Nplate

Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

Nplate is indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in:

• Adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy.
• Pediatric patients 1 year of age and older with ITP for at least 6 months who have had an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy.

Patients with Hematopoietic Syndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome

Nplate is indicated to increase survival in adults and in pediatric patients (including term neonates) acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation [see Clinical Studies (14.3)].

Limitations of Use:

• Nplate is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or any cause of thrombocytopenia other than ITP [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1)].  
• Nplate should be used only in patients with ITP whose degree of thrombocytopenia and clinical condition increases the risk for bleeding.
• Nplate should not be used in an attempt to normalize platelet counts [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2)]. 

Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

Use the lowest dose of Nplate to achieve and maintain a platelet count ≥ 50 × 109/L as necessary to reduce the risk for bleeding. Administer Nplate as a weekly subcutaneous injection with dose adjustments based upon the platelet count response.

The prescribed Nplate dose may consist of a very small volume (e.g., 0.15 mL). Administer Nplate only with a syringe that contains 0.01 mL graduations.

Discontinue Nplate if the platelet count does not increase to a level sufficient to avoid clinically important bleeding after 4 weeks of Nplate therapy at the maximum weekly dose of 10 mcg/kg [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3)].  

Obtain complete blood counts (CBCs), including platelet counts, weekly during the dose adjustment phase of Nplate therapy and then monthly following establishment of a stable Nplate dose. Obtain CBCs, including platelet counts, weekly for at least 2 weeks following discontinuation of Nplate.

Patients with Hematopoietic Syndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome

Preparation and Administration

         To mitigate against medication errors (both overdose and underdose), ensure that these preparation and administration instructions are followed. Use aseptic technique. Only administer subcutaneously [see Overdosage ( 10)].         

         Nplate is supplied in single-dose vials as a sterile, preservative-free, white lyophilized powder that must be reconstituted as outlined in Table 1 and administered using a syringe with 0.01 mL graduations.         

Calculation of Patient Dose

         Multiply the patient’s weight (kg) by the prescribed dose to obtain the Calculated Patient Dose.         

Reconstitution and Dilution of Nplate Single-Dose Vials

Reconstitute Nplate with Sterile Water for Injection, USP. Do not reconstitute or dilute with Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP or dilute with Bacteriostatic Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. If the Calculated Patient Dose is less than 23 mcg, dilution with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP is required to reduce the concentration of Nplate (see Table 1).This reduced concentration allows for low-doses to be accurately calculated, and consistently measured with a 0.01 mL graduated syringe.

Gently swirl and invert the vial to reconstitute. Avoid excess or vigorous agitation: DO NOT SHAKE. Generally, dissolution of Nplate takes less than 2 minutes. The reconstituted Nplate solution should be clear and colorless. Visually inspect the reconstituted solution for particulate matter and/or discoloration. Do not administer Nplate if particulate matter and/or discoloration is observed.

Calculate Volume to Administer by dividing the Calculated Patient Dose (mcg) by the final concentration of prepared solution. See Table 2 for final concentrations.

Administration of Prepared Nplate Solution

         Administer Nplate only using a syringe with 0.01 mL graduations for accurate dosage. Round volume to the nearest hundredth mL. Verify that the syringe contains the correct dosage.         

         Discard any unused portion. Do not pool unused portions from the vials. Do not administer more than one dose from a vial.         

Storage of Reconstituted Solution

Reconstituted product with Sterile Water for Injection, USP that has not been further diluted can remain in the original vial at room temperature 25°C (77°F) or be refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 24 hours following reconstitution. Reconstituted product with Sterile Water for Injection, USP may be held in a syringe at room temperature 25°C (77°F) for a maximum of 4 hours following reconstitution. Protect product from light. Do not shake.

Storage of Diluted solution (after initial reconstitution)

         Reconstituted and further diluted product with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP can be held in a syringe at room temperature 25°C (77°F) or in the original vial refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for no longer than 4 hours prior to administration. Protect product from light. Do not shake.         

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Based on findings from animal reproduction studies, Nplate may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Available data with Nplate use in pregnant women are insufficient to draw conclusions about any drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction and developmental toxicity studies, romiplostim crossed the placenta, and adverse fetal effects included thrombocytosis, postimplantation loss, and an increase in pup mortality (see Data).  

