Afatinib in advanced NSCLC: a profile of its use.

Afatinib [Giotrif® (EU); Gilotrif® (USA)] is an orally administered, irreversible inhibitor of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinases that provides an important first-line treatment option for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations (i.e. EGFRactMUT+), and an additional treatment option for squamous NSCLC that has progressed following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Relative to gefitinib in the first-line treatment of EGFRactMUT+ advanced lung adenocarcinoma, afatinib prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and time to treatment failure (TTF), but not overall survival (OS). Afatinib also prolonged PFS, but not OS, versus cisplatin-based chemotherapy in this setting; however, afatinib improved OS versus chemotherapy in the subgroup of patients with deletions in exon 19. As a second-line treatment for advanced squamous NSCLC, afatinib prolonged PFS and OS compared with erlotinib, regardless of EGFR mutation status. Afatinib had a predictable and manageable tolerability profile.

Correction to: Afatinib in advanced NSCLC: a profile of its use.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s40267-018-0482-6.].

Ticagrelor: A Review in Long Term Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events.

Ticagrelor (Brilique®) is an orally administered P2Y12 inhibitor. A long-term (maintenance) regimen of ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily is indicated in the EU for coadministration with low-dose aspirin 75-150 mg/day for the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events in high-risk patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) of at least 1 year. Approval is based on the results of the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial that compared ticagrelor with placebo (in conjunction with low-dose aspirin) in stable patients who had had a spontaneous MI 1-3 years prior to enrolment and were at high risk of atherothrombotic events. At 3 years, the composite primary efficacy endpoint of cardiovascular (CV) death, MI or stroke occurred in significantly fewer ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily than placebo recipients. Long-term ticagrelor had a manageable tolerability and safety profile. The risk of TIMI major bleeding (primary safety endpoint) was significantly increased in ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily versus placebo recipients; however, the risk appeared to decline after the first year of therapy. Landmark analyses have demonstrated that patients with a history of MI remain at a persistent high risk of the composite primary endpoint up to 5 years after the event. Furthermore, these analyses demonstrated that the efficacy of ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily was maintained over time, with less excess in bleeding after the first year. Thus, long-term dual antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily and low-dose aspirin is a valuable new option for the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events in stable, high-risk patients with a history of MI of at least 1 year.

Eluxadoline: A Review in Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Eluxadoline (Truberzi®) is an orally administered, minimally absorbed agent that acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract as a mixed µ-opioid receptor agonist and δ-opioid receptor antagonist. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational, phase 3 IBS-3001 and IBS-3002 trials examined the efficacy of eluxadoline in patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). The composite response rate (i.e. the proportion of patients with improvement in both worst abdominal pain and stool consistency on ≥50% of days; primary endpoint), was significantly higher in patients receiving eluxadoline 100 mg twice daily than in those receiving placebo after 12 and 26 weeks' therapy. Other abdominal and bowel symptoms (e.g. bloating, urgency, frequency of bowel movement) and health-related quality of life scores were also improved with eluxadoline. Eluxadoline was generally well tolerated in patients with IBS-D. Constipation was the most commonly occurring adverse event, although no serious constipation events were reported. Pancreatitis and adverse events consistent with sphincter of Oddi spasm were uncommon. In conclusion, eluxadoline is a new option to consider in the treatment of adult patients with IBS-D.

Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol/Cannabidiol Oromucosal Spray (Sativex®): A Review in Multiple Sclerosis-Related Spasticity.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray (THC/CBD, Sativex®, nabiximols) is available in numerous countries worldwide for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related moderate to severe spasticity in patients who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity medication and who demonstrate clinically significant improvement in spasticity-related symptoms during an initial trial of therapy. Twelve weeks' therapy with THC/CBD improved MS-related spasticity in patients with an inadequate response to other anti-spasticity agents who had undergone a successful initial trial of THC/CBD therapy, according to the results of a pivotal phase 3 trial. Improvements in spasticity were maintained in the longer term with THC/CBD with no evidence of dose tolerance, and results of real-world studies confirm the effectiveness of THC/CBD in everyday clinical practice. Improvements in health-related quality of life and activities of daily living were also seen with THC/CBD. THC/CBD is generally well tolerated; adverse effects such as dizziness may occur whilst the THC/CBD dosage is being optimized. THC/CBD has low abuse potential and a low risk of psychoactive effects. In conclusion, THC/CBD oromucosal spray is a useful option for the treatment of MS-related spasticity not completely relieved with current anti-spasticity medication.

