Toripalimab interacts in the following cases:
The use of systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants before starting toripalimab should be avoided because of their potential interference with the pharmacodynamic activity and efficacy of toripalimab. However, systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants can be used after starting toripalimab to treat immune-related adverse reactions. Corticosteroids can also be used as premedication, when toripalimab is used in combination with chemotherapy, as antiemetic prophylaxis and/or to alleviate chemotherapy-related adverse reactions.
There are insufficient data in patients with severe renal impairment for dosing recommendations.
There are insufficient data in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment for dosing recommendations.
Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who received an allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) before or after being treated with a PD-1/PD-L1 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. These complications may occur despite intervening therapy between PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and the 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 blocking antibody prior to or after an allogeneic HSCT.
Solid organ transplant rejection has been reported in the post-marketing setting in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Treatment with toripalimab may increase the risk of rejection in solid organ transplant recipients. The benefit of treatment with toripalimab versus the risk of possible organ rejection should be considered in these patients.
There are no data on the use of toripalimab in pregnant women. Animal studies have not been conducted with toripalimab; however, animal studies have demonstrated that inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway can lead to increased risk of immune-related rejection of the developing foetus and result in foetal death. Human immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) is known to cross the placental barrier; therefore, toripalimab can potentially be transmitted from the mother to the developing foetus. Toripalimab should not be used during pregnancy or in women of childbearing potential not using effective contraception unless the clinical benefit outweighs the potential risk.
It is unknown whether toripalimab is secreted in human milk. It is known that antibodies (including IgG4) are secreted in human milk; a risk to the breast-feeding newborn/infant cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from toripalimab therapy taking into account the benefit of breast feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
If a woman chooses to be treated with toripalimab, she should be instructed not to breast-feed while receiving toripalimab and for at least 4 months after the last dose of toripalimab.
Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment with toripalimab and for at least 4 months after the last dose of toripalimab.
Studies to evaluate the effect of toripalimab on fertility have not been performed.
Toripalimab has minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. In some patients, dizziness and fatigue have been reported following administration of toripalimab.
The safety of toripalimab in combination with platinum containing chemotherapy has been evaluated in 403 patients with NPC or oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) receiving 240 mg toripalimab every 3 weeks in JUPITER-02 or JUPITER-06. The median duration of treatment in these patients was 6.5 months (range 1 day-2.1 years). The frequencies included below and in Table 1 are based on all reported adverse drug reactions, regardless of the investigator assessment of causality. In this patient population, the most frequent adverse reactions were anaemia (44.9%), leukopenia (41.7%), neutropenia (39.0%), thrombocytopenia (30.3%), nausea (29.8%), vomiting (27.3%), decreased appetite (23.8%), rash (23.8%), fatigue (23.6%), liver function test abnormal (22.3%), hypothyroidism (18.4%), constipation (16.6%), neuropathy (15.1%), colitis (14.1), pyrexia (13.6%), cough (11.4%), pruritus (11.4%), creatinine renal clearance decreased (11.2%), and hyponatraemia (10.2%). Incidences of grades 3-5 adverse reactions in patients with NPC were 81.5% for toripalimab combination therapy and 83.9% for chemotherapy alone and in patients with OSCC were 24.9% for toripalimab combination therapy and 13.6% for chemotherapy alone.
Adverse reactions observed in clinical studies of toripalimab as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy are listed in Table 1. Adverse reactions are presented by system organ class and by frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1 000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000); very rare (<1/10 000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 1 includes only treatment related adverse drug reactions. The adverse reaction frequencies from clinical studies are based on all-cause adverse event frequencies, where a proportion of the events for an adverse reaction may have other causes than the medicinal product such as the disease, other medicines or unrelated causes. Adverse reactions reported in clinical studies are listed by system organ class and by frequency.
The safety data is based on 1 514 patients exposed to toripalimab (of which 1 100 patients were exposed to toripalimab monotherapy and 514 patients in combination with chemotherapy) with a mean (range 0.03 months to 35.9 months) duration of exposure to toripalimab of 7.0 months and a median duration of exposure of 3.7 months (interquartile range 8.7 months) in 15 Phase 1, 2 or 3 clinical studies.
When toripalimab is administered in combination with chemotherapy, refer to the SmPCs for the respective combination therapy components prior to initiation of treatment.
