EU/3/19/2159: Orphan designation for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a cancer of the white blood cells (cells that fight infections). In patients with AML, the bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside the large bones, where blood cells are produced) produces large numbers of abnormal, immature white blood cells. These abnormal cells quickly build up in large numbers in the bone marrow and are found in the blood.

AML is a debilitating and life-threatening disease because these abnormal immature cells take the place of the normal blood cells, causing bleeding episodes, blood clots and a reduced ability to fight infections.
 

At the time of designation, AML affected approximately 1 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 52,000 people*, and is below the ceiling for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This is based on the information provided by the sponsor and the knowledge of the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP).

*Disclaimer: For the purpose of the designation, the number of patients affected by the condition is estimated and assessed on the basis of data from the European Union (EU 28), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This represents a population of 518,400,000 (Eurostat 2019).

Treatment for AML is complex and depends on a number of factors including the extent of the disease, whether it has been treated before, and the patient’s age, symptoms and general state of health. At the time of designation, the main treatments for AML were chemotherapy (medicines to treat cancer) and haematopoietic (blood) stem-cell transplantation (a procedure where the patient’s bone marrow is cleared of cells and replaced by stem cells to form new bone marrow that produces healthy blood cells). 

The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that this medicine might be of significant benefit for patients with AML. Early studies showed that the cancer responded to treatment with the medicine in patients with AML that had come back or did not respond to previous treatment, and who could not have intensive cancer treatment. There is no authorised treatment for these patients. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
 

Some patients with AML have a mutation (change) in a gene called IDH1, which causes production of an abnormal IDH1 protein. This abnormal protein makes a substance, 2-hydroxyglutarate, which causes cells to become cancerous. This medicine is expected to block the activity of the abnormal IDH1 protein, thereby reducing the production of 2-hydroxyglutarate and preventing formation of more cancer cells.

The effects of the medicine have been evaluated in experimental models.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with the medicine in patients with AML were ongoing. 

At the time of submission, the medicine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for treatment of AML. Orphan designation of the medicine had been granted in the United States for this condition. 

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 17 April 2019, recommending the granting of this designation.

Opinions on orphan medicinal product designations are based on the following three criteria:

• the seriousness of the condition;
• the existence of alternative methods of diagnosis, prevention or treatment;
• either the rarity of the condition (affecting not more than 5 in 10,000 people in the EU) or insufficient returns on investment.

Designated orphan medicinal products are products that are still under investigation and are considered for orphan designation on the basis of potential activity. An orphan designation is not a marketing authorisation. As a consequence, demonstration of quality, safety and efficacy is necessary before a product can be granted a marketing authorisation.