Science

Updated guidelines incorporate CAMZYOS® (mavacamten) for treatment of symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

May 10, 2024     

Updated guidelines incorporate CAMZYOS® (mavacamten) for treatment of symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

May 10, 2024      |


THIS ARTICLE IS INTENDED FOR U.S. HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS ONLY.

The 2024 AHA/ACC/AMSSM/HRS/PACES/SCMR Guideline for the Management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy* (2024 AHA/ACC/Multisociety HCM Guideline) has been published. Read more about this important update from Cecilia Marta, vice president, U.S. medical and head of cardiovascular and established brands. 


Q: What is the AHA/ACC/Multisociety HCM Guideline and how has it been updated?
A: The AHA/ACC Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines translates scientific evidence into clinical practice guidelines to provide unified recommendations for cardiologists. The guidelines, which are based on systemic methods to evaluate and classify evidence, provide a foundation for the delivery of quality cardiovascular care. In response to the evolving HCM management landscape, the Committee has issued a new clinical practice guideline for the management of HCM.

With this update, the first and only FDA-approved cardiac myosin inhibitor, CAMZYOS® (mavacamten), is now a Class 1 (Level of Evidence, B-R) recommended therapy for the treatment of adult patients with obstructive HCM who have persistent symptoms after first-line therapy (beta blockers or non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers). 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATION

CAMZYOS® (mavacamten) is indicated for the treatment of adults with symptomatic New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) to improve functional capacity and symptoms.

WARNING: RISK OF HEART FAILURE

CAMZYOS reduces left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and can cause heart failure due to systolic dysfunction.

Echocardiogram assessments of LVEF are required prior to and during treatment with CAMZYOS. Initiation of CAMZYOS in patients with LVEF <55% is not recommended. Interrupt CAMZYOS if LVEF is <50% at any visit or if the patient experiences heart failure symptoms or worsening clinical status.

Concomitant use of CAMZYOS with certain cytochrome P450 inhibitors or discontinuation of certain cytochrome P450 inducers may increase the risk of heart failure due to systolic dysfunction; therefore, the use of CAMZYOS is contraindicated with the following:

  • Moderate to strong CYP2C19 inhibitors or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors 
  • Moderate to strong CYP2C19 inducers or moderate to strong CYP3A4 inducers 

Because of the risk of heart failure due to systolic dysfunction, CAMZYOS is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the CAMZYOS REMS PROGRAM.

Please see additional Important Safety Information below, and U.S. Full Prescribing Information including Boxed WARNING.


Q: Why is this update meaningful to cardiologists?

A: The AHA/ACC/Multisociety HCM Guideline serves as a cornerstone for cardiologists, offering a comprehensive framework that informs the diagnosis, management and treatment of this condition. For the HCM community, these guidelines are a source of information and ensure that care decisions are rooted in the latest evidence-based research and clinical best practices. 

The inclusion of CAMZYOS within these guidelines represents a significant evolution in symptomatic oHCM care and provides cardiologists with evidence-based recommendations in prescribing CAMZYOS to patients with symptomatic oHCM who do not derive adequate symptomatic relief from first-line drug therapy.1

Further, this recommendation reaffirms the potential therapeutic value and benefit of CAMZYOS in improving symptoms and functional capacity.1 CAMZYOS also continues to be studied in long term extensions of clinical trials and in real world settings. 


Q: Why was CAMZYOS added to the guidelines?

A: For decades, treatment options for patients with symptomatic oHCM primarily focused on symptom management due to limited data and randomized evidence. For the most severely affected patients – including those with highly symptomatic oHCM who had not responded to pharmacologic therapy – the only option had been septal reduction therapy (SRT). SRT is performed as either an open-heart procedure in which the obstruction is surgically reduced (septal myectomy) or a catheter-based therapy in which alcohol is injected by catheter into the coronary artery causing muscle cells in the thickened septal wall to die (septal ablation).2

In April 2022, CAMZYOS was approved for the treatment of adults with symptomatic NYHA class II-III oHCM to improve functional capacity and symptoms. CAMZYOS is an allosteric and reversible inhibitor selective for cardiac myosin that helps to modulate the number of myosin heads in the off state.3 This reduces the number of myosin-actin cross-bridges that form. Decreasing the number of excess myosin-actin cross bridges can reduce dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, improve cardiac filling pressures, improve energy consumption and reduce cardiac contractility.3,4,5

Since its approval, CAMZYOS has redefined the treatment landscape for symptomatic NYHA class II-III oHCM.

 Q: Where can I learn more about the data that supports the use of CAMZYOS?

A: An overview of our two pivotal Phase 3 trials – EXPLORER-HCM and VALOR-HCM – is available at CAMZYOSHCP.com

*AHA indicates American Heart Association; ACC, American College of Cardiology; AMSSM; American Medical Society for Sports Medicine; HRS, Heart Rhythm Society; PACES, Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society; SCMR, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

 

INDICATION

CAMZYOS® (mavacamten) is indicated for the treatment of adults with symptomatic New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) to improve functional capacity and symptoms.

