Opdualag

Recommended Dosage

The recommended dosage of OPDUALAG for adult patients and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older who weigh at least 40 kg is 480 mg nivolumab and 160 mg relatlimab administered intravenously every 4 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs.

The recommended dosage for pediatric patients 12 years of age or older who weigh less than 40 kg has not been established [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].

Dosage Modifications

No dose reduction for OPDUALAG is recommended. In general, withhold OPDUALAG for severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated adverse reactions (IMARs). Permanently discontinue OPDUALAG for life-threatening (Grade 4) IMARs, recurrent severe (Grade 3) IMARs that require systemic immunosuppressive treatment, or an inability to reduce corticosteroid dose to 10 mg or less of prednisone or equivalent per day within 12 weeks of initiating steroids.

Dosage modifications for adverse reactions that require management different from these general guidelines are summarized in Table 1.

Preparation and Administration

OPDUALAG is a fixed-dose combination of nivolumab and relatlimab.

Visually inspect the solution in the drug product vial for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. OPDUALAG is a clear to opalescent, colorless to slightly yellow solution. Discard the vial if the solution is cloudy, discolored, or contains extraneous particulate matter other than a few translucent-to-white particles.

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Based on findings in animals and mechanism of action, OPDUALAG can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Administration of nivolumab to cynomolgus monkeys from the onset of organogenesis through delivery resulted in increased abortion and premature infant death (see Data). Human IgG4 is known to cross the placenta; therefore, nivolumab and relatlimab have the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus. The effects of OPDUALAG are likely to be greater during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. There are no available data on OPDUALAG in pregnant women to evaluate a drug-associated risk. Advise the patient of the potential risk to a fetus.

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

Animal Data

OPDUALAG injection for intravenous use contains nivolumab and relatlimab [see Description (11)].

Nivolumab:

One function of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is to preserve pregnancy by maintaining immune tolerance to the fetus. The effects of nivolumab on prenatal and postnatal development were evaluated in monkeys that received nivolumab twice weekly from the onset of organogenesis through delivery, at exposure levels of between 9 and 42 times higher than those observed at the clinical dose of 3 mg/kg (based on AUC). Nivolumab administration resulted in a non-dose-related increase in spontaneous abortion and increased neonatal death. In surviving infants (18 of 32 compared to 11 of 16 vehicle-exposed infants) of cynomolgus monkeys treated with nivolumab, there were no apparent malformations and no effects on neurobehavioral, immunological, or clinical pathology parameters throughout the 6-month postnatal period.

Relatlimab:

There are no available animal data on relatlimab. The effects of a murine surrogate anti-LAG-3 antibody was evaluated in mice using syngeneic and allogeneic breeding models. When anti-LAG-3 antibodies were administered beginning on gestation day 6, there were no maternal or developmental effects in either syngeneic or allogeneic breedings.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of nivolumab and relatlimab in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because nivolumab and relatlimab may be excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise patients not to breastfeed during treatment with OPDUALAG and for at least 5 months after the last dose [see Pharmacokinetics (12.3)].

Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

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

Pregnancy Testing

Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating OPDUALAG [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Contraception

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 5 months following the last dose of OPDUALAG [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of OPDUALAG for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma have been established in pediatric patients 12 years of age or older who weigh at least 40 kg. Use of OPDUALAG for this indication is supported by evidence from an adequate and well-controlled study in adults and additional data analyses that suggest that nivolumab and relatlimab exposures in pediatric patients 12 years of age who weigh at least 40 kg are expected to result in similar safety and efficacy to that of adults. The pharmacokinetics of monoclonal antibodies and the course of unresectable or metastatic melanoma are sufficiently similar in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older to allow extrapolation of data from adult patients to pediatric patients 12 years of age or older (who weigh at least 40 kg). A recommended dosage for pediatric patients 12 years of age or older who weigh less than 40 kg has not been established [see Adverse Reactions (6.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3), and Clinical Studies (14)].

The safety and effectiveness of OPDUALAG have not been established in pediatric patients 12 years of age or older who weigh less than 40 kg, and pediatric patients younger than 12 years of age.

Geriatric Use

Of the 355 patients treated with OPDUALAG in RELATIVITY-047, 47% of patients were 65 years or older, 29% were 65 to 74 years, 17% were 75 to 84 years, and 1.7% were 85 years and older. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly patients and younger patients.

Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions

OPDUALAG potentially breaks peripheral tolerance and induces immune-mediated adverse reactions (IMARs) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)]. Important IMARs listed under Warnings and Precautions may not include all possible severe and fatal IMARs.

IMARs, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue. IMARs can occur at any time after starting treatment with a LAG-3 and PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. While IMARs usually manifest during treatment, IMARs can also manifest after discontinuation.

Early identification and management of IMARs are essential to ensure safe use. Monitor patients closely for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of underlying IMARs. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment. In cases of suspected IMARs, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate.

