Herzuma Drug Information
Generic name: TRASTUZUMAB
HER2/neu Receptor Antagonist [EPC]
Uses of Herzuma
Adjuvant Breast Cancer
HERZUMA is indicated in adults for adjuvant treatment of HER2 overexpressing node positive or node negative (ER/PR negative or with one high risk feature ) breast cancer as part of a treatment regimen consisting of doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and either paclitaxel or docetaxel as part of a treatment regimen with docetaxel and carboplatin as a single agent following multi-modality anthracycline based therapy Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for a trastuzumab product .
Metastatic Breast Cancer
HERZUMA is indicated in adults: In combination with paclitaxel for first-line treatment of HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer As a single agent for treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer in patients who have received one or more chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for a trastuzumab product .
Metastatic Gastric Cancer
HERZUMA is indicated in adults, in combination with cisplatin and capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil, for the treatment of patients with HER2 overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have not received prior treatment for metastatic disease. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for a trastuzumab product .
Dosage & Administration of Herzuma
Evaluation and Testing
Before Initiating HERZUMA Assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) prior to initiation of HERZUMA and at regular intervals during treatment. . Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of HERZUMA.
Patient Selection Select patients based on
HER2 protein overexpression or HER2 gene amplification in tumor specimens . Assessment of HER2 protein overexpression and HER2 gene amplification should be performed using FDA-approved tests specific for breast or gastric cancers by laboratories with demonstrated proficiency. Information on the FDA-approved tests for the detection of HER2 protein overexpression and HER2 gene amplification is available at: http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics. Assessment of HER2 protein overexpression and HER2 gene amplification in metastatic gastric cancer should be performed using FDA-approved tests specifically for gastric cancers due to differences in gastric vs. breast histopathology, including incomplete membrane staining and more frequent heterogeneous expression of HER2 seen in gastric cancers.
Improper assay performance, including use of suboptimally fixed tissue, failure to utilize specified reagents, deviation from specific assay instructions, and failure to include appropriate controls for assay validation, can lead to unreliable results.
Recommended Dosage
HERZUMA is for intravenous infusion only. Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus. HERZUMA has different dosage and administration instructions than subcutaneous trastuzumab products.
Do not mix HERZUMA with other drugs. Do not substitute HERZUMA (trastuzumab-pkrb) for or with ado-trastuzumab emtansine or fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan. Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer Administer according to one of the following doses and schedules for a total of 52 weeks of HERZUMA therapy: During and following paclitaxel, docetaxel, or docetaxel and carboplatin: Initial dose of 4 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 90 minutes then at 2 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes weekly during chemotherapy for the first 12 weeks (paclitaxel or docetaxel) or 18 weeks (docetaxel and carboplatin). One week following the last weekly dose of HERZUMA, administer HERZUMA at 6 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 30 to 90 minutes every three weeks.
As a single agent within three weeks following completion of multi-modality, anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens: Initial dose at 8 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 90 minutes Subsequent doses at 6 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 30 to 90 minutes every three weeks. Extending adjuvant treatment beyond one year is not recommended. Metastatic Breast Cancer Administer HERZUMA, alone or in combination with paclitaxel, at an initial dose of 4 mg/kg as a 90-minute intravenous infusion followed by subsequent once weekly doses of 2 mg/kg as 30-minute intravenous infusions until disease progression.
Metastatic Gastric Cancer Administer HERZUMA at an initial dose of 8 mg/kg as a 90-minute intravenous infusion followed by subsequent doses of 6 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 30 to 90 minutes every three weeks until disease progression.
Important Dosing Considerations Missed Dose
If the patient has missed a dose of HERZUMA by one week or less, then the usual maintenance dose (weekly schedule: 2 mg/kg; once every three week schedule: 6 mg/kg) should be administered as soon as possible. Do not wait until the next planned cycle. Subsequent HERZUMA maintenance doses should be administered 7 days or 21 days later according to the weekly or once every three week schedules, respectively.
If the patient has missed a dose of HERZUMA by more than one week, a re-loading dose of HERZUMA should be administered over approximately 90 minutes (weekly schedule: 4 mg/kg; once every three week schedule: 8 mg/kg) as soon as possible. Subsequent HERZUMA maintenance doses (weekly schedule: 2 mg/kg; once every three week schedule 6 mg/kg) should be administered 7 days or 21 days later according to the weekly or once every three week schedules, respectively.
Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions Infusion Reactions Decrease the rate of infusion
for mild or moderate infusion reactions Interrupt the infusion in patients with dyspnea or clinically significant hypotension Discontinue HERZUMA for severe or life-threatening infusion reactions. Cardiomyopathy Assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) prior to initiation of HERZUMA and at regular intervals during treatment. Withhold HERZUMA dosing for at least 4 weeks for either of the following: ≥ 16% absolute decrease in LVEF from pre-treatment values LVEF below institutional limits of normal and ≥ 10% absolute decrease in LVEF from pretreatment values.
HERZUMA may be resumed if, within 4 to 8 weeks, the LVEF returns to normal limits and the absolute decrease from baseline is ≤ 15%. Permanently discontinue HERZUMA for a persistent (> 8 weeks) LVEF decline or for suspension of HERZUMA dosing on more than 3 occasions for cardiomyopathy.
Preparation Instructions To prevent medication errors, it is important to check the
vial labels to ensure that the drug being prepared and administered is HERZUMA (trastuzumab-pkrb) and not ado-trastuzumab emtansine or fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan. 420 mg Multiple-dose vial Reconstitution Reconstitute each 420 mg vial of HERZUMA with 20 mL of Bacteriostatic Water for Injection (BWFI), USP, containing 1.1% benzyl alcohol as a preservative to yield a multiple-dose solution containing 21 mg/mL trastuzumab-pkrb that delivers 20 mL (420 mg trastuzumab-pkrb). In patients with known hypersensitivity to benzyl alcohol, reconstitute with 20 mL of Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI) without preservative to yield a one-time use solution. Use appropriate aseptic technique when performing the following reconstitution steps: Using a sterile syringe, slowly inject the 20 mL of diluent into the vial containing the lyophilized powder of HERZUMA, which has a cake-like appearance. The stream of diluent should be directed into the cake.
The reconstituted vial yields a solution for multiple-dose use, containing 21 mg/mL trastuzumab-pkrb. Swirl the vial gently to aid reconstitution. DO NOT SHAKE. Slight foaming of the product may be present upon reconstitution.
Allow the vial to stand undisturbed for approximately 5 minutes. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Inspect visually for particulates and discoloration.
The solution should be free of visible particulates, clear to slightly opalescent and colorless to pale yellow. Store reconstituted HERZUMA in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F); discard unused HERZUMA after 28 days. If HERZUMA is reconstituted with SWFI without preservative, use immediately and discard any unused portion.
Do not freeze. Dilution Determine the dose (mg) of HERZUMA . Calculate the volume of the 21 mg/mL reconstituted HERZUMA solution needed, withdraw this amount from the vial using a sterile needle and syringe and add it to an infusion bag containing 250 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. DO NOT USE DEXTROSE (5%) SOLUTION. Gently invert the bag to mix the solution. The solution of HERZUMA for infusion diluted in polyvinylchloride or polyethylene bags containing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, should be stored at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for no more than 24 hours prior to use.
This storage time is additional to the time allowed for the reconstituted vials. Do not freeze. 150 mg Single-dose vial Reconstitution Reconstitute each 150 mg vial of HERZUMA with 7.4 mL of Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI) (not supplied) to yield a single-dose solution containing 21 mg/mL trastuzumab-pkrb that delivers 7.15 mL (150 mg trastuzumab-pkrb). Use appropriate aseptic technique when performing the following reconstitution steps: Using a sterile syringe, slowly inject 7.4 mL of SWFI (not supplied) into the vial containing the lyophilized powder of HERZUMA, which has a cake-like appearance. The stream of diluent should be directed into the cake.