WARNING: RISK OF HEART FAILURE

CAMZYOS reduces left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and can cause heart failure due to systolic dysfunction.

Echocardiogram assessments of LVEF are required prior to and during treatment with CAMZYOS. Initiation of CAMZYOS in patients with LVEF <55% is not recommended. Interrupt CAMZYOS if LVEF is <50% at any visit or if the patient experiences heart failure symptoms or worsening clinical status.

Concomitant use of CAMZYOS with certain cytochrome P450 inhibitors or discontinuation of certain cytochrome P450 inducers may increase the risk of heart failure due to systolic dysfunction; therefore, the use of CAMZYOS is contraindicated with the following:

  • Moderate to strong CYP2C19 inhibitors or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
  • Moderate to strong CYP2C19 inducers or moderate to strong CYP3A4 inducers

Because of the risk of heart failure due to systolic dysfunction, CAMZYOS is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the CAMZYOS REMS PROGRAM.


CONTRAINDICATIONS


CAMZYOS is contraindicated with concomitant use of:

  • Moderate to strong CYP2C19 inhibitors or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
  • Moderate to strong CYP2C19 inducers or moderate to strong CYP3A4 inducers

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Heart Failure

CAMZYOS reduces systolic contraction and can cause heart failure or totally block ventricular function. Patients who experience a serious intercurrent illness (e.g., serious infection) or arrhythmia (e.g., atrial fibrillation or other uncontrolled tachyarrhythmia) are at greater risk of developing systolic dysfunction and heart failure.

Assess the patient’s clinical status and LVEF prior to and regularly during treatment and adjust the CAMZYOS dose accordingly. New or worsening arrhythmia, dyspnea, chest pain, fatigue, palpitations, leg edema, or elevations in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) may be signs and symptoms of heart failure and should also prompt an evaluation of cardiac function.

Asymptomatic LVEF reduction, intercurrent illnesses, and arrhythmias require additional dosing considerations.

Initiation of CAMZYOS in patients with LVEF <55% is not recommended. Avoid concomitant use of CAMZYOS in patients on disopyramide, ranolazine, verapamil with a beta blocker, or diltiazem with a beta blocker as these medications and combinations increase the risk of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and heart failure symptoms and clinical experience is limited.

CYP 450 Drug Interactions Leading to Heart Failure or Loss of Effectiveness

CAMZYOS is primarily metabolized by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 enzymes. Concomitant use of CAMZYOS and drugs that interact with these enzymes may lead to life-threatening drug interactions such as heart failure or loss of effectiveness.

Advise patients of the potential for drug interactions, including with over-the-counter medications (such as omeprazole, esomeprazole, or cimetidine). Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider of all concomitant products prior to and during CAMZYOS treatment.

CAMZYOS Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program

CAMZYOS is only available through a restricted program called the CAMZYOS REMS Program because of the risk of heart failure due to systolic dysfunction. Notable requirements of the CAMZYOS REMS Program include the following:

  • Prescribers must be certified by enrolling in the REMS Program.
  • Patients must enroll in the REMS Program and comply with ongoing monitoring requirements.
  • Pharmacies must be certified by enrolling in the REMS Program and must only dispense to patients who are authorized to receive CAMZYOS.
  • Wholesalers and distributors must only distribute to certified pharmacies.

Further information is available at www.CAMZYOSREMS.com or by telephone at 1-833-628-7367.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

CAMZYOS may cause fetal toxicity when administered to a pregnant female, based on animal studies. Confirm absence of pregnancy in females of reproductive potential prior to treatment and advise patients to use effective contraception during treatment with CAMZYOS and for 4 months after the last dose. CHCs containing a combination of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone may be used with mavacamten. However, CAMZYOS may reduce the effectiveness of certain other combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC). If these CHCs are used, advise patients to add nonhormonal contraception (such as condoms) during concomitant use and for 4 months after the last dose of CAMZYOS.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

In the EXPLORER-HCM trial, adverse reactions occurring in >5% of patients and more commonly in the CAMZYOS group than in the placebo group were dizziness (27% vs 18%) and syncope (6% vs 2%). There were no new adverse reactions identified in VALOR-HCM.

Effects on Systolic Function

In the EXPLORER-HCM trial, mean (SD) resting LVEF was 74% (6) at baseline in both treatment groups. Mean (SD) absolute change from baseline in LVEF was -4% (8) in the CAMZYOS group and 0% (7) in the placebo group over the 30-week treatment period. At Week 38, following an 8-week interruption of trial drug, mean LVEF was similar to baseline for both treatment groups. In the EXPLORER-HCM trial, 7 (6%) patients in the CAMZYOS group and 2 (2%) patients in the placebo group experienced reversible reductions in LVEF <50% (median 48%: range 35-49%) while on treatment. In all 7 patients treated with CAMZYOS, LVEF recovered following interruption of CAMZYOS.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Potential for Other Drugs to Affect Plasma Concentrations of CAMZYOS

CAMZYOS is primarily metabolized by CYP2C19 and to a lesser extent by CYP3A4 and CYP2C9. Inducers and inhibitors of CYP2C19 and moderate to strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4 may affect the exposures of CAMZYOS.

