Contents of the package leaflet for the medicine TRAZIMERA 150mg powder for concentrate infusion solution
1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Trazimera 150 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
Trazimera 420 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Trazimera 150 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
One vial contains 150 mg of trastuzumab, a humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody produced bymammalian (Chinese hamster ovary) cell suspension culture and purified by chromatographyincluding specific viral inactivation and removal procedures.
Trazimera 420 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
One vial contains 420 mg of trastuzumab, a humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody produced bymammalian (Chinese hamster ovary) cell suspension culture and purified by chromatographyincluding specific viral inactivation and removal procedures.
The reconstituted Trazimera solution contains 21 mg/mL of trastuzumab.
For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Powder for concentrate for solution for infusion (powder for concentrate).
White lyophilised powder or cake.
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer
Trazimera is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with HER2-positive metastatic breastcancer (MBC):
- as monotherapy for the treatment of those patients who have received at least twochemotherapy regimens for their metastatic disease. Prior chemotherapy must have included atleast an anthracycline and a taxane unless patients are unsuitable for these treatments.
Hormone receptor positive patients must also have failed hormonal therapy, unless patients areunsuitable for these treatments.
- in combination with paclitaxel for the treatment of those patients who have not receivedchemotherapy for their metastatic disease and for whom an anthracycline is not suitable.
- in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of those patients who have not receivedchemotherapy for their metastatic disease.
- in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for the treatment of postmenopausal patients withhormone-receptor positive MBC, not previously treated with trastuzumab.
Early breast cancer
Trazimera is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer(EBC):
- following surgery, chemotherapy (neoadjuvant or adjuvant) and radiotherapy (if applicable)(see section 5.1).
- following adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, in combinationwith paclitaxel or docetaxel.
- in combination with adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel and carboplatin.
- in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by adjuvant Trazimera therapy, forlocally advanced (including inflammatory) disease or tumours > 2 cm in diameter (seesections 4.4 and 5.1).
Trazimera should only be used in patients with metastatic or early breast cancer whose tumours haveeither HER2 overexpression or HER2 gene amplification as determined by an accurate and validatedassay (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).
Metastatic gastric cancer
Trazimera in combination with capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin is indicated for thetreatment of adult patients with HER2-positive metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach orgastro-oesophageal junction who have not received prior anti-cancer treatment for their metastaticdisease.
Trazimera should only be used in patients with metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) whose tumours have
HER2 overexpression as defined by IHC2+ and a confirmatory SISH or FISH result, or by an
IHC3+ result. Accurate and validated assay methods should be used (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).
4.2 Posology and method of administration
HER2 testing is mandatory prior to initiation of therapy (see sections 4.4 and 5.1). Trazimeratreatment should only be initiated by a physician experienced in the administration of cytotoxicchemotherapy (see section 4.4), and should be administered by a healthcare professional only.
Trazimera intravenous formulation is not intended for subcutaneous administration and should beadministered via an intravenous infusion only.
In order to prevent medication errors it is important to check the vial labels to ensure that themedicinal product being prepared and administered is Trazimera (trastuzumab) and not anothertrastuzumab-containing product (e.g. trastuzumab emtansine or trastuzumab deruxtecan).
PosologyMetastatic breast cancer
Three-weekly schedule
The recommended initial loading dose is 8 mg/kg body weight. The recommended maintenance doseat three-weekly intervals is 6 mg/kg body weight, beginning three weeks after the loading dose.
Weekly schedule
The recommended initial loading dose is 4 mg/kg body weight. The recommended weeklymaintenance dose is 2 mg/kg body weight, beginning one week after the loading dose.
Administration in combination with paclitaxel or docetaxel
In the pivotal trials (H0648g, M77001), paclitaxel or docetaxel was administered the day followingthe first dose of trastuzumab (for dose, see the Summary of Product Characteristics [SmPC] forpaclitaxel or docetaxel) and immediately after the subsequent doses of trastuzumab if the precedingdose of trastuzumab was well tolerated.
Administration in combination with an aromatase inhibitor
In the pivotal trial (BO16216) trastuzumab and anastrozole were administered from day 1. Therewere no restrictions on the relative timing of trastuzumab and anastrozole at administration (for dose,see the SmPC for anastrozole or other aromatase inhibitors).
Early breast cancer
Three-weekly and weekly schedule
As a three-weekly regimen the recommended initial loading dose of Trazimera is 8 mg/kg bodyweight. The recommended maintenance dose of Trazimera at three-weekly intervals is 6 mg/kg bodyweight, beginning three weeks after the loading dose.
As a weekly regimen (initial loading dose of 4 mg/kg followed by 2 mg/kg every week)concomitantly with paclitaxel following chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide.
See section 5.1 for chemotherapy combination dosing.
Metastatic gastric cancer
Three-weekly schedule
The recommended initial loading dose is 8 mg/kg body weight. The recommended maintenance doseat three-weekly intervals is 6 mg/kg body weight, beginning three weeks after the loading dose.
Breast cancer and gastric cancer
Duration of treatmentPatients with MBC or MGC should be treated with Trazimera until progression of disease. Patientswith EBC should be treated with Trazimera for 1 year or until disease recurrence, whichever occursfirst; extending treatment in EBC beyond one year is not recommended (see section 5.1).
Dose reductionNo reductions in the dose of trastuzumab were made during clinical trials. Patients may continuetherapy during periods of reversible, chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression but they should bemonitored carefully for complications of neutropenia during this time. Refer to the SmPC forpaclitaxel, docetaxel or aromatase inhibitor for information on dose reduction or delays.
If left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) percentage drops ≥10 points from baseline AND to below50%, treatment should be suspended and a repeat LVEF assessment performed within approximately3 weeks. If LVEF has not improved, or has declined further, or if symptomatic congestive heartfailure (CHF) has developed, discontinuation of Trazimera should be strongly considered, unless thebenefits for the individual patient are deemed to outweigh the risks. All such patients should bereferred for assessment by a cardiologist and followed up.
Missed dosesIf the patient has missed a dose of Trazimera by one week or less, then the usual maintenance dose(weekly regimen: 2 mg/kg; three-weekly regimen: 6 mg/kg) should be administered as soon aspossible. The patient should not wait until the next planned cycle. Subsequent maintenance dosesshould be administered 7 days or 21 days later according to the weekly or three-weekly schedules,respectively.
If the patient has missed a dose of Trazimera by more than one week, a re-loading dose of Trazimerashould be administered over approximately 90 minutes (weekly regimen: 4 mg/kg; three-weeklyregimen: 8 mg/kg) as soon as possible. Subsequent Trazimera maintenance doses (weeklyregimen:2 mg/kg; three-weekly regimen 6 mg/kg respectively) should be administered 7 days or21 days later according to the weekly or three-weekly schedules respectively.
Special populationsDedicated pharmacokinetic studies in the elderly and those with renal or hepatic impairment havenot been carried out. In a population pharmacokinetic analysis, age and renal impairment were notshown to affect trastuzumab disposition.
Paediatric populationThere is no relevant use of Trazimera in the paediatric population.
Method of administrationTrazimera is for intravenous use. The loading dose should be administered as a 90-minuteintravenous infusion. It should not be administered as an intravenous push or bolus. Trazimeraintravenous infusion should be administered by a healthcare provider prepared to manageanaphylaxis and an emergency kit should be available. Patients should be observed for at least sixhours after the start of the first infusion and for two hours after the start of the subsequent infusionsfor symptoms like fever and chills or other infusion-related symptoms (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
Interruption or slowing the rate of the infusion may help control such symptoms. The infusion maybe resumed when symptoms abate.
If the initial loading dose was well tolerated, the subsequent doses can be administered as a30-minute infusion.
For instructions on reconstitution of Trazimera intravenous formulation before administration, seesection 6.6.
4.3 Contraindications
* Hypersensitivity to trastuzumab, murine proteins, or to any of the excipients listed in section6.1
* Severe dyspnoea at rest due to complications of advanced malignancy or requiringsupplementary oxygen therapy.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
TraceabilityIn order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the trade name and the batchnumber of the administered product should be clearly recorded.
HER2 testing must be performed in a specialised laboratory which can ensure adequate validation ofthe testing procedures (see section 5.1).
Currently no data from clinical trials are available on re-treatment of patients with previous exposureto trastuzumab in the adjuvant setting.
Cardiac dysfunction
General considerations
Patients treated with Trazimera are at increased risk for developing CHF (New York Heart
Association [NYHA] Class II-IV) or asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction. These events have beenobserved in patients receiving trastuzumab therapy alone or in combination with paclitaxel ordocetaxel, particularly following anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) containing chemotherapy.
These may be moderate to severe and have been associated with death (see section 4.8). In addition,caution should be exercised in treating patients with increased cardiac risk, e.g. hypertension,documented coronary artery disease, CHF, LVEF of <55%, older age.
All candidates for treatment with Trazimera, but especially those with prior anthracycline andcyclophosphamide (AC) exposure, should undergo baseline cardiac assessment including history andphysical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and/or multigated acquisition(MUGA) scan or magnetic resonance imaging. Monitoring may help to identify patients whodevelop cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac assessments, as performed at baseline, should be repeatedevery 3 months during treatment and every 6 months following discontinuation of treatment until24 months from the last administration of Trazimera. A careful risk-benefit assessment should bemade before deciding to treat with Trazimera.
Trastuzumab may persist in the circulation for up to 7 months after stopping treatment based onpopulation pharmacokinetic analysis of all available data (see section 5.2). Patients who receiveanthracyclines after stopping trastuzumab may possibly be at increased risk of cardiac dysfunction. Ifpossible, physicians should avoid anthracycline-based therapy for up to 7 months after stoppingtrastuzumab. If anthracyclines are used, the patient’s cardiac function should be monitored carefully.
