Kadcyla Drug Information
Generic name: ADO-TRASTUZUMAB EMTANSINE
Uses of Kadcyla
Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) KADCYLA ®, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer who previously received trastuzumab and a taxane, separately or in combination. Patients should have either: Received prior therapy for metastatic disease, or Developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant therapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-authorized test for KADCYLA.
Early Breast Cancer (EBC)
KADCYLA, as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer who have residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant taxane and trastuzumab -based treatment.
Dosage & Administration of Kadcyla
Patient Selection
Select patients based on HER2 protein overexpression or HER2 gene amplification in tumor specimens. Assessment of HER2 protein overexpression and/or HER2 gene amplification should be performed using FDA-authorized tests specific for breast cancers by laboratories with demonstrated proficiency. Information on the FDA-authorized tests for the detection of HER2 protein overexpression and HER2 gene amplification is available at: http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics.
Improper assay performance, including use of sub-optimally 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 Doses and Schedules
Do not substitute trastuzumab for or with KADCYLA. The recommended dose of KADCYLA is 3.6 mg/kg given as an intravenous infusion every 3 weeks (21-day cycle). Do not administer KADCYLA at doses greater than 3.6 mg/kg.
Closely monitor the infusion site for possible subcutaneous infiltration during drug administration. First infusion: Administer infusion over 90 minutes. Observe patients during the infusion and for at least 90 minutes following the initial dose for fever, chills, or other infusion-related reactions.
Subsequent infusions: Administer over 30 minutes if prior infusions were well tolerated. Observe patients during the infusion and for at least 30 minutes after infusion. Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Patients with MBC should receive treatment until disease progression or unmanageable toxicity.
Early Breast Cancer (EBC) Patients with EBC should receive treatment for a total of 14 cycles unless there is disease recurrence or unmanageable toxicity.
Dose Modifications
Do not re-escalate the KADCYLA dose after a dose reduction is made. If a planned dose is delayed or missed, administer as soon as possible; do not wait until the next planned cycle. Adjust the schedule of administration to maintain a 3-week interval between doses.
Administer the infusion at the dose and rate the patient tolerated in the most recent infusion. Slow or interrupt the infusion rate of KADCYLA if the patient develops an infusion-related reaction. Permanently discontinue KADCYLA for life-threatening infusion-related reactions.
Management of increased serum transaminases, hyperbilirubinemia, left ventricular dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, pulmonary toxicity or peripheral neuropathy may require temporary interruption, dose reduction or treatment discontinuation of KADCYLA as per guidelines provided in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 Recommended Table 2 Dose Modification Guidelines for KADCYLA
Preparation for Administration
In order to prevent medication errors it is important to check the vial labels to ensure that the drug being prepared and administered is KADCYLA (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) and not trastuzumab. Administration: Administer KADCYLA as an intravenous infusion only with a 0.2 or 0.22 micron in-line polyethersulfone (PES) filter. Do not administer as an intravenous push or bolus.
Do not mix KADCYLA, or administer as an infusion, with other medicinal products. Reconstitution: Use aseptic technique for reconstitution and preparation of dosing solution. Appropriate procedures for the preparation of chemotherapeutic drugs should be used.
Swirl the vial gently until completely dissolved. Do not shake. Inspect the reconstituted solution for particulates and discoloration.
The reconstituted solution should be clear to slightly opalescent and free of visible particulates. The color of the reconstituted solution should be colorless to pale brown. Do not use if the reconstituted solution contains visible particulates or is cloudy or discolored.
The reconstituted lyophilized vials should be used immediately following reconstitution with Sterile Water for Injection or 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection. If not used immediately, the reconstituted KADCYLA vials can be stored for up to 120 hours (5 days) in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F); discard unused KADCYLA after 120 hours (5 days) if stored at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze.
The reconstituted product contains no preservative and is intended for single-dose only. Dilution: Determine the correct dose (mg) of KADCYLA. Calculate the volume of the 20 mg/mL reconstituted KADCYLA solution needed.
Withdraw this amount from the vial and add it to an infusion bag containing 250 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. Do not use Dextrose (5%) solution. Gently invert the bag to mix the solution in order to avoid foaming.
The diluted KADCYLA infusion solution should be used immediately. If not used immediately, the solution may be stored in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 24 hours prior to use. This storage time is additional to the time allowed for the reconstituted vials.
Do not freeze or shake.
