Other
Cardiomyopathy
Administration of trastuzumab products can result in sub-clinical and clinical cardiac failure. The incidence and severity was highest in patients receiving trastuzumab with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimens.
Evaluate left ventricular function in all patients prior to and during treatment with Ontruzant. Discontinue Ontruzant treatment in patients receiving adjuvant therapy and withhold Ontruzant in patients with metastatic disease for clinically significant decrease in left ventricular function [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Infusion Reactions; Pulmonary Toxicity
Administration of trastuzumab products can result in serious and fatal infusion reactions and pulmonary toxicity. Symptoms usually occur during or within 24 hours of administration. Interrupt Ontruzant infusion for dyspnea or clinically significant hypotension. Monitor patients until symptoms completely resolve. Discontinue Ontruzant for anaphylaxis, angioedema, interstitial pneumonitis, or acute respiratory distress syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.4)].
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Exposure to trastuzumab products during pregnancy can result in oligohydramnios and oligohydramnios sequence manifesting as pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death. Advise patients of these risks and the need for effective contraception [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].
Adjuvant Treatment, Breast Cancer:
Administer according to one of the following doses and schedules for a total of 52 weeks of Ontruzant 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 Ontruzant, administer Ontruzant at 6 mg/kg as an intravenous infusion over 30 to 90 minutes every three weeks.
- 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 [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
- Extending adjuvant treatment beyond one year is not recommended [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
- Administer Ontruzant, 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.
- Administer Ontruzant 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 [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
- Using a sterile syringe, slowly inject 7.4 mL of SWFI (not supplied) into the vial containing the lyophilized powder of Ontruzant, which has a cake-like appearance. The stream of diluent should be directed into the cake. The reconstituted vial yields a solution for single-dose use, containing 21 mg/mL trastuzumab-dttb.
- Gently swirl and invert the vial 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 Ontruzant solution immediately following reconstitution with SWFI, as it contains no preservative and is intended for single-dose only. If not used immediately, store the reconstituted Ontruzant solution for up to 24 hours at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F); discard any unused Ontruzant after 24 hours. Do not freeze.
- Determine the dose (mg) of Ontruzant [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].
- Calculate the volume of the 21 mg/mL reconstituted Ontruzant solution needed
- Withdraw this amount from the vial 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 Ontruzant for infusion diluted in polyvinylchloride or polyethylene bags containing 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, should be stored at 2° to 8°C (36° 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.
- Baseline LVEF measurement immediately prior to initiation of Ontruzant
- LVEF measurements every 3 months during and upon completion of Ontruzant
- Repeat LVEF measurement at 4 week intervals if Ontruzant is withheld for significant left ventricular cardiac dysfunction [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]
- LVEF measurements every 6 months for at least 2 years following completion of Ontruzant as a component of adjuvant therapy.
As a single agent within three weeks following completion of multi-modality, anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens:
Metastatic Treatment, Breast Cancer:
Metastatic Gastric Cancer:
150 mg Single-dose vial
Reconstitution: Reconstitute each 150 mg vial of Ontruzant with 7.4 mL of Sterile Water for Injection (SWFI) (not supplied) to yield a single-dose solution containing 21 mg/mL trastuzumab-dttb that delivers 7.15 mL (150 mg trastuzumab-dttb).
Use appropriate aseptic technique when performing the following reconstitution steps:
Dilution:
Cardiac Monitoring: Conduct thorough cardiac assessment, including history, physical examination, and determination of LVEF by echocardiogram or MUGA scan. The following schedule is recommended:
In Study 1, 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 Study 3 (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 Study 4, 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 (Studies 1 and 2) 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 Ontruzant in patients with trastuzumab product-induced left ventricular cardiac dysfunction has not been studied.
a Median follow-up duration for studies 1 and 2 combined was 8.3 years in the AC → TH arm. | |||
b Anthracycline (doxorubicin) and cyclophosphamide. | |||
c Includes 1 patient with fatal cardiomyopathy and 1 patient with sudden death without documented etiology. | |||
d Includes NYHA II-IV and cardiac death at 12.6 months median duration of follow-up in the one-year trastuzumab arm. | |||
| Incidence of Congestive Heart Failure in Adjuvant Breast Cancer Studies | |||
| Incidence of CHF | |||
| Study | Regimen | Trastuzumab | Control |
| 1 & 2a | ACb → Paclitaxel + Trastuzumab | 3.2% (64/2000)c | 1.3% (21/1655) |
| 3d | Chemo → Trastuzumab | 2% (30/1678) | 0.3% (5/1708) |
| 4 | ACb → Docetaxel + Trastuzumab | 2% (20/1068) | 0.3% (3/1050) |
| 4 | Docetaxel + Carbo + Trastuzumab | 0.4% (4/1056) | 0.3% (3/1050) |
In Study 3 (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%.