The reconstituted vial yields a solution containing 21 mg/mL trastuzumab-pkrb. Swirl the vial gently to aid reconstitution. DO NOT SHAKE. Slight foaming of the product may be present upon reconstitution.
Allow the vial to stand undisturbed for approximately 5 minutes. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Inspect visually for particulates and discoloration.
The solution should be free of visible particulates, clear to slightly opalescent and colorless to pale yellow. Use the HERZUMA solution immediately following reconstitution with SWFI, as it contains no preservative and is intended for one-time use only. If not used immediately, store the reconstituted HERZUMA solution for up to 24 hours at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F); discard any unused HERZUMA after 24 hours.
Do not freeze. Dilution Determine the dose (mg) of HERZUMA . Calculate the volume of the 21 mg/mL reconstituted HERZUMA solution needed. Withdraw this amount from the vial using a sterile needle and syringe and add it to an infusion bag containing 250 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. DO NOT USE DEXTROSE (5%) SOLUTION. Gently invert the bag to mix the solution.
The solution of HERZUMA for infusion diluted in polyvinylchloride or polyethylene bags containing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, should be stored at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for no more than 24 hours prior to use. Discard after 24 hours. This storage time is additional to the time allowed for the reconstituted vials.
Do not freeze.
Side Effects of Herzuma
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most common adverse reactions in patients receiving trastuzumab products in the adjuvant and metastatic breast cancer setting are fever, nausea, vomiting, infusion reactions, diarrhea, infections, increased cough, headache, fatigue, dyspnea, rash, neutropenia, anemia, and myalgia. Adverse reactions requiring interruption or discontinuation of trastuzumab product treatment include CHF, significant decline in left ventricular cardiac function, severe infusion reactions, and pulmonary toxicity . In the metastatic gastric cancer setting, the most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) that were increased (≥ 5% difference) in the trastuzumab arm as compared to the chemotherapy alone arm were neutropenia, diarrhea, fatigue, anemia, stomatitis, weight loss, upper respiratory tract infections, fever, thrombocytopenia, mucosal inflammation, nasopharyngitis, and dysgeusia.
The most common adverse reactions which resulted in discontinuation of treatment on the trastuzumab-containing arm in the absence of disease progression were infection, diarrhea, and febrile neutropenia. Adjuvant Breast Cancer The information below reflects exposure to one-year trastuzumab therapy across three randomized, open-label studies, NSABP B31, NCCTG N9831, and HERA with (n = 3678) or without (n = 3363) trastuzumab in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. HERA Table 3 reflects exposure to trastuzumab in 1678 patients in HERA; the median treatment duration was 51 weeks and median number of infusions was 18 . Table 3: Adverse Reactions (> 1%) in HERA (All Grades) The incidence of Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions was < 1% in both arms for each listed term.
Adverse Reactions Trastuzumab (n = 1678) % Observation (n = 1708) % Nervous System Headache 10 3 Paresthesia 2
Musculoskeletal Arthralgia 8 6 Back Pain 5 3 Myalgia 4 1 Bone
Pain 3 2 Muscle Spasm 3
Infections Nasopharyngitis 8 3 Urinary tract infection 3 0.8 Gastrointestinal Diarrhea 7
1 Nausea 6 1 Vomiting 3.5
Constipation 2 1 Dyspepsia 2 0.5 Upper abdominal pain 2 1 General
Pyrexia 6
Peripheral edema 5 2 Chills 5 0 Asthenia 4.5 2 Influenza-like illness
2
Respiratory Thoracic Mediastinal Cough 5 2 Influenza 4 0.5 Dyspnea 3 2
URI 3 1 Rhinitis 2
Pharyngolaryngeal Pain 2 0.5 Sinusitis 2 0.3 Epistaxis 2 0.06 Cardiac Hypertension
4 2 Dizziness 4 2 Ejection fraction decreased 3.5
Palpitations 3 0.7 Cardiac arrhythmias Higher level grouping term. 3 1 Cardiac
failure (congestive) 2
Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue Rash 4 0.6 Nail Disorders 2 0 Pruritus
2
Clinically relevant adverse reactions in < 1% of patients who received trastuzumab
in HERA included hypersensitivity (0.6%), cardiac failure (0.5%), cardiac disorder (0.3%), interstitial pneumonitis (0.2%), pulmonary hypertension (0.2%), ventricular disorder (0.2%), autoimmune thyroiditis (0.3%), and sudden death (0.06%). Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer with Trastuzumab Beyond One Year Extending adjuvant treatment beyond one year is not recommended . In HERA, a comparison of trastuzumab administered once every 3 weeks for two years versus one year was performed. The rate of asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction was increased in the 2-year trastuzumab compared to the 1-year trastuzumab treatment arm (8.1% versus 4.6%, respectively). More patients experienced at least one adverse reaction of Grade 3 or higher in the 2-year trastuzumab treatment arm (20.4%) compared with the one-year trastuzumab treatment arm (16.3%). NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831 The safety data from NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831 were obtained from 3655 patients, of whom 2000 received trastuzumab; the median treatment duration was 51 weeks . In NSABP B31, only Grade 3 to 5 adverse events, treatment-related Grade 2 events, and Grade 2 to 5 dyspnea were collected during and for up to 3 months following protocol-specified treatment. The following non-cardiac adverse reactions of Grade 2 to 5 occurred at an incidence of at least 2% greater among patients receiving trastuzumab plus chemotherapy as compared to chemotherapy alone: fatigue (29.5% vs. 22.4%), infection (24.0% vs. 12.8%), hot flashes (17.1% vs. 15%), anemia (12.3% vs. 6.7%), dyspnea (11.8% vs. 4.6%), rash/desquamation (10.9% vs. 7.6%), leukopenia (10.5% vs. 8.4%), neutropenia (6.4% vs. 4.3%), headache (6.2% vs. 3.8%), pain (5.5% vs. 3%), edema (4.7% vs. 2.7%), and insomnia (4.3% vs. 1.5%). The majority of these events were Grade 2 in severity.
In NCCTG N9831, data collection was limited to the following investigator-attributed treatment-related adverse reactions: NCI-CTC Grade 4 and 5 hematologic toxicities, Grade 3 to 5 non-hematologic toxicities, selected Grade 2 to 5 toxicities associated with taxanes (myalgia, arthralgias, nail changes, motor neuropathy, and sensory neuropathy) and Grade 1 to 5 cardiac toxicities occurring during chemotherapy and/or trastuzumab treatment. The following non-cardiac adverse reactions of Grade 2 to 5 occurred at an incidence of at least 2% greater among patients receiving trastuzumab plus chemotherapy as compared to chemotherapy alone: arthralgia (12.2% vs. 9.1%), nail changes (11.5% vs. 6.8%), dyspnea (2.4% vs. 0.2%), and diarrhea (2.2% vs. 0%). The majority of these events were Grade 2 in severity. BCIRG006 Safety data from BCIRG006 reflect exposure to trastuzumab as part of an adjuvant treatment regimen from 2124 patients receiving at least one dose of study treatment.
The overall median treatment duration was 54 weeks in both the AC-TH and TCH arms. The median number of infusions was 26 in the AC-TH arm and 30 in the TCH arm, including weekly infusions during the chemotherapy phase and once every three week dosing in the monotherapy period . In BCIRG006, the toxicity profile was similar to that reported in NSABP B31, NCCTG N9831, and HERA with the exception of a lower incidence of CHF in the TCH arm. Metastatic Breast Cancer Studies The safety of trastuzumab was evaluated in one randomized, open-label study (H0648g) of chemotherapy with (n = 235) or without (n = 234) intravenous trastuzumab in patients with metastatic breast cancer and in one single-arm study (H0649g) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (n = 222) . Patients received 4 mg/kg initial dose of trastuzumab followed by 2 mg/kg weekly.
In H0648g, 58% of patients received trastuzumab for ≥ 6 months and 9% received trastuzumab for ≥ 12 months, respectively. In H0649g, 31% of patients received trastuzumab for ≥ 6 months and 16% received trastuzumab for ≥ 12 months, respectively. Table 4 shows the adverse reactions (≥ 5%) in patients from H0648g and H0649g.
Table 4: Adverse Reactions Data for trastuzumab single agent were from 4 studies, including 213 patients from H0649g (≥ 5%) in the Trastuzumab Arms in H0648g and H0649g Trastuzumab n = 352 % Trastuzumab + Paclitaxel n = 91 % Paclitaxel n = 95 % Trastuzumab + AC Anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) and cyclophosphamide. n = 143 % AC n = 135 % General Pain 47 61 62 57 42 Asthenia 42 62 57 54 55 Fever 36 49 23 56 34 Chills 32 41 4 35 11 Headache 26 36 28 44 31 Abdominal pain 22 34 22 23 18 Back pain 22 34 30 27 15 Infection 20 47 27 47 31 Flu syndrome 10 12 5 12 6 Accidental injury 6 13 3 9 4 Allergic reaction 3 8 2 4 2 Gastrointestinal Nausea 33 51 9 76 77 Diarrhea 25 45 29 45 26 Vomiting 23 37 28 53 49 Anorexia 14 24 16 31 26 Nausea and vomiting 8 14 11 18 9 Respiratory Cough increased 26 41 22 43 29 Dyspnea 22 27 26 42 25 Rhinitis 14 22 5 22 16 Pharyngitis 12 22 14 30 18 Sinusitis 9 21 7 13 6 Skin Rash 18 38 18 27 17 Herpes simplex 2 12 3 7 9 Acne 2 11 3 3 < 1 Nervous Insomnia 14 25 13 29 15 Dizziness 13 22 24 24 18 Paresthesia 9 48 39 17 11 Depression 6 12 13 20 12 Peripheral neuritis 2 23 16 2 2 Neuropathy 1 13 5 4 4 Metabolic Peripheral edema 10 22 20 20 17 Edema 8 10 8 11 5 Cardiovascular Congestive heart failure 7 11 1 28 7 Tachycardia 5 12 4 10 5 Musculoskeletal Bone pain 7 24 18 7 7 Arthralgia 6 37 21 8 9 Urogenital Urinary tract infection 5 18 14 13 7 Blood and Lymphatic Anemia 4 14 9 36 26 Leukopenia 3 24 17 52 34 Metastatic Gastric Cancer The safety of trastuzumab was evaluated in patients with previously untreated for metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in an open label, multi-center trial (ToGA) . Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive trastuzumab in combination with cisplatin and a fluoropyrimidine (FC+H) (n=294) or chemotherapy alone (FC) (n=290). Patients in the trastuzumab plus chemotherapy arm received trastuzumab 8 mg/kg administered on Day 1 (prior to chemotherapy) followed by 6 mg/kg every 21 days until disease progression. Cisplatin was administered at 80 mg/m 2 on Day 1 and the fluoropyrimidine was administered as either capecitabine 1000 mg/m 2 orally twice a day on Days 1 to 14 or 5-fluorouracil 800 mg/m 2 /day as a continuous intravenous infusion Days 1 through 5. Chemotherapy was administered for six 21 day cycles. Median duration of trastuzumab treatment was 21 weeks and the median number of trastuzumab infusions administered was eight.
Table 5: Adverse Reactions (All Grades ≥ 5% or Grade 3-4 ≥ 1% between Arms) in ToGA Adverse Reactions Trastuzumab + FC (N = 294) % FC (N = 290) % All Grades Grades 3-4 All Grades Grades 3-4 Investigations Neutropenia 78 34 73 29 Hypokalemia 28 10 24 6 Anemia 28 12 21 10 Thrombocytopenia 16 5 11 3 Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Febrile Neutropenia — 5 — 3 Gastrointestinal Disorders Diarrhea 37 9 28 4 Stomatitis 24 1 15 2 Dysphagia 6 2 3 < 1 General Fatigue 35 4 28 2 Fever 18 1 12 0 Mucosal Inflammation 13 2 6 1 Chills 8 < 1 0 0 Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Weight Decrease 23 2 14 2 Infections and Infestations Upper Respiratory Tract Infections 19 0 10 0 Nasopharyngitis 13 0 6 0 Renal and Urinary Disorders Renal Failure and Impairment 18 3 15 2 Nervous System Disorders Dysgeusia 10 0 5 0 The following subsections provide additional detail regarding adverse reactions observed in clinical trials of adjuvant breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, metastatic gastric cancer, or post-marketing experience. Cardiomyopathy Serial measurement of cardiac function (LVEF) was obtained in clinical trials in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. In HERA, the median duration of follow-up was 12.6 months (12.4 months in the observation arm; 12.6 months in the 1-year trastuzumab arm); and in NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831, 7.9 years in the AC-T arm, 8.3 years in the AC-TH arm.
Following initiation of trastuzumab therapy, the incidence of new-onset dose-limiting myocardial dysfunction was higher among patients receiving trastuzumab and paclitaxel as compared to those receiving paclitaxel alone in NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831, and in patients receiving one-year trastuzumab monotherapy compared to observation in HERA (see Table 6, Figures 1 and 2 ). The incidence of new-onset cardiac dysfunction, as measured by LVEF, remained similar when compared to the analysis performed at a median follow-up of 2.0 years in the AC-TH arm. This analysis showed evidence of reversibility of left ventricular dysfunction, with 64.5% of patients who experienced symptomatic CHF in the AC-TH group being asymptomatic at latest follow-up, and 90.3% having full or partial LVEF recovery. Table 6: Myocardial Dysfunction (by LVEF) in NSABP B31, NCCTG N9831, HERA and BCIRG006 For NSABP B31, NCCTG N9831 and HERA, events are counted from the beginning of trastuzumab treatment.
For BCIRG006, events are counted from the date of randomization. Study and Arm LVEF < 50% and Decrease from Baseline LVEF Decrease LVEF < 50% ≥ 10% decrease ≥ 16% decrease < 20% and ≥ 10% ≥ 20% NSABP B31 & NCCTG N9831 NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831 regimens: doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (AC→T) or paclitaxel plus trastuzumab (AC→TH). Median duration of follow-up for NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831 combined was 8.3 years in the AC→TH arm. AC→TH (n = 1856) 23.1% 18.5% 11.2% 37.9% 8.9% AC→T (n = 1170) 11.7% 7.0% 3.0% 22.1% 3.4% HERA Median follow-up duration of 12.6 months in the one-year trastuzumab treatment arm.
Trastuzumab (n = 1678) 8.6% 7.0% 3.8% 22.4% 3.5% Observation (n = 1708) 2.7% 2.0% 1.2% 11.9% 1.2% BCIRG006 BCIRG006 regimens: doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (AC→T) or docetaxel plus trastuzumab (AC→TH); docetaxel and carboplatin plus trastuzumab (TCH). TCH (n = 1056) 8.5% 5.9% 3.3% 34.5% 6.3% AC→TH (n = 1068) 17% 13.3% 9.8% 44.3% 13.2% AC→T (n = 1050) 9.5% 6.6% 3.3% 34% 5.5% Figure 1: NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831: Cumulative Incidence of Time to First LVEF Decline of ≥ 10 Percentage Points from Baseline and to Below 50% with Death as a Competing Risk Event Time 0 is initiation of paclitaxel or trastuzumab + paclitaxel therapy. Figure 2: HERA: Cumulative Incidence of Time to First LVEF Decline of ≥ 10 Percentage Points from Baseline and to Below 50% with Death as a Competing Risk Event Time 0 is the date of randomization. Figure 3: BCIRG006: Cumulative Incidence of Time to First LVEF Decline of ≥ 10 Percentage Points from Baseline and to Below 50% with Death as a Competing Risk Event Time 0 is the date of randomization.