Sorafenib: A Review in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Sorafenib (Nexavar®) is currently the only systemic agent approved for use in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its approval was based on the results of the pivotal SHARP and Sorafenib Asia-Pacific (AP) trials in Child-Pugh (CP) class A patients with advanced HCC, which showed significantly longer median overall survival (OS) and time to radiological progression (TTP) with sorafenib 400 mg twice daily than with placebo, with no significant between-group difference in the median time to symptomatic progression (TTSP). Subsequent results from real-world studies such as GIDEON also support the use of sorafenib in HCC, including in carefully selected CP class B patients, although the median OS achieved in these patients appears relatively short. Sorafenib has a well characterized tolerability and safety profile, with strategies available to prevent and manage adverse effects such as hand-foot skin reactions. In conclusion, sorafenib remains an important option for the treatment of HCC.

Apremilast: A Review in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Apremilast (Otezla®) is an orally administered, small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4). Apremilast 30 mg twice daily reduced the severity of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in the phase 3 ESTEEM trials, as well as improving difficult-to-treat nail, scalp and palmoplantar psoriasis. Most patient-reported outcomes, including pruritus and the total Dermatology Life Quality Index, also improved to a significantly greater extent with apremilast than with placebo, with significant improvements in pruritus and skin discomfort/pain visual analogue scale scores seen as early as week 2 with apremilast. Apremilast 30 mg twice daily improved signs and symptoms in both disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naïve and DMARD-experienced patients with active psoriatic arthritis in the phase 3 PALACE trials. Enthesitis, dactylitis, physical function and fatigue were also improved with apremilast, and its efficacy was sustained for up to 208 weeks. Apremilast had an early onset of efficacy in patients with active psoriatic arthritis, with significantly more apremilast 30 mg twice daily than placebo recipients achieving a ≥20% improvement in modified American College of Rheumatology response criteria at week 2 in the phase 3b ACTIVE trial. Apremilast was generally well tolerated in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis; no laboratory monitoring is required. In conclusion, orally administered apremilast is an effective, generally well tolerated and convenient option for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Dabigatran Etexilate: A Review in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa®) is approved in the EU for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and one or more risk factors. Dabigatran etexilate is a prodrug of dabigatran, a direct inhibitor of thrombin. In patients with NVAF in the phase III RE-LY trial, dabigatran etexilate dosages of 110 and 150 mg twice daily were noninferior to warfarin with regard to the risk of stroke or systemic embolism (primary efficacy endpoint). The higher dosage was associated with a significantly lower risk of stroke or systemic embolism than warfarin, with no significant between-group difference in the risk of major bleeding (primary safety endpoint). Both dosages of dabigatran etexilate were associated with significantly lower rates of haemorrhagic stroke, intracranial bleeding and life-threatening major bleeding than warfarin. Dabigatran etexilate was also effective and generally well tolerated across various patient subgroups. The efficacy and tolerability of dabigatran etexilate was maintained for up to 6.7 years in the RELY-ABLE extension study. Routine anticoagulation monitoring is not required in patients receiving dabigatran etexilate, and it is currently the only non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) with a specific reversal agent available. Although direct comparisons with other NOACs would be beneficial, dabigatran etexilate is a useful option for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Lifitegrast Ophthalmic Solution 5%: A Review in Dry Eye Disease.

