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Tarceva® erlotinib tablets
A therapeutic option for second-line Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
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Survival Results

Proven survival benefit in unselected patients with advanced NSCLC

Tarceva significantly prolonged overall survival
  • Tarceva (erlotinib) significantly improved overall survival, the primary endpoint, by 37% in patients with relapsed Stage IIIB/IV NSCLC vs placebo (P<0.001).1, 2
    • median survival lengthened by 42.5% vs placebo (6.7 months vs 4.7 months)
  • In the single-agent NSCLC Phase III trial, the hazard ratio (based on a log-rank test) was used prospectively to define the primary endpoint of overall survival. A hazard ratio <1.0 indicates Tarceva had a survival benefit.1
  • Hazard ratio of 0.73 indicates a 27% reduction in risk of death for patients who received Tarceva.1, 2

Tarceva increased 1-year survival

  • One-year survival with Tarceva was 31.2% vs 21.5% with placebo.1
Tarceva survival chart

Impact on time to progression and disease control rate

Tarceva significantly prolonged progression-free survival
  • Tarceva significantly prolonged progression-free survival by 69% in patients with relapsed Stage IIIB/IV NSCLC-hazard ratio of 0.59 indicates that the risk of death or disease progression was reduced by 41% (P<0.001).1

Disease control rate improved with Tarceva

  • In the pivotal trial, BR.21, the disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) for patients receiving Tarceva was 44.0% vs 27.5% for placebo.1, 2
  • The median duration of disease control was 6.0 months (95% CI=5.7-7.4; n=188) with Tarceva vs 4.7 months (95% Cl=3.7-5.5; n=58) for placebo (HR=0.53; P=0.0002).1, 2

Tarceva increased tumor response rate and lengthened median duration of response

  • Tarceva significantly increased tumor response rate vs placebo (8.9% vs 0.9%, P<0.001).1
  • In patients with a response to Tarceva, the median duration of response (CR+PR) was 7.9 months (n=38).1

Survival benefit in second-line, PS 0-1 patients

A retrospective analysis of patients by ECOG Performance Status (PS) and line of therapy.

Survival benefit in second-line, PS 0-1 patients Significantly prolonged overall survival by 47% in PS 0-1 patients
  • In a retrospective analysis of PS 0-1 patients receiving second-line Tarceva:2
    • median survival was lengthened by 40% vs placebo (9.4 months vs 6.7 months)
    • one-year survival rate was increased by 33% vs placebo (40% vs 30%)
    • progression-free survival was significantly prolonged by 79% vs placebo (HR=0.56; 95% CI=0.42-0.75; P<0.001)

*Stratification factor as documented at baseline; distribution differs slightly from values reported at time of randomization.

NSCLC efficacy overview

  • Tarceva significantly prolonged overall survival by 37% (P<0.001).1
    • one-year survival rate increased by 45% vs placebo (31.2% vs 21.5%)1
    • median survival lengthened by 42.5% vs placebo (6.7 months vs 4.7 months)1, 2
  • Tarceva significantly prolonged progression-free survival by 69% - a hazard ratio of 0.59 indicates that the risk of death or disease progression was reduced by 41% (P<0.001).1
  • In a retrospective analysis, Tarceva significantly prolonged overall survival for second-line, Performance Status (PS) 0-1 patients by 47% (HR=0.68; P=0.018) and lengthened median survival by 9.4 months vs 6.7 months for placebo.2
  • Although the survival benefit extended to a diverse patient population, in a retrospective, exploratory subset analysis, Tarceva appeared to offer a greater relative survival benefit for EGFR positive (HR=0.68) and nonsmoking patients (HR=0.42)1

Survival benefit across diverse patient groups

Tarceva demonstrated a significant 37% improvement in overall survival in a large, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of unselected patients with advanced NSCLC.1

  • In exploratory univariate analyses, the effect on survival was shown to be similar in most patient populations.1
  • Some factors were associated with a greater response, but there are no known patient populations that would exclude a positive treatment effect.1
National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC-CTG) protocol design
  • 1. Tarceva® (erlotinib) full prescribing information,OSI Pharmaceuticals,Inc., 2009.
  • 2. Data on file, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Indication and Usage

Tarceva monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen.

Results from two, multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, Phase III trials conducted in first-line patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC showed no clinical benefit with the concurrent administration of Tarceva with platinum-based chemotherapy [carboplatin and paclitaxel or gemcitabine and cisplatin] and its use is not recommended in that setting.

Important Safety Information:

There have been infrequent reports of serious Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)-like events, including fatalities, in patients receiving Tarceva for treatment of NSCLC, pancreatic cancer or other advanced solid tumors. In the event of an acute onset of new or progressive, unexplained pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea, cough and fever, Tarceva therapy should be interrupted pending diagnostic evaluation. If ILD is diagnosed, Tarceva should be discontinued and appropriate treatment instituted as needed.

Cases of hepatic failure, hepatorenal syndrome, acute renal failure (all including fatalities), and renal insufficiency have been reported during use of Tarceva. Treatment with Tarceva should be used with extra caution in patients with total bilirubin > 3 x ULN. Tarceva dosing should be interrupted or discontinued if changes in liver function are severe. Patients should be closely monitored during therapy with Tarceva.

Gastrointestinal perforation (including fatalities) has been reported in patients receiving Tarceva. Permanently discontinue Tarceva in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation.

Bullous, blistering and exfoliative skin conditions have been reported including cases suggestive of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, which in some cases were fatal. Interrupt or discontinue Tarceva treatment if the patient develops severe bullous, blistering or exfoliating conditions.

Corneal perforation and ulceration have been reported during use of Tarceva. Interrupt or discontinue Tarceva therapy if patients present with acute/worsening ocular disorders such as eye pain.

When receiving Tarceva therapy, women should be advised against becoming pregnant or breastfeeding. Tarceva is pregnancy category D.

The most common adverse reactions in patients with NSCLC receiving Tarceva monotherapy 150 mg were mild to moderate rash and diarrhea. Severe rash and diarrhea (9% & 6% NCI-CTC Grades 3-4, respectively) were reported. Rash and diarrhea each resulted in dose reductions (6% and 1%, respectively) and discontinuation in 1% of Tarceva-treated patients during the single-agent Phase III trial.


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Tarceva® erlotinib tablets