Folotyn

Folotyn is a medicine that contains the active substance pralatrexate. It was to be available as a solution for infusion (drip into a vein).

Folotyn was expected to be used to treat adults with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, which is a cancer of a type of white blood cell called T-cells.

Folotyn was designated an ‘orphan medicine’ (a medicine to be used in rare diseases) on 13 April 2007 for the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Pralatrexate is an ‘antimetabolite’ medicine. In the body, it is expected to take the place of folic acid and attach to an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). DHFR is necessary for the production of new DNA, which is required for cells to divide and multiply. By attaching to DHFR, pralatrexate is expected to block the enzyme’s activity, inhibiting the division of the cancer cells and eventually killing them.

The effects of Folotyn were first tested in experimental models before being studied in humans.

The company presented the results of one main study involving a total of 115 adults with peripheral T-cell lymphoma which kept coming back or did not respond to previous treatments. Patients were given Folotyn together with vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements (to compensate for the deficiency in these vitamins that may occur during Folotyn treatment). The main measure of effectiveness was based on the proportion of patients who responded to treatment. Response to treatment ranged from having improvements in the disease to having no sign of cancer. In this study, Folotyn was not compared with any other treatment.

In January 2012, the CHMP was concerned that the main study was designed in a way that did not allow the Committee to assess the benefit of the medicine, particularly since Folotyn was not compared with any other treatment or placebo (a dummy treatment) in another group of patients. Moreover, there was no clear improvement seen in the condition of the patients, as the study looked at the patients’ response to treatment but did not further allow the Committee to assess the effect on overall survival (how long the patients lived) or progression free survival (how long the patients lived without their disease getting worse). The CHMP was of the opinion that there was insufficient evidence to establish the benefits of Folotyn in the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Therefore, at that point in time, the CHMP was of the opinion that the benefits of Folotyn did not outweigh its risks and recommended that it be refused marketing authorisation.

During the re-examination in April 2012, the CHMP’s concerns were not resolved. In particular, the Committee considered that the data submitted by the applicant were insufficient to establish the benefits of Folotyn in the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The CHMP therefore confirmed its initial negative opinion.

The company informed the CHMP that there are no consequences on patients currently included in clinical trials or compassionate use programmes with Folotyn. If you are in a clinical trial or compassionate use programme and need more information about your treatment, contact the doctor who is giving it to you.