Withhold or permanently discontinue OPDUALAG depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. In general, if OPDUALAG requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose IMARs are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy.

Toxicity management guidelines for adverse reactions that do not necessarily require systemic steroids (e.g., endocrinopathies and dermatologic reactions) are discussed below.

Infusion-Related Reactions

OPDUALAG can cause severe infusion-related reactions. Discontinue OPDUALAG in patients with severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion in patients with mild or moderate infusion-related reactions [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

In patients who received OPDUALAG as a 60-minute intravenous infusion, infusion-related reactions occurred in 7% (23/355) of patients.

Complications of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) before or after being treated with a PD-1/PD-L1 receptor blocking antibody. Transplant-related complications include hyperacute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, hepatic veno-occlusive disease after reduced intensity conditioning, and steroid-requiring febrile syndrome (without an identified infectious cause) [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. These complications may occur despite intervening therapy between PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and allogeneic HSCT.

Follow patients closely for evidence of transplant-related complications and intervene promptly. Consider the benefit versus risks of treatment with a PD-1/PD-L1 receptor blocking antibody prior to or after an allogeneic HSCT.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on its mechanism of action and data from animal studies, OPDUALAG can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproduction studies, administration of nivolumab to cynomolgus monkeys from the onset of organogenesis through delivery resulted in increased abortion and premature infant death. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with OPDUALAG for at least 5 months after the last dose of OPDUALAG [see Use in Specific Populations ].

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.

The safety of OPDUALAG was evaluated in RELATIVITY-047, a randomized (1:1), double-blinded trial in 714 patients with previously untreated metastatic or unresectable melanoma [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Patients received intravenous OPDUALAG (nivolumab 480 mg and relatlimab 160 mg) every 4 weeks (n=355) or nivolumab 480 mg by intravenous infusion every 4 weeks (n=359). Patients were treated with OPDUALAG or nivolumab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The median duration of exposure was 6 months (range: 0 to 31 months) in OPDUALAG-treated patients and 5 months (range: 0 to 32 months) in nivolumab-treated patients.

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 36% of patients treated with OPDUALAG. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in ≥1% of patients treated with OPDUALAG were adrenal insufficiency (1.4%), anemia (1.4%), colitis (1.4%), pneumonia (1.4%), acute myocardial infarction (1.1%), back pain (1.1%), diarrhea (1.1%), myocarditis (1.1%), and pneumonitis (1.1%). Fatal adverse reaction occurred in 3 (0.8%) patients who were treated with OPDUALAG; these included hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, acute edema of the lung, and pneumonitis.

OPDUALAG was permanently discontinued due to adverse reactions in 18% of patients. Adverse reactions which resulted in permanent discontinuation of OPDUALAG in ≥1% of patients included myocarditis (1.7%) and pneumonitis (1.4%).

Dosage interruptions due to an adverse reaction occurred in 43% of patients who received OPDUALAG. Adverse reactions that required dosage interruption in ≥2% of patients who received OPDUALAG were diarrhea (3.9%), troponin increased (3.9%), AST increased (2.8%), troponin T increased (2.8%), ALT increased (2.3%), arthralgia (2.3%), hypothyroidism (2.3%), anemia (2%), fatigue (2%), pneumonitis (2%), and rash (2%).

The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions that occurred in patients treated with OPDUALAG were musculoskeletal pain (45%), fatigue (39%), rash (28%), pruritus (25%), and diarrhea (24%). The most common (≥20%) laboratory abnormalities that occurred in patients treated with OPDUALAG were decreased hemoglobin (37%), decreased lymphocytes (32%), increased AST (30%), increased ALT (26%), and decreased sodium (24%).

Tables 3 and 4 summarize both the adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities, respectively, in RELATIVITY-047.

Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <15% of patients who received OPDUALAG included vitiligo, adrenal insufficiency, myocarditis, and hepatitis.

Mechanism of Action

Relatlimab is a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds to the LAG-3 receptor, blocks interaction with its ligands, including MHC II, and reduces LAG-3 pathway-mediated inhibition of the immune response. Antagonism of this pathway promotes T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion.

Binding of the PD-1 ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, to the PD-1 receptor found on T cells, inhibits T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. Upregulation of PD-1 ligands occurs in some tumors, and signaling through this pathway can contribute to inhibition of active T-cell immune surveillance of tumors. Nivolumab is a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor, blocks interaction with its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, and reduces PD-1 pathway-mediated inhibition of the immune response, including the anti-tumor immune response. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, blocking PD-1 activity resulted in decreased tumor growth.

The combination of nivolumab (anti-PD-1) and relatlimab (anti-LAG-3) results in increased T-cell activation compared to the activity of either antibody alone. In murine syngeneic tumor models, LAG-3 blockade potentiates the anti-tumor activity of PD-1 blockage, inhibiting tumor growth and promoting tumor regression.

Pharmacodynamics

The exposure-response relationship and time course of pharmacodynamic response for the safety and effectiveness of OPDUALAG have not been fully characterized.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of relatlimab following the administration of OPDUALAG were characterized in patients with cancer who received relatlimab 20 to 800 mg every 2 weeks (0.25 to 10 times the approved recommended dosage) or 160 to 1440 mg every 4 weeks (1 to 9 times the approved recommended dosage) either as a monotherapy or in combination with nivolumab dosages of 80 or 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks.

Steady-state concentrations of relatlimab were reached by 16 weeks with an every 4-week regimen and the systemic accumulation was 1.9-fold. The average concentration (Cavg) of relatlimab after the first dose increased dose proportionally at doses ≥160 mg every 4 weeks.

Following the recommended dosage, the geometric mean [coefficient of variation (CV%)] maximum and average concentrations (Cmax and Cavg) of relatlimab at steady state were 62.2 (30%), and 28.8 (45%) μg/mL, respectively; and the mean Cmax and Cavg of nivolumab at steady state were 187 (33%) and 94.4 (43%) μg/mL, respectively.

In RELATIVITY-047, the nivolumab geometric mean minimum concentration (Cmin) at steady state in the OPDUALAG arm was comparable to the nivolumab arm.

Distribution

The geometric mean (CV%) volume of distribution at steady state of relatlimab is 6.6 L (20%) and 6.6 L (19%) of nivolumab.

Elimination

The geometric mean (CV%) clearance of relatlimab is 5.5 mL/h (41%) at steady state, 10% lower than after the first dose [6 mL/h (39%)]. Following OPDUALAG (nivolumab 480 mg and relatlimab 160 mg administered every 4 weeks) administration, the geometric mean (CV%) effective half-life (t1/2) of relatlimab is 26.2 days (37%).

The geometric mean (CV%) clearance of nivolumab is 7.6 mL/h (40%) at steady state, 21% lower than after the first dose [9.6 mL/h (40%)] and the terminal t1/2 is 26.5 days (36%).

Specific Populations

The following factors had no clinically important effect on the clearance of nivolumab and relatlimab: age (17 to 92 years), sex, race (White, Asian, and Black/African American), mild or moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m2), mild hepatic impairment (total bilirubin [TB] less than or equal to upper limit of normal [ULN] and AST greater than ULN or TB greater than 1 to 1.5 times ULN and any AST) or moderate hepatic impairment (TB greater than 1.5 to 3 times ULN and any AST). The effects of severe renal impairment, or severe hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of nivolumab and relatlimab are unknown.

Pediatric patients:

The exposures of nivolumab and relatlimab in pediatric patients 12 years of age or older who weigh at least 40 kg are expected to be in the range of exposures in adult patients at the recommended dosage.

Immunogenicity

The observed incidence of anti-drug antibodies is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Differences in assay methods preclude meaningful comparisons of the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in the studies described below with the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in other studies, including studies of nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw products, or nivolumab products.

During the initial 24-month treatment period in RELATIVITY-047, the incidence of:

•

anti-nivolumab antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in the OPDUALAG group was 3.8% (11/288) and 0.3% (1/288), respectively, which was similar to that observed in the nivolumab group: 5.9% (16/272) and 0.4% (1/272), respectively.

•

anti-relatlimab antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in the OPDUALAG group was 5.6% (16/286) and 0.3% (1/286), respectively.

Because of the low incidence of anti-drug antibodies, the effect of these antibodies on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, or effectiveness of OPDUALAG is unknown.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

OPDUALAG contains nivolumab and relatlimab.

No studies have been performed to assess the potential of nivolumab or relatlimab for carcinogenicity or genotoxicity. Fertility studies have not been performed with nivolumab or relatlimab.

Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology

In animal models, inhibition of PD-1 signaling increased the severity of some infections and enhanced inflammatory responses. Mycobacterium tuberculosis–infected PD-1 knockout mice exhibited markedly decreased survival compared with wild-type controls, which correlated with increased bacterial proliferation and inflammatory responses in these animals. PD-1 blockade using a primate anti-PD-1 antibody was also shown to exacerbate M. tuberculosis infection in rhesus macaques. PD-1 and PD-L1 knockout mice receiving PD-L1 blocking antibody have also shown decreased survival following infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

Inhibition of PD-1 and LAG-3 results in autoimmunity in preclinical models. Mice deficient in both PD-1 and LAG-3 develop lethal systemic autoimmunity that includes myocarditis.

In a 1-month study in monkeys dosed with nivolumab and relatlimab, inflammation within the central nervous system (choroid plexus, vasculature, meninges, spinal cord) and the reproductive tract (epididymis, seminal vesicles, and testes) was observed.