| Dose Reduction Schedule | Dose Level |
|---|---|
| Starting dose | 3.6 mg/kg |
| First dose reduction | 3 mg/kg |
| Second dose reduction | 2.4 mg/kg |
| Requirement for further dose reduction | Discontinue treatment |
| ALT = alanine transaminase; AST = aspartate transaminase, CHF = congestive heart failure, DILI = Drug Induced Liver Injury; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction, LVSD = left ventricular systolic dysfunction, TBILI = Total Bilirubin, ULN = upper limit of normal | ||
| Dose Modifications for Patients with MBC | ||
| Adverse reaction | Severity | Treatment modification |
| Increased Transaminase (AST/ALT) | Grade 2 (> 2.5 to ≤ 5× the ULN) | Treat at the same dose level. |
| Grade 3 (> 5 to ≤ 20× the ULN) | Do not administer KADCYLA until AST/ALT recovers to Grade ≤ 2, and then reduce one dose level | |
| Grade 4 (> 20× the ULN) | Discontinue KADCYLA | |
| Hyperbilirubinemia | Grade 2 (> 1.5 to ≤ 3× the ULN) | Do not administer KADCYLA until total bilirubin recovers to Grade ≤ 1, and then treat at the same dose level. |
| Grade 3 (> 3 to ≤ 10× the ULN) | Do not administer KADCYLA until total bilirubin recovers to Grade ≤ 1 and then reduce one dose level. | |
| Grade 4 (> 10× the ULN) | Discontinue KADCYLA | |
| Drug Induced Liver Injury (DILI) | Serum transaminases > 3 × ULN and concomitant total bilirubin > 2 × ULN | Permanently discontinue KADCYLA in the absence of another likely cause for the elevation of liver enzymes and bilirubin, e.g. liver metastasis or concomitant medication |
| Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia (NRH) | All Grades | Permanently discontinue KADCYLA |
| Thrombocytopenia | Grade 3 (25,000 to < 50,000/mm 3 ) | Do not administer KADCYLA until platelet count recovers to Grade ≤ 1 (≥ 75,000/mm 3 ), and then treat at the same dose level |
| Grade 4 (< 25,000/mm 3 ) | Do not administer KADCYLA until platelet count recovers to Grade ≤ 1 (≥ 75,000/mm 3 ), and then reduce one dose level | |
| Left Ventricular Dysfunction | Symptomatic CHF | Discontinue KADCYLA |
| LVEF < 40% | Do not administer KADCYLA Repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. If LVEF < 40% is confirmed, discontinue KADCYLA | |
| LVEF 40% to ≤ 45% and decrease is ≥ 10% points from baseline | Do not administer KADCYLA Repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. If the LVEF has not recovered to within 10% points from baseline, discontinue KADCYLA | |
| LVEF 40% to ≤ 45% and decrease is < 10% points from baseline | Continue treatment with KADCYLA. Repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. | |
| LVEF > 45% | Continue treatment with KADCYLA. | |
| Pulmonary Toxicity | Interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis | Permanently discontinue KADCYLA |
| Peripheral Neuropathy | Grade 3-4 | Do not administer KADCYLA until resolution Grade ≤ 2 |
| Dose Modification Guidelines for EBC | ||
| Adverse reaction | Severity | Treatment modification |
| Increased Alanine Transaminase (ALT) | Grade 2-3 (> 3.0 to ≤ 20 × ULN on day of scheduled treatment) | Do not administer KADCYLA until ALT recovers to Grade ≤ 1, and then reduce one dose level |
| Grade 4 (> 20 × ULN at any time) | Discontinue KADCYLA | |
| Increased Aspartate Transaminase (AST) | Grade 2 (> 3.0 to ≤ 5 × ULN on day of scheduled treatment) | Do not administer KADCYLA until AST recovers to Grade ≤ 1, and then treat at the same dose level |
| Grade 3 (> 5 to ≤ 20 × ULN on day of scheduled treatment) | Do not administer KADCYLA until AST recovers to Grade ≤ 1, and then reduce one dose level | |
| Grade 4 (> 20 × ULN at any time) | Discontinue KADCYLA | |
| Hyperbilirubinemia | TBILI > 1.0 to ≤ 2.0 × the ULN on day of scheduled treatment | Do not administer KADCYLA until total bilirubin recovers to ≤ 1.0 × ULN, and then reduce one dose level |
| TBILI > 2 × ULN at any time | Discontinue KADCYLA | |
| Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia (NRH) | All Grades | Permanently discontinue KADCYLA |
| Thrombocytopenia | Grade 2-3 on day of scheduled treatment (25,000 to < 75,000/mm 3 ) | Do not administer KADCYLA until platelet count recovers to Grade ≤ 1 (≥ 75,000/mm 3 ), and then treat at the same dose level. If a patient requires 2 delays due to thrombocytopenia, consider reducing dose by one level. |
| Grade 4 at any time < 25,000/mm 3 | Do not administer KADCYLA until platelet count recovers to Grade ≤ 1 (≥ 75,000/mm 3 ), and then reduce one dose level. | |
| Left Ventricular Dysfunction | LVEF < 45% | Do not administer KADCYLA Repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. If LVEF < 45% is confirmed, discontinue KADCYLA. |
| LVEF 45% to < 50% and decrease is ≥ 10% points from baseline Prior to starting KADCYLA treatment | Do not administer KADCYLA Repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. If the LVEF remains < 50% and has not recovered to < 10% points from baseline, discontinue KADCYLA. | |
| LVEF 45% to < 50% and decrease is < 10% points from baseline | Continue treatment with KADCYLA. Repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. | |
| LVEF ≥ 50% | Continue treatment with KADCYLA. | |
| Heart Failure | Symptomatic CHF, Grade 3-4 LVSD or Grade 3-4 heart failure, or Grade 2 heart failure accompanied by LVEF < 45% | Discontinue KADCYLA |
| Peripheral Neuropathy | Grade 3-4 | Do not administer KADCYLA until resolution Grade ≤ 2 |
| Pulmonary Toxicity | Interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis | Permanently discontinue KADCYLA |
| Radiotherapy-Related Pneumonitis | Grade 2 | Discontinue KADCYLA if not resolving with standard treatment |
| Grade 3-4 | Discontinue KADCYLA | |
Side Effects of Kadcyla
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 data in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS reflect exposure to KADCYLA as a single agent at 3.6 mg/kg given as an intravenous infusion every 3 weeks (21-day cycle) in 1624 patients including 884 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and 740 patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer (KATHERINE trial). Metastatic Breast Cancer In clinical trials, KADCYLA has been evaluated as single-agent in 884 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
The most common (≥ 25%) adverse reactions were fatigue, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, headache, increased transaminases, constipation and epistaxis. The adverse reactions described in Table 3 were identified in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer treated in the EMILIA trial. Patients were randomized to receive KADCYLA or lapatinib plus capecitabine.
