JANSSEN
9.2.2021 12:17:06 CET | Business Wire | Press release
FOR EMEA-BASED PHARMACEUTICAL TRADE AND MEDICAL MEDIA ONLY
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UK, BENELUX
The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today presented results from the randomised, placebo-controlled double-blind Phase 3 ACIS study, which met the primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) with a 31 percent reduction in the risk of radiographic progression or death in patients with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Patients in the trial received either a combination of apalutamide and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (combination arm) or placebo and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (control arm).1 Results will be featured in an oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Genitourinary (ASCO GU) Cancers Symposium, taking place virtually February 11-13, 2021 (Abstract #9; Rapid Abstract Session: Prostate Cancer, February 11 06:45 AM-8:00 PM CET).
The primary efficacy analysis showed median rPFS was extended by six months in patients treated in the combination arm compared with patients in the control arm (22.6 vs 16.6 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.69 [95% CI, 0.58-0.83]; p<0.0001). The HR for radiographic progression or death as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) was 0.864 [95% CI, 0.718–1.040]. According to an updated analysis performed at a median follow-up time of 54.8 months, a 30 percent reduction in the risk of radiographic progression or death was shown in the combination arm compared with the control arm (median time to rPFS 24 vs 16.6 months: HR 0.70 [95% CI, 0.60-0.83]). No statistically significant difference was demonstrated for secondary endpoints including overall survival (OS), time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy, chronic opioid use, and pain progression between treatment arms.
The safety profile was consistent with prior studies of apalutamide, with no new safety signals observed. Grade 3/4 treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 63.3 percent in the combination arm versus 56.2 percent in the control arm.1 Grade 3/4 TAEs that occurred more frequently in the combination versus control arm included fatigue (4.7 percent vs 3.9 percent), hypertension (20.6 versus 12.5 percent), fall (3.3 percent versus 0.6 percent), skin rash (4.5 percent vs. 0.4 percent), cardiac disorders (9 percent vs 5.7 percent), fractures and osteoporosis (4.1 percent vs 1.4 percent), and seizures (0.2 percent vs 0).1 Quality-of-life was comparable between treatment arms per Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Prostate – (FACT-P Total).
##ENDS##
About the ACIS Study 1
ACIS is a Phase 3 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of apalutamide and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone compared to placebo and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone in 982 patients with chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC disease who received ADT.1 Patients were randomised to receive either apalutamide and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone, or placebo and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone. The primary endpoint of the study was rPFS. Secondary endpoints of the study included OS, time to chronic opioid use, time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy, and time to pain progression.1
About Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) characterises cancer that no longer responds to ADT and has spread to other parts of the body. The most common metastatic sites are bones, followed by lymph nodes, lungs, and liver.2 Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Europe, representing 25 percent of all male new cancer cases diagnosed.3 More than one million men around the world are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.4
About apalutamide
Apalutamide is an orally administered, selective androgen receptor (AR) inhibitor approved in Europe and is indicated
- in adult men for the treatment of non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) who are at high risk of developing metastatic disease and
- in adult men for the treatment of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), also known as metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).5
▼ This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions.
About abiraterone acetate
Abiraterone acetate, an orally administered androgen biosynthesis inhibitor, in combination with prednisone or prednisolone is approved in Europe for
- the treatment of newly diagnosed high risk metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in adult men in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT);
- the treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in adult men who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic after failure of ADT in whom chemotherapy is not yet clinically indicated, and
- the treatment of mCRPC in adult men whose disease has progressed on or after a docetaxel-based chemotherapy regimen.6
Additionally, abiraterone acetate was approved for the treatment of high-risk metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 8, 2018.7,8 Since its first approval in Europe in 2011, abiraterone acetate has been approved in combination with prednisone or prednisolone, in more than 105 countries and has been prescribed to more than 700,000 patients worldwide.9
About The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
At Janssen, we’re creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We’re the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Neuroscience, Oncology, and Pulmonary Hypertension.
Learn more at www.janssen.com/emea . Follow us at www.twitter.com/janssenEMEA for our latest news. Janssen Research & Development, LLC is part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
Date of preparation: February 2021
Job code: CP-209565
###
Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding potential benefits and further benefits of apalutamide. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behaviour and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2019, including in the sections captioned “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in the company’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov , www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.
References
1 Rathkopf. Dana E. Final Results From ACIS, a Randomized, Placebo (PBO)-Controlled Double-Blind Phase 3 Study of Apalutamide (APA) and Abiraterone Acetate Plus Prednisone (AAP) Versus AAP in Patients (Pts) With Chemo-Naive Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC). Abstract #9.
2 Cancer.org. Understanding advanced cancer, metastatic cancer, and bone metastasis. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/advanced-cancer/what-is.html . Last accessed February 2021.
3 HEAL. Men Prostate cancer. Available https://www.env-health.org/IMG/pdf/prostate_testical.pdf Last accessed February 2021.
