Experience of the nivolumab use in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma provided under the expanded access program in Russia. Subgroup analysis of the correlation between expression markers and the effectiveness of nivolumab therapy

Nivolumab was registered in Russia in December 2016 as a monotherapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and it remains a second‑line treatment choice for patients with disease progression after the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Even though immunotherapy has already proven to be an effective approach for the treatment of RCC, predictive biomarkers for the rational selection of patients remain unidentified.Seventy‑five patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who received nivolumab in the 2nd and subsequent lines of therapy from 2015 to 2020 under the expanded access program were enrolled in this study. The objective response rate was 21,3 %. Median progression‑free survival (PFS) was 5,5 months. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached.To analyze molecular biomarkers correlated with the response to immunotherapeutic treatment, we performed whole‑transcriptome RNA sequencing of 16 samples (FFPE) in 15 patients with the assessment of the expression level for individual genes (PDCD1, CD274, CD8A, CD8B, CD4) and gene signatures (Angio, Teff, Myeloid Inflammation).Disease control rates were not different for the subgroups of patients with high and low expression of any of the signatures examined, and further principal component analysis did not reveal clustering of patients with and without objective response.Further studies on a larger sample of patients will help confirm or deny the predictive role of biomarkers selected for analysis in a heterogeneous population of RCC patients.

Blinatumomab In pediatric relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: RIALTO expanded access study final analysis

The safety and efficacy of blinatumomab, a CD3/CD19-directed bispecific T-cell engager molecule, for treatment of pediatric relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL) were examined in an open-label, single-arm, expanded access study (RIALTO). Children (>28 days, <18 years) with CD19+ R/R B-ALL received up to five cycles of blinatumomab by continuous infusion (cycle: 4 weeks on/2 weeks off). The primary endpoint was incidence of adverse events. Secondary endpoints included complete response (CR) and measurable residual disease (MRD) response within the first two cycles, relapse-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) after treatment. At final data cutoff (1/10/20), 110 patients were enrolled (median age, 8.5 years; 88% ≥5% blasts at baseline). Blinatumomab treatment resulted in a low incidence of grade 3-4 cytokine release syndrome (n=2 [1.8%]) and neurologic events (n=4 [3.6%]). No blinatumomab-related fatal adverse events were reported. The probability of response was not affected by the presence of cytogenetic/molecular abnormalities. Median OS was 14.6 months (95%CI: 11.0─not estimable) and was significantly greater for MRD responders versus MRD non-responders (not estimable vs 9.3; HR 0.18, 95%CI: 0.08─0.39). One-year OS probability was higher for patients who received alloHSCT versus without alloHSCT post-blinatumomab (87% versus 29%). Median RFS for MRD responders (n=57) was 8.0 months (95%CI:3.4─10.1) versus 2.8 months (95%CI: 0.3─9.2) for MRD non-responders (n=10). Of patients achieving CR after 2 cycles, 73.5% (95%CI: 61.4%-83.5%) proceeded to alloHSCT. These findings support the use of blinatumomab as a safe and efficacious treatment for pediatric R/R B-ALL. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02187354)

Real-world data from expanded access programmes in health technology assessments: a review of NICE technology appraisals

ObjectivesTo quantify and characterise the usage of expanded access (EA) data in National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals (TAs). EA offers patients who are ineligible for clinical trials or registered treatment options, access to investigational therapies. Although EA programmes are increasingly used to collect real-world data, it is unknown if and how these date are used in NICE health technology assessments.DesignCross-sectional study of NICE appraisals (2010–2020). We automatically downloaded and screened all available appraisal documentation on NICE website (over 8500 documents), searching for EA-related terms. Two reviewers independently labelled the EA usage by disease area, and whether it was used to inform safety, efficacy and/or resource use. We qualitatively describe the five appraisals with the most occurrences of EA-related terms.Primary outcome measureNumber of TAs that used EA data to inform safety, efficacy and/or resource use analyses.ResultsIn 54.2% (206/380 appraisals), at least one reference to EA was made. 21.1% (80/380) of the TAs used EA data to inform safety (n=43), efficacy (n=47) and/or resource use (n=52). The number of TAs that use EA data remained stable over time, and the extent of EA data utilisation varied by disease area (p=0.001).ConclusionNICE uses EA data in over one in five appraisals. In synthesis with evidence from well-controlled trials, data collected from EA programmes may meaningfully inform cost-effectiveness modelling.