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 risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

In rat and rabbit embryo-fetal development toxicity studies, no evidence of fetal harm was observed at romiplostim doses up to 11 times (rats) and 82 times (rabbits) the maximum human dose (MHD) based on systemic exposure (AUC). In mice at doses 5 times the MHD, reductions in maternal body weight and increased postimplantation loss occurred.

In a prenatal and postnatal development study in rats, at doses 11 times the MHD, there was an increase in perinatal pup mortality. Romiplostim crossed the placental barrier in rats and increased fetal platelet counts at clinically equivalent and higher doses.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There is no information regarding the presence of romiplostim in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Maternal IgG is known to be present in human milk. The effects of local gastrointestinal exposure and limited systemic exposure in the breastfed child to romiplostim are unknown. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child from Nplate, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with Nplate.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness have been established in pediatric patients age 1 year and older with ITP for at least 6 months evaluated in two randomized, placebo-controlled studies. Long-term safety in the same population using Nplate for a median duration of 3 years was also evaluated in a single arm, open-label study [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1), Clinical Studies ( 14.2)].         

The pharmacokinetics of romiplostim have been evaluated in pediatric patients 1 year and older with ITP [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3)]. See Dosage and Administration ( 2.1) for dosing recommendations for pediatric patients 1 year and older.

The safety and efficacy of Nplate in pediatric patients younger than 1 year with ITP have not been established. Serum concentrations of romiplostim in pediatric patients with ITP were within the range observed in adult patients with ITP receiving the same dose range of romiplostim.

The use of Nplate to increase survival in pediatric patients (including term neonates) acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation is based on efficacy studies conducted in adult animals. Efficacy studies of Nplate could not be conducted in humans with acute radiation syndrome for ethical and feasibility reasons. A similar response to romiplostim is expected in the pediatric and adult patients based on the mechanism of action of the drug and pharmacokinetics of romiplostim in pediatric patients 1 year and older with ITP [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Geriatric Use

Of the 271 patients who received Nplate in ITP clinical studies, 55 (20%) were age 65 and over, and 27 (10%) were 75 and over. No overall differences in safety or efficacy have been observed between older and younger patients in the placebo-controlled studies, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. In general, dose adjustment for an elderly patient should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Risk of Progression of Myelodysplastic Syndromes to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Progression from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) has been observed in adult clinical trials with Nplate.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling adult patients with severe thrombocytopenia and International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) low or intermediate-1 risk MDS was terminated due to more cases of AML observed in the Nplate arm. This trial consisted of a 58-week study period with a 5-year long-term follow-up phase. The patients were randomized 2:1 to treatment with Nplate or placebo (167 Nplate, 83 placebo). During the 58-week study period, progression to AML occurred in 10 (6.0%) patients in the Nplate arm and 4 (4.8%) patients in the placebo arm (hazard ratio [95%CI] = 1.20 [0.38, 3.84]). Of the 250 patients, 210 (84.0%) entered the long-term follow-up phase of this study. With 5-years of follow-up, 29 (11.6%) patients showed progression to AML, including 20/168 (11.9%) patients in the Nplate arm versus 9/82 (11.0%) patients in the placebo arm (HR [95% CI] = 1.06 [0.48, 2.33]). The incidence of death (overall survival) was 55.7% (93/167) in the Nplate arm versus 54.2% (45/83) in the placebo arm (HR [95% CI] = 1.03 [0.72, 1.47]). In the baseline low IPSS group, there was a higher incidence of death in the Nplate arm [41.3% (19/46)] compared to the placebo arm [30.4% (7/23)] (HR [95% CI] = 1.59 [0.67, 3.80]).

In a single-arm trial of Nplate given to 72 patients with thrombocytopenia-related MDS, 8 (11.1%) patients were reported as having possible disease progression, of which 3 (4.2%) had confirmation of AML during follow-up. In addition, in 3 (4.2%) patients, increased peripheral blood blast cell counts decreased to baseline after discontinuation of Nplate.

Nplate is not indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia due to MDS or any cause of thrombocytopenia other than ITP.

Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Complications

Thrombotic/thromboembolic complications may result from increases in platelet counts with Nplate use secondary to drug-induced thrombocytosis, regardless of the underlying disease. There is insufficient evidence to establish a relationship between maximum platelet threshold and risk of thrombotic/thromboembolic complications. Portal vein thrombosis has been reported in patients with chronic liver disease receiving Nplate.

In patients with ITP, to minimize the risk for thrombotic/thromboembolic complications, do not use Nplate in an attempt to normalize platelet counts. Follow the dose adjustment guidelines [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1)].

In the absence of myelosuppression induced by acute exposure to radiation, Nplate administration might cause excessive increases in platelet counts and may cause thrombotic and thromboembolic complications [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

Loss of Response to Nplate

Hyporesponsiveness or failure to maintain a platelet response with Nplate should prompt a search for causative factors, including neutralizing antibodies to Nplate [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.3)]. To detect antibody formation, submit blood samples to Amgen (1-800-772-6436). Amgen will assay these samples for antibodies to Nplate and thrombopoietin (TPO). Discontinue Nplate if the platelet count does not increase to a level sufficient to avoid clinically important bleeding after 4 weeks at the highest weekly dose of 10 mcg/kg.

Clinical Trials Experience

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

Adults

The data described below reflect Nplate exposure to 271 adult patients with ITP, aged 18 to 88, of whom 62% were female. Nplate was studied in two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies that were identical in design, with the exception that Study 1 evaluated nonsplenectomized patients with ITP and Study 2 evaluated splenectomized patients with ITP. Data are also reported from an open-label, single-arm study in which patients received Nplate over an extended period of time. Overall, Nplate was administered to 114 patients for at least 52 weeks and 53 patients for at least 96 weeks.

In the placebo-controlled studies, headache was the most commonly reported adverse drug reaction, occurring in 35% of patients receiving Nplate and 32% of patients receiving placebo. For those patients receiving Nplate, 14 (48%) of headaches were mild, 9 (31%) were moderate, and 6 (21%) were severe. Table 3 presents adverse drug reactions from Studies 1 and 2 with a ≥ 5% higher patient incidence in Nplate versus placebo.

Among 291 adult patients with ITP who received Nplate in the single-arm extension study, the incidence rates of the adverse reactions occurred in a pattern similar to those reported in the placebo-controlled clinical studies.

The safety profile of Nplate was similar across patients, regardless of ITP duration. The following adverse reactions (at least 5% incidence and at least 5% more frequent with Nplate compared with placebo or standard of care) occurred in Nplate patients with ITP duration up to 12 months: bronchitis, sinusitis, vomiting, arthralgia, myalgia, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, nausea and oropharyngeal pain. The adverse reaction of thrombocytosis occurred with an incidence of 2% in adults with ITP duration up to 12 months.

Bone Marrow Reticulin Formation and Collagen Fibrosis

Nplate administration may increase the risk for development or progression of reticulin fiber formation within the bone marrow. This formation may improve upon discontinuation of Nplate. In a clinical trial, one patient with ITP and hemolytic anemia developed marrow fibrosis with collagen during Nplate therapy. An open-label clinical trial prospectively evaluated changes in bone marrow reticulin formation and collagen fibrosis in adult patients with ITP treated with Nplate or a non-US approved romiplostim product. Patients were administered romiplostim by SC injection once weekly for up to 3 years. Based on cohort assignment at time of study enrollment, patients were evaluated for bone marrow reticulin and collagen at year 1 (cohort 1), year 2 (cohort 2), or year 3 (cohort 3) in comparison to the baseline bone marrow at start of the trial. Patients were evaluated for bone marrow reticulin formation and collagen fibrosis using the modified Bauermeister grading scale. From the total of 169 patients enrolled in the 3 cohorts, 132 (78%) patients were evaluable for bone marrow collagen fibrosis and 131 (78%) patients were evaluable for bone marrow reticulin formation. Two percent (2/132) of patients (both from cohort 3) developed Grade 4 findings (presence of collagen). There was no detectable bone marrow collagen in one patient on repeat testing 12 weeks after discontinuation of romiplostim. Progression of bone marrow reticulin formation (increase greater than or equal to 2 grades or more) or an increase to Grade 4 (presence of collagen) was reported in 7% (9/131) of patients.