a Congestive heart failure or significant asymptomatic decrease in LVEF. | |||||
b Anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) and cyclophosphamide. | |||||
c Includes 1 patient with fatal cardiomyopathy. | |||||
| Incidence of Cardiac Dysfunctiona in Metastatic Breast Cancer Studies | |||||
| Incidence | |||||
| NYHA I-IV | NYHA III−IV | ||||
| Study | Event | Trastuzumab | Control | Trastuzumab | Control |
| 5 (AC)b | Cardiac Dysfunction | 28% | 7% | 19% | 3% |
| 5 (paclitaxel) | Cardiac Dysfunction | 11% | 1% | 4% | 1% |
| 6 | Cardiac Dysfunctionc | 7% | N/A | 5% | N/A |
In Study 4, 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.
Adjuvant Breast Cancer Studies
The data below reflect exposure to one-year trastuzumab therapy across three randomized, open-label studies, Studies 1, 2, and 3, with (n = 3678) or without (n = 3363) trastuzumab in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer.
The data summarized in Table 3 below, from Study 3, reflect exposure to trastuzumab in 1678 patients; the median treatment duration was 51 weeks and median number of infusions was 18. Among the 3386 patients enrolled in the observation and one-year trastuzumab arms of Study 3 at a median duration of follow-up of 12.6 months in the trastuzumab arm, the median age was 49 years (range: 21 to 80 years), 83% of patients were Caucasian, and 13% were Asian.
a Median follow-up duration of 12.6 months in the one-year trastuzumab treatment arm. | ||
b The incidence of Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions was <1% in both arms for each listed term. | ||
c Higher level grouping term. | ||
| Adverse Reactions for Study 3a, All Gradesb | ||
| One year Trastuzumab | Observation | |
| Adverse Reaction | (n = 1678) | (n = 1708) |
| Cardiac | ||
| Hypertension | 64 (4%) | 35 (2%) |
| Dizziness | 60 (4%) | 29 (2%) |
| Ejection Fraction Decreased | 58 (3.5%) | 11 (0.6%) |
| Palpitations | 48 (3%) | 12 (0.7%) |
| Cardiac Arrhythmiasc | 40 (3%) | 17 (1%) |
| Cardiac Failure Congestive | 30 (2%) | 5 (0.3%) |
| Cardiac Failure | 9 (0.5%) | 4 (0.2%) |
| Cardiac Disorder | 5 (0.3%) | 0 (0%) |
| Ventricular Dysfunction | 4 (0.2%) | 0 (0%) |
| Respiratory Thoracic Mediastinal Disorders | ||
| Cough | 81 (5%) | 34 (2%) |
| Influenza | 70 (4%) | 9 (0.5%) |
| Dyspnea | 57 (3%) | 26 (2%) |
| URI | 46 (3%) | 20 (1%) |
| Rhinitis | 36 (2%) | 6 (0.4%) |
| Pharyngolaryngeal Pain | 32 (2%) | 8 (0.5%) |
| Sinusitis | 26 (2%) | 5 (0.3%) |
| Epistaxis | 25 (2%) | 1 (0.06%) |
| Pulmonary Hypertension | 4 (0.2%) | 0 (0%) |
| Interstitial Pneumonitis | 4 (0.2%) | 0 (0%) |
| Gastrointestinal Disorders | ||
| Diarrhea | 123 (7%) | 16 (1%) |
| Nausea | 108 (6%) | 19 (1%) |
| Vomiting | 58 (3.5%) | 10 (0.6%) |
| Constipation | 33 (2%) | 17 (1%) |
| Dyspepsia | 30 (2%) | 9 (0.5%) |
| Upper Abdominal Pain | 29 (2%) | 15 (1%) |
| Musculoskeletal & Connective Tissue Disorders | ||
| Arthralgia | 137 (8%) | 98 (6%) |
| Back Pain | 91 (5%) | 58 (3%) |
| Myalgia | 63 (4%) | 17 (1%) |
| Bone Pain | 49 (3%) | 26 (2%) |
| Muscle Spasm | 46 (3%) | 3 (0.2%) |
| Nervous System Disorders | ||
| Headache | 162 (10%) | 49 (3%) |
| Paraesthesia | 29 (2%) | 11 (0.6%) |
| Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | ||
| Rash | 70 (4%) | 10 (0.6%) |
| Nail Disorders | 43 (2%) | 0 (0%) |
| Pruritus | 40 (2%) | 10 (0.6%) |
| General Disorders | ||
| Pyrexia | 100 (6%) | 6 (0.4%) |
| Edema Peripheral | 79 (5%) | 37 (2%) |
| Chills | 85 (5%) | 0 (0%) |
| Asthenia | 75 (4.5%) | 30 (2%) |
| Influenza-like Illness | 40 (2%) | 3 (0.2%) |
| Sudden Death | 1 (0.06%) | 0 (0%) |
| Infections | ||
| Nasopharyngitis | 135 (8%) | 43 (3%) |
| UTI | 39 (3%) | 13 (0.8%) |
| Immune System Disorders | ||
| Hypersensitivity | 10 (0.6%) | 1 (0.06%) |
| Autoimmune Thyroiditis | 4 (0.3%) | 0 (0%) |
In Study 3, a comparison of 3-weekly trastuzumab treatment for two years versus one year was also performed. The rate of asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction was increased in the 2-year trastuzumab treatment arm (8.1% versus 4.6% in the one-year trastuzumab treatment arm). 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%).
