Scemblix® (asciminib) continues to show superior efficacy with more-than-two-fold improvement in major molecular response rate vs. Bosulif®* (bosutinib) at 96 weeks (37.6% vs. 15.8%), building on 24-week results1,2
Long-term safety remains consistent, with discontinuation rates due to adverse events more than three times lower in the Scemblix vs. Bosulif arm (7.7% vs. 26.3%)1,2
Updated results continue to support the use of Scemblix in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML in chronic phase previously treated with two or more TKIs, and its potential to transform the standard of care with a differentiated mechanism of action1,2
Clinical development program continues, evaluating Scemblix across multiple lines of treatment in CML, with additional data being presented at the European Hematology Association 2022 Hybrid Congress
Basel, June 7, 2022 — Novartis today announced longer-term follow-up data from the Phase III ASCEMBL trial for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (Ph+ CML-CP) previously treated with two or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. In this analysis, the proportion of patients in the Scemblix® (asciminib) arm (n=157) who achieved a major molecular response (MMR) at 96 weeks was more than double that in the Bosulif® (bosutinib) arm (n=76) (37.6% vs. 15.8% [P=.001]), substantially increasing from previous analyses1,2. Additionally, the probability of maintaining MMR for at least 72 weeks for patients treated with Scemblix was 96.7% (95% CI, 87.4%–99.2%), reflecting long-term durability of efficacy1.

Despite longer duration of exposure for patients in the Scemblix arm – with a median of 23.7 months vs. 7.0 months for patients in the Bosulif arm – the updated 96-week analysis showed the proportion of patients treated with Scemblix who discontinued treatment due to adverse events (AEs) continued to be more than three times lower than those treated with Bosulif (7.7% vs. 26.3%). No new on-treatment deaths were reported since the primary analysis at 24 weeks1,2.

“In a chronic cancer where resistance can develop to many of the existing therapies, or where patients can have their quality of life negatively impacted by treatment side effects over time, it’s encouraging to see sustained and increasing efficacy with consistent adequate tolerability for patients treated with Scemblix in the longer term,” said Jorge E. Cortes, MD, Director, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University. “This 96-week data shows the potential of Scemblix and its unique mechanism of action to help change the treatment paradigm in CML.”

Scemblix is the first FDA-approved CML treatment that works by binding to the ABL myristoyl pocket3. With this novel mechanism of action, it is also known in scientific literature as STAMP inhibitor, Scemblix can help address resistance to TKI therapy in patients with Ph+ CML-CP and overcome mutations at the defective BCR-ABL1 gene, which is associated with the over-production of leukemic cells2,4-10. Scemblix continues to be studied across multiple lines of treatment for CML-CP11-18.

In addition to durable responses consistent with the primary analysis, more patients treated with Scemblix than Bosulif had BCR::ABL1?1% (45.1% vs 19.4%) at 96 weeks. The most frequent (>10% in any treatment arm) grade ?3 AEs on Scemblix vs. Bosulif, respectively, were thrombocytopenia (22.4%, 9.2%), neutropenia (18.6%, 14.5%), diarrhea (0%, 10.5%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (0.6%, 14.5%)1. The values for these AEs were similar to the values reported at the 24 and 48 week analyses1,2,19.

“These longer-term results offer a more robust view of the promising potential of Scemblix, and will help support ongoing regulatory filings as we seek to bring this therapy to more patients across the globe,” said Jeff Legos, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Oncology & Hematology Development, Novartis. “As leaders in CML treatment innovation, we believe that with Scemblix, we have the potential to once again transform the standard of care for people affected by this disease.”

Visit https://www.hcp.novartis.com/virtual-congress/a-2022/ for the latest information from Novartis at ASCO, including our bold approach to reimagining cancer care, and access to our ASCO data presentations. Additional updates on trials evaluating Scemblix in earlier lines of therapy – as well as for patients with the T315I mutation – will be presented at the upcoming European Hematology Association 2022 Hybrid Congress, with more information available at https://www.hcp.novartis.com/virtual-congress/eha-2022/.

About Scemblix® (asciminib)
Scemblix (asciminib) is FDA-approved for the treatment of adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP pre-treated with two or more TKIs, as well as adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP with the T315I mutation. The first indication is approved under the US FDA Accelerated Approval Program based on MMR rate at 24 weeks; continued approval for the first indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit from confirmatory evidence3.