Formal cardiological assessment should be considered in patients in whom there are cardiovascularconcerns following baseline screening. In all patients cardiac function should be monitored duringtreatment (e.g. every 12 weeks). Monitoring may help to identify patients who develop cardiacdysfunction. Patients who develop asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction may benefit from morefrequent monitoring (e.g. every 6 - 8 weeks). If patients have a continued decrease in left ventricularfunction, but remain asymptomatic, the physician should consider discontinuing therapy if noclinical benefit of trastuzumab therapy has been seen.
The safety of continuation or resumption of trastuzumab in patients who experience cardiacdysfunction has not been prospectively studied. If LVEF percentage drops ≥10 points from baseline
AND to below 50%, treatment should be suspended and a repeat LVEF assessment performed withinapproximately 3 weeks. If LVEF has not improved, or declined further, or symptomatic CHF hasdeveloped, discontinuation of trastuzumab should be strongly considered, unless the benefits for theindividual patient are deemed to outweigh the risks. All such patients should be referred forassessment by a cardiologist and followed up.
If symptomatic cardiac failure develops during Trazimera therapy, it should be treated with standardmedicinal products for CHF. Most patients who developed CHF or asymptomatic cardiacdysfunction in pivotal trials improved with standard CHF treatment consisting of anangiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and abeta-blocker. The majority of patients with cardiac symptoms and evidence of a clinical benefit oftrastuzumab treatment continued on therapy without additional clinical cardiac events.
Metastatic breast cancer
Trazimera and anthracyclines should not be given concurrently in combination in the MBC setting.
Patients with MBC who have previously received anthracyclines are also at risk of cardiacdysfunction with Trazimera treatment, although the risk is lower than with concurrent use of
Trazimera and anthracyclines.
Early breast cancer
For patients with EBC, cardiac assessments, as performed at baseline, should be repeated every3 months during treatment and every 6 months following discontinuation of treatment until 24months from the last administration of Trazimera. In patients who receive anthracycline-containingchemotherapy further monitoring is recommended, and should occur yearly up to 5 years from thelast administration of Trazimera, or longer if a continuous decrease of LVEF is observed.
Patients with history of myocardial infarction (MI), angina pectoris requiring medical treatment,history of or existing CHF (NYHA Class II-IV), LVEF of < 55%, other cardiomyopathy, cardiacarrhythmia requiring medical treatment, clinically significant cardiac valvular disease, poorlycontrolled hypertension (hypertension controlled by standard medical treatment eligible), andhemodynamic effective pericardial effusion were excluded from adjuvant and neoadjuvant EBCpivotal trials with trastuzumab and therefore treatment cannot be recommended in such patients.
Adjuvant treatment
Trazimera and anthracyclines should not be given concurrently in combination in the adjuvanttreatment setting.
In patients with EBC an increase in the incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic cardiac eventswas observed when trastuzumab was administered after anthracycline-containing chemotherapycompared to administration with a non-anthracycline regimen of docetaxel and carboplatin and wasmore marked when trastuzumab was administered concurrently with taxanes than when administeredsequentially to taxanes. Regardless of the regimen used, most symptomatic cardiac events occurredwithin the first 18 months. In one of the 3 pivotal studies conducted in which a median follow-up of5.5 years was available (BCIRG006) a continuous increase in the cumulative rate of symptomaticcardiac or LVEF events was observed in patients who were administered trastuzumab concurrentlywith a taxane following anthracycline therapy up to 2.37% compared to approximately 1% in the twocomparator arms (anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide followed by taxane and taxane, carboplatinand trastuzumab).
Risk factors for a cardiac event identified in four large adjuvant studies included advanced age(>50 years), low LVEF (<55%) at baseline, prior to or following the initiation of paclitaxeltreatment, decline in LVEF by 10-15 points, and prior or concurrent use of anti-hypertensivemedicinal products. In patients receiving trastuzumab after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy,the risk of cardiac dysfunction was associated with a higher cumulative dose of anthracycline givenprior to initiation of trastuzumab and a body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2.
Neoadjuvant-adjuvant treatment
In patients with EBC eligible for neoadjuvant-adjuvant treatment, Trazimera should be usedconcurrently with anthracyclines only in chemotherapy-naive patients and only with low-doseanthracycline regimens i.e. maximum cumulative doses of doxorubicin 180 mg/m2 or epirubicin360 mg/m2.
If patients have been treated concurrently with a full course of low-dose anthracyclines and
Trazimera in the neoadjuvant setting, no additional cytotoxic chemotherapy should be given aftersurgery. In other situations, the decision on the need for additional cytotoxic chemotherapy isdetermined based on individual factors.
Experience of concurrent administration of trastuzumab with low dose anthracycline regimens iscurrently limited to two trials (MO16432 and BO22227).
In the pivotal trial MO16432, trastuzumab was administered concurrently with neoadjuvantchemotherapy containing three cycles of doxorubicin (cumulative dose 180 mg/m2).
The incidence of symptomatic cardiac dysfunction was 1.7% in the trastuzumab arm.
In the pivotal trial BO22227, trastuzumab was administered concurrently with neoadjuvantchemotherapy that contained four cycles of epirubicin (cumulative dose 300 mg/m2); at a medianfollow-up exceeding 70 months, the incidence of cardiac failure/congestive cardiac failure was 0.3%in the trastuzumab intravenous arm.
Clinical experience is limited in patients above 65 years of age.
Infusion-related reactions (IRRs) and hypersensitivity
Serious IRRs to trastuzumab infusion including dyspnoea, hypotension, wheezing, hypertension,bronchospasm, supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, reduced oxygen saturation, anaphylaxis,respiratory distress, urticaria and angioedema have been reported (see section 4.8). Pre-medicationmay be used to reduce risk of occurrence of these events. The majority of these events occur duringor within 2.5 hours of the start of the first infusion. Should an infusion reaction occur the infusionshould be discontinued or the rate of infusion slowed and the patient should be monitored untilresolution of all observed symptoms (see section 4.2). These symptoms can be treated with ananalgesic/antipyretic such as meperidine or paracetamol, or an antihistamine such asdiphenhydramine. The majority of patients experienced resolution of symptoms and subsequentlyreceived further infusions of trastuzumab. Serious reactions have been treated successfully withsupportive therapy such as oxygen, beta-agonists, and corticosteroids. In rare cases, these reactionsare associated with a clinical course culminating in a fatal outcome. Patients experiencing dyspnoeaat rest due to complications of advanced malignancy and comorbidities may be at increased risk of afatal infusion reaction. Therefore, these patients should not be treated with trastuzumab (see section4.3).
Initial improvement followed by clinical deterioration and delayed reactions with rapid clinicaldeterioration have also been reported. Fatalities have occurred within hours and up to one weekfollowing infusion. On very rare occasions, patients have experienced the onset of infusionsymptoms and pulmonary symptoms more than six hours after the start of the trastuzumab infusion.
Patients should be warned of the possibility of such a late onset and should be instructed to contacttheir physician if these symptoms occur.
Pulmonary events
Severe pulmonary events have been reported with the use of trastuzumab in the post-marketingsetting (see section 4.8). These events have occasionally been fatal. In addition, cases of interstitiallung disease including lung infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, pneumonitis,pleural effusion, respiratory distress, acute pulmonary oedema and respiratory insufficiency havebeen reported. Risk factors associated with interstitial lung disease include prior or concomitanttherapy with other anti-neoplastic therapies known to be associated with it such as taxanes,gemcitabine, vinorelbine and radiation therapy. These events may occur as part of an infusion-relatedreaction or with a delayed onset. Patients experiencing dyspnoea at rest due to complications ofadvanced malignancy and comorbidities may be at increased risk of pulmonary events. Therefore,these patients should not be treated with trastuzumab (see section 4.3). Caution should be exercisedfor pneumonitis, especially in patients being treated concomitantly with taxanes.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No formal drug interaction studies have been performed. Clinically significant interactions betweentrastuzumab and the concomitant medicinal products used in clinical trials have not been observed.
Effect of trastuzumab on the pharmacokinetics of other antineoplastic agents
Pharmacokinetic data from studies BO15935 and M77004 in women with HER2-positive MBCsuggested that exposure to paclitaxel and doxorubicin (and their major metabolites 6-αhydroxyl-paclitaxel, POH, and doxorubicinol, DOL) was not altered in the presence of trastuzumab(8 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg intravenous loading dose followed by 6 mg/kg q3w or 2 mg/kg q1wintravenous dose, respectively). However, trastuzumab may elevate the overall exposure of onedoxorubicin metabolite, (7-deoxy-13 dihydro-doxorubicinone, D7D). The bioactivity of D7D and theclinical impact of the elevation of this metabolite was unclear.
Data from study JP16003, a single-arm study of trastuzumab (4 mg/kg intravenous loading dose and2 mg/kg intravenous dose weekly) and docetaxel (60 mg/m2 intravenous dose) in Japanese womenwith HER2-positive MBC, suggested that concomitant administration of trastuzumab had no effecton the single-dose pharmacokinetics of docetaxel. Study JP19959 was a substudy of BO18255(ToGA) performed in male and female Japanese patients with advanced gastric cancer to study thepharmacokinetics of capecitabine and cisplatin when used with or without trastuzumab. The resultsof this substudy suggested that the exposure to the bioactive metabolites (e.g. 5-FU) of capecitabinewas not affected by concurrent use of cisplatin or by concurrent use of cisplatin plus trastuzumab.
However, capecitabine itself showed higher concentrations and a longer half-life when combinedwith trastuzumab. The data also suggested that the pharmacokinetics of cisplatin were not affectedby concurrent use of capecitabine or by concurrent use of capecitabine plus trastuzumab.
Pharmacokinetic data from study H4613g/GO01305 in patients with metastatic or locally advancedinoperable HER2-positive cancer suggested that trastuzumab had no impact on the PK ofcarboplatin.
