A Study of Palifermin for the Reduction of Oral Mucositis in Subjects With Multiple Myeloma

Phase 3

Completed

Conditions: Multiple Myeloma

Interventions: Drug: Palifermin before only
Drug: Palifermin before and after
Drug: Placebo

Registration Number: NCT00434161

Lead Sponsor: Swedish Orphan Biovitrum

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and effect of palifermin on the incidence of oral mucositis in subjects with multiple myeloma receiving Melphalan followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Amendment 01 (April 07) introduced three cataract assessments to be carried out at Screening, Month 6 and Month 12 in response to FDA and EMEA follow up measures.

Detailed Description: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter Phase IIIb study of palifermin given before and after dose chemotherapy (total 6 doses) or before dose chemotherapy only (total 3 doses), in subjects with Multiple Myeloma (MM)receiving high dose melphalan (chemotherapy), in a 1-day schedule, followed by autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (PBSCT).

All subjects were to be followed for disease progression, second primary tumors, additional malignancies and survival for up to 10 years.

Planned: 275 subjects, in fact, 281 subjects were randomized. Randomized: 115 subjects to palifermin pre/post-CT, 109 subjects to palifermin pre-CT and 57 subjects to placebo Analyzed: 281 subjects in the full analysis set, 277 subjects in the safety subset.

Efficacy Oral cavity assessment, patient reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires (Oral Mucositis Daily Questionnaire \[OMDQ\], Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Esophageal \[FACT-E\], European Quality of Life Utility Scale \[EQ 5D\], Mucositis Chronic Symptoms Questionnaire \[MCSQ\]).

Safety Physical examination (including body temperature), concomitant medications, transfusions, vital signs, laboratory assessments (hematology, chemistry), cataract assessments, adverse events (AEs).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 281

Inclusion Criteria

Multiple myeloma (MM) subjects scheduled to receive high-dose Melphalan in a one day schedule followed by autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBSCT)
Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤ 35
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2, or an ECOG status of 3 if the reason for a status of 3 is exclusively due to MM (e.g. pathological fracture)
Functional hematopoietic, hepato-renal and pulmonary systems
Subjects at minimum with a baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40, (6/12 or 0.5 on the decimal scale) or better using the ETDRS chart in one eye
Subject at minimum with one eye with a natural, intact lens
Subject who has a LOCS III score at baseline of P < 1.0, C < 2.0 and NO < 2.0 in at least one eye
Women in child bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test

Exclusion Criteria

Presence or history of any other malignancy (other than curatively treated basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, in situ cervical carcinoma, or other surgically cured malignancy, without evidence of disease for > 3 years
Prior autologous or allogeneic transplants
Prior treatment with palifermin, or other fibroblast or keratinocyte growth factors
Receiving dialysis
History of cataract surgery in both eyes
Incapable of being responsive to mydriatic agents
History of other ocular disease (e.g., macular degeneration, glaucoma, corneal disease) that would make assessment of visual status difficult
Subject is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery
Subject with any disease, that in the opinion of the ophthalmologist, could adversely effect the subject's vision during the course of the study
Currently active oral mucositis infection
Positive for HIV, hepatitis B or C
Subject is unable or unwilling to follow with study procedures
Subject is pregnant or is breast feeding
Subject has not agreed to use adequate contraceptive precautions

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Palifermin before only	Palifermin before only	Subjects received palifermin before-high dose chemotherapy (total 3 doses) and matched placebo after-high dose chemotherapy (total 3 doses)
Palifermin before and after	Palifermin before and after	Subjects received palifermin before- and after-high dose chemotherapy (total of 6 doses)
Placebo (suger pill)	Placebo	Subjects received matched placebo before- and after-high dose chemotherapy

