KENILWORTH, N.J., May 15 NJ-HepC-drug-data
KENILWORTH, N.J., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Schering-Plough
Corporation (NYSE: SGP), a leader in advancing the science and treatment of
chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, announced today that data from
several clinical studies with PEGINTRON(TM) (peginterferon alfa-2b) and
REBETOL(R) (ribavirin, USP) combination therapy, as well as boceprevir, the
company's investigational oral HCV protease inhibitor, will be presented at
the 39th annual Digestive Disease Week (DDW) meeting to be held at the San
Diego Convention Center, May 17-22.
Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne infection in America and the
most common form of liver disease, affecting nearly 5 million people in the
United States and 200 million people worldwide. It is the leading cause of
cirrhosis and liver cancer, and the number one reason for liver transplants in
the United States.
Clinical investigators will present findings from several PEGINTRON
studies evaluating patient response to therapy at important treatment
milestones, an approach that is aimed at individualizing treatment for
patients to help improve outcomes. In particular, Schering-Plough is
exploring unique treatment strategies for patients with more
difficult-to-treat forms of the disease, such as patients who were
nonresponders to previous therapy.
Schering-Plough also is exploring novel therapeutic approaches to treating
hepatitis C with boceprevir, its investigational oral HCV protease inhibitor
currently in Phase II clinical development. The final results of a Phase II
dose-finding study of boceprevir with or without ribavirin in patients who
were "null" responders to previous peginterferon and ribavirin combination
therapy will be presented.
Key Data Presentations at DDW
PEGINTRON
Results from the EPIC3 Program: Platelet Counts Are Strong Predictors of
Sustained Viral Response (SVR) in the Retreatment of Previous
Interferon/Ribavirin Non-Responders (NR). Poynard, T. et al. Poster S1000,
Abstract No. 442673, Sunday, May 18, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sails Pavilion.
Clearance of HCV at 5 Year Follow-Up for Peginterferon Alfa-2b with or
without Ribavirin Is Predicted by Sustained Virologic Response at 24 Weeks
Post-Treatment. Lindsay, K. et al. Poster S1001, Abstract No. 443097, Sunday,
May 18, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sails Pavilion.
Sustained Virologic Response and Relapse Rates with Peginterferon Alfa-2b
Plus Ribavirin in Clinical Trials Are Comparable to Those in Community-Based
Studies. Manns, M. et al. Poster W1004, Abstract No. 441859, Wednesday, May
21, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sails Pavilion.
Rapid Virologic Response to Peginterferon Alfa and Ribavirin Treatment of
Chronic Hepatitis C Predicts Sustained Virologic Response and Relapse.
Poordad, F. et al. Poster W1007, Abstract No. 439219, Wednesday, May 21, 8:00
a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sails Pavilion.
Boceprevir
Role of Interferon Response During Re-Treatment of Null Responders with
Boceprevir Combination Therapy: Results of Phase II Trial. Schiff, E. et al.
Oral Presentation 162, Abstract No. 442360, Sunday, May 18, 4:30 p.m., Room
6DE.
Schering-Plough Supported CME Symposium
Defining the Course in the Management of HCV: A Case Based Approach
Sunday, May 18, 6:30-9:30 p.m., San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina, Hall 3-6.
A world-renowned faculty will present and discuss recent data and how this
information may impact clinical management decisions. Among the educational
objectives of this program is to define the role of viral clearance as a
predictor of HCV treatment response.
About PEGINTRON
In the United States, PEGINTRON is indicated for use alone or with
ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients with
compensated liver disease who have not been previously treated with interferon
alpha and who are at least 18 years of age.
Important Safety Information Regarding U.S. Labeling for PEGINTRON and
REBETOL
Alpha interferons, including PEGINTRON and INTRON(R) A, may cause or
aggravate fatal or life-threatening neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic,
and infectious disorders. Patients should be monitored closely with periodic
clinical and laboratory evaluations. Patients with persistently severe or
worsening signs or symptoms of these conditions should be withdrawn from
therapy. In many, but not all cases, these disorders resolve after stopping
PEGINTRON and/or INTRON A therapy.
Use with Ribavirin: Ribavirin may cause birth defects and/or death of the
unborn child. Extreme care must be taken to avoid pregnancy in female
patients and in female partners of male patients. Ribavirin causes hemolytic
anemia. The anemia associated with REBETOL therapy may result in a worsening
of cardiac disease. Ribavirin is genotoxic and mutagenic and should be
considered a potential carcinogen
Contraindications
PEGINTRON is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to
PEGINTRON or any other component of the product, autoimmune hepatitis, and
hepatic decompensation (Child-Pugh score greater than 6 [class B and C]) in
cirrhotic CHC patients before or during treatment. INTRON A (Interferon
alfa-2b, recombinant) for Injection is contraindicated in patients with
hypersensitivity to INTRON A or any component of the product, autoimmune
hepatitis, and decompensated liver disease. PEGINTRON or INTRON A in
combination with REBETOL therapy is additionally contraindicated in patients
with hypersensitivity to ribavirin or any other component of the product,
women who are pregnant, men whose female partners are pregnant, patients with
hemoglobinopathies (e.g., thalassemia major, sickle-cell anemia), and patients
with creatinine clearance less than 50 mL/min.