Effect of antineoplastic agents on trastuzumab pharmacokinetics
By comparison of simulated serum trastuzumab concentrations after trastuzumab monotherapy(4 mg/kg loading/2 mg/kg q1w intravenous) and observed serum concentrations in Japanese womenwith HER2-positive MBC (study JP16003) no evidence of a PK effect of concurrent administrationof docetaxel on the pharmacokinetics of trastuzumab was found.
Comparison of PK results from two Phase II studies (BO15935 and M77004) and one Phase IIIstudy (H0648g) in which patients were treated concomitantly with trastuzumab and paclitaxel andtwo Phase II studies in which trastuzumab was administered as monotherapy (W016229 and
MO16982), in women with HER2-positive MBC indicates that individual and mean trastuzumabtrough serum concentrations varied within and across studies but there was no clear effect of theconcomitant administration of paclitaxel on the pharmacokinetics of trastuzumab. Comparison oftrastuzumab PK data from study M77004 in which women with HER2-positive MBC were treatedconcomitantly with trastuzumab, paclitaxel and doxorubicin to trastuzumab PK data in studies wheretrastuzumab was administered as monotherapy (H0649g) or in combination with anthracycline pluscyclophosphamide or paclitaxel (study H0648g), suggested no effect of doxorubicin and paclitaxelon the pharmacokinetics of trastuzumab.
Pharmacokinetic data from study H4613g/GO01305 suggested that carboplatin had no impact on the
PK of trastuzumab.
The administration of concomitant anastrozole did not appear to influence the pharmacokinetics oftrastuzumab.
4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Women of childbearing potential/ContraceptionWomen of childbearing potential should be advised to use effective contraception during treatmentwith Trazimera and for 7 months after treatment has concluded (see section 5.2).
PregnancyReproduction studies have been conducted in Cynomolgus monkeys at doses up to 25 times that ofthe weekly human maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg trastuzumab intravenous formulation and haverevealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the foetus. Placental transfer of trastuzumabduring the early (days 20-50 of gestation) and late (days 120-150 of gestation) foetal developmentperiod was observed. It is not known whether trastuzumab can affect reproductive capacity. Asanimal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, trastuzumab should beavoided during pregnancy unless the potential benefit for the mother outweighs the potential risk tothe foetus.
In the post-marketing setting, cases of foetal renal growth and/or function impairment in associationwith oligohydramnios, some associated with fatal pulmonary hypoplasia of the foetus, have beenreported in pregnant women receiving trastuzumab. Women who become pregnant should beadvised of the possibility of harm to the foetus. If a pregnant woman is treated with trastuzumab, orif a patient becomes pregnant while receiving trastuzumab or within 7 months following the last doseof trastuzumab, close monitoring by a multidisciplinary team is desirable.
Breast-feedingA study conducted in Cynomolgus monkeys at doses 25 times that of the weekly humanmaintenance dose of 2 mg/kg trastuzumab intravenous formulation from days 120 to 150 ofpregnancy demonstrated that trastuzumab is secreted in the milk postpartum. The exposure totrastuzumab in utero and the presence of trastuzumab in the serum of infant monkeys was notassociated with any adverse effects on their growth or development from birth to 1 month of age. Itis not known whether trastuzumab is secreted in human milk. As human IgG1 is secreted into humanmilk, and the potential for harm to the infant is unknown, women should not breast-feed during
Trazimera therapy and for 7 months after the last dose.
FertilityThere is no fertility data available.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Trazimera has minor influence on the ability to drive or use machines (see section 4.8). Dizzinessand somnolence may occur during treatment with Trazimera (see section 4.8). Patients experiencinginfusion-related symptoms (see section 4.4) should be advised not to drive and use machines untilsymptoms abate.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Summary of the safety profileAmongst the most serious and/or common adverse reactions reported in trastuzumab usage(intravenous and subcutaneous formulations) to date are cardiac dysfunction, infusion-relatedreactions, haematotoxicity (in particular neutropenia), infections and pulmonary adverse reactions.
Tabulated list of adverse reactionsIn this section, the following categories of frequency have been used: very common (≥1/10),common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1 000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000), very rare(<1/10 000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequencygrouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Presented in Table 1 are adverse reactions that have been reported in association with the use ofintravenous trastuzumab alone or in combination with chemotherapy in pivotal clinical trials and inthe post-marketing setting.
All the terms included are based on the highest percentage seen in pivotal clinical trials. In addition,terms reported in the post-marketing setting are included in Table 1.
Table 1 Undesirable effects reported with intravenous trastuzumab monotherapy or incombination with chemotherapy in pivotal clinical trials (N=8386) and in post-marketing
System organ class Adverse reaction Frequency
Infections and infestations Infection Very common
Nasopharyngitis Very common
Neutropenic sepsis Common
Cystitis Common
Influenza Common
Sinusitis Common
Skin infection Common
Rhinitis Common
Upper respiratory tract infection Common
Urinary tract infection Common
Pharyngitis Common
Neoplasms benign, Malignant neoplasm progression Not knownmalignant and unspecified Neoplasm progression Not known(incl. cysts and polyps)
Blood and lymphatic Febrile neutropenia Very commonsystem disorders Anaemia Very common
Neutropenia Very common
White blood cell count Very commondecreased/leukopenia
Thrombocytopenia Very common
Hypoprothrombinaemia Not known
Immune thrombocytopenia Not known
Immune system disorders Hypersensitivity Common+Anaphylactic reaction Rare+Anaphylactic shock Rare
Metabolism and nutrition Weight decreased/Weight loss Very commondisorders Anorexia Very common
Tumour lysis syndrome Not known
Hyperkalaemia Not known
Psychiatric disorders Insomnia Very common
Anxiety Common
Depression Common
Nervous system disorders 1Tremor Very common
Dizziness Very common
Headache Very common
Paraesthesia Very common
Dysgeusia Very common
Peripheral neuropathy Common
Hypertonia Common
Somnolence Common
Eye disorders Conjunctivitis Very common
Lacrimation increased Very common
Dry eye Common
Papilloedema Not known
Retinal haemorrhage Not known
Ear and labyrinth disorders Deafness Uncommon
Cardiac disorders 1Blood pressure decreased Very common1Blood pressure increased Very common1Heart beat irregular Very common1Cardiac flutter Very common
Ejection fraction decreased* Very common+Cardiac failure (congestive) Common
System organ class Adverse reaction Frequency+1Supraventricular tachyarrhythmia Common
Cardiomyopathy Common1Palpitation Common
Pericardial effusion Uncommon
Cardiogenic shock Not known
Gallop rhythm present Not known
Vascular disorders Hot flush Very common+1Hypotension Common
Vasodilatation Common
Respiratory, thoracic and +Dyspnoea Very commonmediastinal disorders Cough Very common
Epistaxis Very common
Rhinorrhoea Very common+Pneumonia Common
Asthma Common
Lung disorder Common+Pleural effusion Common+1Wheezing Uncommon
Pneumonitis Uncommon+Pulmonary fibrosis Not known+Respiratory distress Not known+Respiratory failure Not known+Lung infiltration Not known+Acute pulmonary oedema Not known+Acute respiratory distress syndrome Not known+Bronchospasm Not known+Hypoxia Not known+Oxygen saturation decreased Not known
Laryngeal oedema Not known
Orthopnoea Not known
Pulmonary oedema Not known
Interstitial lung disease Not known
Gastrointestinal disorders Diarrhoea Very common
Vomiting Very common
Nausea Very common1Lip swelling Very common
Abdominal pain Very common
Dyspepsia Very common
Constipation Very common
Stomatitis Very common
Haemorrhoids Common
Dry mouth Common
Hepatobiliary disorders Hepatocellular injury Common
Hepatitis Common
Liver tenderness Common
Jaundice Rare
Skin and subcutaneous Erythema Very commontissue disorders Rash Very common1Swelling face Very common
Alopecia Very common
Nail disorder Very common
Palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia Very commonsyndrome
Acne Common
Dry skin Common
System organ class Adverse reaction Frequency
Ecchymosis Common
Hyperhydrosis Common
Maculopapular rash Common
Pruritus Common
Onychoclasis Common
Dermatitis Common
Urticaria Uncommon
Angioedema Not known
Musculoskeletal and Arthralgia Very commonconnective tissue disorders 1Muscle tightness Very common
Myalgia Very common
Arthritis Common
Back pain Common
Bone pain Common
Muscle spasms Common
Neck Pain Common
Pain in extremity Common
Renal and urinary disorders Renal disorder Common
Glomerulonephritis membranous Not known
Glomerulonephropathy Not known
Renal failure Not known
Pregnancy, puerperium and Oligohydramnios Not knownperinatal conditions Renal hypoplasia Not known
Pulmonary hypoplasia Not known
Reproductive system and Breast inflammation/mastitis Commonbreast disorders
General disorders and Asthenia Very commonadministration site Chest pain Very commonconditions Chills Very common
Fatigue Very common
Influenza-like symptoms Very common
Infusion related reaction Very common
Pain Very common
Pyrexia Very common
Mucosal inflammation Very common
Peripheral oedema Very common
Malaise Common
Oedema Common
Injury, poisoning and Contusion Commonprocedural complications+ Denotes adverse reactions that have been reported in association with a fatal outcome.1 Denotes adverse reactions that are reported largely in association with Infusion-related reactions. Specificpercentages for these are not available.
* Observed with combination therapy following anthracyclines and combined with taxanes
Description of selected adverse reactionsCardiac dysfunction
Congestive heart failure (NYHA Class II-IV) is a common adverse reaction associated with the useof trastuzumab and has been associated with a fatal outcome (see section 4.4). Signs and symptomsof cardiac dysfunction such as dyspnoea, orthopnoea, increased cough, pulmonary oedema, S3gallop, or reduced ventricular ejection fraction, have been observed in patients treated withtrastuzumab (see section 4.4).