Pediatric Patients

The data described below reflect median exposure to Nplate of 168 days for 59 pediatric patients (aged 1 to 17 years) with ITP for at least 6 months, of whom 47.5% were female, across the randomized phase of two placebo-controlled trials. Table 4 presents the most common adverse reactions experienced by at least 5% of the pediatric patients (1 year and older) receiving Nplate across the two placebo-controlled trials with at least a 5% higher incidence in patients who received Nplate compared to those who received placebo.

Among 203 pediatric patients with ITP who received Nplate in a single arm, open-label, long-term (median duration of 3 years on therapy) study, the incidence rates of the adverse reactions occurred in a pattern similar to those reported in the placebo-controlled clinical studies. In this single arm, open-label, long-term study, headache occurred in 78 patients (38%), 3% (n=6) being severe and 1% (n=2) resulting in discontinuation of drug.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of Nplate. 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.

• Erythromelalgia
  
• Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema and anaphylaxis

Immunogenicity

As with all therapeutic proteins, there is a potential for immunogenicity. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of the incidence of antibodies to Nplate in the studies described below with the incidence of antibodies in other studies or to other products may be misleading. Patients were screened for immunogenicity to romiplostim using a BIAcore-based biosensor immunoassay. This assay is capable of detecting both high- and low-affinity binding antibodies that bind to romiplostim and cross-react with TPO. The samples from patients that tested positive for binding antibodies were further evaluated for neutralizing capacity using a cell-based bioassay.

In adult clinical studies in adult patients with ITP, the incidence of pre-existing antibodies to romiplostim was 3.3% (35/1046) and the incidence of binding antibody development during treatment with Nplate or a non-US approved romiplostim product was 5.7% (60/1046). The incidence of pre-existing antibodies to endogenous TPO was 3% (31/1046) and the incidence of binding antibody development to endogenous TPO during treatment was 3.2% (33/1046). Of the patients with positive binding antibodies that developed to romiplostim or to TPO, four patients had neutralizing activity to romiplostim and none had neutralizing activity to TPO. No apparent correlation was observed between antibody activity and clinical effectiveness or safety.

In pediatric studies, data on antibody formation was collected from 282 patients (20 from early phase studies, 59 from phase 3 studies with duration of 6 months and 203 from a long-term study with median duration of 3 years). The incidence of binding antibodies to Nplate at any time was 9.6% (27/282), of which 2 patients (0.7%) had pre-existing binding non-neutralizing Nplate antibodies at baseline and 11 patients (3.9%) had persistent binding antibody positivity at end of study. Additionally, 2.8% (8/282) developed neutralizing antibodies to Nplate, with 4 patients (1.4%) having persistent neutralizing antibody positivity at end of study, despite discontinuation of Nplate. The incidence of binding antibodies to TPO at any time was 3.9% (11/282), of which 2 patients (0.7%) had pre-existing binding non-neutralizing antibodies to TPO at baseline and 1 patient (0.4%) had binding persistent antibody positivity at end of study. One patient (0.4%) had a weakly positive postbaseline result for neutralizing antibodies against TPO while on study (with positive non-neutralizing antibodies to Nplate) with a negative result at baseline for both antibodies. The patient showed a transient antibody response for neutralizing antibodies against TPO, with a negative result at the patient's last timepoint tested within the study period after discontinuation of Nplate.

A postmarketing registry study involving patients with thrombocytopenia on Nplate or a non-US approved romiplostim product was conducted to assess the long-term consequences of the anti-romiplostim antibodies. Adult patients who lacked response or lost response to Nplate or a non-US approved romiplostim product were enrolled. The incidence of new binding antibody development was 3.8% (7/184) to romiplostim and 2.2% (4/184) were positive for binding, non-neutralizing antibodies to TPO; two patients were positive for binding antibodies to both romiplostim and TPO. Of the seven patients with positive binding antibodies to romiplostim, one patient (0.5%; 1/184) was positive for neutralizing antibodies to romiplostim only.

Nineteen confirmed pediatric patients were included in the postmarketing registry study. The incidence of binding antibody post treatment was 16% (3/19) to romiplostim, of which 5.3% (1/19) were positive for neutralizing antibodies to romiplostim. There were no antibodies detected to TPO.

Immunogenicity assay results are highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay used in detection and may be influenced by several factors, including sample handling, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, comparison of incidence of antibodies to romiplostim with the incidence of antibodies to other products may be misleading.

