount of bevacizumab and dilute to the required administration volume with 0.9% sodium chloride (0.9%) solution for injection. The concentration of the final bevacizumab solution should be kept within the range of 1.4-16.5 mg/ml., up to a total volume of 100 ml. For heavier patients receiving doses of 10 or 15 mg/kg, the dose may be made up to 200 or 250 ml with sodium chloride (0.9%) solution.

 

Updated on 12 November 2007

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Updated on 29 August 2007

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Updated on 03 May 2007

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Updated on 01 May 2007

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Updated on 13 April 2007

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Updated on 19 July 2006

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Section 4.4

 

Text in red and underlined text has been added, text with strike through has been deleted:

 

Gastrointestinal perforations (see section 4.8)

Patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum and an intra‑abdominal inflammatory process may be at an increased risk for the development of gastrointestinal perforation when treated with Avastin. and chemotherapy. Therefore, Intra-abdominal inflammatory process may be a risk factor for gastrointestinal perforations in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum, therefore, caution should be exercised when treating these patients. Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation.

 

In patients with severe hypertension requiring medical therapy, temporary interruption of Avastin is recommended until adequate control is achieved. If hypertension cannot be controlled with medical therapy, treatment should be permanently discontinued. Therapy should be permanently discontinued in patients who develop hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy.

 

Reversible Posterior Leucoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS) (see section 4.8)

There have been rare reports of Avastin-treated patients developing signs and symptoms that are consistent with Reversible Posterior Leucoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), a rare neurologic disorder, which can present with the following signs and symptoms among others: seizures, headache, altered mental status, visual disturbance, or cortical blindness, with or without associated hypertension.

Brain imaging confirms the diagnosis of RPLS. In patients developing RPLS, treatment of specific symptoms including control of hypertension is recommended along with discontinuation of Avastin. The safety of reinitiating Avastin therapy in patients previously experiencing RPLS is not known.

 

Section 4.8

 

Text in red and underlined text has been added, text with strike through has been deleted:

 

Gastrointestinal perforations (see section 4.4):

Avastin has been associated with serious cases of gastrointestinal perforation. in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.

 

Nasal Septum Perforations:

Very rare cases of nasal septum perforations have been reported in patients treated with Avastin.

 

Hypertension (see section 4.4):

An increased incidence of hypertension has been observed in Avastin-treated patients. Hypertension was generally treated with oral anti‑hypertensives such as angiotensin‑converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics and calcium-channel blockers. It rarely resulted in discontinuation of Avastin treatment (0.7% of all Avastin-treated patients) or hospitalisation., and resulted in hypertensive encephalopathy in one case (0.1%). Very rare cases of hypertensive encephalopathy have been reported, some of which were fatal. The risk of Avastin-associated hypertension did not correlate with the patients’ baseline characteristics, underlying disease or concomitant therapy.

 

Reversible Posterior Leucoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS) (see section 4.4).

There have been rare reports of Avastin-treated patients developing signs and symptoms that are consistent with Reversible Posterior Leucoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), a rare neurologic disorder, which can present with the following signs and symptoms among others: seizures, headache, altered mental status, visual disturbance or cortical blindness, with or without associated hypertension.

 

Tumour‑associated haemorrhage was observed in phase I and phase II studies. In patients with non‑small cell lung cancer receiving Avastin, serious haemorrhage was observed in six patients (9 % (6% fatal) of treated patients) in one phase II study. Four cases (two thirds of patients with serious haemorrhage) resulted in a fatal outcome. These events occurred suddenly and presented as major or massive haemoptysis in patients with either squamous cell histology and/or tumours located in the centre of the chest in close proximity to major blood vessels. In some cases, these haemorrhages were preceded by cavitation and/or necrosis of the tumour.

 

Section 10

 

Date of revision of the text July 2006

Updated on 19 July 2006

Reasons for updating

  • Change to side-effects
  • Change to date of revision

Updated on 11 January 2006

Reasons for updating

  • Change to section 4.8 - Undesirable effects
  • Change to section 7 - Marketing authorisation holder
  • Change to section 10 - Date of revision of the text
  • Addition of legal category

Legal category:Product subject to medical prescription which may not be renewed (A)

Updated on 11 January 2006

Reasons for updating

  • Change to date of revision
  • Improved electronic presentation

Updated on 10 March 2005

Reasons for updating

  • New SPC for new product

Legal category:Product subject to medical prescription which may not be renewed (A)

Updated on 10 March 2005

Reasons for updating

  • New PIL for new product