The safety data from Studies 1 and 2 were obtained from 3655 patients, of whom 2000 received trastuzumab; the median treatment duration was 51 weeks. The median age was 49 years (range: 24 to 80); 84% of patients were White, 7% Black, 4% Hispanic, and 3% Asian.
In Study 1, only Grade 3 to 5 adverse events, treatment-related Grade 2 events, and Grade 2−5 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. 15.0%), 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. 3.0%), edema (4.7% vs. 2.7%), and insomnia (4.3% vs. 1.5%). The majority of these events were Grade 2 in severity.
In Study 2, 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.
Safety data from Study 4 reflect exposure to trastuzumab as part of an adjuvant treatment regimen from 2124 patients receiving at least one dose of study treatment [AC-TH: n = 1068; TCH: n = 1056]. 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 every three week dosing in the monotherapy period. Among these patients, the median age was 49 years (range 22 to 74 years). In Study 4, the toxicity profile was similar to that reported in Studies 1, 2, and 3 with the exception of a low incidence of CHF in the TCH arm.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Studies
The data below reflect exposure to trastuzumab in one randomized, open-label study, Study 5, of chemotherapy with (n = 235) or without (n = 234) trastuzumab in patients with metastatic breast cancer, and one single-arm study (Study 6; n = 222) in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Data in Table 4 are based on Studies 5 and 6.
Among the 464 patients treated in Study 5, the median age was 52 years (range: 25 to 77 years). Eighty-nine percent were White, 5% Black, 1% Asian, and 5% other racial/ethnic groups. All patients received 4 mg/kg initial dose of trastuzumab followed by 2 mg/kg weekly. The percentages of patients who received trastuzumab treatment for ≥ 6 months and ≥ 12 months were 58% and 9%, respectively.
Among the 352 patients treated in single agent studies (213 patients from Study 6), the median age was 50 years (range 28 to 86 years), 86% were White, 3% were Black, 3% were Asian, and 8% in other racial/ethnic groups. Most of the patients received 4 mg/kg initial dose of trastuzumab followed by 2 mg/kg weekly. The percentages of patients who received trastuzumab treatment for ≥ 6 months and ≥ 12 months were 31% and 16%, respectively.