In 3 pivotal clinical trials of adjuvant trastuzumab given in combination with chemotherapy, theincidence of grade 3/4 cardiac dysfunction (specifically symptomatic Congestive Heart Failure) wassimilar in patients who were administered chemotherapy alone (i.e. did not receive trastuzumab) andin patients who were administered trastuzumab sequentially after a taxane (0.3-0.4%). The rate washighest in patients who were administered trastuzumab concurrently with a taxane (2.0%). In theneoadjuvant setting, the experience of concurrent administration of trastuzumab and low doseanthracycline regimen is limited (see section 4.4).
When trastuzumab was administered after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy NYHA Class III-IVheart failure was observed in 0.6% of patients in the one-year arm after a median follow-up of12 months. In study BO16348, after a median follow-up of 8 years the incidence of severe CHF(NYHA Class III & IV) in the trastuzumab 1 year treatment arm was 0.8%, and the rate of mildsymptomatic and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction was 4.6%.
Reversibility of severe CHF (defined as a sequence of at least two consecutive LVEF values ≥50%after the event) was evident for 71.4% of trastuzumab-treated patients. Reversibility of mildsymptomatic and asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction was demonstrated for 79.5% of patients.
Approximately 17% of cardiac dysfunction related events occurred after completion of trastuzumab.
In the pivotal metastatic trials of intravenous trastuzumab, the incidence of cardiac dysfunctionvaried between 9% and 12% when it was combined with paclitaxel compared with 1% - 4% forpaclitaxel alone. For monotherapy, the rate was 6% - 9%. The highest rate of cardiac dysfunctionwas seen in patients receiving trastuzumab concurrently with anthracycline/cyclophosphamide(27%), and was significantly higher than for anthracycline/cyclophosphamide alone (7% - 10%). Ina subsequent trial with prospective monitoring of cardiac function, the incidence of symptomatic
CHF was 2.2% in patients receiving trastuzumab and docetaxel, compared with 0% in patientsreceiving docetaxel alone. Most of the patients (79%) who developed cardiac dysfunction in thesetrials experienced an improvement after receiving standard treatment for CHF.
Infusion reactions, allergic-like reactions and hypersensitivity
It is estimated that approximately 40% of patients who are treated with trastuzumab will experiencesome form of infusion-related reaction. However, the majority of infusion-related reactions are mildto moderate in intensity (NCI-CTC grading system) and tend to occur earlier in treatment, i.e. duringinfusions one, two and three and lessen in frequency in subsequent infusions. Reactions includechills, fever, dyspnoea, hypotension, wheezing, bronchospasm, tachycardia, reduced oxygensaturation, respiratory distress, rash, nausea, vomiting and headache (see section 4.4). The rate ofinfusion-related reactions of all grades varied between studies depending on the indication, the datacollection methodology, and whether trastuzumab was given concurrently with chemotherapy or asmonotherapy.
Severe anaphylactic reactions requiring immediate additional intervention can occur usually duringeither the first or second infusion of trastuzumab (see section 4.4) and have been associated with afatal outcome.
Anaphylactoid reactions have been observed in isolated cases.
Haematotoxicity
Febrile neutropenia, leukopenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia occurred verycommonly. The frequency of occurrence of hypoprothrombinaemia is not known. The risk ofneutropenia may be slightly increased when trastuzumab is administered with docetaxel followinganthracycline therapy.
Pulmonary events
Severe pulmonary adverse reactions occur in association with the use of trastuzumab and have beenassociated with a fatal outcome. These include, but are not limited to, pulmonary infiltrates, acuterespiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, pneumonitis, pleural effusion, respiratory distress, acutepulmonary oedema and respiratory insufficiency (see section 4.4).
Details of risk minimisation measures that are consistent with the EU Risk Management Plan arepresented in (section 4.4) Warnings and Precautions.
ImmunogenicityIn the neoadjuvant-adjuvant EBC study (BO22227), at a median follow-up exceeding 70 months,10.1% (30/296) of patients treated with trastuzumab intravenous developed antibodies againsttrastuzumab. Neutralizing anti-trastuzumab antibodies were detected in post-baseline samples in 2 of30 patients in the trastuzumab intravenous arm.
The clinical relevance of these antibodies is not known. The presence of anti-trastuzumab antibodieshad no impact on the pharmacokinetics, efficacy (determined by pathological Complete Response[pCR] and event free survival [EFS]) and safety determined by occurrence of administration relatedreactions (ARRs) of trastuzumab intravenous.
There are no immunogenicity data available for trastuzumab in gastric cancer.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactionsReporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. Itallows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcareprofessionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting systemlisted in Appendix V.
4.9 Overdose
There is no experience with overdose in human clinical trials. Single doses of trastuzumab alonegreater than 10 mg/kg have not been administered in the clinical trials; a maintenance dose of10 mg/kg q3w following a loading dose of 8 mg/kg has been studied in a clinical trial with metastaticgastric cancer patients. Doses up to this level were well tolerated.
5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antineoplastic agents, monoclonal antibodies, ATC code: L01FD01
Trazimera is a biosimilar medicinal product. Detailed information is available on the website of the
European Medicines Agency https://www.ema.europa.eu.
Trastuzumab is a recombinant humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody against the human epidermalgrowth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Overexpression of HER2 is observed in 20%-30% of primarybreast cancers. Studies of HER2-positivity rates in gastric cancer (GC) using immunohistochemistry(IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH)have shown that there is a broad variation of HER2-positivity ranging from 6.8% to 34.0% for IHCand 7.1% to 42.6% for FISH. Studies indicate that breast cancer patients whose tumours overexpress
HER2 have a shortened disease-free survival compared to patients whose tumours do notoverexpress HER2. The extracellular domain of the receptor (ECD, p105) can be shed into the bloodstream and measured in serum samples.
Mechanism of actionTrastuzumab binds with high affinity and specificity to sub-domain IV, a juxta-membrane region of
HER2’s extracellular domain. Binding of trastuzumab to HER2 inhibits ligand-independent HER2signalling and prevents the proteolytic cleavage of its extracellular domain, an activation mechanismof HER2. As a result, trastuzumab has been shown, in both in vitro assays and in animals, to inhibitthe proliferation of human tumour cells that overexpress HER2. Additionally, trastuzumab is apotent mediator of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). In vitro,trastuzumab-mediated ADCC has been shown to be preferentially exerted on HER2 overexpressingcancer cells compared with cancer cells that do not overexpress HER2.
Detection of HER2 overexpression or HER2 gene amplification
Detection of HER2 overexpression or HER2 gene amplification in breast cancer
Trastuzumab should only be used in patients whose tumours have HER2 overexpression or HER2gene amplification as determined by an accurate and validated assay. HER2 overexpression shouldbe detected using an immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based assessment of fixed tumour blocks (seesection 4.4). HER2 gene amplification should be detected using fluorescence in situ hybridisation(FISH) or chromogenic in situ hybridisation (CISH) of fixed tumour blocks. Patients are eligible for
Trazimera treatment if they show strong HER2 overexpression as described by a 3+ score by IHC ora positive FISH or CISH result.
To ensure accurate and reproducible results, the testing must be performed in a specialisedlaboratory, which can ensure validation of the testing procedures.
The recommended scoring system to evaluate the IHC staining patterns is as stated in Table 2:
Table 2 Recommended scoring system to evaluate the IHC staining patterns in breast cancer
Score Staining pattern HER2 overexpressionassessment0 No staining is observed or membrane staining is observed Negativein <10% of the tumour cells1+ A faint/barely perceptible membrane staining is detected Negativein >10% of the tumour cells. The cells are only stained inpart of their membrane.
2+ A weak to moderate complete membrane staining is Equivocaldetected in >10% of the tumour cells.
3+ Strong complete membrane staining is detected in >10% Positiveof the tumour cells.
In general, FISH is considered positive if the ratio of the HER2 gene copy number per tumour cell tothe chromosome 17 copy number is greater than or equal to 2, or if there are more than 4 copies ofthe HER2 gene per tumour cell if no chromosome 17 control is used.
In general, CISH is considered positive if there are more than 5 copies of the HER2 gene per nucleusin greater than 50% of tumour cells.
For full instructions on assay performance and interpretation please refer to the package inserts ofvalidated FISH and CISH assays. Official recommendations on HER2 testing may also apply.
For any other method that may be used for the assessment of HER2 protein or gene expression, theanalyses should only be performed by laboratories that provide adequate state-of-the-art performanceof validated methods. Such methods must clearly be precise and accurate enough to demonstrateoverexpression of HER2 and must be able to distinguish between moderate (congruent with 2+) andstrong (congruent with 3+) overexpression of HER2.
Detection of HER2 overexpression or HER2 gene amplification in gastric cancer
Only an accurate and validated assay should be used to detect HER2 overexpression or HER2 geneamplification. IHC is recommended as the first testing modality and in cases where HER2 geneamplification status is also required, either a silver-enhanced in situ hybridization (SISH) or a FISHtechnique must be applied. SISH technology is however, recommended to allow for the parallelevaluation of tumour histology and morphology. To ensure validation of testing procedures and thegeneration of accurate and reproducible results, HER2 testing must be performed in a laboratorystaffed by trained personnel. Full instructions on assay performance and results interpretation shouldbe taken from the product information leaflet provided with the HER2 testing assays used.
In the ToGA (BO18255) study, patients whose tumours were either IHC3+ or FISH positive weredefined as HER2-positive and thus included in the study. Based on the clinical study results, thebeneficial effects were limited to patients with the highest level of HER2 protein overexpression,defined by a 3+ score by IHC, or a 2+ score by IHC and a positive FISH result.
In a method comparison study (study D008548) a high degree of concordance (>95%) was observedfor SISH and FISH techniques for the detection of HER2 gene amplification in gastric cancerpatients.
