– Columvi is the first bispecific antibody to show a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 41% survival benefit in R/R DLBCL in the Phase III STARGLO study –
– There is an urgent need for effective, immediately available therapies that are broadly accessible to people with transplant-ineligible R/R DLBCL –
– This first-of-its-kind Columvi combination could provide a much-needed, off-the-shelf and fixed-duration treatment option for patients who face poor prognosis –
– The clinical and disease characteristics of the overall population enrolled in this multiregional clinical trial are representative and applicable to U.S. patients –
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), announced today that a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) discussed the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Columvi® (glofitamab-gxbm) in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx) for the treatment of people with relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are not candidates for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).
“Columvi in combination with GemOx demonstrated a 41% reduction in risk of death in a Phase III, randomized, multiregional clinical trial, supporting its recent approval by the European Commission and inclusion in the U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network treatment guidelines as a category 1 preferred regimen,” said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “We believe the STARGLO results are applicable to U.S. patients, with the global study population closely mirroring the real-world clinical profile of DLBCL patients in the U.S., and we will continue working with the FDA on the regulatory path forward.”
Today’s discussion focused on the applicability of the Phase III STARGLO results to the U.S. patient population, with Committee members citing that further data are needed. The STARGLO study was a multiregional clinical trial (MRCT) that enrolled 274 patients globally across 62 sites in 13 countries, including the U.S., Australia, and multiple European countries, with the majority of patients (52%) enrolling outside of Asia.
The clinical and disease characteristics of the overall population enrolled in this multiregional clinical trial are representative of U.S. patients with this disease today. On that basis the STARGLO results are applicable to U.S. patients. Based on extensive guidelines and real-world clinical practice, there are no biological or clinical differences for DLBCL management worldwide. There is a broad and robust clinical development program of Columvi, indicating that region and/or race are not relevant determinants of outcomes to treatment.
“Many of the patients with DLBCL who I see in my clinic are similar to the patients reflected in this study, making the glofitamab-GemOx regimen an important potential treatment option,” said Krish Patel, M.D., Director of Lymphoma Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute. “These patients need more effective, readily available treatment options and the compelling results from STARGLO deliver on this need.”
A statistically significant 41% reduction in the risk of death (hazard ratio [HR]=0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40–0.89, p=0.011) was observed in patients treated with Columvi in combination with GemOx versus Rituxan® (rituximab) plus GemOx (R-GemOx). The Columvi combination also met its key secondary endpoints, with a 63% reduction in risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival, PFS) compared to R-GemOx (HR=0.37; 95% CI: 0.25–0.55, p<0.0001). Median overall survival was 25.5 months for people treated with the Columvi combination, nearly double what was seen for people treated with R-GemOx at 12.9 months (HR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.43-0.88) in a follow-up analysis. Safety of the combination was consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual medicines. Patients received a higher median number of cycles of the Columvi combination (11 versus 4), due to disease progression in the R-GemOx arm. A higher rate of adverse events (AEs) was observed with the Columvi regimen. One of the most common AEs was cytokine release syndrome, which was generally low grade (Any Grade: 44.2%, Grade 1: 31.4%, Grade 2: 10.5%, Grade 3: 2.3%) and occurred primarily in Cycle 1. Two-year follow-up data from STARGLO will be presented at the upcoming 61st American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting from May 30 – June 3, 2025.
For people with DLBCL who have R/R disease, therapy options that can provide durable remissions are limited. In the U.S., approximately 75% of patients with R/R DLBCL are not candidates for, cannot tolerate, or do not have access to latest treatments. New treatments that can be initiated in community practices, where the majority of patients are treated, and have the potential to provide rapid disease control with durable remissions, could meaningfully address the needs of patients with this aggressive and life-threatening form of lymphoma.
Based on the STARGLO data, this Columvi combination is approved in more than 30 countries, including the EU, for people with R/R DLBCL who are ineligible for ASCT. Columvi in combination with GemOx was recently added to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) as an NCCN category 1 preferred recommendation for the treatment of people with second-line DLBCL who are not intended to proceed to transplant.† Columvi monotherapy has been approved for use in R/R DLBCL after two or more prior lines of therapy in more than 60 countries worldwide, including the U.S. STARGLO is intended as a confirmatory study to convert the accelerated approval of Columvi in the U.S. to full approval.
The ODAC provides the FDA with independent opinions and review of safety and efficacy data from outside medical experts, though the recommendations are not binding. The FDA’s evaluation of this Columvi combination for R/R DLBCL is ongoing and a decision on approval is expected by July 20, 2025.
†NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.
About the STARGLO Study
The STARGLO study [GO41944; NCT04408638] is a Phase III, multicenter, open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Columvi® (glofitamab-gxbm) in combination with gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin (GemOx) versus Rituxan® (rituximab) in combination with GemOx in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who have received at least one prior line of therapy and are not candidates for autologous stem cell transplant, or who have received two or more prior lines of therapy. Preclinical research indicated an increased antitumor effect when combining Columvi with GemOx over GemOx alone, so the STARGLO study was initiated to further explore the potential complementary effects of the treatment combination. Outcome measures include overall survival (primary endpoint), progression-free survival, complete response rate, objective response rate, duration of objective response (secondary endpoints), and safety and tolerability.
About Columvi® (glofitamab-gxbm)
Columvi is a CD20xCD3 T-cell engaging bispecific antibody designed to target CD3 on the surface of T cells and CD20 on the surface of B cells. Columvi was designed with a novel 2:1 structural format. This T-cell engaging bispecific antibody is engineered to have one region that binds to CD3, a protein on T cells, a type of immune cell, and two regions that bind to CD20, a protein on B cells, which can be healthy or malignant. This dual-targeting brings the T cell in close proximity to the B cell, activating the release of cancer cell-killing proteins from the T cell. Columvi is part of Genentech’s broad and industry-leading CD20xCD3 T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody clinical development program, which aims to provide tailored treatment options that suit the diverse needs, preferences, and experiences of people with blood cancers and healthcare systems. Genentech is investigating Columvi as a monotherapy and in combination with other medicines for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and mantle cell lymphoma.
