New PLATO Sub-Analysis Suggests Patients' Age Had No Impact on Study Finding of a Greater Reduction
New PLATO Sub-Analysis Suggests Patients' Age Had No Impact on Study Finding of a Greater Reduction in Thrombotic Cardiovascular Events With BRILINTA(ticagrelor) Compared to Clopidogrel
WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AstraZeneca (NYS: AZN) today announced results from a sub-analysis of PLATO that evaluated the effects of age on clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Results of this analysis suggest the overall findings from the PLATO study of a greater reduction in thrombotic cardiovascular (CV) events with BRILINTA® (ticagrelor) tablets plus aspirin compared to clopidogrel plus aspirin were consistent regardless of age. These data are now published in the September print and online issues of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, and were presented at the American College of Cardiology 2011 meeting.
This PLATO age sub-analysis is important because approximately 33% of all ACS episodes occur in patients over 75 years.
"Elderly patients with ACS are at high risk for recurrent ischemic events and treatment-related complications," stated James Ferguson, MD, Executive Director, Medical Affairs and Strategic Development, and Vice President for Global Medical Affairs. "This PLATO sub-analysis suggests that the clinical benefits of BRILINTA vs. clopidogrel on thrombotic CV events were not significantly affected by age, and were similar in patients 75 years of age and older and younger patients."
BRILINTA is indicated to reduce the rate of thrombotic CV events in patients with ACS (unstable angina [UA], non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI], or ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]). In PLATO, BRILINTA has been shown to reduce the rate of a combined end point of CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke compared to clopidogrel. In PLATO, the difference between treatments was driven by CV death and MI with no difference in stroke. In patients treated with an artery-opening procedure known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), BRILINTA reduces the rate of stent thrombosis.
BRILINTA has been studied in ACS in combination with aspirin. Maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg decreased the effectiveness of BRILINTA. Avoid maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg daily.
Specific data from this sub-analysis showed:
In PLATO, higher overall rate of thrombotic CV events (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.48 [95% CI, 1.32-1.66]) were associated in patients ≥75 years (n=2,878); Higher rates of Plato-defined Overall Major Bleeding were also associated with this patient population (adjusted HR, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.97-1.26]).
The effects of BRILINTA compared to clopidogrel were consistent for thrombotic CV events, regardless of age. Thus, there was a similar reduction in the primary composite end point for patients aged ≥ 75 years of age (adjusted HR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.74 -1.08]) and for patients < 75 years of age (adjusted HR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.75 - 0.93]) (interaction p= 0.56).
There was no significant interaction between age and the effects of treatment on Overall Major Bleeding and Non-CABG Major Bleeding. For PLATO-defined Overall Major Bleeding the adjusted HRs for BRILINTA vs. clopidogrel were 1.02 (95% CI, 0.82-1.27) and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.94-1.15) for patients aged ≥75 years and in younger patients, respectively (interaction P=0.89). For Non-CABG related Major Bleeding events, the adjusted HRs for BRILINTA vs. clopidogrel were 1.18 (95% CI, 0.87-1.59) in patients aged ≥75 years and 1.19 (95% CI, 0.99-1.43) in younger patients. (interaction P=0.96).
Dyspnea and ventricular pauses were more common with BRILINTA than with clopidogrel treatment. With regards to dyspnea, rates were higher in elderly vs. younger patients in both treatment groups. In this analysis, dyspnea showed no evidence of an age by treatment interaction (P=0.21). Similarly, ventricular pauses showed no evidence of an age-by treatment interaction.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT BRILINTA
WARNING: BLEEDING RISK
BRILINTA, like other antiplatelet agents, can cause significant, sometimes fatal, bleeding
Do not use BRILINTA in patients with active pathological bleeding or a history of intracranial hemorrhage
Do not start BRILINTA in patients planned to undergo urgent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). When possible, discontinue BRILINTA at least 5 days prior to any surgery
Suspect bleeding in any patient who is hypotensive and has recently undergone coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), CABG, or other surgical procedures in the setting of BRILINTA
If possible, manage bleeding without discontinuing BRILINTA. Stopping BRILINTA increases the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events
WARNING: ASPIRIN DOSE AND BRILINTA EFFECTIVENESS
Maintenance doses of aspirin above 100 mg reduce the effectiveness of BRILINTA and should be avoided. After any initial dose, use with aspirin 75 mg - 100 mg per day
CONTRAINDICATIONS
BRILINTA is contraindicated in patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage and active pathological bleeding such as peptic ulcer or intracranial hemorrhage. BRILINTA is also contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment because of a probable increase in exposure; it has not been studied in these patients. Severe hepatic impairment increases the risk of bleeding because of reduced synthesis of coagulation proteins
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Moderate Hepatic Impairment: Consider the risks and benefits of treatment, noting the probable increase in exposure to ticagrelor
Premature discontinuation increases the risk of MI, stent thrombosis, and death
Dyspnea was reported in 14% of patients treated with BRILINTA and in 8% of patients taking clopidogrel. Dyspnea resulting from BRILINTA is self-limiting. Rule out other causes
BRILINTA is metabolized by CYP3A4/5. Avoid use with strong CYP3A inhibitors and potent CYP3A inducers. Avoid simvastatin and lovastatin doses >40 mg
Monitor digoxin levels with initiation of, or any change in, BRILINTA therapy
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of BRILINTA vs clopidogrel were Total Major Bleeding (11.6% vs 11.2%) and dyspnea (14% vs 8%)
In clinical studies, BRILINTA has been shown to increase the occurrence of Holter-detected bradyarrhythmias. PLATO excluded patients at increased risk of bradycardic events. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment
Please read fullPrescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, andMedication Guide. Thisinformation can be foundat www.BRILINTAtouchpoints.com.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch.
