OCREVUS: Package Insert and Label Information (Page 3 of 5)
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
8.1 Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy and fetal/neonatal/infant outcomes in women exposed to OCREVUS during pregnancy. Physicians are encouraged to register patients and pregnant women are encouraged to register themselves by calling 1-833-872-4370 or visiting www.ocrevuspregnancyregistry.com.
Risk Summary
OCREVUS is a humanized monoclonal antibody of an immunoglobulin G1 subtype and immunoglobulins are known to cross the placental barrier. There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with use of OCREVUS in pregnant women. However, transient peripheral B-cell depletion and lymphocytopenia have been reported in infants born to mothers exposed to other anti-CD20 antibodies during pregnancy. B-cell levels in infants following maternal exposure to OCREVUS have not been studied in clinical trials. The potential duration of B-cell depletion in such infants, and the impact of B-cell depletion on vaccine safety and effectiveness, is unknown [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Following administration of ocrelizumab to pregnant monkeys at doses similar to or greater than those used clinically, increased perinatal mortality, depletion of B-cell populations, renal, bone marrow, and testicular toxicity were observed in the offspring in the absence of maternal toxicity [see Data].
In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.
Data
Animal Data
Following intravenous administration of OCREVUS to monkeys during organogenesis (loading doses of 15 or 75 mg/kg on gestation days 20, 21, and 22, followed by weekly doses of 20 or 100 mg/kg), depletion of B-lymphocytes in lymphoid tissue (spleen and lymph nodes) was observed in fetuses at both doses.
Intravenous administration of OCREVUS (three daily loading doses of 15 or 75 mg/kg, followed by weekly doses of 20 or 100 mg/kg) to pregnant monkeys throughout the period of organogenesis and continuing through the neonatal period resulted in perinatal deaths (some associated with bacterial infections), renal toxicity (glomerulopathy and inflammation), lymphoid follicle formation in the bone marrow, and severe decreases in circulating B-lymphocytes in neonates. The cause of the neonatal deaths is uncertain; however, both affected neonates were found to have bacterial infections. Reduced testicular weight was observed in neonates at the high dose.
A no-effect dose for adverse developmental effects was not identified; the doses tested in monkey are 2 and 10 times the recommended human dose of 600 mg, on a mg/kg basis.
8.2 Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of ocrelizumab in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production. Ocrelizumab was excreted in the milk of ocrelizumab-treated monkeys. Human IgG is excreted in human milk, and the potential for absorption of ocrelizumab to lead to B-cell depletion in the infant is unknown. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for OCREVUS and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from OCREVUS or from the underlying maternal condition.
8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential
Contraception
Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception while receiving OCREVUS and for 6 months after the last infusion of OCREVUS [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
8.4 Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of OCREVUS in pediatric patients have not been established.
8.5 Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of OCREVUS did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.
11 DESCRIPTION
Ocrelizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD20-expressing B-cells. Ocrelizumab is a glycosylated immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) with a molecular mass of approximately 145 kDa.
OCREVUS (ocrelizumab) Injection for intravenous infusion is a preservative-free, sterile, clear or slightly opalescent, and colorless to pale brown solution supplied in single-dose vials. Each mL of solution contains 30 mg ocrelizumab, glacial acetic acid (0.25 mg), polysorbate 20 (0.2 mg), sodium acetate trihydrate (2.14 mg), and trehalose dihydrate (40 mg) at pH 5.3.
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1 Mechanism of Action
The precise mechanism by which ocrelizumab exerts its therapeutic effects in multiple sclerosis is unknown, but is presumed to involve binding to CD20, a cell surface antigen present on pre-B and mature B lymphocytes. Following cell surface binding to B lymphocytes, ocrelizumab results in antibody-dependent cellular cytolysis and complement-mediated lysis.
