(trastuzumab-qyyp)

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Clinical Pharmacology

12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

12.1 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. Trastuzumab products have been shown, in both in vitro assays and in animals, to inhibit the proliferation of human tumor cells that overexpress HER2.

Trastuzumab products are mediators of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In vitro, trastuzumab product-mediated ADCC has been shown to be preferentially exerted on HER2 overexpressing cancer cells compared with cancer cells that do not overexpress HER2.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

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.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of trastuzumab were evaluated in a pooled population pharmacokinetic (PK) model analysis of 1,582 subjects with primarily breast cancer and metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) receiving intravenous trastuzumab. Total trastuzumab clearance increases with decreasing concentrations due to parallel linear and non-linear elimination pathways.

Although the average trastuzumab exposure was higher following the first cycle in breast cancer patients receiving the three-weekly schedule compared to the weekly schedule of trastuzumab, the average steady-state exposure was essentially the same at both dosages. The average trastuzumab exposure following the first cycle and at steady state as well as the time to steady state was higher in breast cancer patients compared to MGC patients at the same dosage; however, the reason for this exposure difference is unknown. Additional predicted trastuzumab exposure and PK parameters following the first trastuzumab cycle and at steady state exposure are described in Tables 7 and 8, respectively.

Population PK based simulations indicate that following discontinuation of trastuzumab, concentrations in at least 95% of breast cancer patients and MGC patients will decrease to approximately 3% of the population predicted steady-state trough serum concentration (approximately 97% washout) by 7 months [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].

Table 7 Population Predicted Cycle 1 PK Exposures (Median with 5th to 95th Percentiles) in Breast Cancer and MGC Patients
Schedule Primary tumor type N Cmin
(µg/mL)
Cmax
(µg/mL)
AUC0–21 days
(µg.day/mL)

8 mg/kg + 6 mg/kg q3w

Breast cancer

1195

29.4
(5.8 to 59.5)

178
(117 to 291)

1373
(736 to 2245)

MGC

274

23.1
(6.1 to 50.3)

132
(84.2 to 225)

1109
(588 to 1938)

4 mg/kg + 2 mg/kg qw

Breast cancer

1195

37.7
(12.3 to 70.9)

88.3
(58 to 144)

1066
(586 to 1754)

Table 8 Population Predicted Steady State PK Exposures (Median with 5th to 95th Percentiles) in Breast Cancer and MGC Patients
Schedule Primary tumor type N Cmin,ss*
(µg/mL)
Cmax,ss
(µg/mL)
AUCss, 0–21 days
(µg.day/mL)
Time to steady-state
(week)
Total CL range at steady-state
(L/day)
*
Steady-state trough serum concentration of trastuzumab
Maximum steady-state serum concentration of trastuzumab

8 mg/kg + 6 mg/kg q3w

Breast cancer

1195

47.4
(5 to 115)

179
(107 to 309)

1794
(673 to 3618)

12

0.173 to 0.283

MGC

274

32.9
(6.1 to 88.9)

131
(72.5 to 251)

1338
(557 to 2875)

9

0.189 to 0.337

4 mg/kg + 2 mg/kg qw

Breast cancer

1195

66.1
(14.9 to 142)

109
(51.0 to 209)

1765
(647 to 3578)

12

0.201 to 0.244

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 are 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.

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