Brigatinib receives FDA approval for ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email
Share on print

Brigatinib (Alunbrig) has received FDA approval for adult patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer as detected by an FDA-approved test.

Alunbrig is sponsored by Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc.

FDA also approved the Vysis ALK Break Apart FISH Probe Kit (sponsored by Abbott Molecular Inc.) as a companion diagnostic for brigatinib.

Efficacy was investigated in ALTA 1L (NCT02737501), a randomized (1:1), open-label, multicenter trial in adult patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC who had not previously received an ALK-targeted therapy. The trial required patients to have an ALK rearrangement based on a local standard of care testing. The trial randomized 275 patients to receive brigatinib 180 mg orally once daily with a 7-day lead-in at 90 mg once daily (n=137) or crizotinib 250 mg orally twice daily (n=138). A subset of the clinical samples was retrospectively tested with the Vysis ALK Break Apart FISH Probe Kit. Of the enrolled patients, 239 had positive results using the Vysis diagnostic test (central results were negative for 20 patients and unavailable for 16 patients).

The major efficacy outcome measure was progression-free survival evaluated by a blinded independent review committee according to RECIST 1.1. Additional efficacy outcome measures as evaluated by the BIRC was confirmed overall response rate.

Estimated median PFS for patients treated with brigatinib was 24 months (95% CI: 18.5, NE) compared with 11 months (95% CI: 9.2, 12.9) for those treated with crizotinib (HR 0.49; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.68; p<.0001). Confirmed ORR was 74% (95% CI: 66, 81) and 62% (95% CI: 53, 70), respectively.

Table of Contents

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Earlier this week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as secretary of Health and Human Services amid many resignations at federal health agencies and cancellations of NIH and NCAB meetings. All of this happened at a time when the Trump administration is reportedly preparing to fire thousands of HHS workers.
Fifty-four years ago, in his State of the Union Message in January 1971, President Nixon proposed a visionary and vigorous new challenge.  He said “The time has come in America when the same kind of concentrated effort that split the atom and took man to the moon” should be applied to finding a cure for cancer.  He followed up by requesting an appropriation of $100 million, and the promise to ask for whatever additional funds could be effectively used.  

Never miss an issue!

Get alerts for our award-winning coverage in your inbox.

Login