A qualitative exploration of families’ experiences and resilience factors during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted widespread changes and challenges worldwide. In the context of the early months of the pandemic, the current study utilized thematic analysis to assess parents’ ( N = 13) perspectives of need for resources to foster their family’s wellbeing. Five themes emerged: Information Deficits, Need for More Instrumental Supports, Frustration and Worry, Resources Promoting Resilience, and Positive Perspective Shift. Results indicate the importance of information and expanded access to community resources to scaffold resilience in the face of ongoing mass stressors.

Factors of feasibility: an interview study of physicians’ experiences of expanded access to investigational drugs in three countries

Seriously ill patients who have exhausted all approved treatment regimens and who cannot be enrolled in clinical trials may resort to expanded access programmes in order to gain access to unapproved, investigational drugs. It seems that in some countries, expanded access to investigational drugs is offered in clinical practice on a more routine basis than in other countries. This study is the first to investigate the experiences of physicians with expanded access to investigational drugs in different healthcare systems, with a focus on factors that facilitate or hinder expanded access. Semi-structured interviews (n = 36) were carried out with medical specialists in the Netherlands (n = 14), Turkey (n = 9) and the United States of America (n = 13), and analysed thematically. This study identifies five sets of factors pointed out by physicians that determine the degree to which expanded access to investigational drugs is deemed feasible in clinical practice: the suitability of investigational treatments, the application process, hospital policies, support by pharmaceutical companies, and funding and reimbursement arrangements. Based on the interviews conducted, we conclude that, while legally allowed and technically possible, expanded access is not always feasible for—and not always considered an option by—treating physicians. This is mainly due to lack of familiarity with expanded access, the extensive time and effort required for the application process, willingness or ability of pharmaceutical companies to supply the drugs, and funding issues.

Accessing Investigational Products Outside of a Trial: Considerations for Neuromuscular Providers

Purpose of Review People with fatal neuromuscular diseases such as ALS want to access investigational products. Trials are our preferred pathway for this, but most people with these diseases will not be able to participate due to restrictive inclusion criteria, travel burdens, or design features they will not accept. This leaves FDA Expanded Access Programs (EAPs), the Right To Try (RTT) pathway, and self-purchase of alternative and off-label treatments (AOTs). Recent Findings A recent survey highlighted physician barriers to the above pathways, including lack of knowledge and concerns about time burdens and risks. Emerging resources are highlighted that can mitigate some of these concerns. Summary With the information in this chapter, we hope that neuromuscular clinicians will feel more knowledgeable and confident in supporting patient request for investigational products.

Expanded access to anticancer treatments from conversion to biosimilar pegfilgrastim-cbqv in US breast cancer patients

Aim: To estimate cost-savings from conversion to biosimilar pegfilgrastim-cbqv that could be reallocated to provide budget-neutral expanded access to AC (doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide) and TCH (docetaxel/carboplatin/trastuzumab) in breast cancer (BC) patients. Methods: Simulation modeling in panels of 20,000 BC and 5000 HER2-positive (HER2+ BC) patients, varying treatment duration (one–six cycles) and conversion rates (10–100%), to estimate cost-savings and additional AC and TCH treatment that could be provided. Results: In 20,000 patients, cost-savings of $1,083 per-patient per-cycle translate to $21,652,064 (one cycle) to $129,912,397 (six cycles). Savings range from $5,413,016 to $32,478,097, respectively, in the 5000-patient HER2+ BC panel. Conclusion: Conversion to pegfilgrastim-cbqv could save up to $130 million and provide more than 220,000 additional cycles of antineoplastic treatment on a budget-neutral basis to BC patients.

Expanded Access Program: Evaluating Safety of Erythrocytes Encapsulating L-Asparaginase in Combination with Polychemotherapy in Patients Under 55 Years Old with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) at Risk to Receive Other Formulations of Asparaginase

