Inqovi

Important Administration Information

Do NOT substitute INQOVI for an intravenous decitabine product within a cycle.

Consider administering antiemetics prior to each dose to minimize nausea and vomiting [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Recommended Dosage

The recommended dosage of INQOVI is 1 tablet (containing 35 mg decitabine and 100 mg cedazuridine) orally once daily on Days 1 through 5 of each 28-day cycle for a minimum of 4 cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. A complete or partial response may take longer than 4 cycles.

Instruct patients of the following:

• Take INQOVI at the same time each day.
• Swallow tablets whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew tablets.
• Do not consume food 2 hours before and 2 hours after each dose.
• Take one tablet a day for 5 days in each cycle. If the patient misses a dose within 12 hours of the time it is usually taken, instruct patients to take the missed dose as soon as possible and then to resume the normal daily dosing schedule. Extend the dosing period by one day for every missed dose to complete 5 daily doses for each cycle.
• Do not take an additional dose if vomiting occurs after INQOVI administration but continue with the next schedule dose.

INQOVI is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.1

Monitoring and Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions

Hematologic Adverse Reactions

Obtain complete blood cell counts prior to initiating INQOVI and before each cycle. Delay the next cycle if absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is less than 1,000/μL and platelets are less than 50,000/μL in the absence of active disease. Monitor complete blood cell counts until ANC is 1,000/μL or greater and platelets are 50,000/μL or greater [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

• If hematologic recovery occurs (ANC at least 1,000/μL and platelets at least 50,000/μL) within 2 weeks of achieving remission, continue INQOVI at the same dose.
• If hematologic recovery does not occur (ANC at least 1,000/μL and platelets at least 50,000/μL) within 2 weeks of achieving remission,
  • Delay INQOVI for up to 2 additional weeks AND
  • Resume at a reduced dose by administering INQOVI on Days 1 through 4. Consider further dose reductions in the order listed in Table 1 if myelosuppression persists after a dose reduction. Maintain or increase dose in subsequent cycles as clinically indicated.

Manage persistent severe neutropenia and febrile neutropenia with supportive treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Non-Hematologic Adverse Reactions

Delay the next cycle for the following non-hematologic adverse reactions and resume at the same or reduced dose upon resolution:

• Serum creatinine 2 mg/dL or greater
• Serum bilirubin 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) or greater
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 2 times ULN or greater
• Active or uncontrolled infection

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Based on findings from human data, animal studies, and its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)], INQOVI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. A single published case report of intravenous decitabine use throughout the first trimester during pregnancy describes adverse developmental outcomes, including major birth defects (structural abnormalities). In animal reproduction studies, intravenous administration of decitabine to pregnant mice and rats during organogenesis at doses approximately 7% of the recommended human dose on a body surface area (mg/m2) basis caused adverse developmental outcomes, including increased embryo-fetal mortality, alterations to growth, and structural abnormalities (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Data

Human Data

There are no available data on INQOVI use in pregnant women.

A single published case report of intravenous decitabine pregnancy exposure in a 39-year-old woman with a hematologic malignancy described multiple structural abnormalities after 6 cycles of therapy in the 18th week of gestation. These abnormalities included holoprosencephaly, absence of nasal bone, mid-facial deformity, cleft lip and palate, polydactyly, and rocker-bottom feet. The pregnancy was terminated.

Animal Data

No reproductive or developmental toxicity studies have been conducted with INQOVI or cedazuridine.

In utero exposure to decitabine causes temporal-related defects in the rat and/or mouse, which include growth suppression, exencephaly, defective skull bones, rib/sternabrae defects, phocomelia, digit defects, micrognathia, gastroschisis, and micromelia. Decitabine inhibits proliferation and increases apoptosis of neural progenitor cells of the fetal central nervous system (CNS) and induces palatal clefting in the developing murine fetus. Studies in mice have also shown that decitabine administration during osteoblastogenesis (Day 10 of gestation) induces bone loss in offspring.

In mice exposed to single intraperitoneal decitabine injections (0, 0.9 and 3.0 mg/m2, approximately 2% and 7% of the recommended daily clinical dose, respectively) over gestation Days 8, 9, 10 or 11, no maternal toxicity was observed, but reduced fetal survival was observed after treatment at 3 mg/m2 and decreased fetal weight was observed at both dose levels. The 3 mg/m2 dose elicited characteristic fetal defects for each treatment day, including supernumerary ribs (both dose levels), fused vertebrae and ribs, cleft palate, vertebral defects, hind-limb defects, and digital defects of fore- and hind-limbs.