Impact of Other Drugs on CAMZYOS:

  • Moderate to Strong CYP2C19 Inhibitors or Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Concomitant use increases CAMZYOS exposure, which may increase the risk of heart failure due to systolic dysfunction. Concomitant use is contraindicated. 
  • Moderate to Strong CYP2C19 Inducers or Moderate to Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: Concomitant use decreases CAMZYOS exposure, which may reduce CAMZYOS’ efficacy. The risk of heart failure due to systolic dysfunction may increase with discontinuation of these inducers as the levels of induced enzyme normalizes. Concomitant use is contraindicated. 
  • Weak CYP2C19 Inhibitors or Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Concomitant use with a weak CYP2C19 inhibitor or a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor increases CAMZYOS exposure, which may increase the risk of adverse drug reactions. Initiate CAMZYOS at the recommended starting dose of 5 mg orally once daily in patients who are on stable therapy with a weak CYP2C19 inhibitor or a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. Reduce dose of CAMZYOS by one level (i.e., 15 to 10 mg, 10 to 5 mg, or 5 to 2.5 mg) in patients who are on CAMZYOS treatment and intend to initiate a weak CYP2C19 inhibitor or a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. Schedule clinical and echocardiographic assessment 4 weeks after inhibitor initiation, and do not up-titrate CAMZYOS until 12 weeks after inhibitor initiation. Avoid initiation of concomitant weak CYP2C19 and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors in patients who are on stable treatment with 2.5 mg of CAMZYOS because a lower dose is not available.

Potential for CAMZYOS to Affect Plasma Concentrations of Other Drugs

CAMZYOS is an inducer of CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19. Concomitant use with CYP3A4, CYP2C9, or CYP2C19 substrates may reduce plasma concentration of these drugs. Closely monitor when CAMZYOS is used with concomitant CYP3A4, CYP2C9, or CYP2C19 substrates unless otherwise recommended in the Prescribing Information.

Certain Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (CHC): Progestin and ethinyl estradiol are CYP3A4 substrates. Concomitant use of CAMZYOS may decrease exposures of certain progestins, which may lead to contraceptive failure. CHCs containing a combination of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone may be used with mavacamten, but if other CHCs are used, advise patients to add nonhormonal contraception (such as condoms) during concomitant use and 4 months after the last dose of CAMZYOS.

Drugs That Reduce Cardiac Contractility

Expect additive negative inotropic effects of CAMZYOS and other drugs that reduce cardiac contractility. Avoid concomitant use of CAMZYOS in patients on disopyramide, ranolazine, verapamil with a beta blocker, or diltiazem with a beta blocker as these medications and combinations increase the risk of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and heart failure symptoms and clinical experience is limited.

If concomitant therapy with a negative inotrope is initiated, or if the dose of a negative inotrope is increased, monitor LVEF closely until stable doses and clinical response have been achieved.

SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy

CAMZYOS may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female. Advise pregnant females about the potential risk to the fetus with maternal exposure to CAMZYOS during pregnancy. There is a pregnancy safety study for CAMZYOS. If CAMZYOS is administered during pregnancy, or if a patient becomes pregnant while receiving CAMZYOS or within 4 months after the last dose of CAMZYOS, healthcare providers should report CAMZYOS exposure by contacting Bristol Myers Squibb at 1-800-721-5072 or www.bms.com.

Lactation

The presence of CAMZYOS in human or animal milk, the drug’s effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production are unknown. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for CAMZYOS and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from CAMZYOS or from the underlying maternal condition.

Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Confirm absence of pregnancy in females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of CAMZYOS. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with CAMZYOS and for 4 months after the last dose. CHCs containing a combination of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone may be used with mavacamten. However, CAMZYOS may reduce the effectiveness of certain other combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC). If these CHCs are used, advise patients to add nonhormonal contraception contraception (such as condoms) during concomitant use and for 4 months after the last dose of CAMZYOS.

Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.

© 2024 Bristol Myers Squibb Company.

3500-US-2400264 05/24

References:

  1. Ommen S, Ho C, Asif I, et al; 2024 AHA/ACC/AMSSM/HRS/PACES/SCMR Guideline for the Management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.02.014.
  2. Ommen SR, Mital S, Burke MA, et al. 2020 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2020;142(25):e558-e631.
  3. CAMZYOS. Princeton, NJ: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; 2024.
  4. Olivotto I, Oreziak A, Barriales-Villa R, et al; EXPLORER-HCM study investigators. Mavacamten for treatment of symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (EXPLORER-HCM): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2020;396(10253):759-769.
  5. Anderson RL, Trivedi DV, Sarkar SS, et al. Deciphering the super relaxed state of human β-cardiac myosin and the mode of action of mavacamten from myosin molecules to muscle fibers. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2018;115(35):E8143-E8152.