12.2 Pharmacodynamics
For B-cell counts, assays for CD19+ B-cells are used because the presence of OCREVUS interferes with the CD20 assay. Treatment with OCREVUS reduces CD19+ B-cell counts in blood by 14 days after infusion. In clinical studies, B-cell counts rose to above the lower limit of normal (LLN) or above baseline counts between infusions of OCREVUS at least one time in 0.3% to 4.1% of patients. In a clinical study of 51 patients, the median time for B-cell counts to return to either baseline or LLN was 72 weeks (range 27-175 weeks) after the last OCREVUS infusion. Within 2.5 years after the last infusion, B-cell counts rose to either baseline or LLN in 90% of patients.
12.3 Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics (PK) of OCREVUS in MS clinical studies fit a two compartment model with time-dependent clearance. The overall exposure at the steady-state (AUC over the 24 week dosing intervals) of OCREVUS was 3,510 mcg/mL per day. In clinical studies in MS patients, maintenance doses of ocrelizumab were either 600 mg every 6 months (RMS patients) or two 300 mg infusions separated by 14 days every 6 months (PPMS patients). The mean maximum concentration was 212 mcg/mL in patients with RMS (600 mg infusion over 3.5 hours) and 141 mcg/mL in patients with PPMS (two 300 mg infusions over 2.5 hours administered within two weeks). The mean maximum peak concentrations (Cmax ) of ocrelizumab in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) observed after the 3.5-hour infusion and 2-hour infusion were 202 ± 42 (mean ± SD) and 200 ± 46 mcg/mL, respectively, compared to the previously reported Cmax of 212 mcg/mL. The pharmacokinetics of ocrelizumab was essentially linear and dose proportional between 400 mg and 2000 mg.
Distribution
The population PK estimate of the central volume of distribution was 2.78 L. Peripheral volume and inter-compartment clearance were estimated at 2.68 L and 0.29 L/day, respectively.
Elimination
Constant clearance was estimated at 0.17 L/day, and initial time-dependent clearance at 0.05 L/day, which declined with a half-life of 33 weeks. The terminal elimination half-life was 26 days.
Metabolism
The metabolism of OCREVUS has not been directly studied because antibodies are cleared principally by catabolism.
Specific Populations
Renal impairment
Patients with mild renal impairment were included in clinical trials. No significant change in the pharmacokinetics of OCREVUS was observed in those patients.
Hepatic impairment
Patients with mild hepatic impairment were included in clinical trials. No significant change in the pharmacokinetics of OCREVUS was observed in those patients.
13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
No carcinogenicity studies have been performed to assess the carcinogenic potential of OCREVUS.
No studies have been performed to assess the mutagenic potential of OCREVUS. As an antibody, OCREVUS is not expected to interact directly with DNA.
No effects on reproductive organs were observed in male monkeys administered ocrelizumab by intravenous injection (three loading doses of 15 or 75 mg/kg, followed by weekly doses of 20 or 100 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. There were also no effects on estrus cycle in female monkeys administered ocrelizumab over three menstrual cycles using the same dosing regimen. The doses tested in monkey are 2 and 10 times the recommended human dose of 600 mg, on a mg/kg basis.
14 CLINICAL STUDIES
14.1 Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis (RMS)
The efficacy of OCREVUS was demonstrated in two randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active comparator-controlled clinical trials of identical design, in patients with RMS treated for 96 weeks (Study 1 and Study 2). The dose of OCREVUS was 600 mg every 24 weeks (initial treatment was given as two 300 mg IV infusions administered 2 weeks apart, and subsequent doses were administered as a single 600 mg IV infusion) and placebo subcutaneous injections were given 3 times per week. The dose of REBIF, the active comparator, was 44 mcg given as subcutaneous injections 3 times per week and placebo IV infusions were given every 24 weeks. Both studies included patients who had experienced at least one relapse within the prior year, or two relapses within the prior two years, and had an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score from 0 to 5.5. Patients with primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) were excluded. Neurological evaluations were performed every 12 weeks and at the time of a suspected relapse. Brain MRIs were performed at baseline and at Weeks 24, 48, and 96.