In rats given a single intraperitoneal injection of 2.4, 3.6 or 6 mg/m2 decitabine (approximately 5, 8, or 13% the daily recommended clinical dose, respectively) on gestation Days 9-12, no maternal toxicity was observed. No live fetuses were seen at any dose when decitabine was injected on gestation Day 9. A significant decrease in fetal survival and reduced fetal weight at doses greater than 3.6 mg/m2 was seen when decitabine was given on gestation Day 10. Increased incidences of vertebral and rib anomalies were seen at all dose levels, and induction of exophthalmia, exencephaly, and cleft palate were observed at 6.0 mg/m2. Increased incidence of foredigit defects was seen in fetuses at doses greater than 3.6 mg/m2. Reduced size and ossification of long bones of the fore-limb and hind-limb were noted at 6 mg/m2.

The effect of decitabine on postnatal development and reproductive capacity was evaluated in mice administered a single 3 mg/m2 intraperitoneal injection (approximately 7% the recommended daily clinical dose) on Day 10 of gestation. Body weights of males and females exposed in utero to decitabine were significantly reduced relative to controls at all postnatal time points. No consistent effect on fertility was seen when female mice exposed in utero were mated to untreated males. Untreated females mated to males exposed in utero showed decreased fertility at 3 and 5 months of age (36% and 0% pregnancy rate, respectively). Follow up studies indicated that treatment of pregnant mice with decitabine on gestation Day 10 was associated with a reduced pregnancy rate resulting from effects on sperm production in the F1-generation.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of cedazuridine, decitabine, or their metabolites in human milk or on their effects on the breastfed child or milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with INQOVI and for 2 weeks after the last dose.

Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

INQOVI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Pregnancy Testing

Verify the pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating INQOVI.

Contraception

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with INQOVI and for 6 months after the last dose.

Males

Based on genotoxicity findings, advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with INQOVI and for 3 months after the last dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].

Infertility

Based on findings of decitabine and cedazuridine in animals, INQOVI may impair male fertility [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)]. The reversibility of the effect on fertility is unknown.

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of INQOVI have not been established in pediatric patients.

Geriatric Use

Of the 208 patients in clinical studies who received INQOVI, 75% were age 65 years and older, while 36% were age 75 years and older. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between patients age 65 years and older, 75 years and older, and younger patients.

Renal Impairment

No dosage modification of INQOVI is recommended for patients with mild or moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance [CLcr] of 30 to 89 mL/min based on Cockcroft-Gault). Due to the potential for increased adverse reactions, monitor patients with moderate renal impairment (CLcr 30 to 59 mL/min) frequently for adverse reactions. INQOVI has not been studied in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr 15 to 29 mL/min) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD: CLcr <15 mL/min) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Myelosuppression

Fatal and serious myelosuppression can occur with INQOVI. Based on laboratory values, new or worsening thrombocytopenia occurred in 82% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 occurring in 76%. Neutropenia occurred in 73% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 occurring in 71%. Anemia occurred in 71% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 occurring in 55%. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 33% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 occurring in 32%. Myelosuppression (thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and febrile neutropenia) is the most frequent cause of INQOVI dose reduction or interruption, occurring in 36% of patients. Permanent discontinuation due to myelosuppression (febrile neutropenia) occurred in 1% of patients. Myelosuppression and worsening neutropenia may occur more frequently in the first or second treatment cycles and may not necessarily indicate progression of underlying MDS.

Fatal and serious infectious complications can occur with INQOVI. Pneumonia occurred in 21% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 occurring in 15%. Sepsis occurred in 14% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 occurring in 11%. Fatal pneumonia occurred in 1% of patients, fatal sepsis in 1%, and fatal septic shock in 1% [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Obtain complete blood cell counts prior to initiation of INQOVI, prior to each cycle, and as clinically indicated to monitor response and toxicity. Administer growth factors and anti-infective therapies for treatment or prophylaxis as appropriate. Delay the next cycle and resume at the same or reduced dose as recommended [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on findings from human data, animal studies, and its mechanism of action, INQOVI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In nonclinical studies with decitabine in mice and rats, decitabine was teratogenic, fetotoxic, and embryotoxic at doses less than the recommended human dose.

Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with INQOVI and for 6 months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with INQOVI and for 3 months after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely variable conditions, adverse event rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates of clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia

The safety of INQOVI was evaluated in a pooled safety population that includes patients enrolled in Study ASTX727-01-B and Study ASTX727-02 [see Clinical Studies (14)].