Table 1. Adverse reactions in patients treated with toripalimab:
| Infections and infestations | |
| Very common | upper respiratory tract infection |
| Common | pneumonia, urinary tract infection, infection (not specified by site or pathogen), ear infections1, dental and oral soft tissue infections2, herpes simplex/herpes zoster infection |
| Uncommon | conjunctivitis, gingivitis, skin and subcutaneous tissue infections3, skin infections, bacteraemia, toe infection, paronychia/dermatophytosis of nail, osteomyelitis, pulmonary tuberculosis |
| Rare | diverticulitis, hepatitis B reactivation, muscle abscess, urosepsis |
| Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) | |
| Common | tumour pain |
| Uncommon | tumour haemorrhage, tumour rupture |
| Rare | myelodysplastic syndrome |
| Blood and lymphatic system disorders | |
| Very common | anaemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia |
| Common | leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia |
| Uncommon | coagulopathy, bone marrow failure, myelosuppression |
| Rare | eosinopenia, pancytopenia |
| Immune system disorders | |
| Uncommon | hypersensitivity/serum sickness |
| Endocrine disorders | |
| Very common | hypothyroidism |
| Common | hyperthyroidism |
| Uncommon | thyroiditis, adrenal insufficiency/cortisol decreased, thyroid disorder (excluding hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism), hypophysitis/empty sella syndrome |
| Rare | hyperparathyroidism, hypopituitarism |
| Metabolism and nutrition disorders | |
| Very common | decreased appetite, hyponatraemia, weight decreased, hypoproteinaemia, hyperglycaemia, hypokalaemia, hyperuricaemia/gout |
| Common | hypochloraemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypocalcaemia, hypophosphataemia, hyperkalaemia, hypercalcaemia, hypoglycaemia, dehydration |
| Uncommon | electrolyte imbalance, hyperphosphataemia, hypernatraemia, acid base disorder4, diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, hypovolaemia |
| Rare | hypolipidaemia |
| Psychiatric disorders | |
| Common | hypersomnia/insomnia |
| Uncommon | depression/dysphoria, anxiety |
| Rare | mental disorder, tic |
| Nervous system disorders | |
| Very common | neuropathy5 |
| Common | dizziness, headache, neurotoxicity, dysgeusia |
| Uncommon | somnolence, syncope, encephalopathy, epilepsy, tremor, memory impairment, dysarthria, nervous system disorder, speech disorder |
| Rare | disturbance in attention, haemorrhage intracranial, paraplegia |
| Eye disorders | |
| Common | vision blurred |
| Uncommon | eye inflammation6, eye movement disorder, papilloedema |
| Rare | blepharochalasis, glaucomatocyclitic crises, hypermetropia, retinal haemorrhage |
| Ear and labyrinth disorders | |
| Common | ear disorder7 |
| Uncommon | vertigo, deafness |
| Cardiac disorders | |
| Very common | arrhythmia8 |
| Uncommon | pericardial effusion, cardiac failure/cardiac dysfunction, myocarditis/immune-mediated myocarditis, myocardial injury/myocardial ischaemia, cardiac discomfort |
| Rare | aortic valve disease, cardiac disorder |
| Vascular disorders | |
| Common | hypertension, hypotension/orthostatic hypotension, embolism and thrombosis |
| Uncommon | phlebitis |
| Rare | aortic aneurysm, flushing |
| Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | |
| Very common | cough |
| Common | dyspnoea, pneumonitis/immune-mediated lung disease/interstitial lung disease, upper respiratory tract disorders9, haemoptysis, epistaxis, pleural effusion, hiccups, dysphonia, rhinitis allergic |
| Uncommon | nasal congestion, respiratory failure, bronchospasm, sinus disorder, pneumonia aspiration, sputum increased, tracheo-esophageal fistula |
| Rare | hydrothorax, pleurisy, vocal cord thickening |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | |
| Very common | nausea/dyspepsia/eructation, vomiting, constipation/dyschezia, colitis/diarrhoea, abdominal pain |
| Common | stomatitis, abdominal distension/flatulence, dry mouth, dysphagia, toothache, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, gastrooesophageal reflux disease/hyperchlorhydria |
| Uncommon | intestinal obstruction/subileus, gastritis, gastroenteritis, oesophageal obstruction, pancreatitis, proctalgia, gastric disorder, gastric ulcer, gastrointestinal disorder, gastric dilatation, gastric fistula, hypoaesthesia oral |
| Rare | faecaloma, oesophageal ulcer, pancreatic disorder, pneumatosis intestinalis, swollen tongue, tongue discolouration |
| Hepatobiliary disorders | |
| Very common | Hyperbilirubinaemia/jaundice |
