FDA Approves Capmatinib for Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Capmatinib was previously granted accelerated approval (https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-grants-accelerated-approval-capmatinib-metastatic-non-small-cell-lung-cancer) for the same indication on May 6, 2020, based on initial overall response rate and duration of response in the GEOMETRY mono-1 trial (NCT02414139), a multicenter, nonrandomized, open-label, multicohort study. The conversion to regular approval was based on data from an additional 63 patients, as well as an additional 22 months of follow-up to assess durability of response and verify clinical benefit.

Efficacy was demonstrated in 160 patients with metastatic NSCLC with a mutation leading to MET exon 14 skipping. Patients received capmatinib 400 mg orally twice daily until they experienced disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

The primary efficacy measures were overall response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) as determined by a Blinded Independent Review Committee. Among 60 treatment-naïve patients, ORR was 68% (95% CI = 55, 80) with a DOR of 16.6 months (95% CI = 8.4, 22.1). Among 100 previously treated patients, ORR was 44% (95% CI = 34, 54) with a DOR of 9.7 months (95% CI = 5.6, 13).

Patients’ median age was 71 years (range = 48–90). A total of 61% of the patients were female, 77% White, 61% never smoked, 83% had adenocarcinoma, and 16% had central nervous system metastases. Among previously treated patients, 81% received one, 16% received two, and 3% received three prior lines of systemic therapy. Of those, 86% received prior platinum-based chemotherapy.

The most common adverse reactions reported in at least 20% of patients were edema, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, vomiting, dyspnea, cough, and decreased appetite.

The recommended capmatinib dose is 400 mg orally twice daily with or without food.

View the full prescribing information for capmatinib (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/213591s004lbl.pdf).

The review was conducted under Project Orbis (https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/oncology-center-excellence/project-orbis), an initiative of FDA Oncology Center of Excellence. Project Orbis provides a framework for concurrent submission and review of oncology drugs among international partners. For the review, FDA collaborated with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. The application reviews may be ongoing at the other regulatory agencies.

The review used Assessment Aid (https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/oncology-center-excellence/assessment-aid), a voluntary submission from the applicant to facilitate FDA’s assessment.

The application was granted priority review and breakthrough designation. A description of FDA expedited programs is in the Guidance for Industry: Expedited Programs for Serious Conditions-Drugs and Biologics (https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/expedited-programs-serious-conditions-drugs-and-biologics). The application also was granted orphan drug designation.

Healthcare professionals should report all serious adverse events suspected to be associated with the use of any medicine and device to FDA’s MedWatch Reporting System (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm) or by calling 800-FDA-1088.

For assistance with single-patient investigational new drug applications, contact OCE’s Project Facilitate (https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/oncology-center-excellence/project-facilitate) at 240-402-0004 or email OncProjectFacilitate@fda.hhs.gov (mailto:OncProjectFacilitate@fda.hhs.gov).