Photo courtesy of Amgen
Vials of blinatumomab powder and solution for infusion
The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) said it will re-examine a recent opinion on blinatumomab (Blincyto).
In July, the CHMP recommended against approving blinatumomab to treat patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) who have minimal residual disease (MRD).
However, the CHMP has agreed to re-examine its position and issue a final recommendation.
Blinatumomab is currently approved by the European Commission (EC) as monotherapy for adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative, CD19-positive, relapsed or refractory BCP-ALL.
Blinatumomab is also approved as monotherapy for pediatric patients age 1 year or older who have relapsed/refractory, Philadelphia chromosome-negative, CD19-positive BCP-ALL and have received at least two prior therapies or relapsed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant.
Amgen is seeking an extension of the marketing authorization for blinatumomab to include BCP-ALL patients with MRD.
The CHMP previously recommended against approving blinatumomab for these patients based on data from the BLAST study. Results from this phase 2 trial were published in Blood in April.
The CHMP noted that, although blinatumomab helped clear away residual cells in many patients in the BLAST trial, there is no strong evidence that this leads to improved survival.
Given the uncertainty, the CHMP was of the opinion that the benefits of blinatumomab do not outweigh its risks in MRD-positive BCP-ALL patients.
However, Amgen request a re-examination of the CHMP’s opinion, and the CHMP has complied.
The CHMP’s recommendations are reviewed by the EC, which has the authority to approve medicines for use in the European Union, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The EC usually makes a decision within 67 days of CHMP recommendations.