HER2 overexpression should be detected using an immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based assessmentof fixed tumour blocks; HER2 gene amplification should be detected using in situ hybridisationusing either SISH or FISH on fixed tumour blocks.
The recommended scoring system to evaluate the IHC staining patterns is as stated in Table 3:
Table 3 Recommended scoring system to evaluate the IHC staining patterns in gastric cancer
Score Surgical specimen - staining Biopsy specimen - staining HER2pattern pattern overexpressionassessment
No reactivity or membranous No reactivity or membranous0 reactivity in <10% of tumour reactivity in any tumour cell Negativecells
Faint ⁄ barely perceptible Tumour cell cluster with a faint ⁄membranous reactivity in ≥10% barely perceptible membranous1+ of tumour cells; cells are reactivity irrespective of Negativereactive only in part of their percentage of tumour cells stainedmembrane
Weak to moderate complete, Tumour cell cluster with a weak tobasolateral or lateral moderate complete, basolateral or2+ membranous reactivity in ≥10% lateral membranous reactivity Equivocalof tumour cells irrespective of percentage oftumour cells stained
Strong complete, basolateral or Tumour cell cluster with a stronglateral membranous reactivity in complete, basolateral or lateral3+ ≥10% of tumour cells membranous reactivity irrespective Positiveof percentage of tumour cellsstained
In general, SISH or FISH is considered positive if the ratio of the HER2 gene copy number pertumour cell to the chromosome 17 copy number is greater than or equal to 2.
Clinical efficacy and safetyMetastatic breast cancer
Trastuzumab has been used in clinical studies as monotherapy for patients with MBC who havetumours that overexpress HER2 and who have failed one or more chemotherapy regimens for theirmetastatic disease (trastuzumab alone).
Trastuzumab has also been used in combination with paclitaxel or docetaxel for the treatment ofpatients who have not received chemotherapy for their metastatic disease. Patients who hadpreviously received anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy were treated with paclitaxel(175 mg/m2 infused over 3 hours) with or without trastuzumab. In the pivotal study of docetaxel(100 mg/m2 infused over 1 hour) with or without trastuzumab, 60% of the patients had received prioranthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were treated with trastuzumab untilprogression of disease.
The efficacy of trastuzumab in combination with paclitaxel in patients who did not receive prioradjuvant anthracyclines has not been studied. However, trastuzumab plus docetaxel was efficaciousin patients whether or not they had received prior adjuvant anthracyclines.
The test method for HER2 overexpression used to determine eligibility of patients in the pivotaltrastuzumab monotherapy and trastuzumab plus paclitaxel clinical studies employedimmunohistochemical staining for HER2 of fixed material from breast tumours using the murinemonoclonal antibodies CB11 and 4D5. These tissues were fixed in formalin or Bouin’s fixative. Thisinvestigative clinical study assay performed in a central laboratory utilised a 0 to 3+ scale. Patientsclassified as staining 2+ or 3+ were included, while those staining 0 or 1+ were excluded. Greaterthan 70% of patients enrolled exhibited 3+ overexpression. The data suggest that beneficial effectswere greater among those patients with higher levels of overexpression of HER2 (3+).
The main test method used to determine HER2 positivity in the pivotal study of docetaxel, with orwithout trastuzumab, was immunohistochemistry. A minority of patients was tested usingfluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH). In thisstudy, 87% of patients entered had disease that was
IHC3+, and 95% of patients entered had disease that was IHC3+ and/or FISH-positive.
Weekly dosing in metastatic breast cancer
The efficacy results from the monotherapy and combination therapy studies are summarised in Table4:
Table 4 Efficacy results from the monotherapy and combination therapy studies
Parameter Monotherapy Combination therapy
Trastuzumab1 Trastuzumab Paclitaxel2 Trastuzumab Docetaxel3plus plus docetaxel3
N=172 paclitaxel2 N=77 N=92 N=94
N=68
Response 18% 49% 17% 61% 34%rate (95% (13-25) (36-61) (9-27) (50-71) (25-45)
CI)
Median 9.1 8.3 4.6 11.7 5.7duration of (5.6-10.3) (7.3-8.8) (3.7-7.4) (9.3-15.0) (4.6-7.6)response(months)(95% CI)
Median TTP 3.2 7.1 3.0 11.7 6.1(months) (2.6-3.5) (6.2-12.0) (2.0-4.4) (9.2-13.5) (5.4-7.2)(95% CI)
Median 16.4 24.8 17.9 31.2 22.74
Survival (12.3-ne) (18.6-33.7) (11.2-23.8) (27.3-40.8) (19.1-30.8)(months)(95% CI)
TTP = time to progression; 'ne' indicates that it could not be estimated or it was not yet reached.
1. Study H0649g: IHC3+ patient subset2. Study H0648g: IHC3+ patient subset3. Study M77001: Full analysis set (intent-to-treat), 24 months results
Combination treatment with trastuzumab and anastrozole
Trastuzumab has been studied in combination with anastrozole for first line treatment of MBC in
HER2 overexpressing, hormone-receptor (i.e. oestrogen-receptor (ER) and/or progesterone-receptor(PR)) positive postmenopausal patients. Progression free survival was doubled in the trastuzumabplus anastrozole arm compared to anastrozole (4.8 months versus 2.4 months). For the otherparameters the improvements seen for the combination were for overall response (16.5% versus6.7%); clinical benefit rate (42.7% versus 27.9%); time to progression (4.8 months versus 2.4months). For time to response and duration of response no difference could be recorded between thearms. The median overall survival was extended by 4.6 months for patients in the combination arm.
The difference was not statistically significant, however more than half of the patients in theanastrozole alone arm crossed over to a trastuzumab containing regimen after progression of disease.
Three -weekly dosing in metastatic breast cancer
The efficacy results from the non-comparative monotherapy and combination therapy studies aresummarised in Table 5:
Table 5 Efficacy results from the non-comparative monotherapy and combination therapystudies
Parameter Monotherapy Combination therapy
Trastuzumab1 Trastuzumab2 Trastuzumab Trastuzumabplus paclitaxel3 plusdocetaxel4
N=105 N=72 N=32 N=110
Response rate 24% 27% 59% 73%(95% CI) (15-35) (14-43) (41-76) (63-81)
Median duration 10.1 7.9 10.5 13.4of response (2.8-35.6) (2.1-18.8) (1.8-21) (2.1-55.1)(months) (range)
Median TTP 3.4 7.7 12.2 13.6(months) (2.8-4.1) (4.2-8.3) (6.2-ne) (11-16)(95% CI)
Median Survival ne ne ne 47.3(months) (32-ne)(95% CI)
TTP = time to progression; 'ne' indicates that it could not be estimated or it was not yet reached.1. Study WO16229: loading dose 8 mg/kg, followed by 6 mg/kg 3 weekly schedule2. Study MO16982: loading dose 6 mg/kg weekly x 3; followed by 6 mg/kg 3-weekly schedule3. Study BO159354. Study MO16419
Sites of progression
The frequency of progression in the liver was significantly reduced in patients treated with thecombination of trastuzumab and paclitaxel, compared to paclitaxel alone (21.8% versus 45.7%;p=0.004). More patients treated with trastuzumab and paclitaxel progressed in the central nervoussystem than those treated with paclitaxel alone (12.6% versus 6.5%; p=0.377).
Early breast cancer (adjuvant setting)
Early breast cancer is defined as non-metastatic primary invasive carcinoma of the breast. In theadjuvant treatment setting, trastuzumab was investigated in 4 large multicentre, randomised, studies.
- Study BO16348 was designed to compare one and two years of three-weekly trastuzumabtreatment versus observation in patients with HER2-positive EBC following surgery,established chemotherapy and radiotherapy (if applicable). In addition, comparison of twoyears of trastuzumab treatment versus one year of trastuzumab treatment was performed.
Patients assigned to receive trastuzumab were given an initial loading dose of 8 mg/kg,followed by 6 mg/kg every three weeks for either one or two years.
- The NSABP B-31 and NCCTG N9831 studies that comprise the joint analysis were designedto investigate the clinical utility of combining trastuzumab treatment with paclitaxel following
AC chemotherapy, additionally the NCCTG N9831 study also investigated addingtrastuzumab sequentially to AC→P chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive EBCfollowing surgery.
- The BCIRG 006 study was designed to investigate combining trastuzumab treatment withdocetaxel either following AC chemotherapy or in combination with docetaxel and carboplatinin patients with HER2-positive EBC following surgery.
Early breast cancer in the HERA study was limited to operable, primary, invasive adenocarcinoma ofthe breast, with axillary nodes positive or axillary nodes negative if tumours at least 1 cm indiameter.
In the joint analysis of the NSABP B-31 and NCCTG N9831 studies, EBC was limited to womenwith operable breast cancer at high risk, defined as HER2-positive and axillary lymph node positiveor HER2-positive and lymph node negative with high risk features (tumour size > 1 cm and ERnegative or tumour size >2 cm, regardless of hormonal status).
In the BCIRG 006 study HER2-positive EBC was defined as either lymph node positive or high risknode negative patients with no (pN0) lymph node involvement, and at least 1 of the followingfactors: tumour size greater than 2 cm, oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor negative,histological and/or nuclear grade 2-3, or age <35 years.