The incidence of congestive heart failure among patients in the metastatic breast cancer trials was classified for severity using the New York Heart Association classification system (I to IV, where IV is the most severe level of cardiac failure) (see Table 2 ). In the metastatic breast cancer trials, the probability of cardiac dysfunction was highest in patients who received trastuzumab concurrently with anthracyclines. In ToGA, 5% of patients in the trastuzumab plus chemotherapy arm compared to 1.1% of patients in the chemotherapy alone arm had LVEF value below 50% with a ≥ 10% absolute decrease in LVEF from pretreatment values. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Infusion Reactions During the first infusion with trastuzumab, the symptoms most commonly reported were chills and fever, occurring in approximately 40% of patients in clinical trials.
Symptoms were treated with acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and meperidine (with or without reduction in the rate of trastuzumab infusion); permanent discontinuation of trastuzumab for infusion reactions was required in < 1% of patients. Other signs and/or symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, pain (in some cases at tumor sites), rigors, headache, dizziness, dyspnea, hypotension, elevated blood pressure, rash, and asthenia. Infusion reactions occurred in 21% and 35% of patients, and were severe in 1.4% and 9% of patients, on second or subsequent trastuzumab infusions administered as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy, respectively.
In the post-marketing setting, severe infusion reactions, including hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, and angioedema have been reported. Anemia In randomized controlled clinical trials, the overall incidence of anemia (30% vs. 21% ), of selected NCI-CTC Grade 2–5 anemia (12.3% vs. 6.7% ), and of anemia requiring transfusions (0.1% vs. 0 patients ) were increased in patients receiving trastuzumab and chemotherapy compared with those receiving chemotherapy alone. Following the administration of trastuzumab as a single agent (H0649g), the incidence of NCI-CTC Grade 3 anemia was < 1%. In ToGA (metastatic gastric cancer), on the trastuzumab containing arm as compared to the chemotherapy alone arm, the overall incidence of anemia was 28% compared to 21% and of NCI-CTC Grade 3/4 anemia was 12.2% compared to 10.3%. Neutropenia In randomized controlled clinical trials in the adjuvant setting, the incidence of selected NCI-CTC Grade 4 to 5 neutropenia (1.7% vs. 0.8% ) and of selected Grade 2 to 5 neutropenia (6.4% vs. 4.3% ) were increased in patients receiving trastuzumab and chemotherapy compared with those receiving chemotherapy alone.
In a randomized, controlled trial in patients with metastatic breast cancer, the incidences of NCI-CTC Grade 3/4 neutropenia (32% vs. 22%) and of febrile neutropenia (23% vs. 17%) were also increased in patients randomized to trastuzumab in combination with myelosuppressive chemotherapy as compared to chemotherapy alone. In ToGA (metastatic gastric cancer) on the trastuzumab containing arm as compared to the chemotherapy alone arm, the incidence of NCI-CTC Grade 3/4 neutropenia was 36.8% compared to 28.9%; febrile neutropenia 5.1% compared to 2.8%. Infection The overall incidences of infection (46% vs. 30% ), of selected NCI-CTC Grade 2 to 5 infection/febrile neutropenia (24.3% vs. 13.4% ) and of selected Grade 3 to 5 infection/febrile neutropenia (2.9% vs. 1.4% ) were higher in patients receiving trastuzumab and chemotherapy compared with those receiving chemotherapy alone. The most common site of infections in the adjuvant setting involved the upper respiratory tract, skin, and urinary tract.
In BCIRG006, the overall incidence of infection was higher with the addition of trastuzumab to AC-T but not to TCH. The incidences of NCI-CTC Grade 3 to 4 infection were similar across the three arms. In a randomized, controlled trial in treatment of metastatic breast cancer, the reported incidence of febrile neutropenia was higher (23% vs. 17%) in patients receiving trastuzumab in combination with myelosuppressive chemotherapy as compared to chemotherapy alone. Pulmonary Toxicity Adjuvant Breast Cancer Among women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, the incidence of selected NCI-CTC Grade 2 to 5 pulmonary toxicity (14.3% vs. 5.4% ) and of selected NCI-CTC Grade 3 to 5 pulmonary toxicity and spontaneous reported Grade 2 dyspnea (3.4% vs. 0.9% ) was higher in patients receiving trastuzumab and chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone.
The most common pulmonary toxicity was dyspnea (NCI-CTC Grade 2 to 5: 11.8% vs. 4.6% ; NCI-CTC Grade 2 to 5: 2.4% vs. 0.2% ). Pneumonitis/pulmonary infiltrates occurred in 0.7% of patients receiving trastuzumab compared with 0.3% of those receiving chemotherapy alone. Fatal respiratory failure occurred in 3 patients receiving trastuzumab, one as a component of multi-organ system failure, as compared to 1 patient receiving chemotherapy alone. In HERA, there were 4 cases of interstitial pneumonitis in the one-year trastuzumab treatment arm compared to none in the observation arm at a median follow-up duration of 12.6 months.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Among women receiving trastuzumab for treatment of metastatic breast cancer, the incidence of pulmonary toxicity was also increased. Pulmonary adverse events have been reported in the post-marketing experience as part of the symptom complex of infusion reactions. Pulmonary events include bronchospasm, hypoxia, dyspnea, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusions, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
For a detailed description, see Warnings and Precautions . Thrombosis/Embolism In 4 randomized, controlled clinical trials, the incidence of thrombotic adverse events was higher in patients receiving trastuzumab and chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone in three studies (2.6% vs. 1.5%, 2.5% and 3.7% vs. 2.2% and 2.1% vs. 0% ). Diarrhea Among women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, the incidence of NCI-CTC Grade 2–5 diarrhea (6.7% vs. 5.4% ) and of NCI-CTC Grade 3 to 5 diarrhea (2.2% vs. 0% ), and of Grade 1 to 4 diarrhea (7% vs. 1% ) were higher in patients receiving trastuzumab as compared to controls. In BCIRG006, the incidence of Grade 3 to 4 diarrhea was higher and of Grade 1 to 4 was higher among women receiving trastuzumab. Of patients receiving trastuzumab as a single agent for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, 25% experienced diarrhea.
An increased incidence of diarrhea was observed in patients receiving trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy for treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Renal Toxicity In ToGA (metastatic gastric cancer) on the trastuzumab-containing arm as compared to the chemotherapy alone arm the incidence of renal impairment was 18% compared to 14.5%. Severe (Grade 3/4) renal failure was 2.7% on the trastuzumab-containing arm compared to 1.7% on the chemotherapy only arm. Treatment discontinuation for renal insufficiency/failure was 2% on the trastuzumab-containing arm and 0.3% on the chemotherapy only arm.
In the post-marketing setting, rare cases of nephrotic syndrome with pathologic evidence of glomerulopathy have been reported. The time to onset ranged from 4 months to approximately 18 months from initiation of trastuzumab therapy. Pathologic findings included membranous glomerulonephritis, focal glomerulosclerosis, and fibrillary glomerulonephritis.
Complications included volume overload and congestive heart failure. 6. 2 Post-Marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of trastuzumab products. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Infusion reaction Oligohydramnios or oligohydramnios sequence, including pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death Glomerulopathy Immune thrombocytopenia Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS): Cases of possible TLS have been reported in patients treated with trastuzumab products.
Patients with significant tumor burden (e.g. bulky metastases) may be at a higher risk. Patients could present with hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, and acute renal failure which may represent possible TLS. Providers should consider additional monitoring and/or treatment as clinically indicated.
Warnings & Cautions for Herzuma
Cardiomyopathy Trastuzumab products can cause left ventricular cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, hypertension, disabling
cardiac failure, cardiomyopathy, and cardiac death. Trastuzumab products can also cause asymptomatic decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). There is a 4 to 6 fold increase in the incidence of symptomatic myocardial dysfunction among patients receiving trastuzumab products as a single agent or in combination therapy compared with those not receiving trastuzumab products. The highest absolute incidence occurs when a trastuzumab product is administered with an anthracycline.
Withhold HERZUMA for ≥ 16% absolute decrease in LVEF from pre-treatment values or an LVEF value below institutional limits of normal and ≥ 10% absolute decrease in LVEF from pretreatment values . The safety of continuation or resumption of trastuzumab products in patients with trastuzumab product-induced left ventricular cardiac dysfunction has not been studied. Patients who receive anthracycline after stopping trastuzumab products may also be at increased risk of cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac Monitoring Conduct thorough cardiac assessment, including history, physical examination, and determination of LVEF by echocardiogram or MUGA scan.
The following schedule is recommended: Baseline LVEF measurement immediately prior to initiation of HERZUMA LVEF measurements every 3 months during and upon completion of HERZUMA Repeat LVEF measurement at 4 week intervals if HERZUMA is withheld for significant left ventricular cardiac dysfunction LVEF measurements every 6 months for at least 2 years following completion of HERZUMA as a component of adjuvant therapy. In NSABP B31, 15% (158/1031) of patients discontinued trastuzumab due to clinical evidence of myocardial dysfunction or significant decline in LVEF after a median follow-up duration of 8.7 years in the AC-TH (anthracycline, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel, and trastuzumab) arm. In HERA (one-year trastuzumab treatment), the number of patients who discontinued trastuzumab due to cardiac toxicity at 12.6 months median duration of follow-up was 2.6% (44/1678). In BCIRG006, a total of 2.9% (31/1056) of patients in the TCH (docetaxel, carboplatin, trastuzumab) arm (1.5% during the chemotherapy phase and 1.4% during the monotherapy phase) and 5.7% (61/1068) of patients in the AC-TH arm (1.5% during the chemotherapy phase and 4.2% during the monotherapy phase) discontinued trastuzumab due to cardiac toxicity.
Among 64 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831) who developed congestive heart failure, one patient died of cardiomyopathy, one patient died suddenly without documented etiology and 33 patients were receiving cardiac medication at last follow-up. Approximately 24% of the surviving patients had recovery to a normal LVEF (defined as ≥ 50%) and no symptoms on continuing medical management at the time of last follow-up. Incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) is presented in Table 1. The safety of continuation or resumption of trastuzumab products in patients with trastuzumab product-induced left ventricular cardiac dysfunction has not been studied.
Table 1: Incidence of Congestive Heart Failure in Adjuvant Breast Cancer Studies Incidence of Congestive Heart Failure % (n) Study Regimen Trastuzumab Control NSABP B31 & NCCTG N9831 Median follow-up duration for NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831 combined was 8.3 years in the AC→paclitaxel + trastuzumab arm. AC Anthracycline (doxorubicin) and cyclophosphamide. →Paclitaxel+Trastuzumab 3.2% (64/2000) Includes 1 patient with fatal cardiomyopathy and 1 patient with sudden death without documented etiology. 1.3% (21/1655) HERA Includes NYHA II-IV and cardiac death at 12.6 months median duration of follow-up in the one-year trastuzumab arm. Chemotherapy→Trastuzumab 2% (30/1678) 0.3% (5/1708) BCIRG006 AC →Docetaxel+Trastuzumab 2% (20/1068) 0.3% (3/1050) BCIRG006 Docetaxel+Carboplatin+Trastuzumab 0.4% (4/1056) 0.3% (3/1050) In HERA (one-year trastuzumab treatment), at a median follow-up duration of 8 years, the incidence of severe CHF (NYHA III & IV) was 0.8%, and the rate of mild symptomatic and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction was 4.6%. Table 2: Incidence of Cardiac Dysfunction Congestive heart failure or significant asymptomatic decrease in LVEF. in Metastatic Breast Cancer Studies Incidence NYHA I-IV NYHA III-IV Study Event Trastuzumab Control Trastuzumab Control H0648g (AC) Anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) and cyclophosphamide Cardiac Dysfunction 28% 7% 19% 3% H0648g (paclitaxel) Cardiac Dysfunction 11% 1% 4% 1% H0649g Cardiac Dysfunction Includes 1 patient with fatal cardiomyopathy. 7% N/A 5% N/A In BCIRG006, the incidence of NCI-CTC Grade 3/4 cardiac ischemia/infarction was higher in the trastuzumab containing regimens (AC-TH: 0.3% (3/1068) and TCH: 0.2% (2/1056)) as compared to none in AC-T.
Infusion Reactions Infusion reactions consist of a symptom complex characterized by fever
and chills, and on occasion included nausea, vomiting, pain (in some cases at tumor sites), headache, dizziness, dyspnea, hypotension, rash, and asthenia. In post-marketing reports, serious and fatal infusion reactions have been reported. Severe reactions, which include bronchospasm, anaphylaxis, angioedema, hypoxia, and severe hypotension, were usually reported during or immediately following the initial infusion.
However, the onset and clinical course were variable, including progressive worsening, initial improvement followed by clinical deterioration, or delayed post-infusion events with rapid clinical deterioration. For fatal events, death occurred within hours to days following a serious infusion reaction. Interrupt HERZUMA infusion in all patients experiencing dyspnea, clinically significant hypotension, and intervention of medical therapy administered (which may include epinephrine, corticosteroids, diphenhydramine, bronchodilators, and oxygen). Patients should be evaluated and carefully monitored until complete resolution of signs and symptoms.
Permanent discontinuation should be strongly considered in all patients with severe infusion reactions. There are no data regarding the most appropriate method of identification of patients who may safely be retreated with trastuzumab products after experiencing a severe infusion reaction. Prior to resumption of trastuzumab infusion, the majority of patients who experienced a severe infusion reaction were pre-medicated with antihistamines and/or corticosteroids.
While some patients tolerated trastuzumab infusions, others had recurrent severe infusion reactions despite pre-medications.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Trastuzumab products can cause fetal harm when administered to a
pregnant woman. In post marketing reports, use of trastuzumab during pregnancy resulted in cases of oligohydramnios and oligohydramnios sequence manifesting as pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of HERZUMA. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential that exposure to HERZUMA during pregnancy or within 7 months prior to conception can result in fetal harm.
Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 7 months following the last dose of HERZUMA.
Pulmonary Toxicity Trastuzumab product use can result in serious and fatal pulmonary
toxicity. Pulmonary toxicity includes dyspnea, interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusions, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, pulmonary insufficiency and hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and pulmonary fibrosis. Such events can occur as sequelae of infusion reactions . Patients with symptomatic intrinsic lung disease or with extensive tumor involvement of the lungs, resulting in dyspnea at rest, appear to have more severe toxicity.
Exacerbation of Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia
In randomized, controlled clinical trials, the per-patient incidences of NCI-CTC Grade 3 to 4 neutropenia and of febrile neutropenia were higher in patients receiving trastuzumab in combination with myelosuppressive chemotherapy as compared to those who received chemotherapy alone. The incidence of septic death was similar among patients who received trastuzumab and those who did not .
