DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more

Herceptin (Trastuzumab) - Description and Clinical Pharmacology

 
 



DESCRIPTION

Herceptin (trastuzumab) is a humanized IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody that selectively binds with high affinity to the extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein, HER2. Trastuzumab is produced by recombinant DNA technology in a mammalian cell (Chinese Hamster Ovary) culture containing the antibiotic gentamicin. Gentamicin is not detectable in the final product.

Herceptin is a sterile, white to pale yellow, preservative-free lyophilized powder for intravenous administration. Each multi-use vial of Herceptin contains 440 mg trastuzumab, 400 mg α,α-trehalose dihydrate, 9.9 mg L-histidine HCl, 6.4 mg L-histidine, and 1.8 mg polysorbate 20, USP. Reconstitution with 20 mL of the appropriate diluent (BWFI or SWFI) yields a solution containing 21 mg/mL trastuzumab, at a pH of approximately 6.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Mechanism of Action

The HER2 (or c-erbB2) proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane receptor protein of 185 kDa, which is structurally related to the epidermal growth factor receptor. Herceptin has been shown, in both in vitro assays and in animals, to inhibit the proliferation of human tumor cells that overexpress HER2.

Herceptin is a mediator of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In vitro, Herceptin-mediated ADCC has been shown to be preferentially exerted on HER2 overexpressing cancer cells compared with cancer cells that do not overexpress HER2.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of trastuzumab were studied in women with metastatic breast cancer. Short duration intravenous infusions of 10 to 500 mg Herceptin once weekly demonstrated dose-dependent pharmacokinetics. Mean half-life increased and clearance decreased with increasing dose level. The half-life averaged 2 and 12 days at the 10 and 500 mg dose levels, respectively. The volume of distribution of trastuzumab was approximately that of serum volume (44 mL/kg). At the highest weekly dose studied (500 mg), mean peak serum concentrations were 377 mcg/mL.

In studies using an initial dose of 4 mg/kg followed by a weekly dose of 2 mg/kg, a mean half-life of 6 days (range 1–32 days) was observed. Between weeks 16 and 32, trastuzumab serum concentrations reached a steady state with mean trough and peak concentrations of approximately 79 mcg/mL and 123 mcg/mL, respectively.

In a study of women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, a mean half-life of trastuzumab of 16 days (range: 11–23 days) was observed after an initial dose of 8 mg/kg followed by a dose of 6 mg/kg every three weeks. Between weeks 6 and 37, trastuzumab serum concentrations reached a steady-state with mean trough and peak concentrations of 63 mcg/mL and 216 mcg/mL, respectively.

In patients with metastatic gastric cancer (Study 7), mean serum trastuzumab trough concentrations at steady state were 24 to 63% lower as compared to the concentrations observed in patients with breast cancer receiving treatment for metastatic disease in combination with paclitaxel, as monotherapy for metastatic disease, or as adjuvant monotherapy.

Sixty-four percent (286/447) of women with metastatic breast cancer had detectable circulating extracellular domain of the HER2 receptor (shed antigen), which ranged as high as 1880 ng/mL (median 11 ng/mL). Patients with higher baseline shed antigen levels were more likely to have lower serum trough concentrations.

Data suggest that the disposition of trastuzumab is not altered based on age or serum creatinine (≤2.0 mg creatinine/dL).

NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Herceptin has not been tested for carcinogenic potential.

No evidence of mutagenic activity was observed when trastuzumab was tested in the standard Ames bacterial and human peripheral blood lymphocyte mutagenicity assays, at concentrations of up to 5000 mcg/mL. In an in vivo micronucleus assay, no evidence of chromosomal damage to mouse bone marrow cells was observed following bolus intravenous doses of up to 118 mg/kg Herceptin.

A fertility study conducted in female cynomolgus monkeys at doses up to 25 times the weekly recommended human dose of 2 mg/kg trastuzumab and has revealed no evidence of impaired fertility, as measured by menstrual cycle duration and female sex hormone levels. Studies to evaluate the effects of trastuzumab on male fertility have not been conducted.

Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology

Reproductive Toxicology Studies

Reproductive toxicology studies have been conducted in cynomolgus monkeys at doses up to 25 times the weekly recommended human dose of 2 mg/kg Herceptin and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus. However, HER2 protein expression is high in many embryonic tissues including cardiac and neural tissues; in mutant mice lacking HER2, embryos died in early gestation. Placental transfer of trastuzumab was detected at Caesarean section in offspring from pregnant cynomolgus monkeys dosed during the early (Days 20–50 of gestation) or late (Days 120–150 of gestation) fetal development periods.