Scemblix represents an important development for patients who experience resistance and/or intolerance to currently available TKI therapies, and it is being studied across multiple treatment lines for CML-CP, both as monotherapy and in combination2,11-18. Specifically, the ASC4FIRST Phase III study (NCT04971226) evaluates Scemblix in newly-diagnosed adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP vs. an investigator-selected TKI, with recruitment proceeding ahead of plan12.

Regulatory reviews for Scemblix in multiple countries and regions across the globe are ongoing. These updated 96-week ASCEMBL results are being shared with regulatory authorities, as we seek to bring Scemblix to more patients in more countries across the globe.

About Novartis Commitment to CML
Novartis has a long-standing scientific commitment to patients living with CML. For more than 20 years, our bold science has helped transform CML into a chronic disease for many patients. Despite these advancements, we’re not standing still. We continue to research ways to target the disease, seeking to address the challenges with treatment resistance and/or intolerance that many patients face. Novartis also continues to reimagine CML care through its commitment to sustainable access for patients and collaboration with the global CML community.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “potential,” “can,” “will,” “plan,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” etc etc..

*Bosulif is a registered trademark of Pfizer.

References

Cortes JE, et al. Oral presentation at ASCO 2022; June 3-7, 2022. Chicago, IL and virtual. Abstract 7004.
Rea D, et al. A Phase 3, Open-Label, Randomized Study of Asciminib, a STAMP Inhibitor, vs Bosutinib in CML After? 2 Prior TKIs. Blood. 2022. DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020009984. PMID: 34407542.
Scemblix [prescribing information]. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Wylie AA, et al. The allosteric inhibitor ABL001 enables dual targeting of BCR–ABL1. Nature. 2017;543(7647):733-737. 4.
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Hughes TP, et al. Expanded Phase 1 Study of ABL001, a Potent, Allosteric Inhibitor of BCR-ABL, Reveals Significant and Durable Responses in Patients with CML-Chronic Phase with Failure of Prior TKI Therapy. Poster presented at: ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition; Dec. 5, 2016.
Ottmann OG, et al. ABL001, a Potent, Allosteric Inhibitor of BCR-ABL, Exhibits Safety and Promising Single- Agent Activity in a Phase I Study of Patients with CML with Failure of Prior TKI Therapy. Blood. 2015;126(23):138.
Mauro MJ, et al. Combination of Asciminib Plus Nilotinib (NIL) or Dasatinib (DAS) in Patients (PTS) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Results from a Phase 1 Study. Poster presented at: EHA Annual Meeting; June 15, 2019.
Cortes JE, et al. Combination Therapy Using Asciminib Plus Imatinib (IMA) in Patients (PTS) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Results from a Phase 1 Study. Poster presented at: EHA Annual Meeting; June 15, 2019.
ClinicalTrials.gov. 2017. Study of Efficacy of CML-CP Patients Treated with ABL001 Versus Bosutinib, Previously Treated With 2 or More TKIs. [online] Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03106779.
ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. A Study of Oral Asciminib Versus Other TKIs in Adult Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP. [online] Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04971226.
ClinicalTrials.gov. 2020. Asciminib in Monotherapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP) With and WithoutT315I Mutation (AIM4CML). [online] Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04666259.
ClinicalTrials.gov. 2018. Study of Efficacy And Safety Of Asciminib In Combination With Imatinib In Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia In Chronic Phase (CML-CP). [online] Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03578367.
ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Study of Efficacy and Safety of CML-CP Patients Treated With Asciminib Versus Best Available Therapy, Previously Treated With 2 or More Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. [online] Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04795427.
ClinicalTrials.gov. 2014. A Phase I Study of Oral ABL001 in Patients With CML or Ph+ ALL. [online] Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02081378.
ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021 Asciminib Treatment Optimization in ? 3rd Line CML-CP. [online] Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04948333
ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Study to Determine the Dose and Safety of Asciminib in Pediatric Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia [online] Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04925479
Mauro, JM. Efficacy and Safety Results from ASCEMBL, a Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase 3 Study of Asciminib, a First-in-Class STAMP Inhibitor, Vs Bosutinib in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase after ?2 Prior Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Update after 48 Weeks. Oral presentation at: ASH Annual Meeting; Dec. 11, 2021. Abstract #310.
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