The efficacy results from the BO16348 study following 12 months* and 8 years** median follow-upare summarized in Table 6:
Table 6 Efficacy results from study BO16348
Median follow-up 12 months* Median follow-up 8 years**
Parameter Observation Trastuzumab Observation Trastuzumab
N=1693 1 Year N=1697*** 1 Year
N=1693 N=1702***
Disease-free survival
- No. patients with event 219 (12.9%) 127 (7.5%) 570 (33.6%) 471 (27.7%)
- No. patients without event 1474 (87.1%) 1566 1127 (66.4%) 1231 (72.3%)(92.5%)
P-value versus Observation < 0.0001 < 0.0001
Hazard ratio versus 0.54 0.76
Observation
Recurrence-free survival
- No. patients with event 208 (12.3%) 113 (6.7%) 506 (29.8%) 399 (23.4%)
- No. patients without event 1485 (87.7%) 1580 1191 (70.2%) 1303 (76.6%)(93.3%)
P-value versus Observation < 0.0001 < 0.0001
Hazard ratio versus 0.51 0.73
Observation
Distant disease-free survival
- No. patients with event 184 (10.9%) 99 (5.8%) 488 (28.8%) 399 (23.4%)
- No. patients without event 1508 (89.1%) 1594 1209 (71.2%) 1303 (76.6%)(94.6%)
P-value versus Observation < 0.0001 < 0.0001
Hazard ratio versus 0.50 0.76
Observation
Overall survival (death)
- No. patients with event 40 (2.4%) 31 (1.8%) 350 (20.6%) 278 (16.3%)
- No. patients without event 1653 (97.6%) 1662 1347 (79.4%) 1424 (83.7%)(98.2%)
P-value versus Observation 0.24 0.0005
Hazard ratio versus 0.75 0.76
Observation
*Co-primary endpoint of DFS of 1 year versus observation met the pre-defined statistical boundary
**Final analysis (including crossover of 52% of patients from the observation arm to trastuzumab)
***There is a discrepancy in the overall sample size due to a small number of patients who were randomizedafter the cut-off date for the 12-month median follow-up analysis
The efficacy results from the interim efficacy analysis crossed the protocol pre-specified statisticalboundary for the comparison of 1-year of trastuzumab versus observation. After a median follow-upof 12 months, the hazard ratio (HR) for disease free survival (DFS) was 0.54 (95% CI 0.44, 0.67)which translates into an absolute benefit, in terms of a 2-year disease-free survival rate, of 7.6percentage points (85.8% versus 78.2%) in favour of the trastuzumab arm.
A final analysis was performed after a median follow-up of 8 years, which showed that 1 yeartrastuzumab treatment is associated with a 24% risk reduction compared to observation only(HR=0.76, 95% CI 0.67, 0.86). This translates into an absolute benefit in terms of an 8 year diseasefree survival rate of 6.4 percentage points in favour of 1 year trastuzumab treatment.
In this final analysis, extending trastuzumab treatment for a duration of two years did not showadditional benefit over treatment for 1 year [DFS HR in the intent to treat (ITT) population of 2 yearsversus 1 year=0.99 (95% CI: 0.87, 1.13), p-value=0.90 and OS HR=0.98 (0.83, 1.15); p-value=0.78].
The rate of asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction was increased in the 2-year treatment arm (8.1%versus 4.6% in the 1-year treatment arm). More patients experienced at least one grade 3 or 4 adverseevent in the 2-year treatment arm (20.4%) compared with the 1-year treatment arm (16.3%).
In the NSABP B-31 and NCCTG N9831 studies trastuzumab was administered in combination withpaclitaxel, following AC chemotherapy.
Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide were administered concurrently as follows:
- intravenous push doxorubicin, at 60 mg/m2, given every 3 weeks for 4 cycles.
- intravenous cyclophosphamide, at 600 mg/m2 over 30 minutes, given every 3 weeks for4 cycles.
Paclitaxel, in combination with trastuzumab, was administered as follows:
- intravenous paclitaxel - 80 mg/m2 as a continuous intravenous infusion, given every week for12 weeks.
or
- intravenous paclitaxel - 175 mg/m2 as a continuous intravenous infusion, given every 3 weeksfor 4 cycles (day 1 of each cycle).
The efficacy results from the joint analysis of the NSABP B-31 and NCCTG 9831 studies at the timeof the definitive analysis of DFS* are summarized in Table 7. The median duration of follow up was1.8 years for the patients in the AC→P arm and 2.0 years for patients in the AC→PH arm.
Table 7 Summary of efficacy results from the joint analysis of the NSABP B-31 and NCCTG
N9831 studies at the time of the definitive DFS analysis*
Parameter AC→P AC→PH Hazard ratio vs(n=1679) (n=1672) AC→P (95% CI)p-value
Disease-free survival
No. patients with event (%) 261 (15.5) 133 (8.0) 0.48 (0.39, 0.59)p<0.0001
Distant Recurrence
No. patients with event 193 (11.5) 96 (5.7) 0.47 (0.37, 0.60)p<0.0001
Death (OS event):
No. patients with event 92 (5.5) 62 (3.7) 0.67 (0.48, 0.92)p=0.014**
A: doxorubicin; C: cyclophosphamide; P: paclitaxel; H: trastuzumab
*At median duration of follow up of 1.8 years for the patients in the AC→P arm and 2.0 years for patients inthe AC→PH arm
**p value for OS did not cross the pre-specified statistical boundary for comparison of AC→PH vs. AC→P
For the primary endpoint, DFS, the addition of trastuzumab to paclitaxel chemotherapy resulted in a52% decrease in the risk of disease recurrence. The hazard ratio translates into an absolute benefit, interms of 3-year disease-free survival rate estimates of 11.8 percentage points (87.2% versus 75.4%)in favour of the AC→PH (trastuzumab) arm.
At the time of a safety update after a median of 3.5-3.8 years follow up, an analysis of DFSreconfirms the magnitude of the benefit shown in the definitive analysis of DFS. Despite thecross-over to trastuzumab in the control arm, the addition of trastuzumab to paclitaxel chemotherapyresulted in a 52% decrease in the risk of disease recurrence. The addition of trastuzumab to paclitaxelchemotherapy also resulted in a 37% decrease in the risk of death.
The pre-planned final analysis of OS from the joint analysis of studies NSABP B-31 and NCCTG
N9831 was performed when 707 deaths had occurred (median follow-up 8.3 years in the AC→PHgroup). Treatment with AC→PH resulted in a statistically significant improvement in OS comparedwith AC→P (stratified HR=0.64; 95% CI [0.55, 0.74]; log-rank p-value < 0.0001). At 8 years, thesurvival rate was estimated to be 86.9% in the AC→PH arm and 79.4% in the AC→P arm, anabsolute benefit of 7.4% (95% CI 4.9%, 10.0%).
The final OS results from the joint analysis of studies NSABP B-31 and NCCTG N9831 aresummarized in Table 8 below:
Table 8 Final overall survival analysis from the joint analysis of studies NSABP B-31 and
NCCTG N9831
Parameter AC→P AC→PH p-value versus Hazard ratio(N=2032) (N=2031) AC→P versus AC→P(95% CI)
Death (OS event):
No. patients with event (%) 418 (20.6%) 289 (14.2%) < 0.0001 0.64(0.55, 0.74)
A: doxorubicin; C: cyclophosphamide; P: paclitaxel; H: trastuzumab
DFS analysis was also performed at the final analysis of OS from the joint analysis of studies
NSABP B-31 and NCCTG N9831. The updated DFS analysis results (stratified HR=0.61; 95% CI[0.54, 0.69]) showed a similar DFS benefit compared to the definitive primary DFS analysis, despite24.8% patients in the AC→P arm who crossed over to receive trastuzumab. At 8 years, thedisease-free survival rate was estimated to be 77.2% (95% CI: 75.4, 79.1) in the AC→PH arm, anabsolute benefit of 11.8% compared with the AC→P arm.
In the BCIRG 006 study trastuzumab was administered either in combination with docetaxel,following AC chemotherapy (AC→DH) or in combination with docetaxel and carboplatin(DCarbH).
Docetaxel was administered as follows:
- intravenous docetaxel - 100 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 1 hour, given every3 weeks for 4 cycles (day 2 of first docetaxel cycle, then day 1 of each subsequent cycle)or
- intravenous docetaxel - 75 mg/m2 as an intravenous infusion over 1 hour, given every 3 weeksfor 6 cycles (day 2 of cycle 1, then day 1 of each subsequent cycle)which was followed by:
- carboplatin - at target AUC=6 mg/mL/min administered by intravenous infusion over30-60 minutes repeated every 3 weeks for a total of six cycles
Trastuzumab was administered weekly with chemotherapy and 3 weekly thereafter for a total of52 weeks.
The efficacy results from the BCIRG 006 are summarized in Tables 9 and 10. The median durationof follow up was 2.9 years in the AC→D arm and 3.0 years in each of the AC→DH and DCarbHarms.
Table 9 Overview of efficacy analyses BCIRG 006 AC→D versus AC→DH
Parameter AC→D AC→DH Hazard ratio vs(n=1073) (n=1074) AC→D(95% CI)p-value
Disease-free survival
No. patients with event 195 134 0.61 (0.49, 0.77)p<0.0001
Distant recurrence
No. patients with event 144 95 0.59 (0.46, 0.77)p<0.0001
Death (OS event)
No. patients with event 80 49 0.58 (0.40, 0.83)p=0.0024
AC→D = doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide, followed by docetaxel; AC→DH = doxorubicin pluscyclophosphamide, followed by docetaxel plus trastuzumab; CI = confidence interval
Table 10 Overview of efficacy analyses BCIRG 006 AC→D versus DCarbH
Parameter AC→D DCarbH Hazard ratio vs(n=1073) (n=1074) AC→D(95% CI)
Disease-free survival
No. patients with event 195 145 0.67 (0.54, 0.83)p=0.0003
Distant recurrence
No. patients with event 144 103 0.65 (0.50, 0.84)p=0.0008
Death (OS event)
No. patients with event 0.66 (0.47, 0.93)80 56 p=0.0182
AC→D = doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide, followed by docetaxel; DCarbH = docetaxel, carboplatin andtrastuzumab; CI = confidence interval
In the BCIRG 006 study for the primary endpoint, DFS, the hazard ratio translates into an absolutebenefit, in terms of 3-year disease-free survival rate estimates of 5.8 percentage points (86.7% versus80.9%) in favour of the AC→DH (trastuzumab) arm and 4.6 percentage points (85.5% versus80.9%) in favour of the DCarbH (trastuzumab) arm compared to AC→D.