The primary outcome of both Study 1 and Study 2 was the annualized relapse rate (ARR). Additional outcome measures included the proportion of patients with confirmed disability progression, the mean number of MRI T1 gadolinium (Gd)-enhancing lesions at Weeks 24, 48, and 96, and new or enlarging MRI T2 hyperintense lesions. Progression of disability was defined as an increase of 1 point or more from the baseline EDSS score attributable to MS when the baseline EDSS score was 5.5 or less, or 0.5 points or more when the baseline EDSS score was above 5.5. Disability progression was considered confirmed when the increase in the EDSS was confirmed at a regularly scheduled visit 12 weeks after the initial documentation of neurological worsening. The primary population for analysis of confirmed disability progression was the pooled population from Studies 1 and 2.
In Study 1, 410 patients were randomized to OCREVUS and 411 to REBIF; 11% of OCREVUS-treated and 17% of REBIF-treated patients did not complete the 96-week double-blind treatment period. The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were balanced between the two treatment groups. At baseline, the mean age of patients was 37 years; 66% were female. The mean time from MS diagnosis to randomization was 3.8 years, the mean number of relapses in the previous year was 1.3, and the mean EDSS score was 2.8; 74% of patients had not been treated with a non-steroid therapy for MS in the 2 years prior to the study. At baseline, 40% of patients had one or more T1 Gd-enhancing lesions (mean 1.8).
In Study 2, 417 patients were randomized to OCREVUS and 418 to REBIF; 14% of OCREVUS-treated and 23% of REBIF-treated patients did not complete the 96-week double-blind treatment period. The baseline demographic and disease characteristics were balanced between the two treatment groups. At baseline, the mean age of patients was 37 years; 66% were female. The mean time from MS diagnosis to randomization was 4.1 years, the mean number of relapses in the previous year was 1.3, and the mean EDSS score was 2.8; 74% of patients had not been treated with a non-steroid therapy for MS in the 2 years prior to the study. At baseline, 40% of OCREVUS-treated patients had one or more T1 Gd-enhancing lesions (mean 1.9).
In Study 1 and Study 2, OCREVUS significantly lowered the annualized relapse rate and the proportion of patients with disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks after onset compared to REBIF. Results for Study 1 and Study 2 are presented in Table 4 and Figure 1.
| Endpoints | Study 1 | Study 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCREVUS 600 mg every 24 weeks | REBIF 44 mcg three times a week | OCREVUS 600 mg every 24 weeks | REBIF 44 mcg three times a week | |
| N=410 | N=411 | N=417 | N=418 | |
| ||||
| Clinical Endpoints | ||||
| Annualized Relapse Rate (Primary Endpoint) | 0.156 | 0.292 | 0.155 | 0.290 |
| Relative Reduction | 46% (p<0.0001) | 47% (p<0.0001) | ||
| Proportion Relapse-free | 83% | 71% | 82% | 72% |
| Proportion of Patients with 12-week Confirmed Disability Progression * | 9.8% OCREVUS vs 15.2% REBIF | |||
| Risk Reduction (Pooled Analysis †) | 40%; p=0.0006 | |||
| MRI Endpoints | ||||
| Mean number of T1 Gd-enhancing lesions per MRI scan | 0.016 | 0.286 | 0.021 | 0.416 |
| Relative Reduction | 94% (p<0.0001) | 95% (p<0.0001) | ||
| Mean number of new and/or enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions per MRI | 0.323 | 1.413 | 0.325 | 1.904 |
| Relative Reduction | 77% (p<0.0001) | 83% (p<0.0001) | ||
|
| Figure 1 Kaplan-Meier Plot * of Time to Onset of Confirmed Disability Progression Sustained for at Least 12 Weeks with the Initial Event of Neurological Worsening Occurring During the Double-blind Treatment Period in Pooled Studies 1 and 2 in Patients with RMS (Pooled ITT Population) |
In exploratory subgroup analyses of Study 1 and Study 2, the effect of OCREVUS on annualized relapse rate and disability progression was similar in male and female patients.
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