Lifitegrast is a novel small molecule integrin antagonist that blocks the binding of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) to lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1). Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% (Xiidra™) was recently approved in the USA for the treatment of dry eye disease. The efficacy of lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% was compared with vehicle in a 12-week phase 2 study and three 12-week phase 3 studies (OPUS-1, OPUS-2 and OPUS-3) in patients with dry eye disease. Taken as a whole, results of these trials support the treatment effect of lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% in improving a symptom of dry eye disease (i.e. the change from baseline to day 84 in the eye dryness visual analogue scale score) and a sign of dry eye disease (i.e. the change from baseline to day 84 in the inferior corneal fluorescein staining score). Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% was generally well tolerated. In conclusion, lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% provides a new option for the treatment of dry eye disease.

Dasatinib: A Review in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

Dasatinib (Sprycel®) is an orally administered, small molecule inhibitor of multiple tyrosine kinases. In the phase 3 DASISION trial, dasatinib 100 mg once daily resulted in deeper and faster cytogenetic and molecular responses than imatinib 400 mg once daily in patients with newly diagnosed, chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), although there was no significant between-group difference in progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) in the longer term. In the phase 3 CA180-034 trial, a regimen of dasatinib 100 mg once daily provided the most favourable benefit-risk profile in patients with imatinib-resistant or -intolerant chronic-phase CML. In the phase 3 CA180-035 trial, a regimen of dasatinib 140 mg once daily demonstrated efficacy in patients with accelerated- or blast-phase CML or Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) resistant or intolerant to imatinib. Dasatinib had an acceptable tolerability profile. In conclusion, dasatinib is an important option for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase CML and for imatinib-resistant or -intolerant patients with chronic- or advanced-phase CML or Ph+ ALL.

Cabozantinib: A Review in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma.

The multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) cabozantinib (Cabometyx™) is approved in the USA for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior antiangiogenic therapy. In the EU, cabozantinib is indicated for the treatment of advanced RCC in adults following prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy. In adults with advanced or metastatic clear-cell RCC who had previously received VEGF receptor (VEGFR) TKIs, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly prolonged in patients who received oral cabozantinib versus oral everolimus in the pivotal METEOR trial. Objective response was achieved in a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving cabozantinib than those receiving everolimus. Cabozantinib had a manageable adverse events profile in patients with advanced RCC. Thus, cabozantinib is an important new option for use in patients with advanced RCC who have previously received antiangiogenic therapy.

Afatinib: A Review in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Afatinib (Giotrif®, Gilotrif®) is an orally administered, irreversible inhibitor of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinases. In the first-line treatment of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, afatinib significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and time to treatment failure (TTF), but not overall survival (OS), compared with gefitinib (LUX-Lung 7 trial). In the overall population of patients receiving first-line treatment for advanced lung adenocarcinoma with activating EGFR mutations, afatinib significantly prolonged PFS, but not OS, compared with pemetrexed plus cisplatin (LUX-Lung 3 trial) or gemcitabine plus cisplatin (LUX-Lung 6 trial). However, in both LUX-Lung 3 and LUX-Lung 6, OS was significantly prolonged in the subgroup of patients with deletions in exon 19 receiving afatinib versus chemotherapy. In the second-line treatment of advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), afatinib significantly prolonged PFS and OS, compared with erlotinib, regardless of EGFR mutation status (LUX-Lung 8 trial). Afatinib had a predictable and manageable tolerability profile in patients with advanced NSCLC. In conclusion, afatinib is an important option for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC and activating EGFR mutations, and provides an additional option for the treatment of patients with squamous NSCLC that has progressed following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

Paliperidone Palmitate Intramuscular 3-Monthly Formulation: A Review in Schizophrenia.

A 3-monthly formulation of intramuscular paliperidone palmitate (3-monthly paliperidone palmitate) has recently been approved for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients in the EU (Trevicta®), following earlier approval in the USA (Invega Trinza®). This narrative review discusses the clinical use of 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate in the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients and summarizes its pharmacological properties. The efficacy of the 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate formulation as a maintenance treatment for schizophrenia has been demonstrated in well designed, phase III trials. Three-monthly paliperidone palmitate was more effective than placebo in delaying time to relapse and reducing relapse rates, and was noninferior to 1-monthly paliperidone palmitate in the proportion of patients that remained relapse-free. The 3-monthly formulation was also more effective than placebo in controlling the symptoms of schizophrenia, whilst not differing significantly from the 1-monthly formulation in terms of symptomatic control. Three-monthly paliperidone palmitate was generally well tolerated in clinical trials, with a tolerability profile consistent with that of the 1-monthly formulation. In conclusion, 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate is a useful treatment option for adult patients with schizophrenia who are adequately treated with the 1-monthly formulation, particularly for those who would prefer, or may benefit from, longer dosing intervals.