| Common | hepatitis10, total bile acids increased |
| Uncommon | hepatic pain, cholecystitis, hepatic steatosis |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | |
| Very common | rash11, pruritus |
| Common | alopecia, vitiligo, pigmentation disorder |
| Uncommon | night sweats, skin disorder, skin exfoliation, hyperhidrosis, dry skin, skin ulcer, hair colour changes, psoriasis, photosensitivity reaction, skin hyperpigmentation |
| Rare | dermatomyositis, leukoderma, neurodermatitis, onychomadesis, pain of skin, panniculitis, pemphigus, purpura senile, telangiectasia |
| Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | |
| Very common | musculoskeletal pain |
| Common | muscular weakness, arthritis/joint range of motion decreased/periarthritis |
| Uncommon | muscle spasms, intervertebral disc protrusion, myositis |
| Rare | limb mass |
| Renal and urinary disorders | |
| Very common | proteinuria, haematuria |
| Common | renal injury/nephropathy |
| Uncommon | pollakiuria, hydronephrosis, pyelocaliectasis, ureteric dilatation |
| Rare | cystitis noninfective, hydroureter, immune-mediated renal disorder |
| Reproductive system and breast disorders | |
| Uncommon | benign prostatic hyperplasia, breast pain, oedema genital, scrotal oedema |
| Rare | hypomenorrhoea, menorrhagia, menstrual disorder, menstruation irregular, prostatic calcification, vulvovaginal inflammation |
| General disorders and administration site conditions | |
| Very common | fatigue, pyrexia, pain12 |
| Common | oedema, influenza like illness, face oedema, chills, eye disorder13 |
| Uncommon | facial pain, swelling, temperature intolerance, thirst |
| Rare | administration site reactions, hyperplasia, medical device pain, secretion discharge |
| Investigations | |
| Very common | liver function test abnormal, thyroid function test abnormal, increased or decreased lipids, urine analysis abnormal14 |
| Common | creatinine renal clearance decreased, blood creatine phosphokinase decreased/blood creatine phosphokinase increased, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, amylase increased, lymphocyte count abnormal/monocyte count abnormal, blood alkaline phosphatase increased, blood urea increased, weight increased, lipase increased, electrocardiogram abnormal, C-reactive protein increased, occult blood positive, cardiac investigation abnormal15 |
| Uncommon | platelet count increased, anti-thyroid antibody positive, eosinophil count abnormal, blood prolactin increased, blood testosterone decreased, blood follicle stimulating hormone increased, blood luteinising hormone increased, urine output decreased |
| Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | |
| Uncommon | infusion related reaction, contusion/muscle injury, rib fracture |
The following terms represent a group of related events that describe a medical condition rather than a single event.
1 Ear infections includes mastoiditis, myringitis, and otitis media.
2 Dental and oral soft tissue infections includes oral candidiasis, pericoronitis, and periodontitis.
3 Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections includes cellulitis, folliculitis, and subcutaneous abscess.
4 Acid base disorder includes metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, and metabolic disorder.
5 Neuropathy includes anaesthesia, anosmia, formication, hypoaesthesia, Lhermitte's sign, nerve injury, neuropathy peripheral, paraesthesia, parosmia, peripheral motor neuropathy, peripheral sensory neuropathy, peroneal nerve palsy, tongue paralysis, VIth nerve disorder, VIth nerve injury, and vocal cord paralysis.
6 Eye inflammation includes eye inflammation, iritis, keratitis, and uveitis.
7 Ear disorder includes ear pain, eustachian tube disorder, hypoacusis, middle ear inflammation, otorrhoea, and tinnitus.
8 Based on a standard query including bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias.
9 Upper respiratory tract disorders includes catarrh, dry throat, laryngeal oedema, laryngeal pain, nasal obstruction, rhinalgia, rhinorrhoea, and throat irritation.
10 Hepatitis includes drug-induced liver injury, hepatic failure, hepatic function abnormal, and immune-mediated hepatitis.
11 Rash includes dermatitis, dermatitis acneiform, dermatitis allergic, drug eruption, eczema, erythema, erythema multiforme, hand dermatitis, palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome, papule, rash, rash erythematous, rash generalised, rash maculo-papular, rash papular, rash pruritic, rash pustular, rash vesicular, skin plaque, and urticaria.