4 World Health Organization. "Globocan 2012: Prostate Cancer: Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide, 2012." http://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/pdf/fact-sheets/cancers/cancer-fact-sheets-19.pdf . Accessed February 2021.
5 European Medicines Agency. ERLEADA. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/erleada-epar-product-information_en.pdf . Last accessed February 2021.
6 European Medicines Agency. ZYTIGA. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/zytiga-epar-product-information_en.pdf , Last accessed February 2021.
7 ZYTIGA® U.S. Prescribing Information, October 2020.
8 Johnson & Johnson. Press Release. ZYTIGA® (abiraterone acetate) Plus Prednisone Approved for Treatment of Earlier Form of Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Available at: https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/zytiga-abiraterone-acetate-plus-prednisone-approved-for-treatment-of-earlier-form-of-metastatic-prostate-cancer . Last accessed January 2021
9 Data on file
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210209005604/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Latifa bint Mohammed Inaugurates ISEA20269.11.2026 14:30:00 CET | Press release
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, inaugurated the 31st International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2026 Dubai), held under the theme ‘ELYAH: Constellating Place, Data, and Identity.’ Bringing together artists, researchers and innovators from around the world, the symposium, in its largest-ever edition, explores how art, science and technology can expand creative expression, deepen cultural understanding, and shape the future of electronic and emerging art. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261109319593/en/ Burj Khalifa lights up to celebrate the opening of ISEA2026 Dubai (Photo: AETOSWire) Her Highness marked the inauguration by launching the interactive ELYAH show at ARTE MUSEUM Dubai. Inspired by Dubai’s celestial heritage, the experience combined light, music, performance and digital technology to explore the relations
Muslim World League’s “Minhaj” App Participates in Hajj Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Jeddah9.11.2026 14:04:00 CET | Press release
The “Minhaj” app, developed by the Muslim World League (MWL), is participating in the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition 2026, which commenced today in Jeddah under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (may Allah protect him). Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in cooperation with the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the programs of Saudi Vision 2030, the event is being held from November 8 to 11 at the Jeddah Superdome under the theme “From Makkah to the World.” This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261109411972/en/ The pavilion of the Muslim World League (MWL) at the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo: AETOSWire) Minhaj’s participation in this international event aims to introduce its integrated Islamic digital ecosystem, launched from Makkah to serve Muslims worldwide. The app off
CAIRDAC Adds Operational Expertise to Its Board of Directors With the Appointment of Rinda Sama9.11.2026 13:44:00 CET | Press release
CAIRDAC, SA, a pre-revenue-stage medtech company developing ALPS™, a leadless, self-powered cardiac pacing system, today announced the appointment of Mr. Rinda Sama to its Board of Directors. His appointment adds deep manufacturing, quality and operational experience to the Board and follows the recent appointment of Raymond W. Cohen as Chairman. “Mr. Sama’s extensive experience in manufacturing, quality systems and operational scale-up for complex implantable devices will be extremely valuable to our Company as we prepare for clinical evaluation and the next stages of development,” said Edouard Fonck, Chief Executive Officer of CAIRDAC. Mr. Sama currently serves as CEO of Spiro Medical, a company focused on treating asthma employing a proprietary neuromodulation system. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer of publicly traded Axonics, Inc. where he was accountable for manufacturing and quality and the operational infrastructure that supported the company’s commercial growth.
Nominations Open for Sixth Edition of Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2027 Worth USD 250,000 Prize9.11.2026 13:35:00 CET | Press release
Aster DM Healthcare has announced the launch of the sixth edition of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, inviting registered nurses worldwide to showcase their contributions to healthcare and compete for a prize of USD 250,000. The award recognises nurses whose work advances patient care, strengthens healthcare systems, drives innovation and transforms communities. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261109180902/en/ Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award - One nurse will win the trophy and the prize of USD 250,000 (Photo: AETOSWire) Open to registered nurses worldwide, the award recognises contributions across five areas: Patient Care, Nursing Education, Social and Community Service, Research and Innovation, and Nursing Leadership and Administration. Applicants can share their professional journeys through case-study questions, in multiple languages at www.asterguardians.com until December 31, 2026. The 2026
Datavault AI and Biochar Now Combine Insured Carbon Removal Credits with Patented Tokenization Technology9.11.2026 12:45:00 CET | Press release
Datavault AI Inc. (“Datavault” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: DVLT), today announced a global strategic collaboration with Biochar Now to expand the distribution of verified, insured carbon removal credits through Datavault’s patented tokenization technology and global marketing and distribution capabilities. The partnership is designed to connect Biochar Now’s carbon removal credits with a broader network of buyers while strengthening transparency, traceability and accountability in the carbon markets. Under the agreement, Datavault AI will provide access to its carbon credit tokenization technology, including U.S. Patent No. 12,443,977 and related pending applications. It will also support worldwide demand generation, buyer development, marketing and distribution of eligible Biochar Now carbon credits, while also pursuing listings with existing and future partner exchange platforms. Biochar Now will pay Datavault AI for its technology and services; specific financial terms were not discl
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom
