Folotyn (pralatrexate injection) for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma: U.S. Food and Drug Administration drug approval summary.
OBJECTIVE
On September 24, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for Folotyn (pralatrexate injection, Allos Therapeutics, Inc.) as a single agent for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL); it is the first drug approved for this indication.


METHODS
This review was based on study PDX-008, a phase II, single-arm, nonrandomized, open-label, international, multicenter trial, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pralatrexate when administered concurrently with vitamin B(12) and folic acid supplementation in patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL.


RESULTS
The overall response rate was 27% in 109 evaluable patients [95% confidence interval (CI), 19-36%]. Twelve percent of 109 evaluable patients (95% CI, 7-20%)] had a response duration of ≥14 weeks. Six of these 13 patients achieved a complete response, and one patient had complete response unconfirmed. The most common grade 3 and 4 toxicities were thrombocytopenia, mucositis, and neutropenia.


CONCLUSIONS
This accelerated approval was based on a response rate that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit in this heavily pretreated patient population with this rare disease. The applicant has committed to conducting postmarketing clinical trials to assess clinical benefit. The recommended starting dose of pralatrexate in patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL is 30 mg/m(2) via intravenous push over 3 to 5 min weekly for 6 weeks followed by a one-week rest (one cycle). Intramuscular injection of 1 mg vitamin B(12) should be administered every 8 to 10 weeks along with 1.0 mg folic acid given orally once a day.
Malik
Shakun M
SM
Office of Oncology Drug Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. shakun.malik@fda.hhs
Liu
Ke
K
Qiang
Xu
X
Sridhara
Rajeshwari
R
Tang
Shenghui
S
McGuinn
W David
WD
Verbois
S Leigh
SL
Marathe
Anshu
A
Williams
Gene M
GM
Bullock
Julie
J
Tornoe
Christoffer
C
Lin
Sue Ching
SC
Ocheltree
Terrance
T
Vialpando
Milinda
M
Kacuba
Alice
A
Justice
Robert
R
Pazdur
Richard
R
D000368:Aged; D000630:Aminopterin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017277:Drug Approval; D005260:Female; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
C418863:10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D000630:Aminopterin