a Data for trastuzumab single agent were from 4 studies, including 213 patients from Study 6. | |||||
b Anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) and cyclophosphamide. | |||||
| Per-Patient Incidence of Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 5% of Patients in Uncontrolled Studies or at Increased Incidence in the Trastuzumab Arm (Studies 5 and 6) | |||||
| Single Agenta n = 352 | Trastuzumab + Paclitaxel n = 91 | Paclitaxel Alone n = 95 | Trastuzumab + ACb n = 143 | ACb Alone n = 135 | |
| Body as a Whole | |||||
| 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% |
| Cardiovascular | |||||
| Tachycardia | 5% | 12% | 4% | 10% | 5% |
| Congestive heart failure | 7% | 11% | 1% | 28% | 7% |
| Digestive | |||||
| Nausea | 33% | 51% | 9% | 76% | 77% |
| Diarrhea | 25% | 45% | 29% | 45% | 26% |
| Vomiting | 23% | 37% | 28% | 53% | 49% |
| Nausea and vomiting | 8% | 14% | 11% | 18% | 9% |
| Anorexia | 14% | 24% | 16% | 31% | 26% |
| Heme & Lymphatic | |||||
| Anemia | 4% | 14% | 9% | 36% | 26% |
| Leukopenia | 3% | 24% | 17% | 52% | 34% |
| Metabolic | |||||
| Peripheral edema | 10% | 22% | 20% | 20% | 17% |
| Edema | 8% | 10% | 8% | 11% | 5% |
| Musculoskeletal | |||||
| Bone pain | 7% | 24% | 18% | 7% | 7% |
| Arthralgia | 6% | 37% | 21% | 8% | 9% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
| Urogenital | |||||
| Urinary tract infection | 5% | 18% | 14% | 13% | 7% |
Metastatic Gastric Cancer
The data below are based on the exposure of 294 patients to trastuzumab in combination with a fluoropyrimidine (capecitabine or 5-FU) and cisplatin (Study 7). In the trastuzumab plus chemotherapy arm, the initial dose of trastuzumab 8 mg/kg was administered on Day 1 (prior to chemotherapy) followed by 6 mg/kg every 21 days until disease progression. Cisplatin was administered at 80 mg/m2 on Day 1 and the fluoropyrimidine was administered as either capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 orally twice a day on Days 1 to 14 or 5-fluorouracil 800 mg/m2/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; median number of trastuzumab infusions administered was eight.
| Study 7: Per Patient Incidence of Adverse Reactions of All Grades (Incidence ≥ 5% between Arms) or Grade 3/4 (Incidence > 1% between Arms) and Higher Incidence in Trastuzumab Arm | ||||
| Trastuzumab + FC (N = 294) N (%) | FC (N = 290) N (%) | |||
| Body System/Adverse Event | All Grades | Grades 3/4 | All Grades | Grades 3/4 |
| Investigations | ||||
| Neutropenia | 230 (78) | 101 (34) | 212 (73) | 83 (29) |
| Hypokalemia | 83 (28) | 28 (10) | 69 (24) | 16 (6) |
| Anemia | 81 (28) | 36 (12) | 61 (21) | 30 (10) |
| Thrombocytopenia | 47 (16) | 14 (5) | 33 (11) | 8 (3) |
| Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders | ||||
| Febrile Neutropenia | - | 15 (5) | - | 8 (3) |
| Gastrointestinal Disorders | ||||
| Diarrhea | 109 (37) | 27 (9) | 80 (28) | 11 (4) |
| Stomatitis | 72 (24) | 2 (1) | 43 (15) | 6 (2) |
| Dysphagia | 19 (6) | 7 (2) | 10 (3) | 1 (≤ 1) |
| Body as a Whole | ||||
| Fatigue | 102 (35) | 12 (4) | 82 (28) | 7 (2) |
| Fever | 54 (18) | 3 (1) | 36 (12) | 0 (0) |
| Mucosal Inflammation | 37 (13) | 6 (2) | 18 (6) | 2 (1) |
| Chills | 23 (8) | 1 (≤ 1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders | ||||
| Weight Decrease | 69 (23) | 6 (2) | 40 (14) | 7 (2) |
| Infections and Infestations | ||||
| Upper Respiratory Tract Infections | 56 (19) | 0 (0) | 29 (10) | 0 (0) |
| Nasopharyngitis | 37 (13) | 0 (0) | 17 (6) | 0 (0) |
| Renal and Urinary Disorders | ||||
| Renal Failure and Impairment | 53 (18) | 8 (3) | 42 (15) | 5 (2) |
| Nervous System Disorders | ||||
| Dysgeusia | 28 (10) | 0 (0) | 14 (5) | 0 (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 Study 3, 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 Studies 1 and 2, 7.9 years in the AC-T arm, 8.3 years in the AC-TH arm. In Studies 1 and 2, 6% of all randomized patients with post-AC LVEF evaluation were not permitted to initiate trastuzumab following completion of AC chemotherapy due to cardiac dysfunction (LVEF < LLN or ≥ 16 point decline in LVEF from baseline to end of AC). 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 Studies 1 and 2, and in patients receiving one-year trastuzumab monotherapy compared to observation in Study 3 (see Table 6, Figures 1 and 2). The per-patient 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 also 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.