The median duration of study treatment was 7.6 months for patients in the KADCYLA-treated group and 5.5 months and 5.3 months for patients treated with lapatinib and capecitabine, respectively. In the EMILIA trial, 43% of patients experienced Grade ≥ 3 adverse reactions in the KADCYLA-treated group compared with 59% of patients in the lapatinib plus capecitabine-treated group. Dose adjustments for KADCYLA were permitted.
The most common adverse reactions leading to KADCYLA discontinuation were thrombocytopenia and increased transaminases. Eighty patients (16%) treated with KADCYLA had adverse reactions leading to dose reductions. The most frequent adverse reactions leading to dose reduction of KADCYLA (in ≥ 1% of patients) included thrombocytopenia, increased transaminases, and peripheral neuropathy.
Adverse reactions that led to dose delays occurred in 116 (24%) of KADCYLA treated patients. The most frequent adverse reactions leading to a dose delay of KADCYLA (in ≥ 1% of patients) were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, fatigue, increased transaminases and pyrexia. Table 3 reports the adverse reactions that occurred in patients in the KADCYLA-treated group (n=490) of the EMILIA trial.
Selected laboratory abnormalities are shown in Table 4. The most common NCI–CTCAE (version 3) Grade ≥ 3 adverse reactions (frequency > 2%) were thrombocytopenia, increased transaminases, anemia, hypokalemia, peripheral neuropathy and fatigue. Table 3 Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 10% of Patients on the KADCYLA Treatment Arm in the EMILIA Trial Grouped terms were used for the following Adverse Reactions: Thrombocytopenia: thrombocytopenia, platelet count decreased Anemia: anemia, hemoglobin decreased Abdominal pain: abdominal pain, abdominal pain upper Stomatitis: stomatitis, mucosal inflammation, oropharyngeal pain Transaminases Increased: transaminases increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, alanine aminotransferase increased, gamma-glutamyltransferase increased, liver function test abnormal, hepatic enzyme increased, hepatic function abnormal Hypokalemia: hypokalemia, blood potassium decreased Musculoskeletal Pain: muscle spasms, musculoskeletal discomfort, musculoskeletal chest pain, back pain, pain in extremity, bone pain, musculoskeletal pain Peripheral neuropathy: neuropathy peripheral, peripheral sensory neuropathy, peripheral motor neuropathy, paresthesia Hemorrhage: Hemorrhage terms (excl laboratory terms) (SMQ, wide), The following clinically relevant adverse reactions were reported in < 10% of patients in the KADCYLA-treated group in EMILIA: dyspepsia (9%), urinary tract infection (9%), chills (8%), dysgeusia (8%), neutropenia (7%), peripheral edema (7%), pruritus (6%), hypertension (5%), blood alkaline phosphatase increased (4.7%), vision blurred (4.5%), conjunctivitis (3.9%), dry eye (3.9%), lacrimation increased (3.3%), drug hypersensitivity (2.2%), left ventricular dysfunction (1.8%), infusion-related reaction (1.4%), pneumonitis (1.2%), nodular regenerative hyperplasia (0.4%), portal hypertension (0.4%).
The adverse reactions described in Table 5 were identified in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer treated in the KATHERINE trial. Patients were randomized to receive KADCYLA or trastuzumab. The median duration of study treatment was 10 months for patients in the KADCYLA-treated group and 10 months for patients treated with trastuzumab.
One hundred and thirty-three patients (18%) discontinued KADCYLA due to an adverse reaction, compared with 15 patients (2.1%) who discontinued trastuzumab due to an adverse reaction. The most common adverse reactions leading to KADCYLA discontinuation (in ≥ 1% of patients) were platelet count decreased, blood bilirubin increased, ejection fraction decreased, AST increased, ALT increased, and peripheral neuropathy. One hundred and six patients (14%) treated with KADCYLA had dose reductions.
Adverse reactions that led to dose delays occurred in 106 (14%) of KADCYLA treated patients. Selected laboratory abnormalities are shown in Table 6. The most common adverse reactions seen with KADCYLA in the randomized trial (frequency > 25%) were fatigue, nausea, increased transaminases, musculoskeletal pain, hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, headache, peripheral neuropathy, and arthralgia.
Table 6 Selected Laboratory Abnormalities (KATHERINE)
Post-Marketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of KADCYLA. 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. Adverse Reactions from Observational Studies CHF and > 10% reduction in LVEF in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer with a baseline LVEF of 40-49% treated with KADCYLA.