Avoid Pregnancy
REBETOL therapy should not be started until a report of a negative
pregnancy test has been obtained immediately prior to planned initiation of
therapy. Extreme care must be taken to avoid pregnancy in female patients and
in female partners of male patients during therapy and 6 months post-
treatment. Patients should use at least two effective forms of contraception
and have monthly pregnancy tests during therapy and for 6 months after
completion of therapy. A Ribavirin Pregnancy Registry has been established to
monitor maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnancies in female patients and female
partners of male patients exposed to ribavirin during treatment, and for 6
months following cessation of treatment. Physicians and patients are
encouraged to report such cases by calling 1-800-593-2214.
Incidence of Adverse Events
There are no new adverse events specific to PEGINTRON as compared to
INTRON A; however, the incidence of some (e.g., injection site reactions,
fever, rigors, nausea) were higher. The most common adverse events associated
with PEGINTRON were "flu-like" symptoms, occurring in approximately 50% of
patients, which may decrease in severity as treatment continues. Application
site disorders were common (47%), but all were mild (44%) or moderate (4%) and
no patient discontinued, and included injection site inflammation and reaction
(i.e., bruise, itchiness, irritation). Injection site pain was reported in 2%
of patients receiving PEGINTRON. Alopecia (thinning of the hair) is also
often associated with alpha interferons including PEGINTRON.
Psychiatric adverse events, which include insomnia, were common (57%) with
PEGINTRON but similar to INTRON A (58%). Depression was most common at 29%.
Suicidal behavior including ideation, suicidal attempts, and completed
suicides occurred in 1% of patients during or shortly after completing
treatment with PEGINTRON.
The following serious or clinically significant adverse events have been
reported at a frequency less than 1% with PEGINTRON or interferon alpha:
Severe decreases in neutrophil or platelet counts, hypothyroidism,
hyperglycemia, hypotension, arrhythmia, ulcerative and hemorrhagic colitis,
development or exacerbation of autoimmune disorders including thyroiditis, RA,
systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, pulmonary disorders (dyspnea,
pulmonary infiltrates, pneumonitis and pneumonia, some resulting in patient
deaths), urticaria, angioedema, bronchoconstriction, anaphylaxis, retinal
hemorrhages, and cotton wool spots.
In the PEGINTRON/REBETOL combination trial, the incidence of serious
adverse events was 17% in the PEGINTRON/REBETOL groups compared to 14% in the
INTRON A/ REBETOL group. The incidence of severe adverse events in the
PEGINTRON/REBETOL combination therapy trial was 23% in the INTRON A/REBETOL
group and 31-34% in the PEGINTRON/REBETOL groups. Dose reductions due to
adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients receiving PEGINTRON (1.5
mcg/kg)/REBETOL and in 34% of those receiving INTRON A/REBETOL.
In a study with weight-based ribavirin, there was a higher rate of anemia
among patients in the weight-based dosing group (29%) compared to the flat-
dosing group (19%). The majority of these cases were mild and responded to
dose reductions. Serious adverse events were similar between the two groups
(12%), and discontinuations for adverse events (15% in weight-based dosing and
14% in flat dosing) were also similar. Dose modifications due to adverse
events occurred more frequently in the weight-based dosing group (29%)
compared to the flat-dosing (23%) group.
Additional Safety Information
Relapse of drug addiction/overdose has occurred in patients on PEGINTRON
therapy. Aggressive behavior sometimes directed towards others has occurred
in patients with and without a previous psychiatric disorder during PEGINTRON
and/or INTRON A treatment and follow-up. If patients develop psychiatric
problems, including clinical depression, it is recommended that patients be
carefully monitored during treatment and in the 6-month follow-up period. If
psychiatric symptoms persist or worsen, or suicidal ideation or aggressive
behavior towards others is identified, it is recommended that treatment with
PEGINTRON and/or INTRON A be discontinued, and the patient be carefully
followed with psychiatric intervention, as appropriate. Cases of
encephalopathy have been observed in some patients, usually elderly, treated
with higher doses of PEGINTRON and/or INTRON A. Ischemic and hemorrhagic
cerebrovascular events have been observed in patients treated with interferon
alpha therapies, including PEGINTRON and INTRON A. Dental and periodontal
disorders have been reported in patients receiving PEGINTRON or INTRON A in
combination with REBETOL therapy.
Please see important full U.S. prescribing information and the Medication
Guide for PEGINTRON at www.schering-plough.com.
About Schering-Plough
Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centered global health
care company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations
with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve
lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development
platform to human prescription and consumer products as well as to animal
health products. Schering-Plough's vision is to "Earn Trust, Every Day" with
the doctors, patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its
colleagues around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and
its Web site is www.schering-plough.com.
SCHERING-PLOUGH DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information in this press release
includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements
relating to the potential market for PEGINTRON and REBETOL, and the clinical
development and potential for boceprevir. Forward-looking statements relate
to expectations or forecasts of future events. Schering-Plough does not
assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Many factors
could cause actual results to differ materially from Schering-Plough's
forward-looking statements, including market forces, economic factors, product
availability, patent and other intellectual property protection, current and
future branded, generic or over-the-counter competition, the regulatory
process, and any developments following regulatory approval, among other
uncertainties. For further details about these and other factors that may
impact the forward-looking statements, see Schering-Plough's Securities and
Exchange Commission filings, including Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in
Schering-Plough's 2007 10-K/A.
SOURCE Schering-Plough Corporation
