LIBTAYO® (cemiplimab-rwlc) is now FDA-approved

We wanted you to be among the first to know that LIBTAYO^® (cemiplimab-rwlc) is now FDA-approved in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have no EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 aberrations, and is:

• Locally advanced where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, OR
• Metastatic

This approval was based on the results of EMPOWER-Lung 3, a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, active-controlled phase 3 trial that investigated first-line combination treatment of LIBTAYO and platinum-doublet chemotherapy, compared with platinum-doublet chemotherapy alone, conducted in 466 patients with advanced NSCLC with no EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 aberrations. The patients included in this study were representative of a broad advanced NSCLC population: they were enrolled irrespective of PD-L1 expression and could have either squamous or nonsquamous histology. They also could have either metastatic or locally advanced disease (stage IIIB/IIIC) that was not suitable for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation.*

*14% had locally advanced disease and were ineligible for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation.

Important Safety Information

Warnings and Precautions

Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions

The incidence and severity of immune-mediated adverse reactions were similar when LIBTAYO was administered as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy.

Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue at any time after starting treatment. While immune-mediated adverse reactions usually occur during treatment, they can also occur after discontinuation. Immune-mediated adverse reactions affecting more than one body system can occur simultaneously. Early identification and management are essential to ensuring safe use of PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies.

Please see additional Important Safety Information below.

As you may know, LIBTAYO was approved as a single agent in February 2021 for the first-line treatment of adult patients with NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression [Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) ≥50%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 aberrations, and is locally advanced where patients are not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation, OR metastatic.

With the addition of the new indication, physicians now have the flexibility to customize LIBTAYO treatment for their appropriate patients as either first-line combination therapy with chemotherapy or as monotherapy.

LIBTAYO, which was invented using Regeneron’s proprietary VelocImmune^® technology, is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T cells. By binding to PD-1, LIBTAYO has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation.

Please see additional Important Safety Information below and the full LIBTAYO Prescribing Information here or go to www.libtayohcp.com.

Important Safety Information (continued)

Warnings and Precautions (continued)

Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions (continued)

The definition of immune-mediated adverse reactions included the required use of systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants and the absence of a clear alternate etiology. Monitor closely for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate.

No dose reduction for LIBTAYO is recommended. In general, withhold LIBTAYO for severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated adverse reactions. Permanently discontinue LIBTAYO for life-threatening (Grade 4) immune-mediated adverse reactions, recurrent severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated adverse reactions that require systemic immunosuppressive treatment, or an inability to reduce corticosteroid dose to 10 mg or less of prednisone equivalent per day within 12 weeks of initiating steroids.

Withhold or permanently discontinue LIBTAYO depending on severity. In general, if LIBTAYO requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose immune-mediated adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroids.

Immune-mediated pneumonitis: LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. In patients treated with other PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies, the incidence of pneumonitis is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.2% (26/810) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 4 (0.5%), Grade 3 (0.5%), and Grade 2 (2.1%). Pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation in 1.4% of patients and withholding of LIBTAYO in 2.1% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with pneumonitis. Pneumonitis resolved in 58% of the 26 patients. Of the 17 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld, 9 reinitiated after symptom improvement; of these, 3/9 (33%) had recurrence of pneumonitis. Withhold LIBTAYO for Grade 2, and permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4. Resume in patients with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0 to 1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 weeks of initiating steroids or inability to reduce prednisone to less than 10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating steroids.

Immune-mediated colitis: LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated colitis. The primary component of immune-mediated colitis was diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis treated with PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2.2% (18/810) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (0.9%) and Grade 2 (1.1%). Colitis led to permanent discontinuation in 0.4% of patients and withholding of LIBTAYO in 1.5% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with colitis. Colitis resolved in 39% of the 18 patients. Of the 12 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld, 4 reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, 3/4 (75%) had recurrence. Withhold LIBTAYO for Grade 2 or 3, and permanently discontinue for Grade 4. Resume in patients with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0 to 1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 weeks of initiating steroids or inability to reduce prednisone to less than 10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating steroids.