Mechanism of Action

Nplate increases platelet production through binding and activation of the TPO receptor, a mechanism analogous to endogenous TPO.

Pharmacodynamics

In clinical studies, treatment with Nplate resulted in dose-dependent increases in platelet counts. After a single subcutaneous dose of 1 to 10 mcg/kg Nplate in patients with ITP, the peak platelet count was 1.3 to 14.9 times greater than the baseline platelet count over a 2- to 3-week period. The platelet counts were above 50 × 109/L for seven out of eight patients with ITP who received six weekly doses of Nplate at 1 mcg/kg.

In a clinical study, peak platelet count increased 4.7 to 7.3 fold (mean: 5.8 fold) above baseline values in healthy adults (n = 4) administered a single 10 mcg/kg IV dose of Nplate.

Results from population modeling and simulation indicate that a single 10 mcg/kg subcutaneous dose of Nplate would result in clinically relevant effects on incidence rate and duration of severe thrombocytopenia in patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation.

Pharmacokinetics

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

The carcinogenic potential of romiplostim has not been evaluated. The mutagenic potential of romiplostim has not been evaluated. Romiplostim had no effect on the fertility of rats at doses up to 37 times the MHD based on systemic exposure.

Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology

In a 4-week repeat-dose toxicity study in which rats were dosed subcutaneously three times per week, romiplostim caused extramedullary hematopoiesis, bone hyperostosis, and marrow fibrosis at clinically equivalent and higher doses. In this study, these findings were not observed in animals after a 4-week post treatment recovery period. Studies of long-term treatment with romiplostim in rats have not been conducted; therefore, it is not known if the fibrosis of the bone marrow is reversible in rats after long-term treatment.

Adults with ITP

The safety and efficacy of Nplate in adults with ITP were assessed in two double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies, an open-label single-arm study, and in an open-label extension study.

Studies 1 (NCT00102336) and 2 (NCT00102323)

In Studies 1 and 2, patients with ITP who had completed at least one prior treatment and had a platelet count of ≤ 30 × 109/L prior to study entry were randomized (2:1) to 24 weeks of Nplate (1 mcg/kg subcutaneous [SC]) or placebo. The median time since ITP diagnosis for Studies 1 and 2 was 2.1 years (range 0.1 to 31.6) and 8 years (range 0.6 to 44.8), respectively. Prior ITP treatments in both study groups included corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, rituximab, cytotoxic therapies, danazol, and azathioprine. Patients already receiving ITP medical therapies at a constant dosing schedule were allowed to continue receiving these medical treatments throughout the studies. Rescue therapies (i.e., corticosteroids, IVIG, platelet transfusions, and anti-D immunoglobulin) were permitted for bleeding, wet purpura, or if the patient was at immediate risk for hemorrhage. Patients received single weekly SC injections of Nplate, with individual dose adjustments to maintain platelet counts (50 × 109/L to 200 × 109/L).

Study 1 evaluated patients who had not undergone a splenectomy. The patients had been diagnosed with ITP for approximately 2 years and had received a median of three prior ITP treatments. Overall, the median platelet count was 19 × 109/L at study entry. During the study, the median weekly Nplate dose was 2 mcg/kg (25th–75th percentile: 1–3 mcg/kg).

Study 2 evaluated patients who had undergone a splenectomy. The patients had been diagnosed with ITP for approximately 8 years and had received a median of six prior ITP treatments. Overall, the median platelet count was 14 × 109/L at study entry. During the study, the median weekly Nplate dose was 3 mcg/kg (25th–75th percentile:  2-7 mcg/kg).

Study 1 and 2 outcomes are shown in Table 5. A durable platelet response was the achievement of a weekly platelet count ≥ 50 × 109/L for any 6 of the last 8 weeks of the 24-week treatment period in the absence of rescue medication at any time. A transient platelet response was the achievement of any weekly platelet counts ≥ 50 × 109/L for any 4 weeks during the treatment period without a durable platelet response. An overall platelet response was the achievement of either a durable or a transient platelet response. Platelet responses were excluded for 8 weeks after receiving rescue medications.