Adverse Reactions from Postmarketing Spontaneous Reports Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) Skin/tissue necrosis after extravasation
| Adverse Reactions | KADCYLA (3.6 mg/kg) n=490 | Lapatinib (1250 mg) + Capecitabine (2000 mg/m 2 ) n=488 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Grades (%) | Grade 3 – 4 (%) | All Grades (%) | Grade 3 – 4 (%) | |
| SMQ=standardized MedDRA queries | ||||
| Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders | ||||
| Thrombocytopenia | 31 | 15 | 3.3 | 0.4 |
| Anemia | 14 | 4.1 | 11 | 2.5 |
| Gastrointestinal Disorders | ||||
| Nausea | 40 | 0.8 | 45 | 2.5 |
| Constipation | 27 | 0.4 | 11 | 0 |
| Diarrhea | 24 | 1.6 | 80 | 21 |
| Vomiting | 19 | 0.8 | 30 | 4.5 |
| Abdominal pain | 19 | 0.8 | 18 | 1.6 |
| Dry Mouth | 17 | 0 | 4.9 | 0.2 |
| Stomatitis | 14 | 0.2 | 33 | 2.5 |
| General Disorders and Administration | ||||
| Fatigue | 36 | 2.5 | 28 | 3.5 |
| Pyrexia | 19 | 0.2 | 8 | 0.4 |
| Asthenia | 18 | 0.4 | 18 | 1.6 |
| Investigations | ||||
| Transaminases increased | 29 | 8.0 | 14 | 2.5 |
| Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders | ||||
| Hypokalemia | 10 | 2.7 | 9 | 4.7 |
| Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders | ||||
| Musculoskeletal pain | 36 | 1.8 | 31 | 1.4 |
| Arthralgia | 19 | 0.6 | 8 | 0 |
| Myalgia | 14 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 0 |
| Nervous System Disorders | ||||
| Headache | 28 | 0.8 | 15 | 0.8 |
| Peripheral neuropathy | 21 | 2.2 | 14 | 0.2 |
| Dizziness | 10 | 0.4 | 11 | 0.2 |
| Psychiatric Disorders | ||||
| Insomnia | 12 | 0.4 | 9 | 0.2 |
| Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders | ||||
| Epistaxis | 23 | 0.2 | 8 | 0 |
| Cough | 18 | 0.2 | 13 | 0.2 |
| Dyspnea | 12 | 0.8 | 8 | 0.4 |
| Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | ||||
| Rash | 12 | 0 | 28 | 1.8 |
| Vascular Disorders | ||||
| Hemorrhage | 32 | 1.8 | 16 | 0.8 |
| Parameter | KADCYLA (3.6 mg/kg) | Lapatinib (1250 mg) + Capecitabine (2000 mg/m 2 ) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Grades (%) | Grade 3 (%) | Grade 4 (%) | All Grades (%) | Grade 3 (%) | Grade 4 (%) | |
| Chemistry | ||||||
| Increased AST | 98 | 7 | 0.5 | 65 | 3 | 0 |
| Increased ALT | 82 | 5 | 0.2 | 54 | 3 | 0 |
| Decreased potassium | 33 | 3 | 0 | 31 | 6 | 0.8 |
| Increased bilirubin | 17 | 0.6 | 0 | 57 | 2 | 0 |
| Hematology | ||||||
| Decreased platelet count | 83 | 14 | 3 | 21 | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Decreased hemoglobin | 60 | 4 | 1 | 64 | 3 | 0.2 |
| Decreased neutrophils | 39 | 3 | 0.6 | 38 | 6 | 2 |
| Adverse Reactions | KADCYLA n=740 | Trastuzumab n=720 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All grades (%) | Grade 3 – 4 (%) | All grades (%) | Grade 3 – 4 (%) | |
| SMQ=standardized MedDRA queries | ||||
| Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders | ||||
| Thrombocytopenia | 29 | 6 | 2.4 | 0.3 |
| Anemia | 10 | 1.1 | 9 | 0.1 |
| Gastrointestinal Disorders | ||||
| Nausea | 42 | 0.5 | 13 | 0.3 |
| Constipation | 17 | 0.1 | 8 | 0 |
| Stomatitis | 15 | 0.1 | 8 | 0.1 |
| Vomiting | 15 | 0.5 | 5 | 0.3 |
| Dry Mouth | 14 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0 |
| Diarrhea | 12 | 0.8 | 13 | 0.3 |
| Abdominal pain | 11 | 0.4 | 7 | 0.3 |
| General Disorders and Administration | ||||
| Fatigue | 50 | 1.1 | 34 | 0.1 |
| Pyrexia | 10 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Infections and Infestations | ||||
| Urinary tract infection | 10 | 0.3 | 6 | 0.1 |
| Investigations | ||||
| Transaminases increased | 32 | 1.5 | 8 | 0.4 |
| Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders | ||||
| Musculoskeletal pain | 30 | 0.7 | 29 | 0.7 |
| Arthralgia | 26 | 0.1 | 21 | 0 |
| Myalgia | 15 | 0.4 | 11 | 0 |
| Nervous System Disorders | ||||
| Headache | 28 | 0 | 17 | 0.1 |
| Peripheral neuropathy | 28 | 1.6 | 14 | 0.1 |
| Dizziness | 10 | 0.1 | 8 | 0.3 |
| Psychiatric Disorders | ||||
| Insomnia | 14 | 0 | 12 | 0.1 |
| Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders | ||||
| Epistaxis | 22 | 0 | 3.5 | 0 |
| Cough | 14 | 0.1 | 12 | 0 |
| Vascular Disorders | ||||
| Hemorrhage | 29 | 0.4 Included one fatal hemorrhage. | 10 | 0.3 |
| Parameter | KADCYLA n=740 | Trastuzumab n=720 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Grade (%) | Grade 3 (%) | Grade 4 (%) | All Grade (%) | Grade 3 (%) | Grade 4 (%) | |
| Chemistry | ||||||
| Increased AST | 79 | 0.8 | 0 | 21 | 0.1 | 0 |
| Increased ALT | 55 | 0.7 | 0 | 21 | 0.1 | 0 |
| Decreased potassium | 26 | 2 | 0.5 | 9 | 0.7 | 0.1 |
| Increased bilirubin | 12 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.7 | 0 |
| Hematology | ||||||
| Decreased platelet count | 51 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Decreased hemoglobin | 31 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 0.3 | 0 |
| Decreased neutrophils | 24 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
Warnings & Cautions for Kadcyla
Hepatotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity, predominantly in the form of asymptomatic, transient increases in the concentrations of serum transaminases, has been observed in clinical trials with KADCYLA. Serious hepatotoxicity, including 3 fatal cases, has been observed in clinical trials (n=1624) with KADCYLA as single-agent. All fatal cases occurred in MBC clinical trials with KADCYLA, which included severe drug-induced liver injury and associated hepatic encephalopathy.