a For Studies 1, 2 and 3, events are counted from the beginning of trastuzumab treatment. For Study 4, events are counted from the date of randomization. | |||||
b Studies 1 and 2 regimens: doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (AC → T) or paclitaxel plus trastuzumab (AC → TH). | |||||
c Median duration of follow-up for Studies 1 and 2 combined was 8.3 years in the AC → TH arm. | |||||
d Median follow-up duration of 12.6 months in the one-year trastuzumab treatment arm. | |||||
e Study 4 regimens: doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (AC → T) or docetaxel plus trastuzumab (AC → TH); docetaxel and carboplatin plus trastuzumab (TCH). | |||||
| Per-patient Incidence of New Onset Myocardial Dysfunction (by LVEF) Studies 1, 2, 3 and 4 | |||||
| LVEF < 50% and Absolute Decrease from Baseline | Absolute LVEF Decrease | ||||
| LVEF < 50% | ≥ 10% decrease | ≥ 16% decrease | < 20% and ≥ 10% | ≥ 20% | |
| Studies 1 & 2b,c | |||||
| AC→TH (n = 1856) | 23.1% (428) | 18.5% (344) | 11.2% (208) | 37.9% (703) | 8.9% (166) |
| AC→T (n = 1170) | 11.7% (137) | 7.0% (82) | 3.0% (35) | 22.1% (259) | 3.4% (40) |
| Study 3d | |||||
| Trastuzumab (n = 1678) | 8.6% (144) | 7.0% (118) | 3.8% (64) | 22.4% (376) | 3.5% (59) |
| Observation (n = 1708) | 2.7% (46) | 2.0% (35) | 1.2% (20) | 11.9% (204) | 1.2% (21) |
| Study 4e | |||||
| TCH (n = 1056) | 8.5% (90) | 5.9% (62) | 3.3% (35) | 34.5% (364) | 6.3% (67) |
| AC→TH (n = 1068) | 17% (182) | 13.3% (142) | 9.8% (105) | 44.3% (473) | 13.2% (141) |
| AC→T (n = 1050) | 9.5% (100) | 6.6% (69) | 3.3% (35) | 34% (357) | 5.5% (58) |
Time 0 is initiation of paclitaxel or trastuzumab + paclitaxel therapy. |
| Studies 1 and 2: 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. |
| Study 3: 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. |
| Study 4: 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 |
The incidence of treatment emergent congestive heart failure among patients in the metastatic breast cancer trials was classified for severity using the New York Heart Association classification system (I−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 Study 7, 5.0% 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.
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% [Study 5]), of selected NCI-CTC Grade 2 to 5 anemia (12.3% vs. 6.7% [Study 1]), and of anemia requiring transfusions (0.1% vs. 0 patients [Study 2]) were increased in patients receiving trastuzumab and chemotherapy compared with those receiving chemotherapy alone. Following the administration of trastuzumab as a single agent (Study 6), the incidence of NCI-CTC Grade 3 anemia was < 1%. In Study 7 (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% [Study 2]) and of selected Grade 2 to 5 neutropenia (6.4% vs. 4.3% [Study 1]) 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 Study 7 (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% [Study 5]), of selected NCI-CTC Grade 2 to 5 infection/febrile neutropenia (24.3% vs. 13.4% [Study 1]) and of selected Grade 3 to 5 infection/febrile neutropenia (2.9% vs. 1.4%) [Study 2]) 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 Study 4, the overall incidence of infection was higher with the addition of trastuzumab to AC-T but not to TCH [44% (AC-TH), 37% (TCH), 38% (AC-T)]. The incidences of NCI-CTC Grade 3 to 4 infection were similar [25% (AC-TH), 21% (TCH), 23% (AC-T)] 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% [Study 1]) and of selected NCI-CTC Grade 3 to 5 pulmonary toxicity and spontaneous reported Grade 2 dyspnea (3.4% vs. 0.9% [Study 2]) 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% [Study 1]; NCI-CTC Grade 2 to 5: 2.4% vs. 0.2% [Study 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 Study 3, 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 (5.4).
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% [Study 1], 2.5% and 3.7% vs. 2.2% [Study 4] and 2.1% vs. 0% [Study 5]).
Diarrhea
Among women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, the incidence of NCI-CTC Grade 2 to 5 diarrhea (6.7% vs. 5.4% [Study 1]) and of NCI-CTC Grade 3 to 5 diarrhea (2.2% vs. 0% [Study 2]), and of Grade 1 to 4 diarrhea (7% vs. 1% [Study 3; one-year trastuzumab treatment at 12.6 months median duration of follow-up]) were higher in patients receiving trastuzumab as compared to controls. In Study 4, the incidence of Grade 3 to 4 diarrhea was higher [5.7% AC-TH, 5.5% TCH vs. 3.0% AC-T] and of Grade 1 to 4 was higher [51% AC-TH, 63% TCH vs. 43% AC-T] 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 Study 7 (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.
Risk Summary
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 of oligohydramnios sequence, manifesting as pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death (see Data). 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 (see Clinical Considerations).