CLINICAL STUDIES

Adjuvant Breast Cancer

The safety and efficacy of Herceptin in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for HER2 overexpressing breast cancer, were evaluated in an integrated analysis of two randomized, open-label, clinical trials (Studies 1 and 2) with a total of 4063 women at the protocol-specified final overall survival analysis, a third randomized, open-label, clinical trial (Study 3) with a total of 3386 women at definitive Disease Free Survival analysis for one-year Herceptin treatment versus observation, and a fourth randomized, open-label clinical trial with a total of 3222 patients (Study 4).

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 mmHg or systolic > 200 mmHg) were not eligible.

Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (AC→paclitaxel) alone or paclitaxel plus Herceptin (AC→paclitaxel + Herceptin). 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. Herceptin 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. Herceptin treatment was permanently discontinued in patients who developed congestive heart failure, or persistent/recurrent LVEF decline [see Dosage and Administration ]. 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 + Herceptin 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 + Herceptin 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, 22–80 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 + Herceptin 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 Herceptin 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 Herceptin treatment or two years of Herceptin 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. Herceptin 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 Herceptin treatment to observation was performed at a median follow-up duration of 12.6 months in the Herceptin arm and formed the basis for the definitive DFS results from this study. Among the 3386 patients randomized to the observation (n =1693) and Herceptin one-year (n= 1693) treatment arms, the median age was 49 years (range 21–80), 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% were ER− and PgR−, and 47% were ER and/or PgR + and had at least one of the following high risk features: pathological tumor size greater than 2 cm, Grade 2–3, 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 Herceptin treatment were disclosed, a prospectively planned analysis that included comparison of one year versus two years of Herceptin treatment at a median follow-up duration of 8 years was performed. Based on this analysis, extending Herceptin treatment for a duration of two years did not show additional benefit over treatment for one year [Hazard Ratios of two-years Herceptin versus one-year Herceptin 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 mmHg), 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 Herceptin (AC-TH), or docetaxel and carboplatin plus Herceptin (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/m 2 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. Herceptin 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 7. 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).

Table 7 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
CI = confidence interval.
Studies 1 + 2 1
AC→TH
(n =1872) 2
(n = 2031) 3
133 0.48 , 4
(0.39, 0.59)
p< 0.0001 5
289 0.64 ,
(0.55, 0.74)
p< 0.0001
AC→T
(n = 1880)
(n = 2032)
261 418
Study 3At definitive DFS analysis with median duration of follow-up of 12.6 months in the one-year Herceptin treatment arm.
Chemo→
Herceptin
(n =1693)
127 0.54
(0.44, 0.67)
p< 0.0001log-rank test.
31 0.75
p=NSNS= non-significant.
Chemo→
  Observation
  (n = 1693)
219 40
Study 4 6
TCH
(n=1075)
134 0.67
(0.54 – 0.84)
p=0.0006 , 7
56
AC→TH
(n=1074)
121 0.60
(0.48 – 0.76)
p< 0.0001 ,
49
AC→T
(n=1073)
180 80

1 Studies 1 and 2 regimens: doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (AC→T) or paclitaxel plus Herceptin (AC→TH).
2 Efficacy evaluable population, for the primary DFS analysis, following a median follow-up of 2.0 years in the AC→TH arm.
3 Efficacy evaluable population, for the final OS analysis, following 707 deaths (8.3 years of median follow-up in the AC→TH arm).
4 Hazard ratio estimated by Cox regression stratified by clinical trial, intended paclitaxel schedule, number of positive nodes, and hormone receptor status.
5 stratified log-rank test.
6 Study 4 regimens: doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (AC→T) or docetaxel plus Herceptin (AC→TH); docetaxel and carboplatin plus Herceptin (TCH).
7 A two-sided alpha level of 0.025 for each comparison.

Figure 4
Duration of Disease-Free Survival in Patients with Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer (Studies 1 and 2)

Figure 5
Duration of Overall Survival in Patients with
Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer (Studies 1 and 2)

Figure 6
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 8. 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.

