Elahere is a type of targeted therapy called an antibody-drug conjugate. This antibody-drug conjugate is made up of an antibody that is attached to a cancer medicine. Elahere is used to treat a type of cancer called ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer. Elahere is the first antibody-drug conjugate approved to treat resistant ovarian cancer by targeting a protein on the cancer cell called folate receptor alpha (FRα). Below you’ll find common questions and answers about Elahere to help you decide whether it’s right for you.
How Does Elahere Work for Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Peritoneal Cancer?
Elahere works by targeting and attaching to cancer cells. It is made up of an antibody that attaches to the cancer and a medicine that kills the cancer cell. The antibody attaches to the FRα protein on the cancer cell. It then enters the cell and releases a medicine that kills the cell. The medicine that is released also kills other cancer cells nearby.
What Kind of Cancer Does Elahere Treat?
Elahere treats ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer that is positive for the FRα protein, came back or got worse (progressed) after certain types of chemotherapy called platinum-based chemotherapy, and has been treated with one to three other types of therapy.
How Will I Get Elahere?
Elahere is put into a vein as an intravenous (IV) infusion. It will be given to you by a health care provider in a health care setting. Elahere doses are usually 6 mg/kg given every three weeks. Your health care provider will calculate your adjusted ideal body weight to find out the dose that is right for you. They will also decide how often you will need to receive Elahere. They may pause or stop your Elahere doses if your cancer progresses or if you have certain side effects.
Your health care provider may need to stop Elahere if you have problems with your liver. Talk to your health care provider about all of your medical history so they can decide if Elahere is right for you.
How Was Elahere Studied?
Elahere was studied in people with ovarian cancer that was resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy and positive for folate receptor alpha (FRα). People in this study had cancer that progressed after one to three prior types of treatment. People got either Elahere or chemotherapy medicine. This study looked at progression-free survival (PFS), which measured how long people lived without their cancer progressing. It also looked at overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR), which measured the percentage of people whose cancer shrinks or disappears after receiving the treatment. There were 453 people in this study, and half were in each group. The median age was 63 (range: 29 to 88). Sixty-six percent of people in this study were White, 12% were Asian, 3% were Black, and 18% did not have race reported. Fourteen percent of patients had received one prior type of treatment, 39% of patients had received two prior types of treatment, and 47% of patients had received three prior types of treatment. The median PFS was longer in the Elahere group at 5.6 months versus four months in the chemotherapy group. This means that at least half of the people in the Elahere group lived for at least 5.6 months without their cancer progressing. The median OS was also better in the Elahere group at 16.5 months versus 12.8 months in the chemotherapy group, which means that at 16.5 months at least half of the people in the Elahere group were still alive. The ORR was significantly higher at 42% in the Elahere group than 16% in the chemotherapy group. This means that 42% of people that got Elahere had either a partial or complete response to treatment.
Elahere was also studied in people with ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, or fallopian tube cancer with platinum-resistant and FRα-positive cancer. All the people in this trial received Elahere. This study looked at objective response rate (ORR), which measured the percentage of patients whose cancer shrank or disappeared after receiving Elahere. It also looked at how long people's response lasted, called duration of response (DOR). There were 106 people in this study, and the median age was 62 (range: 35 to 85). Ninety-six percent of people were White, 2% were Asian, and 2% did not have race reported. Two percent of patients were Hispanic or Latino. At the end of the study the ORR was 32% and the median DOR was 6.9 months. This means that 32% of people that got Elahere had either a partial or complete response and that response lasted at least 6.9 months in half the people.
What Are Some Unique Considerations to Be Aware Of?
Elahere can cause harm to a fetus. Your health care provider will discuss options for contraception while you take Elahere. You should use an effective method of birth control while you are receiving Elahere and for seven months after your last dose. If you are pregnant or you and your partner are planning to become pregnant, talk with your health care provider about your options. It is unknown if Elahere will pass into your breast milk if you are breastfeeding. However, you should not breastfeed while you are getting Elahere and for one month after your last dose.
Elahere may cause problems with your eyes including blurred vision, dry eyes, light sensitivity, eye pain or redness, or changes in your vision. Your health care provider may recommend that you be seen by an eye care professional before you start Elahere. You will be prescribed eye drops to be used before and during your treatment. Your health care provider may ask that you stop wearing your contacts while you are being treated with Elahere, and you may have to wear glasses instead. If you do experience blurred vision, increasing the font size on your devices may help make things clearer. Your dose may be reduced, paused, or stopped altogether based on how severe your side effects are.
Elahere may also cause other severe side effects such as lung problems (pneumonitis) and nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy). Call your health care provider right away if you experience any lung problems such as trouble breathing, cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain, or if you have new or worsening numbness, burning, or tingling in your hands or feet.
What Are the Side Effects of Elahere, and How Can I Prevent or Manage Them?
Feeling tired is a common side effect of Elahere, but there are some things you can do to increase your energy. Exercising each day, even if it is just for a short time, can help boost your energy. Eating a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains while avoiding sugary foods may also help you fight fatigue. Your doctor may be able to give you medicine to treat other side effects such as pain, or low blood counts, which may help with your fatigue.
Elahere may cause gastrointestinal (GI) side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Your health care provider may give you certain medicines to prevent these side effects from happening, as well as medicines to treat them if they occur. Eating bland food and smaller meals throughout the day can help with symptoms of nausea. If you experience diarrhea, your health care provider may recommend that you start diarrhea medicine and drink more fluids to avoid losing too much of your body water (dehydration). Drinking more fluids can also help to prevent constipation, as well as eating foods that are high in fiber.
Elahere can cause low blood counts, including low platelets (thrombocytopenia), low white blood cells (neutropenia), and low red blood cells (anemia). Thrombocytopenia can cause you to bruise or bleed easier. Things you can do to prevent this include using an electric shaver instead of a razor, using a soft bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth, and avoiding contact sports. Neutropenia can cause severe infections. You can help reduce your risk of developing an infection by washing your hands often and staying away from people with infections, colds, or the flu. If you are at high risk for getting an infection, your health care provider may prescribe a medicine to help prevent infections. You should contact your health care provider right away if you develop a fever or any other signs of an infection such as a sore throat or cough. They may prescribe you medicine to treat your infection. Anemia can make you feel more tired than usual and have shortness of breath. Eating foods rich in iron such as spinach and red meat may help boost your energy. You should contact your health care provider if you have these symptoms so your blood counts can be monitored.
You may also experience muscle, bone, or joint pain while taking Elahere. Your health care provider may recommend that you use over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or Tylenol. You should contact your health care provider if you have pain that does not go away with over-the-counter medicines.
How Do I Know if Elahere Is Working?
Your health care provider will regularly check how well Elahere is working for your cancer through looking at results of tests such as blood tests and CT scans or MRI scans. You may notice improvements within a few weeks to months after starting Elahere. The complete therapeutic effect can take longer, depending on individual factors and disease progression.
How Long Does Elahere Stay in My System?
Elahere remains in the body for several weeks after the last dose. Even after stopping Elahere, some side effects may continue. Regular follow-up is essential to manage any lingering side effects and ensure a smooth transition off the treatment.
Is There a Cost Savings Program?
There is a copay savings program available from the drugmaker that may cost you as little as $0 for your monthly copay for your Elahere prescription. Whether or not you are eligible depends on your insurance coverage. You can find out more by visiting www.elahere.com/support#elahere-support-services or calling 833-352-4373.