In Studies 1 and 2, nine patients reported a serious bleeding event [five (6%) Nplate, four (10%) placebo]. Bleeding events that were Grade 2 severity or higher occurred in 15% of patients treated with Nplate and 34% of patients treated with placebo.

Study 3 (NCT01143038)

Study 3 was a single-arm, open-label study designed to assess the safety and efficacy of Nplate in adult patients who had an insufficient response (platelet count ≤ 30 x 109/L) to first-line therapy. The study enrolled 75 patients of whom the median age was 39 years (range 19 to 85) and 59% were female.

The median time from ITP diagnosis to study enrollment was 2.2 months (range 0.1 to 6.6). Sixty percent of patients had ITP duration < 3 months and 40% had ITP duration ≥ 3 months. The median platelet count at screening was 20 x 109/L. Prior ITP treatments included corticosteroids, immunoglobulins and anti-D immunoglobulins. Patients already receiving ITP medical therapies at a constant dosing schedule were allowed to continue receiving these medical treatments throughout the studies. Rescue therapies (i.e., corticosteroids, IVIG, platelet transfusions, anti-D immunoglobulin, dapsone, danazol, and azathioprine) were permitted.

Patients received single weekly SC injections of Nplate over a 12-month treatment period, with individual dose adjustments to maintain platelet counts (50 x 109/L to 200 x 109/L). During the study, the median weekly Nplate dose was 3 mcg/kg (25th-75th percentile: 2-4 mcg/kg).

Of the 75 patients enrolled in Study 3, 70 (93%) had a platelet response ≥ 50 x 109/L during the 12-month treatment period. The mean number of months with platelet response during the 12-month treatment period was 9.2 (95% CI: 8.3, 10.1) months; the median was 11 (95% CI: 10, 11) months. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the median time to first platelet response was 2.1 weeks (95% CI: 1.1, 3.0). Twenty-four (32%) patients maintained every platelet count ≥ 50 x 109/L for at least 6 months in the absence of Nplate and any medication for ITP (concomitant or rescue); the median time to onset of maintaining every platelet count ≥ 50 x 109/L for at least 6 months was 27 weeks (range 6 to 57).

Study 4 (NCT00116688) Extension Study

Patients who had completed a prior Nplate study (including Study 1 and Study 2) were allowed to enroll in a long-term open-label extension study. Following Nplate discontinuation in Studies 1 and 2, seven patients maintained platelet counts of ≥ 50 × 109/L. Among 291 patients who subsequently entered the extension study and received Nplate, platelet counts were increased and sustained regardless of whether they had received Nplate or placebo in the prior placebo-controlled studies. The majority of patients reached a median platelet count of 50 × 109/L after receiving one to three doses of Nplate, and these platelet counts were maintained throughout the remainder of the study with a median duration of Nplate treatment of 78 weeks and a maximum duration of 277 weeks.

 Pediatric Patients with ITP

The safety and efficacy of Nplate in pediatric patients 1 year and older with ITP for at least 6 months were assessed in two double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials.

Study 5 (NCT01444417)

In Study 5, patients refractory or relapsed after at least one prior ITP therapy with a platelet count ≤ 30 x 109/L were stratified by age and randomized (2:1) to receive Nplate (n = 42) or placebo (n = 20). The starting dose for all ages was 1 mcg/kg weekly. Over a 24-week treatment period, dose was titrated up to a maximum of 10 mcg/kg weekly of either Nplate or placebo in an effort to maintain a target platelet count of ≥ 50 × 109/L to 200 × 109/L.

The median age of the patients was 9.5 years (range 3 to 17) and 57% were female. Approximately 58% of patients had a baseline count ≤ 20 x 109/L, which was similar between treatment arms. The percentage of patients with at least 2 prior ITP therapies (predominantly immunoglobulins and corticosteroids) was 81% in the group treated with Nplate and 70% in the group treated with placebo. One patient in each group had undergone splenectomy.

Study 5 results are shown in Table 6. The efficacy of Nplate in this trial was measured by the proportion of patients receiving Nplate achieving a durable platelet response and the proportion of patient achieving an overall platelet response. A durable platelet response was defined as achieving at least 6 weekly platelet counts ≥ 50 × 109/L during weeks 18 through 25 of treatment. A transient platelet response was defined as a weekly platelet count ≥ 50 × 109/L for 4 or more times during weeks 2 through 25, but without durable platelet response. An overall platelet response was defined as a durable or a transient platelet response. Platelet responses were excluded for 4 weeks after receiving rescue medications.