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% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions
Monitor women who received Ontruzant 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.
Data
Human Data
In post-marketing reports, use of trastuzumab during pregnancy resulted in cases of oligohydramnios and of oligohydramnios sequence, manifesting in the fetus as 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 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
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.
Risk Summary
There is no information regarding the presence of trastuzumab products in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Published data suggest human IgG is present in human milk but does not enter the neonatal and infant circulation in substantial amounts. Trastuzumab was present in the milk of lactating cynomolgus monkeys but not associated with neonatal toxicity (see Data). Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother's clinical need for Ontruzant treatment and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Ontruzant or from the underlying maternal condition. This consideration should also take into account the trastuzumab product wash out period of 7 months [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Data
In lactating cynomolgus monkeys, trastuzumab was present in breast milk at about 0.3% of maternal serum concentrations after pre-(beginning Gestation Day 120) and post-partum (through Post-partum Day 28) doses of 25 mg/kg administered twice weekly (25 times the recommended weekly human dose of 2 mg/kg of trastuzumab products). Infant monkeys with detectable serum levels of trastuzumab did not exhibit any adverse effects on growth or development from birth to 1 month of age.
Pregnancy Testing
Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of Ontruzant.
Contraception
Females
Trastuzumab products can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered during pregnancy. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Ontruzant and for 7 months following the last dose of Ontruzant [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Cardiac Electrophysiology
The effects of trastuzumab on electrocardiographic (ECG) endpoints, including QTc interval duration, were evaluated in patients with HER2 positive solid tumors. Trastuzumab had no clinically relevant effect on the QTc interval duration and there was no apparent relationship between serum trastuzumab concentrations and change in QTcF interval duration in patients with HER2 positive solid tumors.
Specific Populations:
Based on a population pharmacokinetic analysis, no clinically significant differences were observed in the pharmacokinetics of trastuzumab based on age (< 65 (n = 1294); ≥ 65 (n = 288)), race (Asian (n = 264); non-Asian (n = 1324)) and renal impairment (mild (creatinine clearance [CLcr] 60 to 90 mL/min) (n = 636) or moderate (CLcr 30 to 60 mL/min) (n = 133)). The pharmacokinetics of trastuzumab products in patients with severe renal impairment, end-stage renal disease with or without hemodialysis, or hepatic impairment is unknown.
Drug Interaction Studies:
There have been no formal drug interaction studies performed with trastuzumab products in humans. Clinically significant interactions between trastuzumab and concomitant medications used in clinical trials have not been observed.
Paclitaxel and doxorubicin: Concentrations of paclitaxel and doxorubicin and their major metabolites (i.e., 6-α hydroxyl-paclitaxel [POH], and doxorubicinol [DOL], respectively) were not altered in the presence of trastuzumab when used as combination therapy in clinical trials. Trastuzumab concentrations were not altered as part of this combination therapy.
Docetaxel and carboplatin: When trastuzumab was administered in combination with docetaxel or carboplatin, neither the plasma concentrations of docetaxel or carboplatin nor the plasma concentrations of trastuzumab were altered.
Cisplatin and capecitabine: In a drug interaction substudy conducted in patients in Study 7, the pharmacokinetics of cisplatin, capecitabine and their metabolites were not altered when administered in combination with trastuzumab.
Studies 1 and 2:
In Studies 1 and 2, 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 (Study 2) or was required to be performed at a reference laboratory (Study 1). 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/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2. Paclitaxel was administered either weekly (80 mg/m2) or every 3 weeks (175 mg/m2) for a total of 12 weeks in Study 1; paclitaxel was administered only by the weekly schedule in Study 2. 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 [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. Radiation therapy, if administered, was initiated after the completion of chemotherapy. Patients with ER+ and/or PR+ tumors received hormonal therapy. The primary endpoint 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. The secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS).
A total of 3752 patients were included in the joint efficacy analysis of the primary endpoint 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 Study 1 and two of the three study arms in Study 2 were pooled for efficacy analyses. The patients included in the primary 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. Similar demographic and baseline characteristics were reported for the efficacy evaluable population, after 8.3 years of median follow-up in the AC → paclitaxel + trastuzumab arm.
Study 3:
In Study 3, 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.
Study 3 was designed to compare one and two years of three-weekly trastuzumab treatment versus observation in patients with HER2 positive EBC following surgery, established chemotherapy and radiotherapy (if applicable). 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 main outcome measure was Disease-Free Survival (DFS), defined as in Studies 1 and 2.