12 Pain includes chest discomfort, chest pain, eye pain, lymph node pain, non-cardiac chest pain, and pain.
13 Eye disorder includes cataract, diplopia, dry eye, eye pruritus, and eye swelling.
14 Urine analysis abnormal includes bilirubin urine present, crystal urine present, glucose urine present, urea urine increased, urinary casts, urinary casts present, urinary sediment present, urine bilirubin increased, urine ketone body present, urobilinogen urine increased, and white blood cells urine positive.
15 Cardiac investigation abnormal includes blood creatine phosphokinase MB increased, brain natriuretic peptide increased, and troponin increased.
Data for the following immune-related adverse reactions are based on 403 patients who received toripalimab at a dose of 240 mg Q3W in combination with platinum and gemcitabine chemotherapy (n=146) or in combination with cisplatin and paclitaxel (n=257).
Immune-related pneumonitis occurred in 3.2% (13/403) patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, including, 2 (0.5%) Grade 3, and 7 (1.7%) Grade 2 adverse reactions. The median time to onset of pneumonitis was 5.4 months (range 1.3 to16.6 months). The median duration was 2.8 months (range 0.8 to 20.9 months). Corticosteroids were administered to 69.2% (9/13) of patients. Permanent discontinuation occurred in 3 (0.7%) and withholding of toripalimab in 5 (1.2%) patients. Immune-related pneumonitis resolved in 31.0% (4/13) patients.
Immune-related colitis occurred in 0.7% (3/403) of patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, including 2 (0.5%) Grade 3 and 1 (0.2%) Grade 2 adverse reactions. The median time to onset of colitis was 3.7 months (range 1.5 to 5.1 months). The median duration was 1.3 months (range 1.3 to 1.3 months). Corticosteroids were administered to 66.7% (⅔) of these patients. Permanent discontinuation occurred in 2 (0.5%) patients and withholding of toripalimab in 1 (0.2%) patient. Immune-related colitis resolved in 33% (⅓) of these patients.
Immune-related hepatitis occurred in 2.0% (8/403) of patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, including 2 (0.5%) Grade 4, 5 (1.2%) Grade 3, and 1 (0.2%) Grade 2 adverse reactions. The median time to onset of hepatitis was 4.0 months (range 0.7 to 22.7 months). The median duration was 0.6 months (range 0.4 to 3.2 months). Corticosteroids were administered to 7 of the 8 (87.5%) patients. Permanent discontinuation occurred in 5 (1.2%) and withholding of toripalimab in 2 (0.5%) patients. Immune-related hepatitis resolved in 87.5% (7/8) of these patients.
Immune-related adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.2% (1/403) of patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, including 1 (0.2%) Grade 3adverse reaction. The time to onset of the adverse reaction was 2.0 months. Corticosteroids were administered to this patient. Toripalimab was permanently discontinued.
Thyroiditis occurred in 2.0% (8/403) of patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, including 4 Grade 2 (1.0%) and 4 Grade 1 (1.0%) adverse reactions. The median time to onset of thyroiditis was 5.9 months (range 0.7 to 13.5 months). The median duration was 11.7 months (range 7.4 to 17.8 months). Corticosteroids were required in 1/8 (12.5%) of patients and hormone replacement in 5/8 (62.5%). Permanent discontinuation occurred in 1/403 (0.2%) and dose interruption in 1/403 (0.2%) patients. Thyroiditis resolved in 12.5% (1/8) of these patients.
In patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, hyperthyroidism occurred in 2.0% (8/403) of patients, all of which were Grade 1 adverse reactions. The median time to onset of hyperthyroidism was 6.5 months (range 1.5 to 12.5 months). The median duration was 1.4 months (range 0.7 to 3.7 months).
Hypothyroidism occurred in 17.1% (69/403) of patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, with 46 Grade 2 (11.4%) and 23 Grade 1 (5.7%) adverse reactions. The median time to onset of hypothyroidism was 5.9 months (range 1.2 to 20.7 months). The median duration was 3.2 months (range 0.4 to 30.6 months). Thyroid hormone replacement therapy was required in 72.5% (50/69) of patients. Corticosteroids were administered to 1/69 (1.4%) patients. No patients permanently discontinued and 1.2% (5/403) of the patients interrupted toripalimab.
In patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, diabetes mellitus occurred in 0.2% (1/403) of patients, including 1 (0.2%) Grade 3, and no Grade 2 adverse reactions. The time to onset of diabetes mellitus was 0.7 month. The patient did not receive corticosteroids but was treated with insulin. The patient did not permanently discontinue or interrupt toripalimab.
In patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, hypophysitis occurred in 0.2% (1/403) of patients with 1 (0.2%) Grade 2 adverse reaction. The time to onset of hypophysitis was 23.7 month. Corticosteroids were administered and the patient did not permanently discontinue toripalimab or interrupt dosing.
Immune-related skin adverse reactions occurred in 9.4% (38/403) of patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, including 12 Grade 3 (3.0%) and 8 Grade 2 (2.0%) adverse reactions. The median time to onset of immune-related skin adverse reactions was 1.0 month (range 0.1 to 23.1 months). The median duration was 1.2 months (range 0.1 to 13.1 months). Systemic corticosteroids were required in 18.4% (7/38) of the patients with immune-related skin adverse reactions. Immune-related skin adverse reactions led to permanent discontinuation or interruption of toripalimab in 1.5% (6) of patients. Immune-related skin adverse reactions resolved in 73.7% (28/38) of these patients.
Immune-related myocarditis occurred in 0.7% (3/403) of patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, including 2 (0.5%) Grade 4 and 1 (0.2%) Grade 3adverse reactions. The median time to onset of immune-related myocarditis was 1.7 months (range 1.4 to 4.1 months). The median duration was 1.3 months (range 1.0 to 1.6 months). All three patients with immune-related myocarditis received corticosteroids. Two patients permanently discontinued toripalimab and no patients interrupted dosing. Immune-related myocarditis resolved in 33.3% (1/ 3) of these patients.
Immune-related myositis occurred in 0.5% (2/403) of patients receiving toripalimab in in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, including 2 (0.5%) Grade 3 and no Grade 2 adverse events. The median time to onset of immune-related myositis was 2.5 month (range 1.2 to 3.9 months). The two patients with immune-related myositis received corticosteroids and both permanently discontinued toripalimab.
Immune-related nephritis occurred in 0.2% (1/403) of patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06. The time to onset of immune-related nephritis was 18.2 months and the duration was 3.3 months. The patient with immune-related nephritis (Grade 4) required systemic corticosteroids and nephritis led to discontinuation of toripalimab. Nephritis resolved in this patient.
Immune-related cystitis occurred in 0.5% (2/403) of patients receiving toripalimab in JUPITER-02 and JUPITER-06, including 1 Grade 3 (0.2%) and 1 Grade 1 (0.2%) adverse reactions. The median time to onset of immune-related cystitis was 5.0 months (range 3.4 to 6.6 months). Corticosteroid therapy was required in the one patient with Grade 3 cystitis who also permanently discontinued toripalimab. The other patient did not interrupted dosing. Immune-related cystitis resolved in the single patient with a Grade 3 cystitis who received corticosteroid treatment.
Of the 403 patients who received toripalimab in combination with platinum containing chemotherapy in JUPITER-02 or JUPITER-06, infusion-related reactions occurred in 11 patients (2.7%), including Grade 4 (0.2%), Grade 3 (0.2%) and Grade 2 (0.5%) adverse reactions.
Overall, infusion related reactions occurred in 28 (1.8%) of 1514 patients treated with toripalimab, including Grade 4 (0.07%) and Grade 3 (0.13%) reactions. Infusion-related reaction led to permanent discontinuation of toripalimab in 3 (0.2%) patients. Common symptoms of infusion-related reaction include fever, chills, rash, pruritus, nausea and hypotension.
As with all therapeutic proteins, there is potential for immunogenicity. In patients who received toripalimab, treatment-emergent antibodies to toripalimab were detected in 8.7% (128/1479) of the evaluable patients tested. There was no evidence of any clinically relevant effect of anti-toripalimab antibody development on its pharmacokinetics. Across all studies, the median time to onset of ADA was 46 days (range to 14 to 506 days). There are insufficient numbers of patients to adequately assess the effect of ADA on efficacy.
Of the 403 patients treated with toripalimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in clinical studies, 73.2% (295/403) were less than 65 years and 26.8% (108/403) were 65 years or older. No overall differences in safety were observed between patients ≥65 years of age and younger patients receiving toripalimab.
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