Some of the patients experiencing hepatotoxicity had comorbidities and/or concomitant medications with known hepatotoxic potential. Monitor serum transaminases and bilirubin prior to initiation of KADCYLA treatment and prior to each KADCYLA dose. Patients with known active liver disease (such as, hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus) were excluded from the EMILIA and KATHERINE studies.
Reduce the dose or discontinue KADCYLA as appropriate in cases of increased serum transaminases and/or total bilirubin. Permanently discontinue KADCYLA treatment in patients with serum transaminases > 3 × ULN and concomitant total bilirubin > 2 × ULN. KADCYLA has not been studied in patients with serum transaminases > 2.5 × ULN or bilirubin > 1.5 × ULN prior to the initiation of treatment.
In clinical trials of KADCYLA, cases of nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) of the liver have been identified from liver biopsies (5 cases out of 1624 treated patients, one of which was fatal). Two of these five cases of NRH were observed in EMILIA and two were observed in KATHERINE. NRH is a rare liver condition characterized by widespread benign transformation of hepatic parenchyma into small regenerative nodules; NRH may lead to non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.
The diagnosis of NRH can be confirmed only by histopathology. NRH should be considered in all patients with clinical symptoms of portal hypertension and/or cirrhosis-like pattern seen on the computed tomography (CT) scan of the liver but with normal transaminases and no other manifestations of cirrhosis. Upon diagnosis of NRH, KADCYLA treatment must be permanently discontinued.
Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Patients treated with KADCYLA are at increased risk of developing left ventricular dysfunction. A decrease of LVEF to < 40% has been observed in patients treated with KADCYLA. Serious cases of heart failure, with no fatal cases, have been observed in clinical trials with KADCYLA.
In EMILIA, left ventricular dysfunction occurred in 1.8% of patients in the KADCYLA-treated group and 3.3% of patients in the lapatinib plus capecitabine-treated group. In KATHERINE, left ventricular dysfunction occurred in 0.4% of patients in the KADCYLA-treated group and 0.6% of patients in the trastuzumab-treated group. Based on limited data from a retrospective observational study, 22% (7 of 32) of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with a baseline LVEF of 40-49% treated with KADCYLA developed a congestive heart failure (CHF) or a > 10% reduction in LVEF.
Assess LVEF prior to initiation of KADCYLA and at regular intervals (e.g. every three months) during treatment to ensure the LVEF is within the institution's normal limits. KADCYLA has not been studied in an adequately controlled study in patients with LVEF < 50%. Permanently discontinue KADCYLA if the LVEF has not improved or has declined further.
Patients with a history of symptomatic CHF, serious cardiac arrhythmia, or history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina within 6 months were excluded from the EMILIA and KATHERINE studies.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity KADCYLA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Cases of oligohydramnios, and oligohydramnios sequence manifesting as pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities and neonatal death were observed in the post-marketing setting in patients treated with trastuzumab, the antibody component of KADCYLA. DM1, the cytotoxic component of KADCYLA, can cause embryo-fetal toxicity based on its mechanism of action.
Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of KADCYLA. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential that exposure to KADCYLA 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 KADCYLA.
Pulmonary Toxicity Cases of interstitial lung disease
(ILD), including pneumonitis, some leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome or fatal outcome have been reported in clinical trials with KADCYLA. Signs and symptoms include dyspnea, cough, fatigue, and pulmonary infiltrates. The overall incidence of pneumonitis was 1.2% in EMILIA.
Permanently discontinue treatment with KADCYLA in patients diagnosed with ILD or pneumonitis. For patients with radiation pneumonitis in the adjuvant setting, KADCYLA should be permanently discontinued for Grade ≥ 3 or for Grade 2 not responding to standard treatment. Patients with dyspnea at rest due to complications of advanced malignancy, co-morbidities, and receiving concurrent pulmonary radiation therapy may be at increased risk of pulmonary toxicity.
Infusion-Related Reactions, Hypersensitivity Reactions Treatment with KADCYLA has not been studied in patients who had trastuzumab permanently discontinued due to infusion-related reactions (IRRs) and/or hypersensitivity; treatment with KADCYLA is not recommended for these patients. Infusion-related reactions, characterized by one or more of the following symptoms − flushing, chills, pyrexia, dyspnea, hypotension, wheezing, bronchospasm, and tachycardia have been reported in clinical trials of KADCYLA. In EMILIA, the overall incidence of IRRs in patients treated with KADCYLA was 1.4%.
In KATHERINE, the overall incidence of IRRs in patients treated with KADCYLA was 1.6%. In most patients, these reactions resolved over the course of several hours to a day after the infusion was terminated. KADCYLA treatment should be interrupted in patients with severe IRR.