Table 8: Treatment Outcomes in Studies 2 and 3 as a Function of HER2 Overexpression or Amplification
  Study 2 Study 3Median follow-up duration of 12.6 months in the one-year Herceptin treatment arm.
HER2 Assay Result 1 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)
299 2 0.53
(0.20, 1.42)
IHC unknown / FISH (+) 724 0.59
(0.38, 0.93)

1 IHC by HercepTest, FISH by PathVysion (HER2/CEP17 ratio ≥ 2.0) as performed at a central laboratory.
2 All cases in this category in study 3 were IHC 2+.

Metastatic Breast Cancer

The safety and efficacy of Herceptin in treatment of women with metastatic breast cancer were studied in a randomized, controlled clinical trial in combination with chemotherapy (Study 5, n=469 patients) and an open-label single agent clinical trial (Study 6, n=222 patients). Both trials studied patients with metastatic breast cancer whose tumors overexpress the HER2 protein. Patients were eligible if they had 2 or 3 levels of overexpression (based on a 0 to 3 scale) by immunohistochemical assessment of tumor tissue performed by a central testing lab.

Previously Untreated Metastatic Breast Cancer (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 Herceptin given intravenously as a 4 mg/kg loading dose followed by weekly doses of Herceptin 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 Herceptin 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 Herceptin 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 Herceptin and chemotherapy also had a longer median survival (see Table 9). These treatment effects were observed both in patients who received Herceptin plus paclitaxel and in those who received Herceptin plus AC; however the magnitude of the effects was greater in the paclitaxel subgroup.

Table 9: Study 5:  Efficacy Results in First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer
  Combined Results Paclitaxel Subgroup AC Subgroup
  Herceptin + All Chemotherapy
(n = 235)
All Chemotherapy
(n = 234)
Herceptin + Paclitaxel
(n = 92)
Paclitaxel
(n = 96)
Herceptin + AC 1
(n = 143)
AC
(n = 138)
Primary Endpoint
Median TTP (mos) 2 , 3 7.2 4.5 6.7 2.5 7.6 5.7
    95% CI 7, 8 4, 5 5, 10 2, 4 7, 9 5, 7
    p-value 4 < 0.0001 < 0.0001 0.002
Secondary Endpoints
Overall Response Rate 45 29 38 15 50 38
    95% CI 39, 51 23, 35 28, 48 8, 22 42, 58 30, 46
    p-value 5  < 0.001  < 0.001 0.10
Median Resp Duration (mos) , 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) 25.1 20.3 22.1 18.4 26.8 21.4
    95% CI 22, 30 17, 24 17, 29 13, 24 23, 33 18, 27
    p-value 0.05 0.17 0.16

1 AC = Anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) and cyclophosphamide.
2 Assessed by an independent Response Evaluation Committee.
3 Kaplan-Meier Estimate.
4 log-rank test.
5 Χ2-test.

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 10).

Table 10: Treatment Effects in Study 5 as a Function of HER2 Overexpression or Amplification
HER2 Assay Result Number of Patients
(N)
Relative Risk 1 for Time to Disease Progression
(95% CI)
Relative Risk for Mortality
(95% CI)
CTA 2+ or 3+ 469 0.49 (0.40, 0.61) 0.80 (0.64, 1.00)
    FISH (+) 2 325 0.44 (0.34, 0.57) 0.70 (0.53, 0.91)
    FISH (−) 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)

1 The relative risk represents the risk of progression or death in the Herceptin plus chemotherapy arm versus the chemotherapy arm.
2 FISH testing results were available for 451 of the 469 patients enrolled on study.

Previously Treated Metastatic Breast Cancer (Study 6)

Herceptin 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 Herceptin at 2 mg/kg IV.

The ORR (complete response+partial response), as determined by an independent Response Evaluation Committee, was 14%, with a 2% complete response rate and a 12% partial response rate. Complete responses were observed only in patients with disease limited to skin and lymph nodes. The overall response rate in patients whose tumors tested as CTA 3+ was 18% while in those that tested as CTA 2+, it was 6%.

Metastatic Gastric Cancer

The safety and efficacy of Herceptin in combination with cisplatin and a fluoropyrimidine (capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil) were studied in patients previously untreated for metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (Study 7). In this open-label, multi-center trial, 594 patients were randomized 1:1 to Herceptin in combination with cisplatin and a fluoropyrimidine (FC+H) or chemotherapy alone (FC). Randomization was stratified by extent of disease (metastatic vs. locally advanced), primary site (gastric vs. gastroesophageal junction), tumor measurability (yes vs. no), ECOG performance status (0,1 vs. 2), and fluoropyrimidine (capecitabine vs. 5-fluorouracil). All patients were either HER2 gene amplified (FISH+) or HER2 overexpressing (IHC 3+). Patients were also required to have adequate cardiac function (e.g., LVEF > 50%).

