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DESTINY-Breast03 Trial

ENHERTU was approved based on DESTINY-Breast031,2

A Phase 3, multicenter, open-label, randomized, head-to-head study to compare the efficacy and safety of ENHERTU vs T-DM1 (ado-trastuzumab emtansine)

In DESTINY-Breast03 (N=524), a head-to-head study of ENHERTU (n=261) vs T-DM1 (n=263), patients received ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg IV Q3W In DESTINY-Breast03 (N=524), a head-to-head study of ENHERTU (n=261) vs T-DM1 (n=263), patients received ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg IV Q3W

Primary endpoint

  • PFS (BICR)a

Secondary endpoints

  • OS
  • Confirmed ORRb (BICR)a

Select exclusion criteria

  • History of ILD/pneumonitis requiring steroids or ILD/pneumonitis at screening
  • Clinically significant cardiac disease
  • Untreated and symptomatic brain metastasesc
  • ECOG performance status >1
  • Prior treatment with an anti-HER2 ADC in the metastatic setting

aBased on RECIST v1.1.1

bAnalysis was performed based on the patients with measurable disease assessed by BICR at baseline (n=248 patients randomized to receive ENHERTU; n=241 for T-DM1).1

cSubjects with treated brain metastases that were no longer symptomatic and who did not require treatment with corticosteroids or anticonvulsants were included in the study if they had recovered from the acute toxic effect of radiotherapy. A minimum of 2 weeks must have elapsed between the end of whole brain radiotherapy and study enrollment.3

Patient demographics were balanced between treatment arms

Select baseline patient demographics and disease characteristics2,3 ENHERTU
(n=261)
T-DM1
(n=263)
Median age 54 (range: 27-83) 54 (range: 20-83)
Female 96.6% 99.6%
White 27% 27%
Asian 58% 62%
Black or African American 4% 3%
Other race 10% 8%
ECOG performance status at baseline 0 59% 67%
1 41% 33%
Hormone receptor status Positive: 50% Positive: 51%
Previous systemic cancer therapyd Trastuzumab +
taxane
99.6% 99.6%
Pertuzumab 62.1% 60.1%
Prior lines of
therapy in the
metastatic setting
(includes rapid
progressors as 1
line of
treatments)e
0-1 50.6% 47.9%
2+ 49.4% 52%
Select baseline patient demographics and disease characteristics2,3 ENHERTU
(n=261)
T-DM1
(n=263)
Median age 54
(range:
27-83)
54
(range:
20-83)
Female 96.6% 99.6%
White 27% 27%
Asian 58% 62%
Black or African American 4% 3%
Other race 10% 8%
ECOG performance status at baseline
0 59% 67%
1 41% 33%
Hormone receptor status Positive: 50% Positive: 51%
Previous systemic cancer therapyd
Trastuzumab + taxane 99.6% 99.6%
Pertuzumab 62.1% 60.1%
Prior lines of therapy in the metastatic setting (includes rapid progressors as 1 line of treatments)e
0-1 50.6% 47.9%
2+ 49.4% 52%

dAll patients received at least 1 prior cancer therapy. One patient with prior T-DM1 treatment was enrolled in error in the ENHERTU arm.

eRapid progressors defined as progression within 6 months of (neo)adjuvant therapy or 12 months if regimen contained pertuzumab. Line of therapy does not include endocrine therapy.

Sites of metastases3 ENHERTU
(n=261)
T-DM1
(n=263)
Presence of visceral disease 71% 70%
Lung metastases 43% 49%
Liver metastases 35% 29%
Brain metastasesf 24% 20%
Sites of metastases3 ENHERTU
(n=261)
Presence of visceral disease 71%
Lung metastases 43%
Liver metastases 35%
Brain metastasesf 24%
Sites of metastases3 T-DM1
(n=263)
Presence of visceral disease 70%
Lung metastases 49%
Liver metastases 29%
Brain metastasesf 20%

fIncluded all patients with a reported history of CNS metastases at baseline. Subjects with treated brain metastases that were no longer symptomatic and who did not require treatment with corticosteroids or anticonvulsants were included in the study if they had recovered from the acute toxic effect of radiotherapy. A minimum of 2 weeks must have elapsed between the end of whole brain radiotherapy and study enrollment.3

ADC, antibody-drug conjugate; BICR, blinded independent central review; CNS, central nervous system; ECOG, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; HER2, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; ILD, interstitial lung disease; IV, intravenous; mBC, metastatic breast cancer; ORR, objective response rate; OS, overall survival; PFS, progression-free survival; Q3W, every 3 weeks; RECIST, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors; T-DM1, ado-trastuzumab emtansine.