Pixantrone: A Review in Relapsed or Refractory Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Pixantrone (Pixuvri®) is an aza-anthracenedione with a novel mode of action that is conditionally approved in the EU for use as monotherapy in adult patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). In the randomized, open-label, multinational, phase 3 PIX301 trial in patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL, the complete response (CR) plus unconfirmed CR (uCR) rate at the end of treatment (primary endpoint) was significantly higher with intravenous pixantrone monotherapy than with a single-agent comparator (vinorelbine, oxaliplatin, ifosfamide, etoposide, mitoxantrone or gemcitabine). Post hoc analysis also demonstrated a significantly higher CR/uCR rate in the subgroup of patients with centrally confirmed aggressive B-cell NHL who were receiving pixantrone versus a comparator agent as third- or fourth-line therapy. Pixantrone was generally well tolerated in PIX301, with a manageable adverse event profile. In conclusion, pixantrone is a useful option in patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive B-cell NHL. Further results examining the use of pixantrone in combination with rituximab in patients previously treated with rituximab-containing regimens are awaited with interest.

Macitentan: A Review in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Macitentan (Opsumit®) is an orally active, potent, dual endothelin (ET) receptor antagonist that is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In the pivotal SERAPHIN trial in patients aged ≥12 years with PAH, the risk of first PAH-related event or all-cause death (primary composite endpoint) was significantly reduced by 45 % with oral macitentan 10 mg once daily versus placebo. Macitentan significantly reduced the risk of the primary composite endpoint across various patient subgroups. The risk of all-cause hospitalization and PAH-related hospitalization was also significantly reduced by macitentan, according to post hoc analysis. Macitentan was generally well tolerated in SERAPHIN. In conclusion, macitentan is an important option for the treatment of PAH.

BAY 81-8973 (Octocog Alfa; Kovaltry®): A Review in Haemophilia A.

BAY 81-8973 (octocog alfa; Kovaltry®) is an unmodified, full-length, recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) concentrate with the same amino acid sequence as Kogenate® FS, but produced with innovative manufacturing technologies. This narrative review discusses the clinical efficacy and tolerability of BAY 81-8973 in haemophilia A, as well as summarizing its pharmacological properties. Results of the LEOPOLD I, LEOPOLD II and LEOPOLD Kids trials demonstrated that routine prophylaxis with intravenous BAY 81-8973 was associated with a low annualized bleeding rate (ABR) in previously treated adult and paediatric patients with severe haemophilia A. In terms of the ABR, BAY 81-8973 prophylaxis was more effective than on-demand treatment. Intravenous BAY 81-8973 was generally well tolerated, with no inhibitor development reported in previously treated patients in the completed LEOPOLD trial programme. In conclusion, BAY 81-8973 is a useful option for prophylaxis and treatment in adult and paediatric patients with haemophilia A.

Daclatasvir: A Review in Chronic Hepatitis C.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A replication complex inhibitor daclatasvir (Daklinza(®)) is indicated for use in combination with sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, in a pangenotypic all-oral regimen. In patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 or 3 infection without cirrhosis, a 12-week regimen of daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir achieved high sustained virological response rates 12 weeks' post-treatment (SVR12), regardless of prior treatment experience, according to the results of the AI444040 and ALLY-3 trials. In the ALLY-3+ trial, high SVR12 rates were achieved with a 12- or 16-week regimen of daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir and ribavirin in patients with chronic HCV genotype 3 infection and advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis. A daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir-based regimen demonstrated efficacy in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1, 3 or 4 infection and advanced cirrhosis or post-transplant recurrence in the ALLY-1 trial, and in patients co-infected with HCV genotype 1, 3 or 4 and HIV-1 in the ALLY-2 trial. Results of clinical trials were supported by real-world data from early-access programmes that included high numbers of patients who would have been excluded from phase 3 trials because of advanced disease and/or concomitant medical conditions. Daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin was generally well tolerated. In conclusion, an all-oral regimen comprising daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin is an important option for use in treatment-naive or treatment-experienced patients with chronic HCV genotype 1, 3 or 4 infection, including in patients with advanced liver disease, post-transplant recurrence and HIV-1 co-infection.

Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir: A Review in Chronic HCV Genotype 4 Infection.

A fixed-dose tablet comprising the NS5A inhibitor ombitasvir, the NS3/4A inhibitor paritaprevir and ritonavir (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir) (Technivie(®), Viekirax(®)) is available for use, in combination with ribavirin, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 infection. High sustained virological response rates at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12) were achieved in treatment-naive or -experienced patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection, including patients without cirrhosis who received ombitasvir plus paritaprevir and ritonavir in combination with ribavirin for 12 weeks (SVR12 100 %) (PEARL-I trial), patients with compensated cirrhosis who received ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus ribavirin for 12 or 16 weeks (SVR12 97 and 98 %) (AGATE-I trial), or Egyptian patients without cirrhosis who received ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus ribavirin for 12 weeks (SVR12 94 %) or with compensated cirrhosis who received ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks (SVR12 97 and 93 %) (AGATE-II trial). Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir was generally well tolerated in patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis in clinical trials. There have been postmarketing reports of hepatic decompensation and hepatic failure, which mainly occurred in patients with advanced cirrhosis who received regimens containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir. In conclusion, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir is a valuable option for use in patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis.

Sugammadex: A Review of Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal.

Sugammadex (Bridion(®)) is a modified γ-cyclodextrin that reverses the effect of the steroidal nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents rocuronium and vecuronium. Intravenous sugammadex resulted in rapid, predictable recovery from moderate and deep neuromuscular blockade in patients undergoing surgery who received rocuronium or vecuronium. Recovery from moderate neuromuscular blockade was significantly faster with sugammadex 2 mg/kg than with neostigmine, and recovery from deep neuromuscular blockade was significantly faster with sugammadex 4 mg/kg than with neostigmine or spontaneous recovery. In addition, recovery from neuromuscular blockade was significantly faster when sugammadex 16 mg/kg was administered 3 min after rocuronium than when patients spontaneously recovered from succinylcholine. Sugammadex also demonstrated efficacy in various special patient populations, including patients with pulmonary disease, cardiac disease, hepatic dysfunction or myasthenia gravis and morbidly obese patients. Intravenous sugammadex was generally well tolerated. In conclusion, sugammadex is an important option for the rapid reversal of rocuronium- or vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.

Eltrombopag: A Review in Paediatric Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia.

Eltrombopag (Promacta(®); Revolade(®)) is an orally active thrombopoietin receptor agonist recently approved in the USA and the EU for use in paediatric patients aged ≥1 year with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response or are refractory to other ITP treatments (e.g. corticosteroids, immunoglobulins or splenectomy). The efficacy of 7 or 13 weeks' therapy with oral eltrombopag (up to 75 mg/day) was compared with that of placebo in patients aged 1-17 years with previously treated chronic ITP in randomized, double-blind, multicentre phase II and III trials (PETIT and PETIT-2). In these trials, the platelet response rate (primary endpoint of PETIT) and the sustained platelet response rate (primary endpoint of PETIT-2) were significantly higher with eltrombopag than with placebo. A clinical benefit was shown by a reduction in the need for rescue therapy with eltrombopag versus placebo in both trials and a reduction of clinically significant bleeding in PETIT. During longer-term therapy (open-label treatment period for ≥24 weeks), eltrombopag maintained platelet counts above 50 × 10(9)/L in the majority of patients and approximately one-half of patients were able to reduce or discontinue concurrent ITP drugs. Eltrombopag was generally well tolerated. Current evidence suggests that eltrombopag is a valuable addition to the limited treatment options available for the management of chronic ITP in paediatric patients with an inadequate response to first-line therapies.