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 and formed the basis for the definitive DFS results from this study. 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 Caucasian, 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% (543) were ER− and PgR−, and 47% (512) 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 definitive 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 [Hazard Ratios of two-years trastuzumab versus one-year trastuzumab treatment in the intent to treat (ITT) population for Disease-Free Survival (DFS) = 0.99 (95% CI: 0.87, 1.13), p-value = 0.90 and Overall Survival (OS) = 0.98 (0.83, 1.15); p-value = 0.78].
Study 4:
In Study 4, 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/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 were administered every 3 weeks for four cycles; docetaxel 100 mg/m2 was administered every 3 weeks for four cycles. In the TCH arm, docetaxel 75 mg/m2 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 main outcome measure. Among the 3222 patients randomized, 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 Studies 1 and 2, Study 3, and Study 4 and OS results for the integrated analysis of Studies 1 and 2, and Study 3 are presented in Table 9. For Studies 1 and 2, 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 Study 4 is presented in Figure 6. Across all four studies, at the time of definitive DFS analysis, there were insufficient numbers of patients within each of the following subgroups to determine if the treatment effect was different from that of the overall patient population: patients with low tumor grade, patients within specific ethnic/racial subgroups (Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander patients), and patients>65 years of age. For Studies 1 and 2, the OS hazard ratio was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.74). At 8.3 years of median follow-up [AC → TH], 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 Studies 1 and 2 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).
CI = confidence interval. | ||||
a Studies 1 and 2 regimens: doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (AC → T) or paclitaxel plus trastuzumab(AC → TH). | ||||
b Efficacy evaluable population, for the primary DFS analysis, following a median follow-up of 2.0 years in the AC → TH arm. | ||||
c Efficacy evaluable population, for the final OS analysis, following 707 deaths (8.3 years of median follow-up in the AC → TH arm). | ||||
d Hazard ratio estimated by Cox regression stratified by clinical trial, intended paclitaxel schedule, number of positive nodes, and hormone receptor status. | ||||
e stratified log-rank test. | ||||
f At definitive DFS analysis with median duration of follow-up of 12.6 months in the one-year trastuzumab treatment arm. | ||||
g log-rank test. | ||||
h NS = non-significant. | ||||
i Study 4 regimens: doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (AC → T) or docetaxel plus trastuzumab (AC → TH); docetaxel and carboplatin plus trastuzumab (TCH). | ||||
j A two-sided alpha level of 0.025 for each comparison. | ||||
| Efficacy Results from Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer (Studies 1 + 2, Study 3, and Study 4) | ||||
| DFS events | DFS Hazard ratio (95% CI) p-value | Deaths (OS events) | OS Hazard ratio p-value | |
| Studies 1 + 2a | ||||
| AC → TH | 133b | 0.48b,d | 289c | 0.64c,d |
| (n = 1872)b | (0.39, 0.59) | (0.55, 0.74) | ||
| (n = 2031)c | p< 0.0001e | p< 0.0001e | ||
| AC → T | 261b | 418c | ||
| (n = 1880)b | ||||
| (n = 2032)c | ||||
| Study 3f | ||||
| Chemo → | 127 | 0.54 | 31 | 0.75 |
| Trastuzumab | (0.44, 0.67) | p = NSh | ||
| (n = 1693 ) | p< 0.0001g | |||
| Chemo → | 219 | 40 | ||
| Observation | ||||
| (n = 1693) | ||||
| Study 4i | ||||
| TCH | 134 | 0.67 | 56 | |
| (n = 1075) | (0.54 to 0.84) | |||
| p=0.0006e,j | ||||
| AC → TH | 121 | 0.60 | 49 | |
| (n = 1074) | (0.48 to 0.76) | |||
| p< 0.0001e,i | ||||
| AC → T | 180 | 80 | ||
| (n = 1073) | ||||
| Duration of Disease-Free Survival in Patients with |
| Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer (Studies 1 and 2) |
| Duration of Overall Survival in Patients with |
| Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer (Studies 1 and 2) |
| Duration of Disease-Free Survival in Patients with |
| Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer (Study 4) |
Exploratory analyses of DFS as a function of HER2 overexpression or gene amplification were conducted for patients in Studies 2 and 3, where central laboratory testing data were available. The results are shown in Table 10. The number of events in Study 2 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 Study 3 was adequate to demonstrate significant effects on DFS in the IHC 3+/FISH unknown and the FISH +/IHC unknown subgroups.