WARNING: INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE and EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY

  • Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pneumonitis, including fatal cases, have been reported with ENHERTU. Monitor for and promptly investigate signs and symptoms including cough, dyspnea, fever, and other new or worsening respiratory symptoms. Permanently discontinue ENHERTU in all patients with Grade 2 or higher ILD/pneumonitis. Advise patients of the risk and to immediately report symptoms.
  • Exposure to ENHERTU during pregnancy can cause embryo-fetal harm. Advise patients of these risks and the need for effective contraception.
INDICATION

ENHERTU is a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or ISH positive) breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either:

  • In the metastatic setting, or
  • In the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy

Contraindications

None.

Warnings and Precautions

Interstitial Lung Disease / Pneumonitis

Severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD), including pneumonitis, can occur in patients treated with ENHERTU. A higher incidence of Grade 1 and 2 ILD/pneumonitis has been observed in patients with moderate renal impairment. Advise patients to immediately report cough, dyspnea, fever, and/or any new or worsening respiratory symptoms. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of ILD. Promptly investigate evidence of ILD. Evaluate patients with suspected ILD by radiographic imaging. Consider consultation with a pulmonologist. For asymptomatic ILD/pneumonitis (Grade 1), interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 0, then if resolved in ≤28 days from date of onset, maintain dose. If resolved in >28 days from date of onset, reduce dose one level. Consider corticosteroid treatment as soon as ILD/pneumonitis is suspected (e.g., ≥0.5 mg/kg/day prednisolone or equivalent). For symptomatic ILD/pneumonitis (Grade 2 or greater), permanently discontinue ENHERTU. Promptly initiate systemic corticosteroid treatment as soon as ILD/pneumonitis is suspected (e.g., ≥1 mg/kg/day prednisolone or equivalent) and continue for at least 14 days followed by gradual taper for at least 4 weeks.

Metastatic Breast Cancer and Other Solid Tumors (5.4 mg/kg)

In patients with metastatic breast cancer and other solid tumors treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, ILD occurred in 12% of patients. Median time to first onset was 5.5 months (range: 0.9 to 31.5). Fatal outcomes due to ILD and/or pneumonitis occurred in 1.0% of patients treated with ENHERTU.

Neutropenia

Severe neutropenia, including febrile neutropenia, can occur in patients treated with ENHERTU. Monitor complete blood counts prior to initiation of ENHERTU and prior to each dose, and as clinically indicated. For Grade 3 neutropenia (Absolute Neutrophil Count [ANC] <1.0 to 0.5 x 109/L), interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 2 or less, then maintain dose. For Grade 4 neutropenia (ANC <0.5 x 109/L), interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 2 or less, then reduce dose by one level. For febrile neutropenia (ANC <1.0 x 109/L and temperature >38.3º C or a sustained temperature of ≥38º C for more than 1 hour), interrupt ENHERTU until resolved, then reduce dose by one level.

Metastatic Breast Cancer and Other Solid Tumors (5.4 mg/kg)

In patients with metastatic breast cancer and other solid tumors treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, a decrease in neutrophil count was reported in 63% of patients. Seventeen percent had Grade 3 or 4 decreased neutrophil count. Median time to first onset of decreased neutrophil count was 22 days (range: 2 to 939). Febrile neutropenia was reported in 1% of patients.

Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Patients treated with ENHERTU may be at increased risk of developing left ventricular dysfunction. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decrease has been observed with anti-HER2 therapies, including ENHERTU. Assess LVEF prior to initiation of ENHERTU and at regular intervals during treatment as clinically indicated. Manage LVEF decrease through treatment interruption. When LVEF is >45% and absolute decrease from baseline is 10-20%, continue treatment with ENHERTU. When LVEF is 40-45% and absolute decrease from baseline is <10%, continue treatment with ENHERTU and repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. When LVEF is 40-45% and absolute decrease from baseline is 10-20%, interrupt ENHERTU and repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. If LVEF has not recovered to within 10% from baseline, permanently discontinue ENHERTU. If LVEF recovers to within 10% from baseline, resume treatment with ENHERTU at the same dose. When LVEF is <40% or absolute decrease from baseline is >20%, interrupt ENHERTU and repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. If LVEF of <40% or absolute decrease from baseline of >20% is confirmed, permanently discontinue ENHERTU. Permanently discontinue ENHERTU in patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure. Treatment with ENHERTU has not been studied in patients with a history of clinically significant cardiac disease or LVEF <50% prior to initiation of treatment.

Metastatic Breast Cancer and Other Solid Tumors (5.4 mg/kg)

In patients with metastatic breast cancer and other solid tumors treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, LVEF decrease was reported in 3.8% of patients, of which 0.6% were Grade 3.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risks to a fetus. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of ENHERTU. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 7 months after the last dose of ENHERTU. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for 4 months after the last dose of ENHERTU.