Drug Interactions with Herzuma
Anthracyclines Patients who receive anthracycline after stopping trastuzumab products may be at increased risk of cardiac dysfunction because of trastuzumab products' estimated long washout period . If possible, avoid anthracycline-based therapy for up to 7 months after stopping trastuzumab products. If anthracyclines are used, closely monitor the patient's cardiac function.
Pregnancy Safety for Herzuma
Pregnancy Risk Summary Trastuzumab products can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In post-marketing reports and published literature, use of trastuzumab products during pregnancy resulted in cases of oligohydramnios and of oligohydramnios sequence, manifesting as pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death. Apprise the patient of the potential risks to a fetus.
There are clinical considerations if a trastuzumab product is used in a pregnant woman or if a patient becomes pregnant within 7 months following the last dose of a trastuzumab product. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Monitor women who received HERZUMA during pregnancy or within 7 months prior to conception for oligohydramnios. If oligohydramnios occurs, perform fetal/neonatal testing that is appropriate for gestational age and consistent with community standards of care. Data Human Data In post-m arketing reports and published literature, use of trastuzumab products during pregnancy resulted in cases of oligohydramnios and of oligohydramnios sequence.
Fetal manifestations included pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death. These case reports described oligohydramnios in pregnant women who received trastuzumab either alone or in combination with chemotherapy. In most reported cases, amniotic fluid index increased after trastuzumab was stopped.
In reported cases where trastuzumab therapy was resumed after amniotic index improved, oligohydramnios recurred. Animal Data In studies where trastuzumab was administered to pregnant Cynomolgus monkeys during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 25 mg/kg given twice weekly (up to 25 times the recommended weekly human dose of 2 mg/kg), trastuzumab crossed the placental barrier during the early (Gestation Days 20 to 50) and late (Gestation Days 120 to 150) phases of gestation. The resulting concentrations of trastuzumab in fetal serum and amniotic fluid were approximately 33% and 25%, respectively, of those present in the maternal serum but were not associated with adverse developmental effects.
Pediatric Use of Herzuma
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of HERZUMA in pediatric patients have not been established.
Clinical Studies of Herzuma
Adjuvant Breast Cancer
The safety and efficacy of trastuzumab in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for HER2 overexpressing breast cancer were evaluated in an integrated analysis of two randomized, open-label, clinical trials (NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831) with a total of 4063 women at the protocol-specified final overall survival analysis, a third randomized, open-label, clinical trial (HERA) with a total of 3386 women at definitive Disease-Free Survival analysis for one-year trastuzumab treatment versus observation, and a fourth randomized, open-label clinical trial with a total of 3222 patients (BCIRG006). NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831 In NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831, breast tumor specimens were required to show HER2 overexpression (3+ by IHC) or gene amplification (by FISH). HER2 testing was verified by a central laboratory prior to randomization (NCCTG N9831) or was required to be performed at a reference laboratory (NSABP B31). Patients with a history of active cardiac disease based on symptoms, abnormal electrocardiographic, radiologic, or left ventricular ejection fraction findings or uncontrolled hypertension (diastolic > 100 mm Hg or systolic > 200 mm Hg) were not eligible. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (AC→paclitaxel) alone or paclitaxel plus trastuzumab (AC→paclitaxel + trastuzumab). In both trials, patients received four 21-day cycles of doxorubicin 60 mg/m 2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m 2. Paclitaxel was administered either weekly (80 mg/m 2 ) or every 3 weeks (175 mg/m 2 ) for a total of 12 weeks in NSABP B31; paclitaxel was administered only by the weekly schedule in NCCTG N9831. Trastuzumab was administered at 4 mg/kg on the day of initiation of paclitaxel and then at a dose of 2 mg/kg weekly for a total of 52 weeks. Trastuzumab treatment was permanently discontinued in patients who developed congestive heart failure, or persistent/recurrent LVEF decline . Radiation therapy, if administered, was initiated after the completion of chemotherapy.
Patients with ER+ and/or PR+ tumors received hormonal therapy. The major efficacy outcome measure of the combined efficacy analysis was Disease-Free Survival (DFS), defined as the time from randomization to recurrence, occurrence of contralateral breast cancer, other second primary cancer, or death. An additional efficacy outcome measure was overall survival (OS). A total of 3752 patients were included in the joint efficacy analysis of DFS following a median follow-up of 2.0 years in the AC→paclitaxel + trastuzumab arm.
The pre-planned final OS analysis from the joint analysis included 4063 patients and was performed when 707 deaths had occurred after a median follow-up of 8.3 years in the AC→paclitaxel + trastuzumab arm. The data from both arms in NSABP B31 and two of the three study arms in NCCTG N9831 were pooled for efficacy analyses. The patients included in the DFS analysis had a median age of 49 years (range, 22 to 80 years; 6% > 65 years), 84% were White, 7% Black, 4% Hispanic, and 4% Asian/Pacific Islander.
Disease characteristics included 90% infiltrating ductal histology, 38% T1, 91% nodal involvement, 27% intermediate and 66% high grade pathology, and 53% ER+ and/or PR+ tumors. HERA In HERA, breast tumor specimens were required to show HER2 overexpression (3+ by IHC) or gene amplification (by FISH) as determined at a central laboratory. Patients with node-negative disease were required to have ≥ T1c primary tumor.
Patients with a history of congestive heart failure or LVEF < 55%, uncontrolled arrhythmias, angina requiring medication, clinically significant valvular heart disease, evidence of transmural infarction on ECG, poorly controlled hypertension (systolic > 180 mm Hg or diastolic > 100 mm Hg) were not eligible. Patients were randomized (1:1:1) upon completion of definitive surgery, and at least four cycles of chemotherapy to receive no additional treatment, or one year of trastuzumab treatment or two years of trastuzumab treatment. Patients undergoing a lumpectomy had also completed standard radiotherapy.
Patients with ER+ and/or PgR+ disease received systemic adjuvant hormonal therapy at investigator discretion. Trastuzumab was administered with an initial dose of 8 mg/kg followed by subsequent doses of 6 mg/kg once every three weeks. The major efficacy outcome measure was Disease-Free Survival (DFS), defined as in NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831. HERA was designed to compare one and two years of once every three week trastuzumab treatment versus observation in patients with HER2 positive EBC following surgery, established chemotherapy and radiotherapy (if applicable). A protocol specified interim efficacy analysis comparing one-year trastuzumab treatment to observation was performed at a median follow-up duration of 12.6 months in the trastuzumab arm.
Among the 3386 patients randomized to the observation (n = 1693) and trastuzumab one year (n = 1693) treatment arms, the median age was 49 years (range 21 to 80), 83% were White, and 13% were Asian. Disease characteristics: 94% infiltrating ductal carcinoma, 50% ER+ and/or PgR+, 57% node positive, 32% node negative, and in 11% of patients, nodal status was not assessable due to prior neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Ninety-six percent (1055/1098) of patients with node-negative disease had high-risk features: among the 1098 patients with node-negative disease, 49% were ER- and PgR-, and 47% were ER and/or PgR + and had at least one of the following high-risk features: pathological tumor size greater than 2 cm, Grade 2 to 3, or age < 35 years.
Prior to randomization, 94% of patients had received anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens. After the DFS results comparing observation to one-year trastuzumab treatment were disclosed, a prospectively planned analysis that included comparison of one year versus two years of trastuzumab treatment at a median follow-up duration of 8 years was performed. Based on this analysis, extending trastuzumab treatment for a duration of two years did not show additional benefit over treatment for one year.
