LIBTAYO is a monoclonal antibody that belongs to a class of drugs that bind to either the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1), blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, thereby removing inhibition of the immune response, potentially breaking peripheral tolerance and inducing immune-mediated adverse reactions. Important immune-mediated adverse reactions listed under Warnings and Precautions may not include all possible severe and fatal immune-mediated reactions.
The incidence and severity of immune-mediated adverse reactions were similar when LIBTAYO was administered as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy.
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time after starting PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibody. While immune-mediated adverse reactions usually manifest during treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies, immune-mediated adverse reactions can also manifest after discontinuation of PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Immune-mediated adverse reactions affecting more than one body system can occur simultaneously.
Early identification and management of immune‐mediated adverse reactions are essential to ensure safe use of PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Monitor closely for symptoms and signs that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Evaluate liver enzymes, creatinine, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate.
Withhold or permanently discontinue LIBTAYO depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. In general, if LIBTAYO 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 immune-mediated adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroids.
Toxicity management guidelines for adverse reactions that do not necessarily require systemic steroids (e.g., endocrinopathies and dermatologic reactions) are discussed below.
Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis
LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. The definition of immune-mediated pneumonitis included the required use of systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants and the absence of a clear alternate etiology. In patients treated with other PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies the incidence of pneumonitis is higher in patients who he received prior thoracic radiation.
Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 2.6% (33/1281) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (0.6%), and Grade 2 (1.6%) adverse reactions. Pneumonitis led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 1.3% of patients and withholding of LIBTAYO in 1.4% of the patients.
Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with pneumonitis. Pneumonitis resolved in 61% of the 33 patients. Of the 18 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for pneumonitis, 10 reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, 4/10 (40%) had recurrence of pneumonitis.
Immune-Mediated Colitis
LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated colitis. The definition of immune-mediated colitis included the required use of systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants and the absence of a clear alternate etiology. The primary component of the immune-mediated colitis was diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis treated with PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. In cases of corticosteroid refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies.
Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2% (25/1281) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (0.8%) and Grade 2 (0.9%) adverse reactions. Colitis led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 0.4% of patients and withholding of LIBTAYO in 1.2% of patients.
Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with colitis. Colitis resolved in 56% of the 25 patients. Of the 16 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for colitis, 6 reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, 4/6 (67%) had recurrence of colitis.
Immune-Mediated Hepatitis
LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. The definition of immune-mediated hepatitis included the required use of systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants and the absence of a clear alternate etiology.
Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 2.4% (31/1281) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including fatal (< 0.1%), Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (1.6%), and Grade 2 (0.2%) adverse reactions. Hepatitis led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 1.4% of patients and withholding of LIBTAYO in 0.7% of patients.
Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with hepatitis. Thirteen percent (13%) of these patients (4/31) required additional immunosuppression with mycophenolate. Hepatitis resolved in 39% of the 31 patients. Of the 9 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for hepatitis, 5 patients reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, 1/5 (20%) had recurrence of hepatitis.
Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies
Adrenal Insufficiency
LIBTAYO can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold LIBTAYO depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.5% (6/1281) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (0.5%) adverse reactions. Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 1 (< 0.1%) patient. LIBTAYO was withheld in 1 (< 0.1%) patient due to adrenal insufficiency and not reinitiated. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 83% (5/6) patients with adrenal insufficiency; of these, the majority remained on systemic corticosteroids. Adrenal insufficiency resolved in 17% of the 6 patients.
Hypophysitis
LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue LIBTAYO depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Hypophysitis occurred in 0.5% (7/1281) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (0.2%) and Grade 2 (0.3%) adverse reactions. Hypophysitis led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 1 (< 0.1%) patient and withholding of LIBTAYO in 2 (0.2%) patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 86% (6/7) patients with hypophysitis. Hypophysitis resolved in 14% of the 7 patients. Of the 2 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for hypophysitis, none of the patients reinitiated.
Thyroid Disorders
LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone replacement or medical management as clinically indicated. Withhold or permanently discontinue LIBTAYO depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Thyroiditis: Thyroiditis occurred in 0.6% (8/1281) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 2 (0.3%) adverse reactions. No patient discontinued LIBTAYO due to thyroiditis. Thyroiditis led to withholding of LIBTAYO in 1 (< 0.1%) patient. Systemic corticosteroids were not required in any patient with thyroiditis. Thyroiditis resolved in 13% of the 8 patients.
Blood thyroid stimulating hormone increased and blood thyroid stimulating hormone decreased he also been reported.
Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism occurred in 3% (39/1281) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (< 0.1%) and Grade 2 (0.9%) adverse reactions. No patient discontinued treatment due to hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism led to withholding of LIBTAYO in 7 (0.5%) patients.
Systemic corticosteroids were required in 8% (3/39) of patients with hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism resolved in 56% of the 39 patients. Of the 7 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for hyperthyroidism, 2 patients reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, none had recurrence of hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism occurred in 7% (87/1281) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (< 0.1%) and Grade 2 (6%) adverse reactions. Hypothyroidism led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 3 (0.2%) patients. Hypothyroidism led to withholding of LIBTAYO in 9 (0.7%) patients.
Systemic corticosteroids were required in 1.1% (1/87) of patients. Hypothyroidism resolved in 6% of the 87 patients. The majority of patients with hypothyroidism required long-term thyroid hormone replacement.
Of the 9 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for hypothyroidism, 1 reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement and did not he recurrence of hypothyroidism.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, which can present with diabetic ketoacidosis
Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated. Withhold LIBTAYO depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurred in < 0.1% (1/1281) of patients (Grade 4). No patient discontinued treatment due to type 1 diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes mellitus led to withholding of LIBTAYO in 0.1% of patients, treatment was reinitiated after symptom improvement. Patient received long-term insulin therapy.
Immune-Mediated Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction
LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated nephritis. The definition of immune-mediated nephritis included the required use of systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants and the absence of a clear alternate etiology.
Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.7% (9/1281) patients receiving LIBTAYO, including fatal (< 0.1%), Grade 3 (< 0.1%) and Grade 2 (0.5%) adverse reactions. Nephritis led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 0.2% of patients and withholding of LIBTAYO in 0.4% of patients.
Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with nephritis. Nephritis resolved in 78% of the 9 patients. Of the 5 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for nephritis, 4 reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these, 1/4 (25%) had recurrence of nephritis.
Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse Reactions
LIBTAYO can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. The definition of immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reaction included the required use of systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants and the absence of a clear alternate etiology. Exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and DRESS (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms), has occurred with PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate non-exfoliative rashes. Withhold or permanently discontinue LIBTAYO depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions occurred in 1.9% (24/1281) of patients receiving LIBTAYO, including Grade 3 (0.9%) and Grade 2 (0.8%) adverse reactions. Dermatologic adverse reactions led to permanent discontinuation of LIBTAYO in 0.2% of patients and withholding of LIBTAYO in 1.3% of patients.
Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions. Immune-mediated dermatologic adverse reactions resolved in 71% of the 24 patients. Of the 17 patients in whom LIBTAYO was withheld for dermatologic adverse reaction, 13 reinitiated LIBTAYO after symptom improvement; of these 5/13 (38%) had recurrence of the dermatologic adverse reaction.
Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions
The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of