On the Herceptin-containing arm, Herceptin was administered as an IV infusion at an initial dose of 8 mg/kg followed by 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks until disease progression. On both study arms cisplatin was administered at a dose of 80 mg/m2 Day 1 every 3 weeks for 6 cycles as a 2 hour IV infusion. On both study arms capecitabine was administered at 1000 mg/m2 dose orally twice daily (total daily dose 2000 mg/m2) for 14 days of each 21 day cycle for 6 cycles. Alternatively continuous intravenous infusion (CIV) 5-fluorouracil was administered at a dose of 800 mg/m2/day from Day 1 through Day 5 every three weeks for 6 cycles.

The median age of the study population was 60 years (range: 21-83); 76% were male; 53% were Asian, 38% Caucasian, 5% Hispanic, 5% other racial/ethnic groups; 91% had ECOG PS of 0 or 1; 82% had primary gastric cancer and 18% had primary gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Of these patients, 23% had undergone prior gastrectomy, 7% had received prior neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy, and 2% had received prior radiotherapy.

The main outcome measure of Study 7 was overall survival (OS), analyzed by the unstratified log-rank test. The final OS analysis based on 351 deaths was statistically significant (nominal significance level of 0.0193). An updated OS analysis was conducted at one year after the final analysis. The efficacy results of both the final and the updated analyses are summarized in Table 11 and Figure 7.

Table 11: Study 7: Overall Survival in ITT Population
  FC Arm
N=296
FC + H Arm
N=298
Definitive (Second Interim) Overall Survival
      No. Deaths (%) 184 (62.2%) 167 (56.0%)
      Median 11.0 13.5
      95% CI (mos.) (9.4, 12.5) (11.7, 15.7)
      Hazard Ratio 0.73
      95% CI (0.60, 0.91)
      p value 1, two sided 0.0038
Updated Overall Survival
      No. Deaths (%) 227 (76.7%) 221 (74.2%)
      Median 11.7 13.1
      95% CI (mos.) (10.3, 13.0) (11.9, 15.1)
      Hazard Ratio 0.80
      95% CI (0.67, 0.97)

1 Comparing with the nominal significance level of 0.0193.

Figure 7
Updated Overall Survival in Patients with Metastatic Gastric Cancer (Study 7)

An exploratory analysis of OS in patients based on HER2 gene amplification (FISH) and protein overexpression (IHC) testing is summarized in Table 12.

Table 12: Exploratory Analyses by HER2 Status using Updated Overall Survival Results
  FC
(N=296) 1
FC + H
(N=298) 2
FISH+ / IHC 0, 1+ subgroup (N=133)
      No. Deaths / n (%) 57/71 (80%) 56/62 (90%)
      Median OS Duration (mos.) 8.8 8.3
      95% CI (mos.) (6.4, 11.7) (6.2, 10.7)
      Hazard ratio (95% CI) 1.33 (0.92, 1.92)
FISH+ / IHC2+ subgroup (N=160)
      No. Deaths / n (%) 65/80 (81%) 64/80 (80%)
      Median OS Duration (mos.) 10.8 12.3
      95% CI (mos.) (6.8, 12.8) (9.5, 15.7)
      Hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.78 (0.55, 1.10)
FISH+ or FISH /IHC3+ 3 subgroup (N=294)
      No. Deaths / n (%) 104/143 (73%) 96/151 (64%)
      Median OS Duration (mos.) 13.2 18.0
      95% CI (mos.) (11.5, 15.2) (15.5, 21.2)
      Hazard ratio (95% CI) 0.66 (0.50, 0.87)

1 Two patients on the FC arm who were FISH+ but IHC status unknown were excluded from the exploratory subgroup analyses.
2 Five patients on the Herceptin-containing arm who were FISH+, but IHC status unknown were excluded from the exploratory subgroup analyses.
3 Includes 6 patients on chemotherapy arm, 10 patients on Herceptin arm with FISH-, IHC3+ and 8 patients on chemotherapy arm, 8 patients on Herceptin arm with FISH status unknown, IHC 3+.

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017