BCIRG006 In BCIRG006, breast tumor specimens were required to show HER2 gene amplification (FISH+ only) as determined at a central laboratory. Patients were required to have either node-positive disease, or node-negative disease with at least one of the following high-risk features: ER/PR-negative, tumor size > 2 cm, age < 35 years, or histologic and/or nuclear Grade 2 or 3. Patients with a history of CHF, myocardial infarction, Grade 3 or 4 cardiac arrhythmia, angina requiring medication, clinically significant valvular heart disease, poorly controlled hypertension (diastolic > 100 mm Hg), any T4 or N2, or known N3 or M1 breast cancer were not eligible. Patients were randomized (1:1:1) to receive doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (AC-T), doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel plus trastuzumab (AC-TH), or docetaxel and carboplatin plus trastuzumab (TCH). In both the AC-T and AC-TH arms, doxorubicin 60 mg/m 2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m 2 were administered every 3 weeks for four cycles; docetaxel 100 mg/m 2 was administered every 3 weeks for four cycles.
In the TCH arm, docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 and carboplatin (at a target AUC of 6 mg/mL/min as a 30- to 60-minute infusion) were administered every 3 weeks for six cycles. Trastuzumab was administered weekly (initial dose of 4 mg/kg followed by weekly dose of 2 mg/kg) concurrently with either T or TC, and then every 3 weeks (6 mg/kg) as monotherapy for a total of 52 weeks. Radiation therapy, if administered, was initiated after completion of chemotherapy.
Patients with ER+ and/or PR+ tumors received hormonal therapy. Disease-Free Survival (DFS) was the major efficacy outcome measure. Among 3222 patients, the median age was 49 (range 22 to 74 years; 6% ≥ 65 years). Disease characteristics included 54% ER+ and/or PR+ and 71% node positive.
Prior to randomization, all patients underwent primary surgery for breast cancer. The results for DFS for the integrated analysis of NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831, HERA, and BCIRG006 and OS results for the integrated analysis of NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831, and HERA are presented in Table 9. For NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831, the duration of DFS following a median follow-up of 2.0 years in the AC→TH arm is presented in Figure 4, and the duration of OS after a median follow-up of 8.3 years in the AC→TH arm is presented in Figure 5. The duration of DFS for BCIRG006 is presented in Figure 6. For NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831, the OS hazard ratio was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.74). At 8.3 years of median follow up, the survival rate was estimated to be 86.9% in the AC→TH arm and 79.4% in the AC→T arm. The final OS analysis results from NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831 indicate that OS benefit by age, hormone receptor status, number of positive lymph nodes, tumor size and grade, and surgery/radiation therapy was consistent with the treatment effect in the overall population.
In patients ≤ 50 years of age (n = 2197), the OS hazard ratio was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.52, 0.81) and in patients > 50 years of age (n = 1866), the OS hazard ratio was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.51, 0.78). In the subgroup of patients with hormone receptor-positive disease (ER-positive and/or PR-positive) (n = 2223), the hazard ratio for OS was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.51, 0.78). In the subgroup of patients with hormone receptor-negative disease (ER-negative and PR-negative) (n = 1830), the hazard ratio for OS was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.52, 0.80). In the subgroup of patients with tumor size ≤ 2 cm (n = 1604), the hazard ratio for OS was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.71). In the subgroup of patients with tumor size > 2 cm (n = 2448), the hazard ratio for OS was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.80). Table 9: Efficacy Results from Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer (NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831, HERA, and BCIRG006) DFS events DFS Hazard ratio (95% CI) p-value Deaths (OS events) OS Hazard ratio p-value NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831 CI = confidence interval AC→TH (n = 1872) † (n = 2031) ‡ 133 0.48 § p< 0.0001 ¶ 289 0.64 p< 0.0001 AC→T (n = 1880) (n = 2032) 261 418 HERA # Chemo→Trastuzumab (n = 1693) 127 0.54 p< 0.0001 Þ 31 0.75 p = NS ß Chemo→Observation (n = 1693) 219 40 BCIRG006 TCH (n = 1075) 134 0.67 (0.54 to 0.84) p=0.0006 à 56 AC→TH (n = 1074) 121 0.60 (0.48 to 0.76) p< 0.0001 è 49 AC→T (n = 1073) 180 80 Figure 4: Duration of Disease-Free Survival in Patients with Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer (NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831) Figure 5: Overall Survival in Patients with Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer (NSABP B31 and NCCTG N9831) Figure 6: Disease-Free Survival in Patients with Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer (BCIRG006) Exploratory analyses of DFS as a function of HER2 overexpression or gene amplification were conducted for patients in NCCTG N9831 and HERA, where central laboratory testing data were available. The results are shown in Table 10. The number of events in NCCTG N9831 was small with the exception of the IHC 3+/FISH+ subgroup, which constituted 81% of those with data. Definitive conclusions cannot be drawn regarding efficacy within other subgroups due to the small number of events.
The number of events in HERA was adequate to demonstrate significant effects on DFS in the IHC 3+/FISH unknown and the FISH+/IHC unknown subgroups. Table 10: DFS in NCCTG N9831 and HERA for Patients with HER2 Overexpression or Amplification NCCTG N9831 HERA Median follow-up duration of 12.6 months in the one-year trastuzumab treatment arm. HER2 Assay Result IHC by HercepTest, FISH by PathVysion (HER2/CEP17 ratio ≥ 2.0) as performed at a central laboratory.
Number of Patients Hazard Ratio DFS (95% CI) Number of Patients Hazard Ratio DFS (95% CI) IHC 3+ FISH (+) 1170 0.42 91 0.56 FISH (-) 51 0.71 8 - FISH Unknown 51 0.69 2258 0.53 IHC < 3+ / FISH (+) 174 1.01 299 All cases in this category in HERA were IHC 2+. 0.53 IHC unknown / FISH (+) - - 724 0.59 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6
Metastatic Breast Cancer
The safety and efficacy of trastuzumab in treatment of women with metastatic breast cancer were studied in a randomized, controlled clinical trial in combination with chemotherapy (H0648g, n = 469 patients) and an open-label, single agent clinical trial (H0649g, n = 222 patients). Both trials studied patients with metastatic breast cancer whose tumors overexpress the HER2 protein. Patients were eligible if they had 2 or 3 levels of overexpression (based on a 0 to 3 scale) by immunohistochemical assessment of tumor tissue performed by a central testing lab. Previously Untreated Metastatic Breast Cancer (H0648g) H0648g was a multicenter, randomized, open-label clinical trial conducted in 469 women with metastatic breast cancer who had not been previously treated with chemotherapy for metastatic disease.
Tumor specimens were tested by IHC (Clinical Trial Assay, CTA) and scored as 0, 1+, 2+, or 3+, with 3+ indicating the strongest positivity. Only patients with 2+ or 3+ positive tumors were eligible (about 33% of those screened). Patients were randomized to receive chemotherapy alone or in combination with trastuzumab given intravenously as a 4 mg/kg loading dose followed by weekly doses of trastuzumab at 2 mg/kg. For those who had received prior anthracycline therapy in the adjuvant setting, chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel (175 mg/m 2 over 3 hours every 21 days for at least six cycles); for all other patients, chemotherapy consisted of anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide (AC: doxorubicin 60 mg/m 2 or epirubicin 75 mg/m 2 plus 600 mg/m 2 cyclophosphamide every 21 days for six cycles). Sixty-five percent of patients randomized to receive chemotherapy alone in this study received trastuzumab at the time of disease progression as part of a separate extension study.