KADCYLA treatment should be permanently discontinued in the event of a life-threatening IRR. Patients should be observed closely for IRR reactions, especially during the first infusion. One case of a serious, allergic/anaphylactic-like reaction has been observed in clinical trials of single-agent KADCYLA.
Medications to treat such reactions, as well as emergency equipment, should be available for immediate use.
Hemorrhage Cases of hemorrhagic events, including central nervous system, respiratory, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage, have been reported in clinical trials with KADCYLA. Some of these bleeding events resulted in fatal outcomes. In EMILIA, the overall incidence of hemorrhage was 32% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 16% in the lapatinib plus capecitabine-treated group.
The incidence of Grade ≥ 3 hemorrhage was 1.8% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 0.8% in the lapatinib plus capecitabine-treated group. In KATHERINE, the overall incidence of hemorrhage was 29% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 10% in the trastuzumab-treated group. The incidence of Grade ≥ 3 hemorrhage was 0.4% in the KADCYLA-treated group, with one fatal case of intracranial hemorrhage, and 0.3% in the trastuzumab-treated group.
Although, in some of the observed cases the patients were also receiving anti-coagulation therapy, antiplatelet therapy, or had thrombocytopenia, in others there were no known additional risk factors. In clinical trials of KADCYLA, the incidence and severity of thrombocytopenia were higher in Asian patients. In EMILIA, the overall incidence of thrombocytopenia was 31% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 3.3% in the lapatinib plus capecitabine-treated group.
The incidence of Grade ≥ 3 thrombocytopenia was 15% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 0.4% in the lapatinib plus capecitabine-treated group. In Asian patients, the incidence of Grade ≥ 3 thrombocytopenia was 45% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 1.3% in the lapatinib plus capecitabine-treated group. In KATHERINE, the overall incidence of thrombocytopenia was 29% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 2.4% in the trastuzumab-treated group.
The incidence of Grade ≥ 3 thrombocytopenia was 6% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 0.3% in the trastuzumab-treated group. The overall incidence of thrombocytopenia in the KADCYLA-treated group for Asian patients was 50%. Monitor platelet counts prior to initiation of KADCYLA and prior to each KADCYLA dose.
KADCYLA has not been studied in patients with platelet counts < 100,000/mm 3 prior to initiation of treatment. In EMILIA, the overall incidence of peripheral neuropathy was 21% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 14% in the lapatinib plus capecitabine-treated group. The incidence of Grade ≥ 3 peripheral neuropathy was 2.2% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 0.2% in the lapatinib plus capecitabine-treated group.
In KATHERINE, the overall incidence of peripheral neuropathy was 32% in the KADCYLA-treated group and 17% in the trastuzumab-treated group. Peripheral neuropathy, including sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy, for KADCYLA treated patients 30% of cases were not resolved at the time of the primary IDFS analysis for KATHERINE. KADCYLA should be temporarily discontinued in patients experiencing Grade 3 or 4 peripheral neuropathy until resolution to Grade ≤ 2.
Patients should be clinically monitored on an ongoing basis for signs or symptoms of neurotoxicity.
Extravasation In KADCYLA clinical studies, reactions secondary to extravasation have been observed. These reactions, observed more frequently within 24 hours of infusion, were usually mild and comprised erythema, tenderness, skin irritation, pain, or swelling at the infusion site. Specific treatment for KADCYLA extravasation is unknown.
The infusion site should be closely monitored for possible subcutaneous infiltration during drug administration.
Drug Interactions with Kadcyla
No formal drug-drug interaction studies with KADCYLA have been conducted. In vitro studies indicate that DM1, the cytotoxic component of KADCYLA, is metabolized mainly by CYP3A4 and to a lesser extent by CYP3A5. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, atazanavir, indinavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, and voriconazole) with KADCYLA should be avoided due to the potential for an increase in DM1 exposure and toxicity.
Consider an alternate medication with no or minimal potential to inhibit CYP3A4. If concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is unavoidable, consider delaying KADCYLA treatment until the strong CYP3A4 inhibitors have cleared from the circulation (approximately 3 elimination half-lives of the inhibitors) when possible. If a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor is coadministered and KADCYLA treatment cannot be delayed, patients should be closely monitored for adverse reactions.
Pregnancy Safety for Kadcyla
Pregnancy If KADCYLA is administered during pregnancy, or if a patient becomes pregnant while receiving KADCYLA or within 7 months following the last dose of KADCYLA, health care providers and patients should immediately report KADCYLA exposure to Genentech at 1-888-835-2555. Risk Summary KADCYLA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data on the use of KADCYLA in pregnant women.
Cases of oligohydramnios and oligohydramnios sequence manifesting as pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death were observed in the postmarketing setting in patients treated with trastuzumab, the antibody component of KADCYLA. Based on its mechanism of action, the DM1 component of KADCYLA can also cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Apprise the patient of the potential risks to a fetus.
There are clinical considerations if KADCYLA is used in a pregnant woman, or if a patient becomes pregnant within 7 months following the last dose of KADCYLA. The estimated 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 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Monitor women who received KADCYLA during pregnancy or within 7 months prior to conception for oligohydramnios. If oligohydramnios occurs, perform fetal testing that is appropriate for gestational age and consistent with community standards of care. In the post-marketing setting, cases of oligohydramnios, and of oligohydramnios sequence, manifesting in the fetus as pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities and neonatal death were observed after treatment with trastuzumab during pregnancy.