In study BCIRG 006, 213/1075 patients in the DCarbH (TCH) arm, 221/1074 patients in the
AC→DH (AC→TH) arm, and 217/1073 in the AC→D (AC→T) arm had a Karnofsky performancestatus ≤90 (either 80 or 90). No disease-free survival (DFS) benefit was noticed in this subgroup ofpatients (hazard ratio=1.16, 95% CI [0.73, 1.83] for DCarbH (TCH) versus AC→D (AC→T); hazardratio 0.97, 95% CI [0.60, 1.55] for AC→DH (AC→TH) versus AC→D).
In addition a post-hoc exploratory analysis was performed on the data sets from the joint analysis(JA) NSABP B-31/NCCTG N9831* and BCIRG006 clinical studies combining DFS events andsymptomatic cardiac events and summarised in Table 11:
Table 11 Post-hoc exploratory analysis results from the joint analysis NSABP B-31/NCCTG
N9831* and BCIRG006 clinical studies combining DFS events and symptomatic cardiac events
AC→PH AC→DH DCarbH(vs. AC→P) (vs. AC→D) (vs. AC→D)(NSABP B-31 and (BCIRG 006) (BCIRG 006)
NCCTG N9831)*
Primary efficacy analysis
DFS Hazard ratios 0.48 0.61 0.67(95% CI) (0.39, 0.59) (0.49, 0.77) (0.54, 0.83)p-value p<0.0001 p<0.0001 p=0.0003
Long term follow-up efficacyanalysis**
DFS Hazard ratios 0.61 0.72 0.77(95% CI) (0.54,0.69) (0.61, 0.85) (0.65, 0.90)p-value p<0.0001 p<0.0001 p=0.0011
Post-hoc exploratory analysiswith DFS and symptomaticcardiac events
Long term follow-up** 0.67 0.77 0.77
Hazard ratios (0.60, 0.75) (0.66, 0.90) (0.66, 0.90)(95% CI)
A: doxorubicin; C: cyclophosphamide; P: paclitaxel; D: docetaxel; Carb: carboplatin; H: trastuzumab
CI = confidence interval
*At the time of the definitive analysis of DFS. Median duration of follow up was 1.8 years in the AC→P armand 2.0 years in the AC→PH arm
**Median duration of long term follow-up for the Joint Analysis clinical studies was 8.3 years (range: 0.1 to12.1) for the AC→PH arm and 7.9 years (range: 0.0 to 12.2) for the AC→P arm; Median duration of long termfollow-up for the BCIRG 006 study was 10.3 years in both the AC→D arm (range: 0.0 to 12.6) arm and the
DCarbH arm (range: 0.0 to 13.1), and was 10.4 years (range: 0.0 to 12.7) in the AC→DH arm
Early breast cancer (neoadjuvant-adjuvant setting)
So far, no results are available which compare the efficacy of trastuzumab administered withchemotherapy in the adjuvant setting with that obtained in the neo-adjuvant/adjuvant setting.
In the neoadjuvant-adjuvant treatment setting, study MO16432, a multicentre randomised trial, wasdesigned to investigate the clinical efficacy of concurrent administration of trastuzumab withneoadjuvant chemotherapy including both an anthracycline and a taxane, followed by adjuvanttrastuzumab, up to a total treatment duration of 1 year. The study recruited patients with newlydiagnosed locally advanced (Stage III) or inflammatory EBC. Patients with HER2+ tumours wererandomised to receive either neoadjuvant chemotherapy concurrently with neoadjuvant-adjuvanttrastuzumab, or neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone.
In study MO16432, trastuzumab (8 mg/kg loading dose, followed by 6 mg/kg maintenance every3 weeks) was administered concurrently with 10 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy as follows:
* Doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 150 mg/m2, administered 3-weekly for 3 cycles,which was followed by
* Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 administered 3-weekly for 4 cycles,which was followed by
* CMF on day 1 and 8 every 4 weeks for 3 cycleswhich was followed after surgery by
* additional cycles of adjuvant trastuzumab (to complete 1 year of treatment)
The efficacy results from study MO16432 are summarized in Table 12. The median duration offollow-up in the trastuzumab arm was 3.8 years.
Table 12 Efficacy results from MO16432
Parameter Chemo + Chemo onlytrastuzumab (n=116)(n=115)
Event-free survival Hazard ratio(95% CI)
No. patients with event 46 59 0.65 (0.44, 0.96)p=0.0275
Total pathological complete 40% 20.7%response* (95% CI) (31.0, 49.6) (13.7, 29.2) p=0.0014
Overall survival Hazard ratio(95% CI)
No. patients with event 22 33 0.59 (0.35, 1.02)p=0.0555
*defined as absence of any invasive cancer both in the breast and axillary nodes
An absolute benefit of 13 percentage points in favour of the trastuzumab arm was estimated in termsof 3-year event-free survival rate (65% versus 52%).
Metastatic gastric cancer
Trastuzumab has been investigated in one randomised, open-label phase III study ToGA (BO18255)in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone.
Chemotherapy was administered as follows:
- capecitabine - 1 000 mg/m2 orally twice daily for 14 days every 3 weeks for 6 cycles (eveningof day 1 to morning of day 15 of each cycle)or
- intravenous 5-fluorouracil - 800 mg/m2/day as a continuous intravenous infusion over 5 days,given every 3 weeks for 6 cycles (days 1 to 5 of each cycle)
Either of which was administered with:
- cisplatin - 80 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 6 cycles on day 1 of each cycle.
The efficacy results from study BO18225 are summarized in Table 13:
Table 13 Efficacy results from BO18225
Parameter FP FP + H HR (95% CI) p-value
N=290 N=294
Overall survival, Median months 11.1 13.8 0.74 (0.60-0.91) 0.0046
Progression-free survival, 5.5 6.7 0.71 (0.59-0.85) 0.0002
Median months
Time to disease progression, 5.6 7.1 0.70 (0.58-0.85) 0.0003
Median months
Overall response rate, % 34.5% 47.3% 1.70a (1.22, 2.38) 0.0017
Duration of response, Median 4.8 6.9 0.54 (0.40-0.73) < 0.0001months
FP + H: Fluoropyrimidine/cisplatin + trastuzumab
FP: Fluoropyrimidine/cisplatina Odds ratio
Patients were recruited to the study who were previously untreated for HER2-positive inoperablelocally advanced or recurrent and/or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach orgastro-oesophageal junction not amenable to curative therapy. The primary endpoint was overallsurvival which was defined as the time from the date of randomization to the date of death from anycause. At the time of the analysis a total of 349 randomized patients had died: 182 patients (62.8%)in the control arm and 167 patients (56.8%) in the treatment arm. The majority of the deaths weredue to events related to the underlying cancer.
Post-hoc subgroup analyses indicate that positive treatment effects are limited to targeting tumourswith higher levels of HER2 protein (IHC2+/FISH+ or IHC3+). The median overall survival for thehigh HER2 expressing group was 11.8 months versus 16 months, HR 0.65 (95% CI 0.51-0.83) andthe median progression free survival was 5.5 months versus 7.6 months, HR 0.64(95% CI 0.51-0.79) for FP versus FP + H, respectively. For overall survival, the HR was 0.75 (95%
CI 0.51-1.11) in the IHC2+/FISH+ group and the HR was 0.58 (95% CI 0.41-0.81) in the
IHC3+/FISH+ group.
In an exploratory subgroup analysis performed in the TOGA (BO18255) study there was no apparentbenefit on overall survival with the addition of trastuzumab in patients with ECOG PS 2 at baseline[HR 0.96 (95% CI 0.51-1.79)], non measurable [HR 1.78 (95% CI 0.87-3.66)] and locally advanceddisease [HR 1.20 (95% CI 0.29-4.97)].
Paediatric populationThe European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to submit the results of studies withtrastuzumab in all subsets of the paediatric population for breast and gastric cancer (see section 4.2for information on paediatric use).
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
The pharmacokinetics of trastuzumab were evaluated in a population pharmacokinetic modelanalysis using pooled data from 1,582 subjects, including patients with HER2-positive MBC, EBC,
AGC or other tumour types, and healthy volunteers, in 18 Phase I, II and III trials receivingintravenous trastuzumab. A two-compartment model with parallel linear and non-linear eliminationfrom the central compartment described the trastuzumab concentration-time profile. Due tonon-linear elimination, total clearance increased with decreasing concentration. Therefore, noconstant value for half-life of trastuzumab can be deduced. The t1/2 decreases with decreasingconcentrations within a dosing interval (see Table 16). MBC and EBC patients had similar PKparameters (e.g. clearance (CL), the central compartment volume (Vc)) and population-predictedsteady-state exposures (Cmin, Cmax and AUC). Linear clearance was 0.136 L/day for MBC,0.112 L/day for EBC and 0.176 L/day for AGC. The non-linear elimination parameter values were8.81 mg/day for the maximum elimination rate (Vmax) and 8.92 µg/mL for the Michaelis-Mentenconstant (Km) for the MBC, EBC, and AGC patients. The central compartment volume was 2.62 Lfor patients with MBC and EBC and 3.63 L for patients with AGC.
In the final population PK model, in addition to primary tumour type, body-weight, serum aspartateaminotransferase and albumin were identified as a statistically significant covariates affecting theexposure of trastuzumab. However, the magnitude of effect of these covariates on trastuzumabexposure suggests that these covariates are unlikely to have a clinically meaningful effect ontrastuzumab concentrations.
The population predicted PK exposure values (median with 5th - 95th Percentiles) and PK parametervalues at clinically relevant concentrations (Cmax and Cmin) for MBC, EBC and AGC patients treatedwith the approved q1w and q3w dosing regimens are shown in Table 14 (Cycle 1), Table 15(steady-state), and Table 16 (PK parameters).