Introduction Asparaginase is an important part of the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Hypersensitivity is found in 16.8% of patients treated with pegylated asparaginase (PEG-asp). Hypersensitivity is the most common cause of truncated asparaginase therapy which has been associated with decreased event free survival. Asparaginase (ASNase) encapsulated in erythrocytes (eryaspase) is an alternative formulation of ASNase aiming to prolong the half-life of ASNase and to reduce toxicity e.g. hypersensitivity, since the erythrocyte membrane protects asparaginase against elimination and prevents activation of the immune system. In the NOR-GRASPALL 2016 trial eryaspase consistently demonstrated prolonged ASNase activity in patients who developed hypersensitivity reactions to PEG-asp. Treatment with eryaspase was well tolerated when combined with multiagent chemotherapy. The objective of this expanded access program was to explore the tolerability of eryaspase (150 U/Kg) combined with polychemotherapy in patients under 55 years of age with ALL, unable or at risk to receive any other available ASNase formulation. Patients in this study had developed hypersensitivities to prior E-Coli- and Erwinia-derived asparaginase therapies. Methods This was a non-randomized, multicentre, open label, Phase 1 study to assess the limiting toxicities, global safety and biological efficacy of eryaspase in combination with chemotherapy regimens. Patients were under 55 years of age with ALL de novo or in relapse or refractory; eligible for a chemotherapy treatment including ASNase; known contraindication and/or at risk of toxicity from other ASNase formulations. Eryaspase (150 U/Kg) was given as a replacement therapy for the remaining intended courses of asparaginase therapy. The number of courses was not defined and depended on therapeutic treatment chosen by the Investigator and the patient's response and tolerance. The primary endpoint was the exploration of the toxicity of eryaspase defined as the number and percent of patients presenting at least one limiting toxicity (LT) of eryaspase in combination with chemotherapy. Major secondary endpoints included: adverse events (AEs), pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and complete remission (CR) status at end of induction and survival status up to 12 months after inclusion. Results Eighteen patients enrolled of which seven (38.8%) patients experienced a total of 24 AE limiting toxicities, which were primarily bone marrow failure, and were indicative of the underlying ALL disease process and of the concomitant chemotherapy-related myelosuppression. All patients experienced at least one AE and Treatment Emergent (TEAE) and most (11 [61.1%] patients) experienced at least one SAE. A total of 17 (94.4%) patients experienced a TEAE of Grade 3 or above. No TEAEs led to withdrawal or dose reduction of eryaspase. Sparse whole blood ASNase concentrations following 150 U/Kg were within the range of concentrations expected for this dose level. At 14 days following the first infusion, the range of whole blood ASNase was 111 to 1160 U/Kg, which would be equivalent to the trough (nadir) for infusions every 2 weeks. Mean and median plasma asparagine (ASN) concentrations over time demonstrated a reduction by approximately 50% at 3 days post eryaspase infusion, followed by a slow return toward baseline before the next infusion of eryaspase. Seventeen (94.4%) patients achieved CR at least once overall. Fourteen (77.8%) patients were alive at the end of the study. Survival rate was 88.9% at 6 months and 77.8% at 12 and 18 months. Conclusion The AE profile of eryaspase was consistent with other studies and was as expected for this cohort of patients. Serious AEs were generally consistent with those that would be expected in this study population. A total of 17 patients in the study achieved a CR at least once overall and 14 were still alive at the end of the study. This study evaluated additional asparaginase therapy in double (and even triple) allergic patient population, who have received prior E-Coli- or Erwinia-derived asparaginase therapy. All patients achieved target asparaginase activity. Therefore, eryaspase provides an additional option for patients for whom further ASNase treatment is contraindicated due to toxicity and/or immunization. Disclosures Boissel: Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; JAZZ Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria; SANOFI: Honoraria; PFIZER: Consultancy, Honoraria; CELGENE: Honoraria. Recher: Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Macrogenics: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MaatPharma: Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Astellas: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS/Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. El-Hariry: Erytech: Current Employment, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company.

Compassionate Use of Belantamab Mafodotin for Treatment of Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Heavily Treated. Spanish Experience