These case reports described oligohydramnios in pregnant women who received trastuzumab either alone or in combination with chemotherapy. In some case reports, amniotic fluid index increased after trastuzumab was stopped. In one case, trastuzumab therapy resumed after amniotic index improved, and oligohydramnios recurred.
Animal Data There were no reproductive and developmental toxicology studies conducted with ado-trastuzumab emtansine. DM1, the cytotoxic component of KADCYLA, disrupts microtubule function. DM1 is toxic to rapidly dividing cells in animals and is genotoxic, suggesting it has the potential to cause embryotoxicity and teratogenicity.
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 (about 7 times the clinical dose), 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 Kadcyla
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of KADCYLA have not been established in pediatric patients.
Overdosage Information for Kadcyla
There is no known antidote for overdose of KADCYLA. In clinical trials, overdose of KADCYLA has been reported at approximately two times the recommended dose which resulted in Grade 2 thrombocytopenia (resolved 4 days later) and one death. In the fatal case, the patient incorrectly received KADCYLA at 6 mg/kg and died approximately 3 weeks following the overdose; a cause of death and a causal relationship to KADCYLA were not established.
Clinical Studies of Kadcyla
Metastatic Breast Cancer
The efficacy of KADCYLA was evaluated in a randomized, multicenter, open-label trial (EMILIA) (NCT00829166) of 991 patients with HER2-positive, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Prior taxane and trastuzumab-based therapy was required before trial enrollment. Patients with only prior adjuvant therapy were required to have disease recurrence during or within six months of completing adjuvant therapy.
Breast tumor samples were required to show HER2 overexpression defined as 3+ IHC or FISH amplification ratio ≥ 2.0 determined at a central laboratory. Patients were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive lapatinib plus capecitabine or KADCYLA. Randomization was stratified by world region (United States, Western Europe, other), number of prior chemotherapy regimens for unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease (0–1, > 1) and visceral versus non-visceral disease as determined by the investigators.
KADCYLA was given intravenously at 3.6 mg/kg on Day 1 of a 21-day cycle. Patients were treated with KADCYLA or lapatinib plus capecitabine until progression of disease, withdrawal of consent, or unacceptable toxicity. The co-primary efficacy outcomes of the study were progression-free survival (PFS) based on tumor response assessments by an independent review committee (IRC), and overall survival (OS).
PFS was defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of disease progression or death from any cause (whichever occurred earlier). Overall survival was defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death from any cause. Additional outcomes included PFS (based on investigator tumor response assessments), objective response rate (ORR), duration of response and time to symptom progression.
Patient demographics and baseline tumor characteristics were balanced between treatment arms. All patients had metastatic disease at study entry. All but 5 patients were women.
Twenty-seven percent of patients were enrolled in United States, 32% in Europe and 16% in Asia. Tumor prognostic characteristics including hormone receptor status (positive: 55%, negative: 43%), presence of visceral disease (68%) and non-visceral disease only (33%) and the number of metastatic sites < were similar in the study arms. The majority of patients (88%) had received prior systemic treatment in the metastatic setting.
Twelve percent of patients had prior treatment only in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and had disease relapse within 6 months of treatment. All but one patient received trastuzumab prior to study entry; approximately 85% of patients received prior trastuzumab in the metastatic setting. Over 99% percent of patients had received a taxane, and 61% of patients had received an anthracycline prior to study entry.
Overall, patients received a median of 3 systemic agents in the metastatic setting. Among patients with hormone receptor-positive tumors, 44.4% received prior adjuvant hormonal therapy and 44.8% received hormonal therapy for locally advanced/metastatic disease. The randomized trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in IRC-assessed PFS in the KADCYLA-treated group compared with the lapatinib plus capecitabine-treated group, and an increase in median PFS of 3.2 months (median PFS of 9.6 months in the KADCYLA-treated group vs. 6.4 months in the lapatinib plus capecitabine group).
See Table 7 and Figure 1. The results for investigator-assessed PFS were similar to those observed for IRC-assessed PFS. At the time of PFS analysis, 223 patients had died.
More deaths occurred in the lapatinib plus capecitabine arm (26%) compared with the KADCYLA arm (19%), however the results of this interim OS analysis did not meet the pre-specified stopping boundary for statistical significance. At the time of the second interim OS analysis, 331 events had occurred. The co-primary endpoint of OS was met; OS was significantly improved in patients receiving KADCYLA (HR = p = 0.0006).
This result crossed the pre-specified efficacy stopping boundary (HR = 0.73 or p = 0.0037). The median duration of survival was 30.9 months in the KADCYLA arm vs. 25.1 months in the lapatinib plus capecitabine arm. See Table 7 and Figure 2.
A treatment benefit with KADCYLA in terms of PFS and OS was observed in patient subgroups based on stratification factors, key baseline demographic and disease characteristics, and prior treatments. In the subgroup of patients with hormone receptor-negative disease (n=426), the hazard ratios for PFS and OS were respectively. In the subgroup of patients with non-measurable disease (n=205), based on IRC assessments, the hazard ratios for PFS and OS were respectively; in patients with measurable disease the hazard ratios were respectively.
The PFS and OS hazard ratios in patients who were younger than 65 years old (n=853) were respectively. In patients ≥ 65 years old (n=138), the hazard ratios for PFS and OS were respectively. Patients were required to have had neoadjuvant taxane and trastuzumab-based therapy with residual invasive tumor in the breast and/or axillary lymph nodes.