As part of Genentech’s efforts to elevate treatment standards in the earlier stages of DLBCL, where there is the best opportunity to improve long-term outcomes and prevent relapse, Columvi is also being investigated in combination with other medicines in previously untreated DLBCL in the Phase III SKYGLO study [GO44145; NCT06047080].
About Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive (fast-growing) blood cancer and is the most common form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the U.S. Approximately 160,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with DLBCL each year, with comparable incidence rates across regions. Medical practices, including pathological classification, diagnosis, staging, initial treatment and relapse management, are similarly approached worldwide. While it is generally responsive to treatment in the frontline, as many as 40% of people will relapse or have refractory disease, at which time salvage therapy options are limited and survival is short. Improving treatments earlier in the course of the disease and providing much-needed alternative options could help to improve long-term outcomes.
Columvi U.S. Indication
Columvi (glofitamab-gxbm) is a prescription medicine to treat adults with certain types of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) that has come back (relapsed) or that did not respond to previous treatment (refractory), and who have received 2 or more prior treatments for their cancer.
It is not known if Columvi is safe and effective in children.
The conditional approval of Columvi is based on response rate and durability of response. There are ongoing studies to establish how well the drug works.
What is the most important information I should know about Columvi?
Columvi can cause Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), a serious side effect that is common during treatment with Columvi, and can also be serious and lead to death.
Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of CRS, including:
- fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- chills or shaking
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- dizziness or light-headedness
- trouble breathing
- shortness of breath
Due to the risk of CRS, you will receive Columvi on a “step-up dosing schedule”.
- A single dose of a medicine called obinutuzumab will be given to you on the first day of your first treatment cycle (Day 1 of Cycle 1).
- You will start the Columvi step-up dosing schedule a week after the obinutuzumab dose. The step-up dosing schedule is when you receive smaller “step-up” doses of Columvi on Day 8 and Day 15 of Cycle 1. This is to help reduce your risk of CRS. You should be hospitalized during your infusion and for 24 hours after receiving the first step-up dose on Day 8. You should be hospitalized during your infusion and for 24 hours after receiving the second step-up dose on Day 15 if you experienced CRS during the first step-up dose.
- You will receive your first full dose of Columvi a week after the second step-up dose (this will be Day 1 of Cycle 2).
- If your dose of Columvi is delayed for any reason, you may need to repeat the “step-up dosing schedule”.
- If you had more than mild CRS with your previous dose of Columvi, you should be hospitalized during and for 24 hours after receiving your next dose of Columvi.
- Before each dose of Columvi, you will receive medicines to help reduce your risk of CRS and infusion-related reactions.
Your healthcare provider will monitor you for CRS during treatment with Columvi and may treat you in a hospital if you develop signs and symptoms of CRS. Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop your treatment with Columvi if you have severe side effects.
Carry the Columvi Patient Wallet Card with you at all times and show it to all of your healthcare providers. The Columvi Patient Wallet Card lists the signs and symptoms of CRS you should get emergency medical help for right away.
What are the possible side effects of Columvi?
Columvi may cause serious side effects, including:
- Cytokine Release Syndrome.
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Neurologic problems. Columvi can cause serious neurologic problems that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for neurologic problems during treatment with Columvi. Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a healthcare provider who specializes in neurologic problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of neurologic problems, including:
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headache
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confusion and disorientation
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difficulty paying attention or understanding things
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trouble speaking
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sleepiness
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memory problems
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numbness, tingling, or weakness of the hands or feet
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dizziness
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shaking (tremors)
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- Serious Infections. Columvi can cause serious infections that may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of infection and treat you as needed. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs of an infection, including: fever, chills, weakness, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat.
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Growth in your tumor or worsening of tumor related problems (tumor flare). Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of these signs or symptoms of tumor flare:
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tender or swollen lymph nodes
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pain or swelling at the site of the tumor
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chest pain
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cough
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trouble breathing
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The most common side effects of Columvi include: CRS, muscle and bone pain, rash, and tiredness.
The most common severe abnormal lab test results with Columvi include: decreased white blood cells, decreased phosphate (an electrolyte), increased uric acid levels, and decreased fibrinogen (a protein that helps with blood clotting).
Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop or completely stop treatment with Columvi if you develop certain side effects.
Before receiving Columvi, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have an infection
- have kidney problems
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Columvi may harm your unborn baby
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Females who are able to become pregnant:
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Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with Columvi.
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You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 1 month after your last dose of Columvi. Talk to your healthcare provider about what birth control method is right for you during this time.
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Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with Columvi.
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- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Columvi may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 month after your last dose of Columvi.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What should I avoid while receiving Columvi?
Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities if you develop dizziness, confusion, shaking (tremors), sleepiness, or any other symptoms that impair consciousness until your signs and symptoms go away. These may be signs and symptoms of neurologic problems.
These are not all the possible side effects of Columvi. Talk to your health care provider for more information about the benefits and risks of Columvi.
You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.
Please see Important Safety Information, including Serious Side Effects, as well as the Columvi full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide or visit https://www.Columvi.com.
About Genentech in Hematology
For more than 20 years, Genentech has been developing medicines with the goal to redefine treatment in hematology. Today, we’re investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options to people with diseases of the blood. For more information visit http://www.gene.com/hematology.
About Genentech
Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.
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