Patients were randomized to receive INQOVI (35 mg decitabine and 100 mg cedazuridine) orally once daily on Days 1 through 5 in Cycle 1 and decitabine 20 mg/m2 intravenously on Days 1 through 5 in Cycle 2, or the reverse sequence, and then INQOVI (35 mg decitabine and 100 mg cedazuridine) orally once daily on Days 1 through 5 of each 28-day cycle in Cycles 3 and beyond. Patients were allowed to have one prior cycle of decitabine or azacitidine and there was no limit for body weight or surface area. Among the patients who received INQOVI, 61% of patients were exposed for 6 months or longer and 24% were exposed to INQOVI for greater than 1 year.

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 68% of patients who received INQOVI. Serious adverse reactions in > 5% of patients included febrile neutropenia (30%), pneumonia (14%), and sepsis (13%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 6% of patients. These included sepsis (1%), septic shock (1%), pneumonia (1%), respiratory failure (1%), and one case each of cerebral hemorrhage and sudden death.

Permanent discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 5% of patients who received INQOVI. The most frequent adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation were febrile neutropenia (1%) and pneumonia (1%).

Dose interruptions due to an adverse reaction occurred in 41% of patients who received INQOVI. Adverse reactions requiring dosage interruptions in > 5% of patients who received INQOVI included neutropenia (18%), febrile neutropenia (8%), thrombocytopenia (6%), and anemia (5%).

Dose reductions due to an adverse reaction occurred in 19% of patients who received INQOVI. Adverse reactions requiring dosage reductions in > 2% of patients who received INQOVI included neutropenia (12%), anemia (3%), and thrombocytopenia (3%).

The most common adverse reactions (≥ 20%) were fatigue, constipation, hemorrhage, myalgia, mucositis, arthralgia, nausea, dyspnea, diarrhea, rash, dizziness, febrile neutropenia, edema, headache, cough, decreased appetite, upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, and transaminase increased. The most common Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥ 50%) were leukocytes decreased, platelet count decreased, neutrophil count decreased, and hemoglobin decreased.

Table 2 summarizes the adverse reactions in the pooled safety population.

Clinically relevant adverse reactions in < 10% of patients who received INQOVI included:

• Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet’s syndrome) (1%)
• Tumor lysis syndrome (0.5%)

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of intravenous decitabine. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders: Differentiation syndrome

Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders: Interstitial lung disease

Cardiac Disorders: Cardiomyopathy

Effects of INQOVI on Other Drugs

Drugs Metabolized by Cytidine Deaminase

Cedazuridine is an inhibitor of the cytidine deaminase (CDA) enzyme. Coadministration of INQOVI with drugs that are metabolized by CDA may result in increased systemic exposure with potential for increased toxicity of these drugs [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Avoid coadministration of INQOVI with drugs that are metabolized by CDA.

Mechanism of Action

Decitabine is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor that is believed to exert its effects after phosphorylation and direct incorporation into DNA and inhibition of DNA methyltransferase, causing hypomethylation of DNA and cellular differentiation and/or apoptosis. Decitabine inhibits DNA methylation in vitro, which is achieved at concentrations that do not cause major suppression of DNA synthesis. Decitabine-induced hypomethylation in cancer cells may restore normal function to genes that are critical for the control of cellular differentiation and proliferation. In rapidly dividing cells, the cytotoxicity of decitabine may also be attributed to the formation of covalent adducts between DNA methyltransferase and decitabine incorporated into DNA. Non-proliferating cells are relatively insensitive to decitabine.

Cytidine deaminase (CDA) is an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of cytidine, including the cytidine analog decitabine. High levels of CDA in the gastrointestinal tract and liver degrade decitabine and limit its oral bioavailability. Cedazuridine is a CDA inhibitor. Administration of cedazuridine with decitabine increases systemic exposure of decitabine.

Pharmacodynamics

Decitabine induced hypomethylation both in vitro and in vivo. In patients administered the recommended dosage of INQOVI, the maximum change from baseline in the long interspersed nucleotide elements-1 (LINE-1) demethylation was observed at Day 8, with less than complete recovery of LINE-1 methylation to baseline at the end of the treatment cycle.

Based on the exposure-response analyses, a relationship between an increase in 5-day cumulative daily decitabine exposure and a greater likelihood of some adverse reactions (e.g., any grade neutropenias, thrombocytopenia) was observed in clinical studies.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of decitabine and cedazuridine following administration of INQOVI at the recommended dosage in patients with MDS and CMML are shown in Table 4.