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Maximum Severity of Oral Mucositis (World Health Organization (WHO) Grades 0/1, 2, 3, or 4)	at Day 32	For the primary efficacy endpoint maximum severity of Oral Mucositis (OM) was assessed, the number of participants who had the different severity. To assess severity of OM, a 5-grade WHO scale (0, 1, 2, 3, or 4) was used. 0 = no findings or erythema only, 1= soreness present with or without erythema, 2=ulcers present but able to take solid food, 3 =ulcers present and only able to take liquids, 4 =ulcers present/not able to take anything orally.
Incidence of Cataract Development or Progression at Month 12.	12 months	Number of participants from the primary cataract subset showing an increase from baseline of \>= 0.3 in the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III score). The LOCS III is a standard system used for grading and comparison of cataract severity and type. The ophthalmologist trained in LOCS III uses a slit lamp for examining the lens of the eye. The classification evaluates four features: posterior subcapsular cataract(P),cortical cataract(C),nuclear opalescence(NO) and nuclear color(NC). NO and NC are graded on a decimal scale of 0.1 to 6.9, based on a set of 6 standardized photographs. C and P are graded on a decimal scale of 0.1 to 5.9, based on a set of 5 standardized photographs each. In the current study, cataract development or progression was defined as an increase from baseline of ≥ 0.3 on any of the three features P, C or NO (NC is of less importance and has not been analysed further in this study).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Time Death or Disease Progression	During long-term follow up phase (maximum of 10 years)	For the analysis of time to disease progression, competing risks time-to-event analysis was used, since a subject destined to develop disease progression could die from unrelated causes before the disease progression event takes place. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, with death due to other causes than progression considered as a competing risk, were provided: event rate at 3 month intervals, with 95% confidence interval, the number of subjects at risk at the beginning of the time period, and the number of events of interest.
Duration of Ulcerative Mucositis (WHO Grades 2, 3, and 4)	at Day 32	The duration of ulcerative mucositis measured the number of days the participants had different WHO grades 2, 3, and 4: 2=ulcers present but able to take solid food, 3 =ulcers present and only able to take liquids, 4 =ulcers present/not able to take anything orally. Patients that did not have any ulcerative mucositis were given a value of 0 days.
Incidence of Cataract Development or Progression (Change of ≥0.3 in Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III Score)) at Month 6.	6 Months	Number of participants from the primary cataract subset showing an increase from baseline of \>= 0.3 in the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III score). The LOCS III is a standard system used for grading and comparison of cataract severity and type. The ophthalmologist trained in LOCS III uses a slit lamp for examining the lens of the eye. The classification evaluates four features: posterior subcapsular cataract(P),cortical cataract(C),nuclear opalescence(NO) and nuclear color(NC). NO and NC are graded on a decimal scale of 0.1 to 6.9, based on a set of 6 standardized photographs. C and P are graded on a decimal scale of 0.1 to 5.9, based on a set of 5 standardized photographs each. In the current study, cataract development or progression was defined as an increase from baseline of ≥ 0.3 on any of the three features P, C or NO (NC is of less importance and has not been analysed further in this study).
Incidence of a Decreased From Baseline in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) as Measured by a Change of 10 Letters on the ETDRS (Early Termination Diabetic Retinopathy Study) at 4 Meters at Months 12.	Month 12	To study if the treatment has effected on the visual acuity from baseline to months 12, by using Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) as measured by a Change of 10 Letters on the ETDRS (Early Termination Diabetic Retinopathy Study) at 4 Meters. To assess the effect of palifermin on the incidence of cataract development or progression at Month 6 and Month 12 based on an increase of ≥ 0.3 in the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS III) score for Posterior Subcapsular cataract (P), Cortical Cataract (C) and Nuclear Opalescence (NO).
Incidence of Adverse Events and Laboratory Abnormalities	at Day 32	Incidence of Adverse Events CTCAE grade 3 or higher reported
Incidence Ulcerative Mucositis (WHO Grades 2, 3, and 4)	at Day 32	The incidence of ulcerative mucositis WHO grades 2, 3, and 4. Measured the number of participants who had WHO grades 2, 3, and 4: 2=ulcers present but able to take solid food, 3=ulcers present and only able to take liquids, 4=ulcers present/not able to take anything orally.
The Area Under the Curve (AUC) Was Calculated From the Patient-reported Outcome Mouth and Throat Soreness (MTS) Score.	at Day 32	The mean daily scores were calculated using the subject daily assessment of Patient-reported mouth and throat soreness (MTS) on the 5 point scale with higher values in MTS indicating a worse self assessed MTS. A 5-grade WHO scale (0, 1, 2, 3, or 4). 0=no findings or erythema only, 1=soreness present with or without erythema, 2=ulcers present but able to take solid food, 3=ulcers present and only able to take liquids, 4=ulcers present/not able to take anything orally. The incidence of ulcerative mucositis WHO grades 2, 3, and 4. Measured the number of participants who had WHO grades 2, 3, and 4: 2=ulcers present but able to take solid food, 3=ulcers present and only able to take liquids, 4=ulcers present/not able to take anything orally. The area under the curve were calculated at the time points; Day(D)-2, up to Day 32.