Additional Dose Modifications

Thrombocytopenia

For Grade 3 thrombocytopenia (platelets <50 to 25 x 109/L) interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 1 or less, then maintain dose. For Grade 4 thrombocytopenia (platelets <25 x 109/L) interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 1 or less, then reduce dose by one level.

Adverse Reactions

Metastatic Breast Cancer and Other Solid Tumors (5.4 mg/kg)

The pooled safety population reflects exposure to ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks in 1799 patients in Study DS8201-A-J101 (NCT02564900), DESTINY-Breast01, DESTINY-Breast02, DESTINY-Breast03, DESTINY-Breast04, and other clinical trials. Among these patients, 65% were exposed for >6 months and 38% were exposed for >1 year. In this pooled safety population, the most common (≥20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were nausea (73%), decreased white blood cell count (70%), decreased hemoglobin (66%), decreased neutrophil count (63%), decreased lymphocyte count (58%), fatigue (56%), decreased platelet count (48%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (47%), increased alanine aminotransferase (43%), vomiting (40%), increased blood alkaline phosphatase (38%), alopecia (34%), constipation (33%), decreased appetite (32%), decreased blood potassium (31%), diarrhea (29%), musculoskeletal pain (24%), and abdominal pain (20%).

HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

DESTINY-Breast03

The safety of ENHERTU was evaluated in 257 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who received at least one dose of ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg intravenously once every three weeks in DESTINY-Breast03. The median duration of treatment was 14 months (range: 0.7 to 30).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 19% of patients receiving ENHERTU. Serious adverse reactions in >1% of patients who received ENHERTU were vomiting, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, pyrexia, and urinary tract infection. Fatalities due to adverse reactions occurred in 0.8% of patients including COVID-19 and sudden death (one patient each).

ENHERTU was permanently discontinued in 14% of patients, of which ILD/pneumonitis accounted for 8%. Dose interruptions due to adverse reactions occurred in 44% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose interruption were neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, pneumonia, nausea, fatigue, and ILD/pneumonitis. Dose reductions occurred in 21% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose reduction were nausea, neutropenia, and fatigue.

The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were nausea (76%), decreased white blood cell count (74%), decreased neutrophil count (70%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (67%), decreased hemoglobin (64%), decreased lymphocyte count (55%), increased alanine aminotransferase (53%), decreased platelet count (52%), fatigue (49%), vomiting (49%), increased blood alkaline phosphatase (49%), alopecia (37%), decreased blood potassium (35%), constipation (34%), musculoskeletal pain (31%), diarrhea (29%), decreased appetite (29%), headache (22%), respiratory infection (22%), abdominal pain (21%), increased blood bilirubin (20%), and stomatitis (20%).

Use in Specific Populations

  • Pregnancy: ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risks to a fetus. There are clinical considerations if ENHERTU is used in pregnant women, or if a patient becomes pregnant within 7 months after the last dose of ENHERTU.
  • Lactation: There are no data regarding the presence of ENHERTU in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ENHERTU and for 7 months after the last dose.
  • Females and Males of Reproductive Potential: Pregnancy testing: Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of ENHERTU. Contraception: Females: ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for 7 months after the last dose. Males: Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for 4 months after the last dose. Infertility: ENHERTU may impair male reproductive function and fertility.
  • Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of ENHERTU have not been established in pediatric patients.
  • Geriatric Use: Of the 1287 patients with breast cancer treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, 22% were ≥65 years and 3.8% were ≥75 years. No overall differences in efficacy within clinical studies were observed between patients ≥65 years of age compared to younger patients. There was a higher incidence of Grade 3-4 adverse reactions observed in patients aged ≥65 years (59%) as compared to younger patients (49%).
  • Renal Impairment: A higher incidence of Grade 1 and 2 ILD/pneumonitis has been observed in patients with moderate renal impairment. Monitor patients with moderate renal impairment more frequently. The recommended dosage of ENHERTU has not been established for patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr <30 mL/min).
  • Hepatic Impairment: In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, due to potentially increased exposure, closely monitor for increased toxicities related to the topoisomerase inhibitor, DXd. The recommended dosage of ENHERTU has not been established for patients with severe hepatic impairment (total bilirubin >3 times ULN and any AST).

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. at 1-877-437-7763 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or fda.gov/medwatch.

Please click here for full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and click here for Medication Guide.

INDICATION

ENHERTU is a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or ISH positive) breast cancer who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen either:

  • In the metastatic setting, or
  • In the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting and have developed disease recurrence during or within six months of completing therapy
References
  • ENHERTU. Prescribing information. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.; 2024.
  • Cortés J, Kim SB, Chung WP, et al; DESTINY-Breast03 Trial Investigators. Trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab emtansine for breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(12):1143-1154.
  • Data on file. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. Basking Ridge, NJ.
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