Patients received radiotherapy and/or hormonal therapy concurrent with study treatment as per local guidelines. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive KADCYLA or trastuzumab. Randomization was stratified by clinical stage at presentation, hormone receptor status, preoperative HER2-directed therapy (trastuzumab, trastuzumab plus additional HER2-directed agent), and pathological nodal status evaluation after preoperative therapy.
Patients were treated with KADCYLA or trastuzumab for a total of 14 cycles unless there was recurrence of disease, withdrawal of consent, or unacceptable toxicity. At the time of the major efficacy outcome analysis, median treatment duration was 10 months for both KADCYLA- and trastuzumab-treated patients. Patients who discontinued KADCYLA for reasons other than disease recurrence could complete the remainder of the planned HER2-directed therapy with trastuzumab if appropriate based on toxicity considerations and investigator discretion.
The major efficacy outcome of the study was invasive disease-free survival (IDFS). IDFS was defined as the time from the date of randomization to first occurrence of ipsilateral invasive breast tumor recurrence, ipsilateral local or regional invasive breast cancer recurrence, distant recurrence, contralateral invasive breast cancer, or death from any cause. Additional efficacy outcomes included IDFS including second primary non-breast cancer, disease free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS).
Most patients (99.7%) were women. Enrollment by region was as follows: 23% in North America, 54% in Europe and 23% throughout the rest of the world. The majority of patients (77%) had received an anthracycline-containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen.
Twenty percent of patients received another HER2-targeted agent in addition to trastuzumab as a component of neoadjuvant therapy; 94% of these patients received pertuzumab. A statistically significant improvement in IDFS and OS was observed in patients who received KADCYLA compared with trastuzumab. The efficacy results from KATHERINE are summarized in Table 8, Figure 3, and Figure 4.
| KADCYLA N=495 | Lapatinib+Capecitabine N=496 | |
|---|---|---|
| PFS: progression-free survival; OR: objective response | ||
| Progression-Free Survival (independent review) | ||
| Number (%) of patients with event | 265 (53.5%) | 304 (61.3%) |
| Median duration of PFS (months) | 9.6 | 6.4 |
| Hazard Ratio (stratified Stratified by world region (United States, Western Europe, other), number of prior chemotherapeutic regimens for locally advanced or metastatic disease (0-1 vs. > 1), and visceral vs. non-visceral disease. ) | 0.650 | |
| 95% CI for Hazard Ratio | (0.549, 0.771) | |
| p-value (Log-Rank test, stratified ) | < 0.0001 | |
| Overall Survival The second interim analysis for OS was conducted when 331 events were observed and the results are presented in this table. | ||
| Number (%) of patients who died | 149 (30.1%) | 182 (36.7%) |
| Median duration of survival (months) | 30.9 | 25.1 |
| Hazard Ratio (stratified ) | 0.682 | |
| 95% CI for Hazard Ratio | (0.548, 0.849) | |
| p-value (Log-Rank test ) | 0.0006 | |
| Objective Response Rate (independent review) | ||
| Patients with measurable disease | 397 | 389 |
| Number of patients with OR (%) | 173 (43.6%) | 120 (30.8%) |
| Difference (95% CI) | 12.7% (6.0, 19.4) | |
| Duration of Objective Response (months) | ||
| Number of patients with OR | 173 | 120 |
| Median duration (95% CI) | 12.6 (8.4, 20.8) | 6.5 (5.5, 7.2) |
| KADCYLA N=743 | Trastuzumab N=743 | |
|---|---|---|
| HR: Hazard Ratio; CI: Confidence Intervals, | ||
| Invasive Disease-Free Survival (IDFS) Hierarchical testing applied for IDFS and OS, Data from the pre-specified interim analysis of IDFS (67% of the number of events for the planned final analysis) with the p-value compared with the allocated alpha of 0.012 | ||
| Number (%) of patients with event | 91 (12.2%) | 165 (22.2%) |
| HR [95% CI] Unstratified analysis | 0.50 [0.39, 0.64] | |
| p-value (Log-Rank test, unstratified) | < 0.0001 | |
| 3-year event-free rate 3-year event-free rate derived from Kaplan-Meier estimates, % [95% CI] | 88.3 [85.8, 90.7] | 77.0 [73.8, 80.7] |
| Overall Survival (OS), Data from the pre-specified second interim analysis of OS (82% of the number of events for the planned final analysis) with the p-value compared with the allocated alpha of 0.0263 based on the actual number of OS events at the time of the analysis | ||
| Number (%) of patients with event | 89 (12.0%) | 126 (17.0%) |
| HR [95% CI] | 0.66 [0.51, 0.87] | |
| p-value (Log-Rank test, unstratified) | 0.0027 | |
| IDFS including second primary non-breast cancer | ||
| Number (%) of patients with event | 95 (12.8%) | 167 (22.5%) |
| HR [95% CI] | 0.51 [0.40, 0.66] | |
| 3-year event-free rate, % [95% CI] | 87.7 [85.2, 90.2] | 76.9 [73.7, 80.1] |
| Disease-Free Survival (DFS) | ||
| Number (%) of patients with event | 98 (13.2%) | 167 (22.5%) |
| HR [95% CI] | 0.53 [0.41, 0.68] | |
| 3-year event-free rate, % [95% CI] | 87.4 [84.9, 89.9] | 76.9 [73.7, 80.1] |
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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