Effectiveness of the Crizotinib Therapeutic Management Guide in Communicating Risks, and Recommended Actions to Minimize Risks, Among Physicians Prescribing Crizotinib in Europe

Abstract

To support a positive benefit/risk profile for crizotinib, additional risk minimization measures (RMMs) included a patient information brochure (PIB) and a therapeutic management guide (TMG) to inform patients and physicians in Europe about the risks associated with crizotinib. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the TMG in communicating risks associated with crizotinib. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among crizotinib-prescribing physicians in ten European countries. The survey included questions on awareness, receipt, and use of the crizotinib TMG and PIB, and on knowledge of crizotinib risks and actions to minimize risks. A total of 3978 invitations were sent to potential crizotinib-prescribing physicians, and 98 crizotinib prescribers completed the survey. Over three-quarters (78%) of responding physicians acknowledged awareness of the TMG or PIB. Among physicians who received the TMG and PIB, 78% acknowledged reading the TMG, and 86% acknowledged giving the PIB to their patients. Knowledge of risks listed in the TMG was 97% for vision disorders, 94% for hepatotoxicity, 89% for both interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis and corrected QT (QTc) prolongation, 69% for neutropenia/leukopenia, and 68% for bradycardia. Knowledge of recommendations to minimize risks was 74% for ILD/pneumonitis, 64% for vision disorders, 42% for neutropenia and leukopenia, 41% for QTc prolongation, 35% for hepatotoxicity, and 23% for bradycardia. Most responding physicians were aware of, received, and read the crizotinib RMMs, and were aware of the crizotinib key risks. Knowledge of recommendations to minimize these risks revealed some gaps. The study results indicate the crizotinib RMMs were reasonably effective in communicating the crizotinib risks.