For patients that require BRILINTA beyond their hospital stay, a savings card program is available based on eligibility. Commercially insured and cash-paying patients may be eligible for one free 30-day prescription and can save up to $825 per year on their next 11 refills. For each refill (a 30-day supply of up to 60 tablets), savings may apply after the first $18 spent by a patient, up to a $75 savings limit. Patients covered through Medicare, Medicaid or a resident of Massachusetts may be eligible for one month free prescription. Patients can find out more at www.BRILINTAtouchpoints.com or by calling 1-888-412-7454.
AstraZeneca also offers a U.S. patient assistance program for BRILINTA through its AZ&MeTM Prescription Savings Program. To determine eligibility, patients can visit www.AZandMe.com or call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363).
- ENDS -
NOTES TO EDITORS
About BRILINTA®(ticagrelor) tablets
BRILINTA is an oral antiplatelet treatment for ACS. BRILINTA is a direct-acting P2Y12 receptor antagonist in a chemical class called cyclopentyltriazolopyrimidines (CPTPs). BRILINTA works by inhibiting platelet activation and has been shown to reduce the rate of thrombotic CV events, such as a heart attack or CV death, in patients with ACS.
BRILINTA is available in 90-mg tablets to be administered with a single 180-mg oral loading dose (two 90-mg tablets) followed by a twice daily, 90-mg maintenance dose. Following an initial loading dose of aspirin, BRILINTA should be used with a maintenance dose of 75 mg - 100 mg aspirin once daily, 81-mg aspirin dose in the US.
BRILINTA is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
About PLATO
PLATO (PLATelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes) was a large (18,624 patients in 43 countries), head-to-head patient outcomes study of BRILINTA versus clopidogrel, both given in combination with aspirin and other standard therapy. The study was designed to establish whether BRILINTA could achieve a clinically meaningful reduction in cardiovascular (CV) events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, above and beyond that afforded by clopidogrel. Patients were treated for at least 6 months and up to 12 months.
PLATO demonstrated that treatment with BRILINTA led to a significantly greater reduction in the primary end point - a composite of CV death, MI, or stroke - compared to patients who received clopidogrel (9.8% vs 11.7% at 12 months; 1.9% absolute risk reduction [ARR]; 16% relative risk reduction [RRR]; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.92; P<0.001). The difference in treatments was driven by CV death and MI with no difference in stroke. In PLATO, the absolute difference in treatment benefit versus clopidogrel was seen at 30 days and the Kaplan-Meier survival curves continued to diverge throughout the 12-month treatment period. The PLATO study also demonstrated that treatment with BRILINTA for 12 months was associated with a 21% RRR in CV death (4% vs 5.1%; 1.1% ARR; P=0.001) and a 16% RRR in MI compared to clopidogrel at 12 months (5.8% vs 6.9%; 1.1% ARR; P<0.005).
The primary safety end point in the PLATO study was Total Major Bleeding (11.6% for BRILINTA and 11.2% for clopidogrel). In PLATO, non-CABG major + minor bleeding events were more common with BRILINTA versus clopidogrel (8.7% vs 7% respectively). The rate of non-CABG-related major bleeding was higher for BRILINTA (4.5%) vs clopidogrel (3.8%).
Dyspnea was reported in 14% of patients treated with BRILINTA and in 8% of patients treated with clopidogrel. Dyspnea was usually mild to moderate in intensity and often resolved during continued treatment.
About Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
ACS is an umbrella term for conditions that result from insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle. These conditions range from unstable angina (UA), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), or ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
For more information about AstraZeneca in the U.S. or our AZ&Me™ Prescription Savings programs, please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com or call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363).
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