Risk Summary
Based on animal data and its mechanism of action, PORTRAZZA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)]. Disruption or depletion of EGFR in animal models results in impairment of embryo-fetal development including effects on placental, lung, cardiac, skin, and neural development. The absence of EGFR signaling has resulted in embryolethality as well as post-natal death in animals (see Data). No animal reproduction studies have been conducted with necitumumab. There are no available data for PORTRAZZA exposure in pregnant women. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus, and the risk to postnatal development.
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.
Data
Animal Data
No animal studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of necitumumab on reproduction and fetal development; however, based on its mechanism of action, PORTRAZZA can cause fetal harm or developmental anomalies. In mice, EGFR is critically important in reproductive and developmental processes including blastocyst implantation, placental development, and embryo-fetal/postnatal survival and development. Reduction or elimination of embryo-fetal or maternal EGFR signaling can prevent implantation, can cause embryo-fetal loss during various stages of gestation (through effects on placental development) and can cause developmental anomalies and early death in surviving fetuses. Adverse developmental outcomes were observed in multiple organs in embryos/neonates of mice with disrupted EGFR signaling. Human IgG1 is known to cross the placenta; therefore, necitumumab has the potential to be transmitted from the mother to the developing fetus.
In monkeys, administration of a chimeric anti-EGFR antibody that binds to an epitope overlapping that of necitumumab during the period of organogenesis resulted in detectable exposure of the antibody in the amniotic fluid and in the serum of embryos from treated dams. While no fetal malformations or other clear teratogenic effects occurred in offspring, there was an increased incidence of embryolethality and abortions.
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of necitumumab in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from PORTRAZZA, advise a nursing woman not to breastfeed during treatment with PORTRAZZA and for three months following the final dose.
Contraception
Females
Based on its mechanism of action, PORTRAZZA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with PORTRAZZA and for three months following the final dose.
Specific Populations
Effect of Age, Body Weight, Sex and Race:
Based on the popPK analysis with data obtained in 807 patients, age (range 19-84 years), sex (75% males), and race (85% Whites) have no effect on the systemic exposure of necitumumab.
Body weight is identified as a covariate in the popPK analysis; however, weight-based dosing is not expected to significantly decrease the variability in exposure. No dose adjustment based on body weight is necessary.
Renal Impairment
Patients with Renal Impairment — PopPK analysis did not identify a correlation between necitumumab exposure and renal function as assessed by estimated creatinine clearance ranging from 11-250 mL/min.
Hepatic Impairment
Patients with Hepatic Impairment — PopPK analysis did not identify a correlation between the exposure of necitumumab and hepatic function as assessed by alanine aminotransferase (ranging from 2-615 U/L), aspartate transaminase (ranging from 1.2-619 U/L) and total bilirubin (ranging from 0.1-106 μmol/L).
Drug Interactions
Effect of Necitumumab on Gemcitabine and Cisplatin
In 12 patients with advanced solid tumors who received gemcitabine and cisplatin in combination with PORTRAZZA, the geometric mean dose-normalized AUC of gemcitabine was increased by 22% and Cmax increased by 63% compared to administration of gemcitabine and cisplatin alone while exposure to cisplatin was unchanged.
Effect of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin on Necitumumab
Concomitant administration of gemcitabine and cisplatin had no effect on the exposure of necitumumab.
Immunogenicity
In Study 1, the CLtot of necitumumab was 26% higher and Css,ave was 34% lower in patients who tested positive for anti-necitumumab antibodies (ADA) post-treatment than patients who tested negative for ADA post-treatment.