News Releases

WHIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer announced today that new research findings on Xofigo^® (radium Ra 223 dichloride) injection will be presented at the 2016 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO GU) taking place January 7 – 9 in San Francisco.

"The data being presented at ASCO GU underscore Bayer's commitment to explore the full potential of radium-223 dichloride for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer, symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease," said Dario Mirski, M.D., Bayer's vice president and head of U.S. Medical Affairs. "The impact of advanced prostate cancer can be devastating with about 90 percent of men living with advanced prostate developing bone metastases. Our research efforts are driven by a commitment to find treatment approaches that can benefit these patients."

Among data being presented are the first safety and efficacy findings of radium-223 dichloride re-treatment in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases. The safety and efficacy of radium-223 dichloride beyond six injections has not been established.

Notable studies evaluating radium-223 dichloride at ASCO GU 2016 are listed below.

Radium Ra 223 Dichloride (radium-223)

• Radium-223 (Ra-223) re-treatment (Re-tx): First experience from an international, multicenter, prospective study in patients (Pts) with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases (mCRPC)
  • Abstract #197, Board H12, Poster Session A: Prostate Cancer (Moscone West Building, Level 1, West Hall)
  • January 7, 2016 at 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (PST)
• Open-label phase II study evaluating the efficacy of concurrent administration of radium Ra 223 dichloride (Ra-223) and abiraterone acetate (AA) in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients with symptomatic bone metastases
  • Abstract #177, Board G12, Poster Session A: Prostate Cancer (Moscone West Building, Level 1, West Hall)
  • January 7, 2016 at 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (PST)
• Phase II clinical study of radium-223 chloride (BAY 88-8223) in Japanese patients with symptomatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with bone metastases
  • Abstract #167, Board G2, Poster Session A: Prostate Cancer (Moscone West Building, Level 1, West Hall)
  • January 7, 2016 at 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (PST)

About Xofigo^® (radium Ra 223 dichloride) Injection

Xofigo is indicated for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastatic disease.

Xofigo is an alpha particle-emitting radioactive therapeutic agent with an anti-tumor effect on bone metastases. The active ingredient in Xofigo is the alpha particle-emitting isotope radium-223, which mimics calcium and forms complexes with the bone mineral hydroxyapatite at areas of increased bone turnover, such as bone metastases. The high linear energy transfer of Xofigo may cause double-strand DNA breaks in adjacent cells, resulting in an anti-tumor effect on bone metastases. The alpha particle range from radium Ra 223 dichloride is less than 100 micrometers which may limit the damage to the surrounding normal tissue.¹