Background: Heavily pretreated relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RR MM) constitutes a specific and unmet medical need. Median survival ranges from as little as 6 to 9 months, and responses to treatment are characteristically short (Richardson et al. 2007). Belantamab Mafodotin (BM), a novel anti-BCMA antibody conjugated to microtubule-disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin F, showed single-agent activity in the phase 1 DREAMM-1 and phase 2 DREAMM-2 studies in heavily pre-treated patients with RRMM (Lonial et al, 2019 & 2021). We aim to assess efficacy and safety of BM treatment administered via the expanded access compassionate care program for triple class MMRR patients in the region of Madrid (Spain). Methods: An observational, retrospective and multicenter study has been performed including all patients who received at least one dose of BM under the expanded access program in the region of Madrid (Spain) from Nov 2019 to Jun 2021. Hematology centers provided data from the medical records and entered them in a case report form distributed to the sites. Primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints were progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and the incidence of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs), with a major focus on ocular and hematologic toxicity. Results: A total of 33 patients (pts), from 14 different centers, were included from February 2020 till May 2021. Median age was 70 (46-79) years. 55% of the pts were women. Median time from diagnosis was 71 (10-858) months. 30.3% were high-risk cytogenetic features. Median of prior therapy lines was 5 (3-8) and at least 88% of the pts were triple class refractory. The median number of BM doses per patient was 3 (1-16) and the median follow-up was 11 months (95%CI 6.34-15.66). ORR was 42.2%, and 18.2% achieved ≥VGPR. Median PFS was 3 months (95%CI 0.92-5.08). Median PFS for patients who achieved ≥PR was 11 months (HR 0,26; 95% CI 0,10-0,68). No significant differences were found in PFS according to age, cytogenetic risk and prior therapy lines. OS was 424 days (95% CI 107-740). The incidence of non-hematological TEAEs was 57.6% and the most common of which was ocular toxicity (45.5%). The incidence of ≥G3 non-hematological TEAEs was 30.3%. 51.5% of the pts were diagnosed of keratopathy and 21.2% was ≥G3. 30.3% of the pts showed a reduced visual acuity, but this event was resolved in 92.9% of the pts. The most common symptoms were blurry vision (30.3%, n=10) and dry eye (24.2%, n=8). The incidence of ≥G3 hematological TEAEs was 18.2% and thrombocytopenia was the most frequent (21.2%). Dose reductions of BM were required in 30.3% of the pts and delayed in 36.4% due to TEAEs. Main causes for treatment discontinuation (81%, n=27) were disease progression (54.5%, n=18), toxicity (15.2%, n=5), death (6.1%, n=3) and due to patient's decision (3%, n=1). Conclusion: Compassionate use of BM in heavily pretreated RR MM pts showed a relevant anti-myeloma activity with a manageable safety profile.These results are similar to those observed in the DREAMM-1 and DREAMM-2 clinical trials. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The Effect of Expanded Access to Mental Health Care on Economic Status of Households with a Person with a Mental Disorder in Rural Ethiopia: A Controlled Before-After Study

BackgroundPoverty and mental illness are strongly associated. The aim of this study was to investigate the economic impact of implementing a district level integrated mental healthcare plan for people with severe mental disorders (SMD) and depression compared to secular trends in the general population in a rural Ethiopian setting.MethodsA community-based, controlled before-after study design was used to assess changes in household economic status and catastrophic out-of-pocket (OOP) payments in relation to expanded access to mental health care. Two household samples were recruited, each with a community control group: (1) SMD sub-study and (2) depression sub-study. In the SMD sub-study, 290 households containing a member with SMD and 289 comparison households without a person with SMD participated. In the depression sub-study, 129 households with a person with depression and 129 comparison households. The case and comparison cohorts were followed up over 12 months. Propensity score matching and multivariable regression analyses were conducted. ResultsProvision of mental healthcare in the district was associated with a greater increase in income (Birr 919.53, 95% CI: 34.49, 4573.56) but no significant changes in consumption expenditure (Birr 176.25, 95% CI: -1338.19, 1690.70) in households of people with SMD compared to secular trends in comparison households. In households of people with depression, there was no significant change in income (Birr 227.78, 95% CI: -1361.21, 1816.79) or consumption expenditure (Birr -81.20, 95% CI: -2572.57, 2410.15). The proportion of households incurring catastrophic OOP payments at the ≥10% and ≥40% thresholds were significantly reduced after the intervention in the SMD (from 20.3% to 9.0%, p=0.002, and 31.9% to 14.9%, p< 0.001) and in the depression intervention (from 19.6% to 5.3%, p=0.003, and 25.2% to 11.8%, p= 0.015). Nonetheless, households of persons with SMD or depression remained impoverished relative to comparison groups at follow-up. Households of people with SMD and depression were significantly less likely to be enrolled in community-based health insurance (CBHI) than comparison households. ConclusionsOur findings support global initiatives to scale up mental healthcare as part of universal health coverage initiatives, alongside interventions to support social inclusion and targeted financial protection for vulnerable households.