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Efficacy of TORISEL

Significant overall survival benefit as first-line therapy1

TORISEL demonstrated a statistically significant 49% increase in median overall survival (OS) compared with interferon-alpha (IFN-α) (P=0.0078*).1

Kaplan-Meier curves for OS in the phase 3 clinical study1

TORISEL demonstrated a statistically significant increase in median OS compared with IFN-α

Results from a phase 3, multicenter, 3-arm, randomized, open-label study conducted in 626 previously untreated patients with advanced RCC (clear-cell and non-clear-cell histologies) and multiple risk factors for poor prognosis.

Primary end point TORISEL (n=209) IFN-α (n=207) P-value Hazard ratio
(95% CI)
Median OS§
Months (95% CI)
10.9 (8.6, 12.7) 7.3 (6.1, 8.8) 0.0078* 0.73 (0.58, 0.92)

CI=confidence interval

* A comparison is considered statistically significant if the P-value is <0.0159 (O’Brien-Fleming boundary at 446 deaths).

Based on log-rank test stratified by prior nephrectomy and region.

Based on Cox proportional hazard model stratified by prior nephrectomy and region.

§ Time from randomization to death.

Overall survival results were achieved with TORISEL in patients regardless of2

  • Clear-cell or non-clear-cell tumor histology
  • Presence or absence of prior nephrectomy

Secondary end points1,3

  • TORISEL demonstrated a significant 77% increase in median progression-free survival (PFS)|| compared with IFN-α (P=0.0001)
    • TORISEL and IFN-α demonstrated median PFS of 5.5 (95% CI, 3.9, 7.0) months and 3.1 (2.2, 3.8) months, respectively (Hazard Ratio [95% CI] = 0.66 [0.53, 0.81])
  • TORISEL showed no significant difference in overall response rate (ORR#) compared with IFN-α (P=0.1232¶**)
    • TORISEL and IFN-α demonstrated ORRs of 8.6% (95% CI, 4.8, 12.4) and 4.8% (1.9, 7.8), respectively

Duration of treatment1

  • The median duration of treatment in the TORISEL arm was 17 weeks (range 1-126 weeks)
  • The median duration of treatment in the IFN-α arm was 8 weeks (range 1-124 weeks)

|| Time from randomization to disease progression or death, censored at the last tumor evaluation date. The evaluation of PFS was based on blinded independent radiologic assessment of tumor response using RECIST-based criteria.

Not adjusted for multiple comparisons.

# Percent of patients who had confirmed complete or partial response as their best response to treatment. The evaluation of ORR was based on blinded independent radiologic assessment of tumor response using RECIST-based criteria.

** Based on Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test stratified by prior nephrectomy and region.

Clinical trials

TORISEL as 1st-Line Treatment Option

NCCN recommends TORISEL as a first-line treatment option in advanced RCC.5

  • Category 1 for poor-prognosis patients
  • Clear-cell histology - Category 2B for selected patients
    of other risk groups
  • Non-clear-cell histology - Category 2A for selected patients
    of other risk groups

Important Safety Information

Important Safety Information

  • TORISEL is contraindicated in patients with bilirubin >1.5 x ULN and should be used with caution when treating patients with mild hepatic impairment (bilirubin >1 – 1.5 x ULN or AST > ULN but bilirubin ≤ ULN). If TORISEL must be given to patients with mild hepatic impairment, reduce the dose of TORISEL to 15 mg/week. In a phase 1 study, the overall frequency of ≥ grade 3 adverse reactions and deaths, including deaths due to progressive disease, was greater in patients with baseline bilirubin > 1.5 x ULN.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions manifested by symptoms, including, but not limited to anaphylaxis, dyspnea, flushing, and chest pain have been observed with TORISEL.
  • Serum glucose, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides should be tested before and during treatment with TORISEL.
    • The use of TORISEL is likely to result in hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia. This may result in the need for an increase in the dose of, or initiation of, insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agent therapy and/or lipid-lowering agents, respectively.
  • The use of TORISEL may result in immunosuppression. Patients should be carefully observed for the occurrence of infections, including opportunistic infections.
  • Cases of interstitial lung disease, some resulting in death, have occurred. Some patients were asymptomatic and others presented with symptoms. Some patients required discontinuation of TORISEL and/or treatment with corticosteroids and/or antibiotics.
  • Cases of fatal bowel perforation occurred with TORISEL. These patients presented with fever, abdominal pain, metabolic acidosis, bloody stools, diarrhea, and/or acute abdomen.
  • Cases of rapidly progressive and sometimes fatal acute renal failure not clearly related to disease progression occurred in patients who received TORISEL.
  • Due to abnormal wound healing, use TORISEL with caution in the perioperative period.
  • Patients with central nervous system tumors (primary CNS tumor or metastases) and/or receiving anticoagulation therapy may be at an increased risk of developing intracerebral bleeding (including fatal outcomes) while receiving TORISEL.
  • Live vaccinations and close contact with those who received live vaccines should be avoided.
  • Patients and their partners should be advised to avoid pregnancy throughout treatment and for 3 months after TORISEL therapy has stopped.
  • The most common (incidence ≥30%) adverse reactions observed with TORISEL are: rash (47%), asthenia (51%), mucositis (41%), nausea (37%), edema (35%), and anorexia (32%). The most common laboratory abnormalities (incidence ≥30%) are anemia (94%), hyperglycemia (89%), hyperlipemia (87%), hypertriglyceridemia (83%), elevated alkaline phosphatase (68%), elevated serum creatinine (57%), lymphopenia (53%), hypophosphatemia (49%), thrombocytopenia (40%), elevated AST (38%), and leukopenia (32%).
  • Most common grades 3/4 adverse events and laboratory abnormalities included asthenia (11%), dyspnea (9%), hemoglobin decreased (20%), lymphocytes decreased (16%), glucose increased (16%), phosphorus decreased (18%), and triglycerides increased (44%).
  • Strong inducers of CYP3A4/5 (eg, dexamethasone, rifampin) and strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (eg, ketoconazole, atazanavir) may decrease and increase concentrations of the major metabolite of TORISEL, respectively. If alternatives cannot be used, dose modifications of TORISEL are recommended.
  • St. John’s Wort may decrease TORISEL plasma concentrations, and grapefruit juice may increase plasma concentrations of the major metabolite of TORISEL, and therefore both should be avoided.
  • The combination of TORISEL and sunitinib resulted in dose-limiting toxicity (Grade 3/4 erythematous maculopapular rash, and gout/cellulitis requiring hospitalization).

Please see the full Prescribing Information for TORISEL.

References:

  1. TORISEL® Kit (temsirolimus) Prescribing Information, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  2. Hudes G, Carducci M, Tomczak P, et al. Temsirolimus, interferon alfa, or both for advanced renal-cell carcinoma.
    N Engl J Med. 2007;356:2271-2281.
  3. Data on file, Pfizer Inc.
  4. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: kidney cancer. V.2.2010.

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