The geometric mean ratio (GMR) of decitabine area under the curve (AUC) following the first dose of INQOVI compared to that of intravenous decitabine on Day 1 was 60% (90% confidence intervals (CI): 55, 65) in patients with MDS and CMML [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)]. The GMR of decitabine AUC following 5 consecutive once daily doses of INQOVI compared to that of intravenous decitabine on Day 5 was 106% (90% CI: 98, 114) and the GMR of the 5-day cumulative decitabine AUC following 5 consecutive once daily doses of INQOVI compared to that of intravenous decitabine was 99% (90% CI: 93, 106).

An approximately dose-proportional increase in peak concentrations (Cmax) and AUC over the dosing interval was observed for decitabine following administration of oral decitabine at 20 mg to 40 mg once daily (0.6 to 1.1 times the recommended dose) in combination with 100 mg oral cedazuridine, and for cedazuridine following administration of oral cedazuridine at 40 to 100 mg once daily (0.4 to 1.0 times the recommended dose) in combination with 20 mg oral decitabine.

Specific Populations

Age (32 to 90 years), sex, and mild hepatic impairment (total bilirubin > 1 to 1.5 × ULN or AST > ULN) did not have an effect on the pharmacokinetics of decitabine or cedazuridine after dosing with INQOVI.

Decitabine exposure (AUC) increased with decreasing body surface area or body weight, and cedazuridine exposure increased with decreasing CLcr; however, body surface area (1.3 to 2.9 m2), body weight (41 to 158 kg), and mild to moderate renal impairment (CLcr 30 to 89 mL/min based on Cockcroft Gault) did not have a clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of decitabine and cedazuridine after dosing with INQOVI.

The effects of moderate (total bilirubin > 1.5 to 3 × ULN and any AST) and severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin > 3 × ULN and any AST) or severe renal impairment (CLcr 15 to <30 mL/min) and ESRD (CLcr <15 mL/min) on the pharmacokinetics of decitabine and cedazuridine are unknown.

Drug Interaction Studies

Clinical Studies

Decitabine had no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of cedazuridine. Cedazuridine increased the exposure of decitabine.

The coadministration of INQOVI with proton pump inhibitors had no clinically meaningful effect on exposure to decitabine or cedazuridine.

In vitro Studies

CYP Enzymes: Cedazuridine is not a substrate of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Cedazuridine does not induce CYP1A, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, or CYP3A or inhibit CYP1A, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, or CYP3A.

Transporter Systems: Cedazuridine is not a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), MATE1, MATE2-K, OAT1, OAT3, OATP1B1, OAPT1B3, OATP2B1, OCT1, or OCT2, and does not inhibit P-gp, BCRP, MATE1, MATE2-K, OAT1, OAT3, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, or OCT2.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenicity studies with decitabine, cedazuridine, or their combination have not been conducted.

INQOVI is genotoxic. Decitabine increased mutation frequency in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells, and mutations were produced in an E. coli lac-I transgene in colonic DNA of decitabine-treated mice. Decitabine also caused chromosomal rearrangements in larvae of fruit flies. Cedazuridine was genotoxic in a reverse bacterial mutation assay (Ames assay) and in an in vitro chromosomal aberration study using human lymphocytes.

Fertility and repeat-dose toxicity studies in animals showed adverse outcomes on reproductive function and fertility. In male mice given intraperitoneal injections of 0.15, 0.3, or 0.45 mg/m2 decitabine (approximately 0.3% to 1% the recommended clinical dose) 3 times a week for 7 weeks, testes weights were reduced, abnormal histology was observed, and significant decreases in sperm number were found at doses ≥ 0.3 mg/m2. In females mated to males dosed with ≥ 0.3 mg/m2 decitabine, pregnancy rate was reduced, and preimplantation loss was significantly increased.

Decitabine was administered orally to rats at 0.75, 2.5, or 7.5 mg/kg/day in cycles of 5-days-on/23-days-off for a total of 90 days. Low testes and epididymis weights, abnormal histology, and reduced sperm number were observed at doses ≥ 0.75 mg/kg. The dose of 0.75 mg/kg resulted in exposures in animals that were approximately 3 times the exposure in patients at the recommended clinical dose based on AUC.

Cedazuridine was administered orally to mice at 100, 300, or 1,000 mg/kg/day in cycles of 7-days-on/21-days-off for a total of 91 days. Adverse findings in male and female reproductive organs were observed at the 1,000 mg/kg dose and included abnormal histology in the testes and epididymis, reduced sperm number, and abnormal histology in the ovary. The dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day resulted in exposures in animals that were approximately 108 times the exposure in patients at the recommended clinical dose. Adverse effects in male and female reproductive organs were reversible following a recovery period.