JEMPERLI 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 in WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS may not include all possible severe and fatal immune‑mediated reactions.
Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which can be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue. Immune‑mediated adverse reactions can occur at any time after starting a PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibody. While immune-mediated adverse reactions usually manifest during treatment with PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies, they can also manifest after discontinuation of PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies.
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 tests 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 depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. In general, if JEMPERLI requires interruption or discontinuation, administer systemic corticosteroids (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 reaction is not controlled with corticosteroids.
Toxicity management guidelines for adverse reactions that do not necessarily require systemic steroids (e.g., endocrinopathies, dermatologic reactions) are discussed below.
Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis
JEMPERLI can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis, which can be fatal. The incidence of pneumonitis in patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, including JEMPERLI, may be increased in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation.
Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 1.1% (5/444) of patients receiving JEMPERLI, including Grade 2 (0.9%) and Grade 3 (0.2%) pneumonitis. Pneumonitis led to discontinuation of JEMPERLI in 0.7% patients.
Systemic corticosteroids were required in all patients with pneumonitis. Pneumonitis resolved in 80% of the 5 patients. Three patients reinitiated JEMPERLI after symptom improvement; of these 33% had recurrence of pneumonitis.
Immune-Mediated Colitis
JEMPERLI can cause immune-mediated colitis. Cytomegalovirus infection/reactivation have occurred 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 1.4% (6/444) of patients receiving JEMPERLI, including Grade 3 (0.7%) and Grade 2 (0.7%) adverse reactions. Colitis did not lead to discontinuation of JEMPERLI in any patients.
Systemic corticosteroids were required in 17% (1/6) of patients with colitis. Colitis resolved in 50% of the 6 patients. Of the 2 patients in whom JEMPERLI was withheld for colitis, both reinitiated JEMPERLI.
Immune-Mediated Hepatitis
JEMPERLI can cause immune-mediated hepatitis, which can be fatal.
Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 0.2% (1/444) of patients receiving JEMPERLI, which was Grade 3. Systemic corticosteroids were required and the event resolved.
Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies
Adrenal Insufficiency: JEMPERLI can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment per institutional guidelines, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold JEMPERLI if not clinically stable [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 0.9% (4/444) patients receiving JEMPERLI, including Grade 3 (0.5%) and Grade 2 (0.5%). Adrenal insufficiency resulted in discontinuation in 1 (0.2%) patient and resolved in 25% of the 4 patients.
Hypophysitis: JEMPERLI can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field cuts. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism. Initiate hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold JEMPERLI if not clinically stable [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Thyroid Disorders: JEMPERLI can cause immune-mediated thyroid disorders. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism. Initiate hormone replacement or medical management of hyperthyroidism as clinically indicated. Withhold JEMPERLI if not clinically stable [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Thyroiditis: Thyroiditis occurred in 0.5% (2/444) of patients receiving JEMPERLI; both were Grade 2. Neither event of thyroiditis resolved; there were no discontinuations of JEMPERLI due to thyroiditis.
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism occurred in 5.6% (25/444) of patients receiving JEMPERLI, all of which were Grade 2. Hypothyroidism did not lead to discontinuation of JEMPERLI and resolved in 40% of the 25 patients. Systemic corticosteroids were not required for any of the 25 patients with hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism occurred in 1.8% (8/444) of patients receiving JEMPERLI, including Grade 2 (1.6%) and Grade 3 (0.2%). Hyperthyroidism did not lead to discontinuation of JEMPERLI and resolved in 63% of the 8 patients. Systemic corticosteroids were not required for any of the 8 patients with hyperthyroidism.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Which Can Present with Diabetic Ketoacidosis: JEMPERLI can cause 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 or permanently discontinue JEMPERLI depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Immune-Mediated Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction
JEMPERLI can cause immune-mediated nephritis, which can be fatal. Nephritis occurred in 0.5% (2/444) of patients receiving JEMPERLI; both were Grade 2. Nephritis did not lead to discontinuation of JEMPERLI and resolved in both patients. Systemic corticosteroids were required in 1 of the 2 patients experiencing nephritis.
Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse Reactions
JEMPERLI can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Bullous and exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), have occurred with PD‑1/PD‑L1–blocking antibodies. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate non-bullous/exfoliative rashes. Withhold or permanently discontinue JEMPERLI depending on severity [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions
The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in <1% of the 444 patients treated with JEMPERLI or were reported with the use of other PD-1/PD-L1–blocking antibodies. Severe or fatal cases have been reported for some of these adverse reactions.
Nervous System: Meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and demyelination, myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis, Guillain‑Barre syndrome, nerve paresis, autoimmune neuropathy.
Cardiac/Vascular: Myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis.
Ocular: Uveitis, iritis, other ocular inflammatory toxicities. Some cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment to include blindness can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune‑mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt‑Koyanagi–Harada like syndrome, as this may require treatment with systemic steroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.
Gastrointestinal: Pancreatitis, including increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis.
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue: Myositis/polymyositis, rhabdomyolysis and associated sequelae including renal failure, arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica.
Endocrine: Hypoparathyroidism.
Other (Hematologic/Immune): Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune thrombocytopenia, solid organ transplant rejection.