Immune-mediated hepatitis: LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 2% (16/810) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including fatal (0.1%), Grade 4 (0.1%), Grade 3 (1.4%), and Grade 2 (0.2%). Hepatitis led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 1.2% of patients and withholding of LIBTAYO in 0.5% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with hepatitis. Additional immunosuppression with mycophenolate was required in 19% (3/16) of these patients. Hepatitis resolved in 50% of the 16 patients. Of the 5 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld, 3 reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence.

For hepatitis with no tumor involvement of the liver: Withhold LIBTAYO if AST or ALT increases to more than 3 and up to 8 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or if total bilirubin increases to more than 1.5 and up to 3 times the ULN. Permanently discontinue LIBTAYO if AST or ALT increases to more than 8 times the ULN or total bilirubin increases to more than 3 times the ULN.

For hepatitis with tumor involvement of the liver: Withhold LIBTAYO if baseline AST or ALT is more than 1 and up to 3 times ULN and increases to more than 5 and up to 10 times ULN. Also, withhold LIBTAYO if baseline AST or ALT is more than 3 and up to 5 times ULN and increases to more than 8 and up to 10 times ULN. Permanently discontinue LIBTAYO if AST or ALT increases to more than 10 times ULN or if total bilirubin increases to more than 3 times ULN. If AST and ALT are less than or equal to ULN at baseline, withhold or permanently discontinue LIBTAYO based on recommendations for hepatitis with no liver involvement.

Resume in patients with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0 to 1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 weeks of initiating steroids or inability to reduce prednisone to less than 10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating steroids.

Immune-mediated endocrinopathies: For Grade 3 or 4 endocrinopathies, withhold until clinically stable or permanently discontinue depending on severity.

·       Adrenal insufficiency: LIBTAYO can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold LIBTAYO depending on severity. Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.4% (3/810) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (0.4%). Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 1 (0.1%) patient. LIBTAYO was not withheld in any patient due to adrenal insufficiency. Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with adrenal insufficiency; of these, 67% (2/3) remained on systemic corticosteroids. Adrenal insufficiency had not resolved in any patient at the time of data cutoff

·       Hypophysitis: LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue depending on severity. Hypophysitis occurred in 0.4% (3/810) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (0.2%) and Grade 2 (0.1%) adverse reactions. Hypophysitis led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 1 (0.1%) patient and withholding of LIBTAYO in 1 (0.1%) patient. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 67% (2/3) of patients with hypophysitis. Hypophysitis had not resolved in any patient at the time of data cutoff

·       Thyroid disorders: LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone replacement or medical management of hyperthyroidism as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue LIBTAYO depending on severity

·       Thyroiditis: Thyroiditis occurred in 0.6% (5/810) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 2 (0.2%) adverse reactions. No patient discontinued LIBTAYO due to thyroiditis. Thyroiditis led to withholding of LIBTAYO in 1 patient. Systemic corticosteroids were not required in any patient with thyroiditis. Thyroiditis had not resolved in any patient at the time of data cutoff. Blood thyroid stimulating hormone increased and blood thyroid stimulating hormone decreased have also been reported

·       Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism occurred in 3.2% (26/810) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 2 (0.9%). No patient discontinued treatment and LIBTAYO was withheld in 0.5% of patients due to hyperthyroidism. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 3.8% (1/26) of patients. Hyperthyroidism resolved in 50% of 26 patients. Of the 4 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for hyperthyroidism, 2 patients reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence of hyperthyroidism

·       Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism occurred in 7% (60/810) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 2 (6%). Hypothyroidism led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 1 (0.1%) patient. Hypothyroidism led to withholding of LIBTAYO in 1.1% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were not required in any patient with hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism resolved in 8.3% of the 60 patients. Majority of the patients with hypothyroidism required long-term thyroid hormone replacement. Of the 9 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for hypothyroidism, 1 reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; 1 required ongoing hormone replacement therapy

·       Type 1 diabetes mellitus, which can present with diabetic ketoacidosis: Monitor for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated. Withhold LIBTAYO depending on severity. Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurred in 0.1% (1/810) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.1%). No patient discontinued treatment due to type 1 diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes mellitus led to withholding of LIBTAYO in 0.1% of patients

Immune-mediated nephritis with renal dysfunction: LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.6% (5/810) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including fatal (0.1%), Grade 3 (0.1%), and Grade 2 (0.4%). Nephritis led to permanent discontinuation in 0.1% of patients and withholding of LIBTAYO in 0.4% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with nephritis. Nephritis resolved in 80% of the 5 patients. Of the 3 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld, 2 reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence. Withhold LIBTAYO for Grade 2 or 3 increased blood creatinine, and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 increased blood creatinine. Resume in patients with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0 to 1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 weeks of initiating steroids or inability to reduce prednisone to less than 10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating steroids.

Immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions: LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) has occurred with PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies. Immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions occurred in 1.6% (13/810) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (0.9%) and Grade 2 (0.6%). Immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions led to permanent discontinuation in 0.1% of patients and withholding of LIBTAYO in 1.4% of patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions. Immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions resolved in 69% of the 13 patients. Of the 11 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for dermatologic adverse reactions, 7 reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, 43% (3/7) had recurrence of the dermatologic adverse reaction. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate non-exfoliative rashes. Withhold LIBTAYO for suspected SJS, TEN, or DRESS. Permanently discontinue LIBTAYO for confirmed SJS, TEN, or DRESS. Resume in patients with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0 to 1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 weeks of initiating steroids or inability to reduce prednisone to less than 10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating steroids.

Other immune-mediated adverse reactions: The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of <1% in 810 patients who received LIBTAYO or were reported with the use of other PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies. Severe or fatal cases have been reported for some of these adverse reactions.

·       Cardiac/vascular: Myocarditis, pericarditis, and vasculitis. Permanently discontinue for Grades 2, 3, or 4 myocarditis

·       Nervous system: Meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and demyelination, myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis (including exacerbation), Guillain-Barré syndrome, nerve paresis, and autoimmune neuropathy. Withhold for Grade 2 neurological toxicities and permanently discontinue for Grades 3 or 4 neurological toxicities. Resume in patients with complete or partial resolution (Grade 0 to 1) after corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue if no complete or partial resolution within 12 weeks of initiating steroids or inability to reduce prednisone to less than 10 mg per day (or equivalent) within 12 weeks of initiating steroids

·       Ocular: Uveitis, iritis, and other ocular inflammatory toxicities. Some cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment to include blindness can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada–like syndrome, as this may require treatment with systemic steroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss

·       Gastrointestinal: Pancreatitis to include increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis, stomatitis

·       Musculoskeletal and connective tissue: Myositis/polymyositis, rhabdomyolysis, and associated sequelae including renal failure, arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica

·       Endocrine: Hypoparathyroidism

·       Other (hematologic/immune): Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, solid organ transplant rejection

Infusion-related reactions

Severe infusion-related reactions (Grade 3) occurred in 0.1% of patients receiving LIBTAYO as a single agent. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions. The most common symptoms of infusion-related reaction were nausea, pyrexia, rash, and dyspnea. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion for Grade 1 or 2, and permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4.

Complications of allogeneic HSCT

Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) before or after being treated with a PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibody. Transplant-related complications include hyperacute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) after reduced intensity conditioning, and steroid-requiring febrile syndrome (without an identified infectious cause). These complications may occur despite intervening therapy between PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and allogeneic HSCT. Follow patients closely for evidence of transplant-related complications and intervene promptly. Consider the benefit versus risks of treatment with a PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibody prior to or after an allogeneic HSCT

Embryo-fetal toxicity

LIBTAYO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman due to an increased risk of immune-mediated rejection of the developing fetus resulting in fetal death. Advise women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LIBTAYO and for at least 4 months after the last dose.

Adverse Reactions

LIBTAYO as a single agent: the most common adverse reactions (≥15%) are musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, rash, and diarrhea

LIBTAYO in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy: the most common adverse reactions (≥15%) are alopecia, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, and decreased appetite

Use in Specific Populations

·       Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for at least 4 months after the last dose of LIBTAYO

·       Females and males of reproductive potential: Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating LIBTAYO

Please click here for full Prescribing Information.

For prescribers in Colorado, please click here for pricing information.