Incidence of a Decreased From Baseline in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) as Measured by a Change of 10 Letters on the ETDRS (Early Termination Diabetic Retinopathy Study) at 4 Meters at Months 6	Months 6	To study if the treatment has effected on the visual acuity from baseline to months 6, by using Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) as measured by a Change of 10 Letters on the ETDRS (Early Termination Diabetic Retinopathy Study) at 4 Meters. To assess the effect of palifermin on the incidence of cataract development or progression at Month 6 and Month 12 based on an increase of ≥ 0.3 in the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS III) score for Posterior Subcapsular cataract (P), Cortical Cataract (C) and Nuclear Opalescence (NO).
Overall Survival	During long-term follow up phase (maximum of 10 years)	Overall survival (OS) is based on death from any cause, not just the condition being treated, thus it picks up death from side effects of the treatment, and effects on survival after relapse.
Incidence of Second Primary Malignancies or Other Malignancies	During long-term follow up phase (maximum of 10 years)	All comparisons for the long-term safety endpoints were based on the combined palifermin group versus placebo (placebo over palifermin). Incidence of new or secondary malignancies by treatment group was provided (incidence of new or secondary malignancies at the follow-up visit - yes, no, no assessment -, and number of subjects with new or secondary malignancies, per type of malignancies). The long-term safety evaluations were summarized for the subgroups defined by the factors used for randomization using descriptive statistics.
Incidence of an Increase Posterior Subcapsular Cataract (P), Cortical Cataract (C) and Nuclear Opalescence (NO) at Month 6 and 12	at Month 6 and Month 12	To assess the effect of palifermin on the incidence of cataract development or progression at Month 6 and Month 12 based on an increase of ≥ 0.3 in the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS III) score for Posterior (P), Cortical Cataract (C) and Nuclear Opalescence (NO). For Subcapsular cataract (P), Cortical Cataract (C) and Nuclear Opalescence (NO): at month 6 and 12 adjusted difference of rate of cataract, Palifermin - Placebo were used and the confidence interval were calculated on the adjusted difference.
Change From Baseline in Posterior Subcapsular (P), Cortical (C) Cataract and Nuclear Opalescence (NO) on the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) Scale at Months 6.	Months 6	To study the change in cataract from baseline visit to months 6, three cataract main types: nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular measured on the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) Scale. To assess the effect of palifermin on the incidence of cataract development or progression at Month 6 and Month 12 based on an increase of ≥ 0.3 in theLOCS III score for Posterior Subcapsular cataract (P), Cortical Cataract (C) and Nuclear Opalescence (NO). The LOCS III is a standard system used for grading and comparison of cataract severity and type. The ophthalmologist uses a slit lamp for examining the lens of the eye. The classification evaluates: P,C and NO. NO is graded on a decimal scale of 0.1 to 6.9, based on a set of 6 standardized photographs. C and P are graded on a decimal scale of 0.1 to 5.9, based on a set of 5 standardized photographs each.
Change From Baseline in Posterior Subcapsular (P), Cortical (C) Cataract and Nuclear Opalescence (NO) on the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) Scale at Months 12.	Months 12	To study the change in cataract from baseline visit to months 12, regarding the three cataract main types: nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular measured on the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) Scale. To assess the effect of palifermin on the incidence of cataract development or progression at Month 6 and Month 12 based on an increase of ≥ 0.3 in the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS III) score for Posterior Subcapsular cataract (P), Cortical Cataract (C) and Nuclear Opalescence (NO). The LOCS III is a standard system used for grading and comparison of cataract severity and type. The ophthalmologist uses a slit lamp for examining the lens of the eye. The classification evaluates: P,C and NO. NO is graded on a decimal scale of 0.1 to 6.9, based on a set of 6 standardized photographs. C and P are graded on a decimal scale of 0.1 to 5.9, based on a set of 5 standardized photographs each.
Progression Free Survival	During long-term follow up phase (maximum of 10 years)	Progression-free survival (PFS) is the length of time during and after the treatment during which the disease being treated does not get worse. In this study the event for Progression-free survival was death from all causes or disease progression. Time to each event was defined as the time elapsed between the date of the first dose of investigational product, and the date of the given event.