a IHC by HercepTest, FISH by PathVysion (HER2/CEP17 ratio ≥ 2.0) as performed at a central laboratory. | ||||
b All cases in this category in Study 3 were IHC 2+. | ||||
c Median follow-up duration of 12.6 months in the one-year trastuzumab treatment arm. | ||||
| Treatment Outcomes in Studies 2 and 3 as a Function of HER2 Overexpression or Amplification | ||||
| Study 2 | Study 3c | |||
| HER2 Assay Resulta | Number of Patients | Hazard Ratio DFS (95% CI) | Number of Patients | Hazard Ratio DFS (95% CI) |
| IHC 3+ | ||||
| FISH (+) | 1170 | 0.42 (0.27, 0.64) | 91 | 0.56 (0.13, 2.50) |
| FISH (-) | 51 | 0.71 (0.04, 11.79) | 8 | — |
| FISH Unknown | 51 | 0.69 (0.09, 5.14) | 2258 | 0.53 (0.41, 0.69) |
| IHC < 3+ / FISH (+) | 174 | 1.01 (0.18, 5.65) | 299b | 0.53 (0.20, 1.42) |
| IHC unknown / FISH (+) | — | — | 724 | 0.59 (0.38, 0.93) |
Previously Untreated Metastatic Breast Cancer (Study 5):
Study 5 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/m2 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/m2 or epirubicin 75 mg/m2 plus 600 mg/m2 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, a higher overall response rate (ORR), and a longer median duration of response as compared with patients randomized to chemotherapy alone. Patients randomized to trastuzumab and chemotherapy also had a longer median survival (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.
a AC = Anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) and cyclophosphamide. | ||||||
b Assessed by an independent Response Evaluation Committee. | ||||||
c Kaplan-Meier Estimate. | ||||||
d log-rank test. | ||||||
e χ2-test. | ||||||
| Study 5: Efficacy Results in First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer | ||||||
| Combined Results | Paclitaxel Subgroup | AC Subgroup | ||||
| trastuzumab + All Chemotherapy (n = 235) | All Chemotherapy (n = 234) | trastuzumab + Paclitaxel (n = 92) | Paclitaxel (n = 96) | trastuzumab + ACa (n = 143) | AC (n = 138) | |
| Primary Endpoint | ||||||
| Median TTP(mos)b,c | 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-valued | < 0.0001 | < 0.0001 | 0.002 | |||
| Secondary Endpoints | ||||||
| Overall Response Rateb | 45 | 29 | 38 | 15 | 50 | 38 |
| 95% CI | 39, 51 | 23, 35 | 28, 48 | 8, 22 | 42, 58 | 30, 46 |
| p-valuee | < 0.0001 | < 0.0001 | 0.10 | |||
| Median Resp Duration (mos)b,c | 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 |
| Med Survival (mos)c | 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-valued | 0.05 | 0.17 | 0.16 | |||
Data from Study 5 suggest that the beneficial treatment effects were largely limited to patients with the highest level of HER2 protein overexpression (3+) (see Table 12).
a FISH testing results were available for 451 of the 469 patients enrolled on study. | |||
b The relative risk represents the risk of progression or death in the trastuzumab plus chemotherapy arm versus the chemotherapy arm. | |||
| Treatment Effects in Study 5 as a Function of HER2 Overexpression or Amplification | |||
| HER2 Assay Result | Number of Patients (N) | Relative Riskb for Time to Disease Progression (95% CI) | Relative Riskb for Mortality (95% CI) |
| CTA 2+ or 3+ | 469 | 0.49 (0.40, 0.61) | 0.80 (0.64, 1.00) |
| FISH (+)a | 325 | 0.44 (0.34, 0.57) | 0.70 (0.53, 0.91) |
| FISH (-)a | 126 | 0.62 (0.42, 0.94) | 1.06 (0.70, 1.63) |
| CTA 2+ | 120 | 0.76 (0.50, 1.15) | 1.26 (0.82, 1.94) |
| FISH (+) | 32 | 0.54 (0.21, 1.35) | 1.31 (0.53, 3.27) |
| FISH (-) | 83 | 0.77 (0.48, 1.25) | 1.11 (0.68, 1.82) |
| CTA 3+ | 349 | 0.42 (0.33, 0.54) | 0.70 (0.51, 0.90) |
| FISH (+) | 293 | 0.42 (0.32, 0.55) | 0.67 (0.51, 0.89) |
| FISH (-) | 43 | 0.43 (0.20, 0.94) | 0.88 (0.39, 1.98) |
Previously Treated Metastatic Breast Cancer (Study 6):
Trastuzumab was studied as a single agent in a multicenter, open-label, single-arm clinical trial (Study 6) 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%.