Important Safety Information for Xofigo^® (radium Ra 223 dichloride) Injection

• Contraindications: Xofigo is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant. Xofigo can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
• Bone Marrow Suppression: In the randomized trial, 2% of patients in the Xofigo arm experienced bone marrow failure or ongoing pancytopenia, compared to no patients treated with placebo. There were two deaths due to bone marrow failure. For 7 of 13 patients treated with Xofigo bone marrow failure was ongoing at the time of death. Among the 13 patients who experienced bone marrow failure, 54% required blood transfusions. Four percent (4%) of patients in the Xofigo arm and 2% in the placebo arm permanently discontinued therapy due to bone marrow suppression. In the randomized trial, deaths related to vascular hemorrhage in association with myelosuppression were observed in 1% of Xofigo-treated patients compared to 0.3% of patients treated with placebo. The incidence of infection-related deaths (2%), serious infections (10%), and febrile neutropenia (<1%) was similar for patients treated with Xofigo and placebo. Myelosuppression – notably thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, pancytopenia, and leucopenia – has been reported in patients treated with Xofigo.
  Monitor patients with evidence of compromised bone marrow reserve closely and provide supportive care measures when clinically indicated. Discontinue Xofigo in patients who experience life-threatening complications despite supportive care for bone marrow failure.
• Hematological Evaluation: Monitor blood counts at baseline and prior to every dose of Xofigo. Prior to first administering Xofigo, the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) should be greater than or equal to 1.5 × 10⁹/L, the platelet count greater than or equal to 100 × 10⁹/L, and hemoglobin greater than or equal to 10 g/dL. Prior to subsequent administrations, the ANC should be greater than or equal to 1 × 10⁹/L and the platelet count greater than or equal to 50 × 10⁹/L. Discontinue Xofigo if hematologic values do not recover within 6 to 8 weeks after the last administration despite receiving supportive care.
• Concomitant Use with Chemotherapy: Safety and efficacy of concomitant chemotherapy with Xofigo have not been established. Outside of a clinical trial, concomitant use of Xofigo in patients on chemotherapy is not recommended due to the potential for additive myelosuppression. If chemotherapy, other systemic radioisotopes, or hemibody external radiotherapy are administered during the treatment period, Xofigo should be discontinued.
• Administration and Radiation Protection: Xofigo should be received, used, and administered only by authorized persons in designated clinical settings. The administration of Xofigo is associated with potential risks to other persons from radiation or contamination from spills of bodily fluids such as urine, feces, or vomit. Therefore, radiation protection precautions must be taken in accordance with national and local regulations.
• Fluid Status: Dehydration occurred in 3% of patients on Xofigo and 1% of patients on placebo. Xofigo increases adverse reactions such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, which may result in dehydration. Monitor patients' oral intake and fluid status carefully and promptly treat patients who display signs or symptoms of dehydration or hypovolemia.
• Injection Site Reactions: Erythema, pain, and edema at the injection site were reported in 1% of patients on Xofigo.
• Secondary Malignant Neoplasms: Xofigo contributes to a patient's overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure. Long-term cumulative radiation exposure may be associated with an increased risk of cancer and hereditary defects. Due to its mechanism of action and neoplastic changes, including osteosarcomas, in rats following administration of radium -223 dichloride, Xofigo may increase the risk of osteosarcoma or other secondary malignant neoplasms. However, the overall incidence of new malignancies in the randomized trial was lower on the Xofigo arm compared to placebo (<1% vs 2%; respectively), but the expected latency period for the development of secondary malignancies exceeds the duration of follow up for patients on the trial.
• Subsequent Treatment with Cytotoxic Chemotherapy: In the randomized clinical trial, 16% patients in the Xofigo group and 18% patients in the placebo group received cytotoxic chemotherapy after completion of study treatments. Adequate safety monitoring and laboratory testing was not performed to assess how patients treated with Xofigo will tolerate subsequent cytotoxic chemotherapy.
• Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) in the Xofigo arm vs the placebo arm, respectively, were nausea (36% vs 35%), diarrhea (25% vs 15%), vomiting (19% vs 14%), and peripheral edema (13% vs 10%). Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were reported in 57% of Xofigo-treated patients and 63% of placebo-treated patients. The most common hematologic laboratory abnormalities in the Xofigo arm (≥10%) vs the placebo arm, respectively, were anemia (93% vs 88%), lymphocytopenia (72% vs 53%), leukopenia (35% vs 10%), thrombocytopenia (31% vs 22%), and neutropenia (18% vs 5%).

For full prescribing information visit http://labeling.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/pi/Xofigo_PI.pdf.

About Oncology at Bayer

Bayer is committed to delivering science for a better life by advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments. The oncology franchise at Bayer now includes three oncology products and several other compounds in various stages of clinical development. Together, these products reflect the company's approach to research, which prioritizes targets and pathways with the potential to impact the way that cancer is treated.

Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2014, the Group employed around 119,000 people and had sales of EUR 42.2 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.5 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 3.6 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

© 2016 Bayer
BAYER, the Bayer Cross and Xofigo are registered trademarks of Bayer.

Forward-Looking Statement
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. 

1. XOFIGO^® (radium Ra 223 dichloride) [Prescribing Information]. Wayne, NJ: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, May 2013. 

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SOURCE Bayer Pharmaceuticals Inc.