Based upon the determination by an independent Response Evaluation Committee, the patients randomized to trastuzumab and chemotherapy experienced a significantly longer median time to disease progression (TTP), a higher overall response rate (ORR), and a longer median duration of response (DoR), as compared with patients randomized to chemotherapy alone. Patients randomized to trastuzumab and chemotherapy also had a longer median overall survival (OS) (see Table 11 ). These treatment effects were observed both in patients who received trastuzumab plus paclitaxel and in those who received trastuzumab plus AC; however, the magnitude of the effects was greater in the paclitaxel subgroup. Table 11: H0648g: Efficacy Results in First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer Combined Results Paclitaxel Subgroup AC AC = Anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) and cyclophosphamide Subgroup Trastuzumab + All Chemotherapy (n = 235) All Chemo-therapy (n = 234) Trastuzumab + Paclitaxel (n = 92) Paclitaxel (n = 96) Trastuzumab + AC (n = 143) AC (n = 138) Time to Disease Progression (TTP) Median (months) 7.2 4.5 6.7 2.5 7.6 5.7 95% CI 7, 8 4, 5 5, 10 2, 4 7, 9 5, 7 p-value < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0.002 Overall Response Rate (ORR) Events (n) 45 29 38 15 50 38 95% CI 39, 51 23, 35 28, 48 8, 22 42, 58 30, 46 p-value Χ 2 -test < 0.001 < 0.001 0.10 Duration of Response (DoR) Median (months) Assessed by an independent Response Evaluation Committee 8.3 5.8 8.3 4.3 8.4 6.4 25%, 75% Quartile 6, 15 4, 8 5, 11 4, 7 6, 15 4, 8 Overall Sruvival (OS) Median (months) Kaplan-Meier Estimate 25.1 20.3 22.1 18.4 26.8 21.4 95% CI 22, 30 17, 24 17, 29 13, 24 23, 33 18, 27 p-value log-rank test 0.05 0.17 0.16 Data from H0648g suggest that the beneficial treatment effects were largely limited to patients with the highest level of HER2 protein overexpression (3+) (see Table 12 ). Table 12: Treatment Effects in H0648g as a Function of HER2 Overexpression or Amplification HER2 Assay Result Number of Patients (N) Relative Risk The relative risk represents the risk of progression or death in the trastuzumab plus chemotherapy arm versus the chemotherapy arm. for Time to Disease Progression (95% CI) Relative Risk for Mortality (95% CI) CTA 2+ or 3+ 469 0.49 0.80 FISH (+) FISH testing results were available for 451 of the 469 patients enrolled on study. 325 0.44 0.70 FISH (-) 126 0.62 1.06 CTA 2+ 120 0.76 1.26 FISH (+) 32 0.54 1.31 FISH (-) 83 0.77 1.11 CTA 3+ 349 0.42 0.70 FISH (+) 293 0.42 0.67 FISH (-) 43 0.43 0.88 Previously Treated Metastatic Breast Cancer (H0649g) Trastuzumab was studied as a single agent in a multicenter, open-label, single-arm clinical trial (H0649g) in patients with HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer who had relapsed following one or two prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease.
Of 222 patients enrolled, 66% had received prior adjuvant chemotherapy, 68% had received two prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease, and 25% had received prior myeloablative treatment with hematopoietic rescue. Patients were treated with a loading dose of 4 mg/kg IV followed by weekly doses of trastuzumab at 2 mg/kg IV. The ORR (complete response + partial response), as determined by an independent Response Evaluation Committee, was 14%, with a 2% complete response rate and a 12% partial response rate. Complete responses were observed only in patients with disease limited to skin and lymph nodes.
The overall response rate in patients whose tumors tested as CTA 3+ was 18% while in those that tested as CTA 2+, it was 6%.
Metastatic Gastric Cancer
The safety and efficacy of trastuzumab in combination with cisplatin and a fluoropyrimidine (capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil) were studied in patients previously untreated for metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (ToGA). In this open-label, multi-center trial, 594 patients were randomized 1:1 to trastuzumab in combination with cisplatin and a fluoropyrimidine (FC+H) or chemotherapy alone (FC). Randomization was stratified by extent of disease (metastatic vs. locally advanced), primary site (gastric vs. gastroesophageal junction), tumor measurability (yes vs. no), ECOG performance status (0, 1 vs. 2), and fluoropyrimidine (capecitabine vs. 5-fluorouracil). All patients were either HER2 gene amplified (FISH+) or HER2 overexpressing (IHC 3+). Patients were also required to have adequate cardiac function (e.g., LVEF > 50%). On the trastuzumab-containing arm, trastuzumab was administered as an IV infusion at an initial dose of 8 mg/kg followed by 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks until disease progression. On both study arms, cisplatin was administered at a dose of 80 mg/m 2 Day 1 every 3 weeks for 6 cycles as a 2 hour IV infusion. On both study arms, capecitabine was administered at 1000 mg/m 2 dose orally twice daily (total daily dose 2000 mg/m 2 ) for 14 days of each 21 day cycle for 6 cycles.
Alternatively, continuous intravenous infusion (CIV) 5-fluorouracil was administered at a dose of 800 mg/m 2 /day from Day 1 through Day 5 every three weeks for 6 cycles. The median age of the study population was 60 years (range: 21 to 83); 76% were male; 53% were Asian, 38% Caucasian, 5% Hispanic, 5% other racial/ethnic groups; 91% had ECOG PS of 0 or 1; 82% had primary gastric cancer and 18% had primary gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Of these patients, 23% had undergone prior gastrectomy, 7% had received prior neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy, and 2% had received prior radiotherapy.
The main outcome measure of ToGA was overall survival (OS), analyzed by the unstratified log-rank test. The final OS analysis based on 351 deaths was statistically significant (nominal significance level of 0.0193). An updated OS analysis was conducted at one year after the final analysis. The efficacy results of both the final and the updated analyses are summarized in Table 13 and Figure 7. Table 13: Overall Survival in ToGA (ITT Population) FC + Trastuzumab Arm N = 298 FC FC = capecitabine vs. 5-fluorouracil Arm N = 296 Overall Survival (interim analysis) N (%) 167 (56.0%) 184 (62.2%) Median (months) 13.5 11.0 95% CI Hazard Ratio 0.73 95% CI p value Two sided p-value comparing with the nominal significance level of 0.0193 0.0038 Overall Survival (updated) N (%) 221 (74.2%) 227 (76.7%) Median (months) 13.1 11.7 95% CI Hazard Ratio 0.80 95% CI Figure 7: Updated Overall Survival in Patients with Metastatic Gastric Cancer (ToGA) An exploratory analysis of OS in patients based on HER2 gene amplification (FISH) and protein overexpression (IHC) testing is summarized in Table 14. Table 14: Exploratory Analyses by HER2 Status Using Updated Overall Survival Results FC (N = 296) Two patients on the FC arm who were FISH+ but IHC status unknown were excluded from the exploratory subgroup analyses.
FC + H (N = 298) Five patients on the trastuzumab-containing arm who were FISH+, but IHC status unknown were excluded from the exploratory subgroup analyses. FISH+ / IHC 0, 1+ subgroup (N=133) No. Deaths / n (%) 57/71 (80%) 56/62 (90%) Median OS Duration (mos.) 8.8 8.3 95% CI (mos.) Hazard ratio (95% CI) 1.33 FISH+ / IHC2+ subgroup (N=160) No.
Deaths / n (%) 65/80 (81%) 64/80 (80%) Median OS Duration (mos.) 10.8 12.3 95% CI (mos.) Hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.78 FISH+ or FISH- / IHC3+ Includes 6 patients on chemotherapy arm, 10 patients on trastuzumab arm with FISH–, IHC3+ and 8 patients on chemotherapy arm, 8 patients on trastuzumab arm with FISH status unknown, IHC 3+. subgroup (N=294) No. Deaths / n (%) 104/143 (73%) 96/151 (64%) Median OS Duration (mos.) 13.2 18.0 95% CI (mos.) Hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.66 Figure 7
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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