Table 14 Population predicted cycle 1 PK exposure values (median with 5th - 95th percentiles)for trastuzumab intravenous dosing regimens in MBC, EBC and AGC patients
Primary tumour Cmin AUC
Regimen N C (µg/mL) 0-21daystype (µg/mL) max (µg.day/mL)28.7 182 1376
MBC 805(2.9 - 46.3) (134 - 280) (728 - 1998)8 mg/kg +30.9 176 13906 mg/kg EBC 390(18.7 - 45.5) (127 - 227) (1039 - 1895)q3w23.1 132 1109
AGC 274(6.1 - 50.3) (84.2 - 225) (588 - 1938)37.4 76.5 1073
MBC 8054 mg/kg + (8.7 - 58.9) (49.4 - 114) (597 - 1584)2 mg/kg qw 38.9 76.0 1074
EBC 390(25.3 - 58.8) (54.7 - 104) (783 - 1502)
Table 15 Population predicted steady state PK exposure values (median with 5th - 95thpercentiles) for trastuzumab intravenous dosing regimens in MBC, EBC and AGC patients
Time to
Primary
C C AUC steady-
Regimen tumour N min,ss* max,ss** ss, 0-21days(µg/mL) (µg/mL) (µg.day/mL) state***type(week)44.2 179 1736
MBC 805 12(1.8 - 85.4) (123 - 266) (618 - 2756)8 mg/kg + 192753.8 1846 mg/kg EBC 390 (1332 - 15(28.7 - 85.8) (134 - 247)q3w 2771)32.9 131 1338
AGC 274 9(6.1 - 88.9) (72.5 - 251) (557 - 2875)63.1 107 1710
MBC 805 124 mg/kg + (11.7 - 107) (54.2 - 164) (581 - 2715)2 mg/kg 189372.6 115qw EBC 390 (1309 - 14(46 - 109) (82.6 - 160)2734)
*Cmin,ss = Cmin at steady state
**Cmax,ss = Cmax at steady state
***time to 90% of steady-state
Table 16 Population predicted PK parameter values at steady state for trastuzumabintravenous dosing regimens in MBC, EBC and AGC patients
Total CL ranget range from C to
Primary from Cmax,ss to 1/2 max,ss
Regimen N Ctumour type C min,ssmin,ss (day)(L/day)
MBC 805 0.183 - 0.302 15.1 - 23.38 mg/kg + 6 mg/kg
EBC 390 0.158 - 0.253 17.5 - 26.6q3w
AGC 274 0.189 - 0.337 12.6 - 20.64 mg/kg + 2 mg/kg MBC 805 0.213 - 0.259 17.2 - 20.4qw EBC 390 0.184 - 0.221 19.7 - 23.2
Trastuzumab washout
Trastuzumab washout period was assessed following q1w or q3w intravenous administration usingthe population PK model. The results of these simulations indicate that at least 95% of patients willreach concentrations that are <1 μg/mL (approximately 3% of the population predicted Cmin,ss, orabout 97% washout) by 7 months.
Circulating shed HER2 ECD
The exploratory analyses of covariates with information in only a subset of patients suggested thatpatients with greater shed HER2-ECD level had faster nonlinear clearance (lower Km) (P < 0.001).
There was a correlation between shed antigen and SGOT/AST levels; part of the impact of shedantigen on clearance may have been explained by SGOT/AST levels.
Baseline levels of the shed HER2-ECD observed in MGC patients were comparable to those in MBCand EBC patients and no apparent impact on trastuzumab clearance was observed.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
There was no evidence of acute or multiple dose-related toxicity in studies of up to 6 months, orreproductive toxicity in teratology, female fertility or late gestational toxicity/placental transferstudies. Trastuzumab is not genotoxic.
No long-term animal studies have been performed to establish the carcinogenic potential oftrastuzumab, or to determine its effects on fertility in males.
6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate
L-histidinesucrosepolysorbate 20 (E 432)
6.2 Incompatibilities
This medicinal product must not be mixed or diluted with other medicinal products except thosementioned under section 6.6.
It must not be diluted with glucose solutions.
6.3 Shelf life
Unopened vial4 years.
Aseptic reconstitution and dilution
After aseptic reconstitution with sterile water for injections the reconstituted solution is physicallyand chemically stable for 48 hours at 2°C - 8°C. Any remaining reconstituted solution should bediscarded.
After aseptic dilution in sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) solution for injection, solutions of
Trazimera for intravenous infusion are physically and chemically stable in polyvinylchloride,polyethylene, polypropylene or ethylene vinyl acetate bags, or glass intravenous bottles for up to30 days at 2°C - 8°C, and 24 hours at temperatures not exceeding 30°C.
From a microbiological point of view, the reconstituted solution and Trazimera infusion solutionshould be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are theresponsibility of the user and would not normally be longer than 24 hours at 2°C - 8°C, unlessreconstitution and dilution have taken place under controlled and validated aseptic conditions.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C).
Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
Unopened vials of Trazimera may be stored up to 30°C for a single period of up to 3 months. Uponremoval from refrigerated storage, Trazimera must not be returned to refrigerated storage. Discard atthe end of this 3-month period or by the expiry date on the vial, whichever occurs first. Record the“discard by” date in the date field provided on the carton.
For storage conditions of the reconstituted medicinal product, see sections 6.3 and 6.6.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Trazimera 150 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion15 mL clear glass type I vial with butyl rubber stopper laminated with a fluoro-resin film containing150 mg of trastuzumab.
Each carton contains one vial.
Trazimera 420 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion30 mL clear glass type I vial with butyl rubber stopper laminated with a fluoro-resin film containing420 mg of trastuzumab.
Each carton contains one vial.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Trazimera is provided in sterile, preservative-free, non-pyrogenic, single use vials.
Appropriate aseptic technique should be used for reconstitution and dilution procedures. Care mustbe taken to ensure the sterility of prepared solutions. Since the medicinal product does not containany anti-microbial preservative or bacteriostatic agents, aseptic technique must be observed.
Aseptic preparation, handling and storage
Aseptic handling must be ensured when preparing the infusion. Preparation should be:
* performed under aseptic conditions by trained personnel in accordance with good practicerules especially with respect to the aseptic preparation of parenteral products.
* followed by adequate storage of the prepared solution for intravenous infusion to ensuremaintenance of the aseptic conditions.
If the prepared solution is intended to be stored for more than 24 hours prior to use, then thereconstitution and dilution procedure should be performed in a laminar flow hood or biologicalsafety cabinet using standard precautions for the safe handling of intravenous agents.
Trazimera should be carefully handled during reconstitution. Causing excessive foaming duringreconstitution or shaking the reconstituted solution may result in problems with the amount of
Trazimera that can be withdrawn from the vial.
The reconstituted solution should not be frozen.
Trazimera 150 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
Appropriate aseptic technique should be used. Each 150 mg vial of Trazimera is reconstituted with7.2 mL of sterile water for injections (not supplied). Use of other reconstitution solvents should beavoided.
This yields a 7.4 mL solution for single-dose use, containing approximately 21 mg/mL trastuzumab,at a pH of approximately 6.0. An overfill of 4% ensures that the labelled dose of 150 mg can bewithdrawn from each vial.
Trazimera 420 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
Appropriate aseptic technique should be used. Each 420 mg vial of Trazimera is reconstituted with20 mL of sterile water for injections (not supplied). Use of other reconstitution solvents should beavoided.
This yields a 20.6 mL solution for single-dose use, containing approximately 21 mg/mLtrastuzumab, at a pH of approximately 6.0. An overfill of 5% ensures that the labelled dose of420 mg can be withdrawn from each vial.
Volume of sterile water
Trazimera vial for injections Final concentration150 mg vial + 7.2 mL = 21 mg/mL420 mg vial + 20 mL = 21 mg/mL
Instructions for aseptic reconstitution1) Using a sterile syringe, slowly inject the appropriate volume (as noted above) of sterile waterfor injections in the vial containing the lyophilised Trazimera, directing the stream into thelyophilised cake.
2) Swirl the vial gently to aid reconstitution. DO NOT SHAKE!
Slight foaming of the product upon reconstitution is not unusual. Allow the vial to stand undisturbedfor approximately 5 minutes. The reconstituted Trazimera results in a colourless to palebrownish-yellow transparent solution and should be essentially free of visible particulates.
Determine the volume of the solution required:
* based on a loading dose of 4 mg trastuzumab/kg body weight, or a subsequent weeklydose of 2 mg trastuzumab/kg body weight:
Volume (mL) = Body weight (kg) x dose (4 mg/kg for loading or 2 mg/kg for maintenance)21 (mg/mL, concentration of reconstituted solution)
* based on a loading dose of 8 mg trastuzumab/kg body weight, or a subsequent 3-weeklydose of 6 mg trastuzumab/kg body weight:
Volume (mL) = Body weight (kg) x dose (8 mg/kg for loading or 6 mg/kg for maintenance)21 (mg/mL, concentration of reconstituted solution)
The appropriate amount of solution should be withdrawn from the vial using a sterile needle andsyringe and added to an infusion bag or bottle containing 250 mL of sodium chloride 9 mg/mL(0.9%) solution for injection. Do not use with glucose-containing solutions (see section 6.2). The bagor bottle should be gently inverted to mix the solution in order to avoid foaming.
Parenteral medicinal products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discolorationprior to administration.
No incompatibilities between Trazimera and polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polypropylene orethylene vinyl acetate bags or with glass intravenous bottles have been observed.
Trazimera is for single-use only, as the product contains no preservatives. Any unused medicinalproduct or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Pfizer Europe MA EEIG
Boulevard de la Plaine 171050 Bruxelles
Belgium
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
EU/1/18/1295/001
EU/1/18/1295/002
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorisation: 26 July 2018
Date of latest renewal: 20 March 2023
10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European
Medicines Agency https://www.ema.europa.eu.