Study 6 (NCT00515203)

In study 6, patients diagnosed with ITP at least 6 months prior to enrollment with a platelet count ≤ 30 x 109/L were stratified by age and randomized (3:1) to receive Nplate (n = 17) or placebo (n = 5). The starting dose for all ages was 1 mcg/kg weekly. Over a 12-week treatment period dose was titrated up to a maximum of 10 mcg/kg weekly of either Nplate or placebo in an effort to maintain a target platelet count of ≥ 50 × 109/L to 250 × 109/L.

The median age of the patients was 10 years (range 1 to 17 years) and 27.3% of patients were female. Approximately 82% of patients had a baseline count ≤ 20 x 109/L, which was similar between treatment arms. The percentage of patients with at least 2 prior ITP therapies (predominantly IVIG and corticosteroids) was 88% in the group treated with Nplate and 100% in the group treated with placebo. Six patients in the Nplate group and 2 patients in the placebo group had undergone splenectomy.

The efficacy of Nplate in this trial was measured by the proportion of patients who achieved a platelet count of ≥ 50 × 109/L for 2 consecutive weeks and by the proportion of patients who achieved an increase in platelet count of ≥ 20 × 109/L above baseline for 2 consecutive weeks. Platelet responses within 4 weeks following rescue medications use were excluded. Of the 17 patients who received romiplostim, 15 achieved a platelet count of ≥ 50 × 109/L for 2 consecutive weeks (88.2%, 95% CI: 63.6%, 98.5%).

The same 15 patients also achieved an increase in platelet count of ≥ 20 × 109/L above baseline for 2 consecutive weeks during the treatment period (88.2%, 95% CI: 63.6%, 98.5%). None of the patients treated with placebo achieved either endpoint.

 Patients with Hematopoietic Syndrome of Acute Radiation Syndrome

Efficacy studies of Nplate could not be conducted in humans with acute radiation syndrome for ethical and feasibility reasons. Approval for this indication was based on efficacy studies conducted in animals, Nplate's effect on platelet count in healthy human volunteers and on data supporting Nplate's effect on thrombocytopenia in patients with ITP and insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy.

Because of the uncertainty associated with extrapolating animal efficacy data to humans, the selection of a human dose for Nplate is aimed at providing platelet response to Nplate that is similar to that observed in efficacy studies conducted in animals. The recommended dose of Nplate for patients exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation is 10 mcg/kg administered once as a subcutaneous injection [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. The 10 mcg/kg dosing regimen for humans is based on population modeling and simulation analyses. For pediatric patients (including term neonates), extrapolation was based on data supporting Nplate's effect on thrombocytopenia in patients with ITP and an insufficient response to corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or splenectomy.

The safety of Nplate for the acute radiation syndrome setting was assessed based on the clinical experience in patients with ITP [see Adverse Reactions (6)] and from a study with healthy volunteers. The efficacy of Nplate was studied in a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study in a non-human primate model of radiation injury. Rhesus monkeys were randomized to either a control (n = 40) or treated (n = 40) cohort. Animals were exposed to total body irradiation (TBI) of 6.8 Gy from a Cobalt60 gamma ray source, representing a dose that would be lethal in 70% of animals by 60 days of follow-up (LD70/60). Animals were administered a single subcutaneous dose of blinded treatment (control article [sterile saline] or Nplate [5mg/kg]) 24 hours post-irradiation. The primary efficacy endpoint was survival. Animals received medical management consisting of intravenous or subcutaneous fluids, anti-ulcer medication, anti-emetic medication, analgesics, antimicrobials, and other support as required.

Nplate significantly (one-sided p = 0.0002) increased 60-day survival in the irradiated animals: 72.5% survival (29/40) in the Nplate group compared to 32.5% survival (13/40) in the control group. In the same study, an exploratory cohort of n=40 animals received Nplate (5mg/kg) on day 1 and pegfilgrastim (0.3mg/kg) on days 1 and 8 post-irradiation. Survival in this combined treatment group was 87.5% (95% CI: (73.2%, 95.8%)).