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  6. FDA approves axatilimab-csfr for chronic graft-versus-host disease
  1. Resources for Information | Approved Drugs

FDA approves axatilimab-csfr for chronic graft-versus-host disease

On August 14, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration approved axatilimab-csfr (Niktimvo, Incyte Corporation), a colony stimulating factor-1 receptor-blocking antibody, for the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of at least two prior lines of systemic therapy in adult and pediatric patients weighing at least 40 kg.

Full prescribing information for Niktimvo will be posted on Drugs@FDA

Efficacy and Safety

Efficacy was evaluated in AGAVE-201 (NCT04710576), a randomized, open-label, multicenter trial investigating 3 dosages of axatilimab-csfr in adult and pediatric patients with recurrent or refractory cGVHD who had received at least 2 lines of systemic therapy and required additional treatment.

The major efficacy outcome measure was overall response rate (ORR) through Cycle 7 Day 1, where overall response included complete response or partial response according to the 2014 NIH Consensus Development Project on Response Criteria. ORR was 75% (95% CI: 64, 84) in the 79 patients treated with the recommended dosage. The median time to first response was 1.5 months (range: 0.9 to 5.1). The median duration of response, calculated from first response to progression, death, or new systemic therapies for chronic GVHD, was 1.9 months (95% CI: 1.6, 3.5). In patients who achieved response, no death or new systemic therapy initiation occurred in 60% (95% CI: 43, 74) of patients for at least 12 months since response.

The most common (≥ 15%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), infection (pathogen unspecified), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), decreased phosphate, decreased hemoglobin, viral infection, increased gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), musculoskeletal pain, increased lipase, fatigue, increased amylase, increased calcium, increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK), increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP), nausea, headache, diarrhea, cough, bacterial infection, pyrexia, and dyspnea.

The recommended axatilimab-csfr dose in patients who weigh at least 40 kg is 0.3 mg/kg, up to a maximum dose of 35 mg, as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every 2 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Expedited Programs

This review used the Assessment Aid, a voluntary submission from the applicant to facilitate the FDA’s assessment.

This application was granted priority review. FDA expedited programs are described in the Guidance for Industry: Expedited Programs for Serious Conditions-Drugs and Biologics. Axatilimab-csfr was granted Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation for the treatment of cGVHD.

Healthcare professionals should report all serious adverse events suspected to be associated with the use of any medicine and device to FDA’s MedWatch Reporting System or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

For assistance with single-patient INDs for investigational oncology products, healthcare professionals may contact OCE’s Project Facilitate at 240-402-0004 or email OncProjectFacilitate@fda.hhs.gov.

Follow the Oncology Center of Excellence on X: @FDAOncology.

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